Well, I said I'd write more after I saw my onc., and I didn't! Hmmm. We discussed my clear CT, and some odd little things that showed up on there--my ureters (the tubes that carry urine from the kidney to the bladder) look dilated (bigger). There doesn't appear to be any blockage, so we'll keep an eye on it. I have had some bladder issues since my colon surgery, but nothing too major. I remember the surgeon telling me after the surgery that he had a kidney specialist come in and look at things and everything seemed to be working ok. I'm not real clear on why he needed the kidney doc to come in though.
Anyways...the MUGA showed more improvement on the heart function. It's up to 61% now (59 last time and 51 at the lowest point). The blood pressure med I'm on seems to be working! My potassium is good--not too high like it was before. I still have to be careful about getting too much, so I still am not drinking orange juice. I have an occasional clementine or tangerine though.
Not much else to say about that. I don't need to see the onc for 3 months, and I'll have another MUGA at that time. I will continue to get the Herceptin infusions every 3 weeks. My neuropathy has improved quite a bit, but is still there and holding steady right now. My left shoulder ( surgery side) still hurts, but I try to move it and stretch it daily. I might eventually have to have physical therapy for it.
I'm still working on some "female" issues from radiation, and a cyst in my ovary that is causing some discomfort (not pain though). I have another ultrasound in a few weeks for that. Might eventually have an oophorectomy (ovaries removed), but I'm not to keen on another surgery, so we'll see!
I have been tired again the past week. Hoping I'll get over this soon! I haven't been exercising because I've been pretty busy. Seems I'm always running somewhere, or babysitting Brennan (which I love!).
Well, speaking of Brennan--starting Sunday, he'll be here for about 2 and a half weeks! Rachel and Ken got the date to go over to the country they are adopting from (don't know if I'm allowed to say the country's name on here yet--the country doesn't want people thinking they don't take care of their orphans!). They have a meeting there on Wed., 3/16, and will hopefully get to meet their little boy (she thinks she's going to name him Charlie) on Friday. Then they'll have another court-type meeting about 2 weeks after the first one, and then they can come home for about 10 days before going back over to get Charlie. Ken will be staying home and working, and Rachel will be going back hopefully with Shonna to help her. Then, I think it'll be about 2 weeks more before they can actually leave with Charlie. I guess to get better details you should just read Rachel's blog--the link to her blog "Love is Sugar Free" is on the side of my page---->
We are very excited, and a little nervous to have Brennan here for so long. He's going to miss his parents (he already clings to Rachel when she tries to leave him at the nursery at church!), but he's so young, I think it won't affect him too much. He had his first sleepover here the weekend before last, and he did great. Ken's parents are going to take him on the weekends, and there are others that will help during the week too, to give me a little break. My mom is here to help too--thank God! She can watch him while I take my shower in the morning!
There is so much swirling through my head right now! Shonna is home on break until Friday, and that is keeping me busy! All of us girls are going to lunch today--Rachel (and Brennan--our only boy!), Alyssa, Shonna, Mom, Dee, and I.
I'm still doing the Beth Moore Breaking Free Bible study on Thursday mornings and I love it! The study is SUPER good, and I am learning and growing in God. I also love the fellowship of the women. I need to find a way to make that continue after the study is over.
This study has helped me realize what things I need to just give over to God. You know you hear from a lot of cancer patients that they learn who is there for them and who is not when going through something like this. That is true for me as well. I know who my friends are, and what family members I can count on. There are those I haven't heard from since my diagnoses. That bothered Rich and I for awhile, and especially the ones who don't even acknowledge my kids--heard nothing for graduation or a wedding! I've come to realize that I just need to give it over to God--not hold a grudge, not want to treat them like they've treated me. I choose to ignore their behavior. I will treat them with kindness, and continue to pray for them. I have God--what can man do to me? (Psalm 118:6).
Well, going to lunch in an hour--better go get ready! I actually have enough hair that I have to put a little shaping cream in it to help control it a bit! Maybe I'll post a pic soon!
Love and blessings!!
Tina
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ReplyDeleteAnd we call the country, "Uknowwhere" :)