Chemo #8 completed - no more chemo!

We continue to appreciate and need your prayers. We met with the oncologist yesterday afternoon and told him we decided not to do any "maintenance chemo" since there is no benefit to me...just more side effects.

So we are not doing anything...which the doctor said is fine. He said "...when it comes back...we hope and pray that it won't...it could show up in a couple months or a year...if you hit the 2 year mark of keeping the cancer at bay then that is a big marker..."

I am not encouraged by man's declaration about this cancer. We do take into consideration the doctor's experience with patients who have the same type of cancer. So it brings bad news to us. At the same time we turn and rely on God's power and His will for our lives. We continue to pray that God's will for me is to be the mom to raise David well into his adulthood. And to "grow old together" with my husband Tim, the man God brought to me after years of prayer and waiting.

My dear friend, Karyn Elliott came for a visit as well as "nurse-maid" to me and David. She arrived the day that Cecilia left - Sept 6. I had my last chemo on Sept 7, so thankfully we had someone to care for us. I am so blessed to have such wonderful, caring friends to support and pray for us. Thank you Lord:-). Thanks Karyn, we love you!

Making a yummy dinner --Spring Rolls!

Enjoying a yummy dinner on a beautiful fall evening. 

David was "making Karyn a princess" by brushing her hair

Riding the tricycle to pre-school.
Another beautiful day!

Boy it's a sunny morning!

So thankful for Karyn's friendship of 20 years!

Needing God's wisdom

God's guidance is indeed what we are praying for. Friday will be chemo #8. My oncologist said that the normal number of chemo treatments is 6. So the more treatments I have the more side effects and lasting side effects I am subjected to.

The oncologist has presented 3 options: continue chemo on a "maintenance level" which means getting one chemo drug instead of two. The drug they would continue with is the one that causes all the side effects -- neuropathy, hair loss, fatigue, constipation, nausea -- but less duration (if that's any consolation); option 2 is to get involved in a drug study and option 3 is to do nothing. We will get the results of the CA125 on Friday before chemo. Hopefully it will be in the normal range of 0-35! Three weeks ago (after treatment #6) it was 325 I believe. Which is higher than before surgery, but "normal" to be higher.

I am not in remission yet, so I don't know what to do. I do believe God knows my future so I trust in His answer...I just need prayers to hear Him!!

Cecilia has been our visitor since Labor Day and it has been a very short but absolutely a lovely visit. We had some people over last night to hear what God is doing through Cecilia in Greece. To make a long story short she is teaching Bible in a private school for those who cannot afford to go to the Greek schools or other private schools, she conducts Bible studies on Tuesdays and Saturdays, she works with refugees, and she is beginning a ministry among young women involved in illegal human trafficking. In addition to her full-time job of teaching she is finishing her masters degree in Christian counseling and helping young women learn to sew so they can earn some income. She brought some hand bags and is selling them while she is here in the states.

Report received

The fluid is not cancerous! Just normal lymphatic drainage with no where to go! We still don't know what to do with the 2nd fluid sac, but at this time it's not bothering me too much. Thanks to God.

I have chemo tomorrow, and from "the chair" I will head to my friend's house and head to Park City for our church Women's Retreat!! I am very excited. I hope my body will respond as it has in past experiences -- I will feel energetic the night of chemo and the next day.

We had had some wonderful news too. My friend who is a missionary in Greece (I met her while I lived in Africa) is coming for a couple day visit before she heads back overseas. I haven't seen her since Morocco (2005)!

The day after Cecilia leaves us my dear friend Karyn is coming from Indy. We are so blessed to have these opportunities to be with friends. Thank you Lord!!

Chemo on Friday

Friday's fluid drainage went as well as to be expected. They collected 60 ccs. from one fluid sac. It was the size of a softball. The 2nd fluid sac is not easily accessible at this point so they could not do anything with it. It seems to be entangled with the sciatic nerve therefore they don't want to risk hitting that. The good news is that THAT may be the cause of the numbness in my right leg.

The fluid should be diagnosed by Wednesday. They are thinking it is not cancerous!

I am scheduled for my 2nd round of chemo (post-op) this Friday (Aug 17). I am looking forward to meeting with the oncologist prior to the treatment to see if she has spoken to the surgeon about how many rounds of chemo they recommend. The surgeon wants me to have a total of 6 rounds of post-op chemo and the oncologist suggested 3. I am hoping for 3 only.

Those chemo days are tough. Tim continues to remind me "it's only 5 days and you can do it!!" The 1st 2 days are manageable but by Sunday (day 2) I am in bed until about Wednesday/Thursday and those days are filled with feeling hopeless. It's miserable.

This week I will have chemo on Friday and then I will head to Park City for our church women's retreat. I am so excited. Please keep us all in prayer.

Enjoy the pictures. David and I enjoyed a morning out with 2 other families (9 kids under the age of 9). It was fun but my child was out of sorts when he had to leave the indoor play area.

My hair is/was starting to fall out so Tim shaved it for me. Back to wearing wigs or being bold to go bald!!

David ad his buddy Tayven

It took me about 8 weeks to get my hair this long!!

Here come the waves...

the mohawk...Not keepin' it!

 

Tim, you oughta be a barber in your spare time!!
Thanks Honey, you're the best!

Back to the operating room -- just a small needle drainage prodecure

So I had a CT scan last Friday (Aug3).

On Tuesday I got a call from St. Mark's Registrar to schedule a "fluid drainage". I inquired if they have the right patient. I had not been informed of any procedure that needed to be done. I was going to be seeing the oncologist that day at 4pm to see the results of my CT scan. So I was a caught off guard with this info and strange call! The registrar said I was the right person and she would call my surgeon to confirm and have them call me.

The GYN-Oncologist nurse had left a message on my voice mail during the day - which I did not check, so I had no idea she had seen the scan and gave me results and scheduled this procedure -- my bad.

Once it was all straightened out why this procedure was requested I found out that my CT scan revealed pockets of fluid that should be drained. I had been having abdomen pains for a couple weeks and had left a message for the nurse on Monday to tell her again of my ongoing symptoms.  The nurse assumes these pockets of fluid are causing the pains. So I agreed to go in Wednesday and have the procedure done.

The oncologist meeting Tuesday afternoon didn't reveal much. He said my blood count and white cell counts were good. The pockets of fluid -- he could not tell where they were, how big they were, how they got there, etc. :-(. He explained that  these "fluid pockets" may be in the area where lymph nodes were removed, so the fluid that typically flows through the lymph system is trying to figure out where to go since those nodes are gone.

I checked into St. Mark's Wednesday to have the procedure done. They told me I had to fast for 6 hours prior to procedure. Too bad I was told I could eat. The procedure was rescheduled for Friday -- today. It seems the pockets of fluid are in the pelvic and one may be deeper than the other so the fluid drainage may be painful . The PA was kind enough to give me the option to get it done with a local anesthesia or come back Friday with an empty stomach so I can have a little more anesthesia.

Well I opted for more anesthesia. I really don't want to feel any more poking and prodding in that area thank you very much. So I am leaving in half an hour to go get checked in for this "outpatient procedure".

We are having  our Small Group over tonight for a potluck dinner! So I can't wait to get home and EAT. Thank you God for working things out with babysitters and last-minute rides to the airport and Tim's work. I pray for Your hands to guide this procedure so that I will have relief from this pressure and pain:-) You are Good.

Back to Chemo...Post-op...Chemo #6

I saw the surgeon Monday, July 23rd and she approved the continuation of chemo. Although she wants me to have 6 sessions instead of the 3 that the oncologist suggested. The 2 doctors will discuss my case and come to a conclusion of what is best. Also we will just have to see how my body responds after each treatment. If the neuropathy (numbness in my feet) increases then we may have to seek other treatment options.


I have been in Physical Therapy for two weeks to help build my stomach and back muscles. I am grateful that I can participate in PT. I feel my stomach is stronger already. I can breath a little deeper without pain. And I can lift David now without any problems. Although I prefer to give him piggy-back rides! I finally got to cut the grass the other day, but I could only manage the front yard -- due to backyard limitations (the baby pool water was dumped and the grass was wet!). 

Yesterday (Friday July 27) was my first chemo treatment after surgery. I cried a lot on Thursday. I just figured, "Hey I have had 5 treatments and radical surgery isn't that enough? Can we be done?" I guess I could choose not to have any chemo, but I don't sense God telling me one way or another. So I continue to walk through this cancer stuff under the doctors' directives.

Since the tumors are virtually gone I wonder how I will respond to the drugs flowing through my body. Although the surgeon was able to remove the tumors, there are still cancer cells floating through my blood stream. The oncologist reminded me that I will have to deal with this cancer the rest of my life. In hindsight I should have reminded her, "That is up to God" but I was trying to swallow the information she had given me.

God has allowed the treatments to be productive and shrink the tumors and He allowed the tumor(s) to release from the bowel so that my bowel did not have to be re-sectioned. He knows that I would like to be the one to raise David and live a long happy life with the husband He brought to me after 42 years!! He is in charge and I trust His will for my life.

He has brought so many wonderful people into my life before this disease appeared and so many more after news of this disease. I am grateful for each and every person who says a prayer here and there, those who pray daily, those who send cards, those who text and call, those who drive me to appointments, those who care for David, those who bring meals, those who are part of our Small Group bible study, those who come visit and care for us and of course for family members!!

My mom and niece were here for 5 weeks. Blessings to them for putting up with me!! They left on the 24th and are sorely missed. My brother and his family stopped in for 4 whole days while Mom and Holly were here. The time flew by too quickly. I miss being around everyone like that.

My next chemo is scheduled for August 17th - the 1st day of our Women's Retreat. I WILL be attending the  retreat!!

We continue to covet your prayers that God's Will will persevere in our daily lives. That people may come to know the mercy and grace of our Lord through this dis-ease. The road is long and we are grateful for your continued care, love, and prayers. Many kisses and hugs to you!

Fun at Park City, UT (l to r) Holly, mom, Taylor,
brother Mark, Jen, and Alice

Riding the ski lift to the top!!

Taylor, Holly, Mark, Mom, Alice and Jen taking off

Jen, David and Deb in front of hand-painted moose

 

Michael W. Smith concert, July 24th

Alyssa volunteered ALL DAY to help
at the concert. she also sang back-up
in Drew's band, the organizer of the event

Recognize anyone?

Deb, Tim, MWS, Henry and Cheryl Ong

back for more chemo...arghhhh. God is in control!!

Nearly 5 weeks after surgery and I am doing well. Thanks again for your prayers and love!! Mom and my 12-year old niece have been here since the end of June and will stay until July 24th. We are so very blessed to have them here. I can't bear the thought of them leaving so soon! I must remind myself that God is in control and He will provide for our needs.

Most of the steri-strips (bandages) covering my stitches are gone – just the two end points remain tightly glued to my skin. The scar is very sensitive to clothing or anything touching it so I am looking for ideas regarding WHAT to put on my healing incision. I am looking for remedies that will help it heal quicker and leave less of a scar. Let me know if you have any remediesJ

I am still restricted on lifting, pushing and pulling for about 10 more days. I don't know how the surgeon finally decides to lift the ban but I look forward to being able to do a little more around the house!! I meet with her Monday July 23^rd.

David has been very mindful of my tummy and the fact that I cannot carry or lift him. So we compromise and I sit when he wants me to hold him and we just snuggle. He still asks to see the stitches and bandages on my tummy on occasion. Most peculiar is his fascination with the port in my chest. Even though we have explained what its job is, he still wants to "press the buttons" and feel it. Because it protrudes out from my thin skin, you can see the 3 little "bumps" on the unit and he wants to press each oneJ  

Tim and I were able to head north to some "cooler" temperatures for the 4th of July. We decided to visit dear friends who recently moved north to Logan, UT and then head to Twin Falls, ID. What a beautiful place!! Tim found us a lovely Bed & Breakfast Inn called The Fillmore Inn and it was simply divine. Just the two of us!! The Shoshone Falls were only 2 miles from us so we were able to be near "home" in case we needed to get me to a resting place. We walked a lot. Although I walk a pretty slow pace we covered a good amount of ground. It feels good to walk but after awhile my lower abdomen will remind me that it's time to rest. My back spasms are just about gone as my stomach muscles grow stronger. I am grateful for that!

I met with the oncologist a couple weeks ago and she said we will begin chemotherapy after the surgeon gives the ok that I have healed (well enough) from surgery. So we have scheduled chemo to start July 27^th . Mom and  Holly will leave the 24^thL. We are leaning on God to provide the helpers we need when we need them. I am ready for all this to be over!!! One would think that 5 treatments and major surgery would be the end of this battle but it's not. Unfortunately the oncologist reminded me that I will have to live with this cancer the rest of my life and our goal is to get it in remission. I am having a hard time getting that into my thick head!!

The oncologist is aiming for "3 chemo treatments – IF – my body responds positively," she says. I have been experiencing neuropathy (numbness in my feet) since treatment 4 and there is a chance it could increase with more chemo. So treatment options could change. Currently I am taking Vitamin B6 to help with the numbness. I don't feel much difference yet.

The surgery has left me with numbness on the top of my right thigh from my hip down to my knee. It's not totally numb but it feels like it is just waking up from being asleep. It's a strange feeling.

Below are pictures of our Fourth of July adventure - to Logan for time with friends and their participation in a rodeo! And our trip to Idaho...

There goes Sydney at the rodeo!

Prepping for the rodeo with mom, April.

Great way to spend the 4th of July -- at the rodeo with good freinds!!

Passing over Snake River in Idaho - God's glorious scenery

The scenery was much greener than the picture shows. We had 2 lovely days in ID.

The Shoshone Falls - Magnificent!!

Nice picnic spot overlooking the Shoshone Falls.

Table set for breakfast at The Fillmore Inn B&B

A wonderful gluten-free breakfast of home-made muffins,
fresh fruit, juice, waffles, and gorgeous weather! What a treat!

My brother and his family arrive on July 17. We are so excited to have so much family under one roof for 4 whole days!! I am grateful that we have a Michael W. Smith concert to go to on July 24^th – it will help me cope with the overwhelming feeling of everyone being gone. We have had someone at our home nearly everyday since we first got the news of cancer in January. We are so blessed to have family and friends willing to spend their time here with us. It will be lonely once mom and Holly leave. David will be stuck with mommy all day longJ