As usual, I'll start with the health stuff, because I figure that's what most people are here to read about! All my scans were clear, and bloodwork was good! My onc. asked me if I planned to do reconstruction, and we talked about the pros and cons of that a little. He said they have some very good and newer procedures now, but also said there is no reason to do recon. He said I should do whatever Rich and I think is best. He said it is unlikely that I would get cancer in my remaining breast--if I did it would be a new primary, and not a recurrence. I'm seriously considering another surgery to go completely flat and just be done with it all! I feel like I'm always uneven and it's getting annoying. Plus, I wouldn't have to have the MRIs and Mammograms any more! I keep saying this, but I really should just see a plastic surgeon, so I would at least know my options. My biggest fear with recon is that my radiated skin won't heal properly. So many women never achieve good results after rads. I don't want several more surgeries and revisions. But I could handle one more, if it would make life easier. We'll see.
We also talked about my neuropathy--not much new there. I still have it, and my onc. thinks I probably always will. I have Lhermitte's sign again, which is a tingling down my back and left leg everytime I bend my head forward. I had that after chemo, but went away, and now it's back. It can be a sign of MS, but it's also common after chemo. Doc said it's nothing to be concerned about and brushed it off. I, of course, did some research, and I agree with doc. It's just more nerve damage from chemo. It's been less than 2 years since I finished chemo, and I still get new and different signs of the nerve damage. Last Fall, after going back to work and being on my feet a lot, I started getting a burning feeling on the bottom of my feet--it felt like I stepped on hot pavement. That doesn't happen as often, but now I am getting more cramping in my feet--esp. my right foot. When I am sitting here on the couch with my feet up, sometimes my toes and the top of my foot will just cramp up and my toes will be stuck in a certain position, until I stretch it out.
Anyways--there wasn't much else to discuss with my onc. He does want blood tests again in 3 months, and ct scans again in 6. I'll also have my colonoscopy then, and mammo. I almost told him I would rather wait a year to get scanned, because I'm so sure they'll be clear again, but there is always that little fear, and I kept my mouth shut and am going to go along with his expert recommendation.
As for the fistula, it involves only a little muscle, so I could have it cut open, with the hopes that it would heal completely and be gone, but there is always the issue of my radiated skin. I told the surgeon that I am worried it wouldn't heal. She agreed that could happen. We decided to leave it as it is, with the Seton in (the rubber band like thing that lays through the fistula), and keep checking on it every 3 months. She said it can be left in for a couple of years. It doesn't bother me too much, so that's what I'm going to do. She also said it won't affect any of my options, and I can change my mind at any time.
Ok, enough of that. In other news...I go back to work Tuesday, which is when the new school year starts. I am sort of looking forward to it, but I am worried about how tired I will be. I only work 10-1:15, but that is a busy 3.25 hours and I am on my feet a lot. Nearly 2 hours of it is lunch and recess. It wears me out. I don't like coming home so exhausted I can't do anything else the rest of the day! I've been tired a lot lately, even without working. It's frustrating. I've even been exercising more, because I assumed not exercising was part of my problem. It hasn't helped, and I am often even more tired after exercising. I have been eating better (although not this weekend!!), and that hasn't helped either. I might go see my family doc, but really, there is not much that can be done for "fatigue". One thing I would like to try though, is taking Synthroid (brand name) instead of generic meds for my thyroid. I've read several times that the generic is not always as good as the name brand in this case. Another dr. appointment to make....
How did that turn into talking about my health again? In OTHER news....Alyssa is 31 weeks pregnant now, and getting big. She is more beautiful than ever! Her baby shower is coming in 2 weeks! She is working 2 jobs, and has been feeling too stressed (a lot of other stuff going on too), so she will soon be quitting 1 job. She needs to take it easy and have time to relax, enjoy her new house and spend quality time with her husband.
My grandson Charlie is starting preschool in a new school district this week. He just turned 5, but will do another year of preschool before starting kindergarten. But, wow, he is learning fast now! He knows lots of signs (sign language), and is starting to be more and more verbal. Brennan has slimmed down and turned into a little boy over night. No more toddler! He will be 3 the end of this month. He says things like "That's pretty cool" and "Are you kidding me?!" and many, many other cute things. You can tell he listens to every word his momma says! ;) The boys will be over tomorrow morning, to give Rachel some time to get things done, while Ken is keeping his bees company and harvesting more honey.
Shonna starts college at our big city college on Tues. She learned how to ride the city bus a few days ago, and checked out the campus, then flew to Louisville to photograph a friend's wedding. We picked her up this afternoon. It's going to be a crazy busy week for her!
September is not my favorite month, because of the busy-ness. It just rushes by in a blur. I suppose by the end of it, we are pretty settled into our routines, and then I can finally enjoy it. I LOVE the cool fall air. We got a taste of that earlier in Aug, but now it is back to warm and muggy (although not nearly as hot and muggy as July!). Sept. 8th is a very special day though, as that is our anniversary (28 years!!). Unfortunately we are often too busy to celebrate much on that day, but usually find time later in the month. I am still considering another trip to Duluth this fall, this time just the 2 of us. We have gone there many, many times to celebrate our anniversary!
Here are a few pictures from our family vacation in Duluth this summer:
(Just want to mention that I had just gotten a TOO short haircut, and was not happy with it--don't plan on having it that short again!)
Have a blessed week everyone!
Tina
Hey everyone! I haven't been posting much because there just isn't much to say! I am enjoying life, and giving myself time to heal.
I want to mention my sadness over the loss of a sister blogger. She passed away a few days ago after a long battle with stage 4 breast cancer. I knew she was getting worse, but there still seemed to be hope, so this was sort of sudden. She occasionally read my blog, and it is sad writing this one knowing she won't be reading it. We will miss you Daria! Please pray for her husband and family.
Last Thursday, the 20th, was one year since I finished the FOLFOX chemo for colon cancer. Coming up soon will be my 2 year "cancerversary". In about a month I'll have my CT scan to check for more cancer. The thought doesn't make me nervous yet, but we'll see what happens when the date gets closer! Even though I know God is with me, I still wouldn't like to hear there is more cancer!
As far as the breast cancer goes, I will have my next Herceptin infusion next Wed., Feb. 2nd. The infusions are every 3 weeks. I might have to have some labs done because of the bp med I'm taking, but I won't be seeing my onc at this appt. I'll see him next time to go over my CT and MUGA results.
I'm still thinking about whether or not I want to do reconstruction. I've been reading others' experiences, and there is a private website where you can look at pictures of reconstruction. I'm am so grateful to the women who have put their pictures and their stories there to help others. I would probably have to have some sort of "flap" surgery, because radiation affects the skin too much for implants. One of the flap procedures uses the muscle from your back and brings it around to the front. This sounds painful to me! I'm not sure I want to go through a major surgery and 6 week recovery again. We'll see... Any pros and cons from any readers that have gone through this(recon or not) please e-mail me!
I am LOVING my time off! I feel so guilty sometimes, then I remember all I've been through the past 2 years, and I don't feel so guilty anymore! Also, because of my neuropathy I can't work anyways, at least not until it warms up outside! I usually watch Brennan once or twice a week, I have time to IRON (something I always hated to do but mostly because I didn't have time! Rich was happy to have some of his shirts back!), I am helping out at church again ( I do copying and stuff for the Children's Pastor), AND I joined a women's Bible study that is on Thurs. mornings. It's a Beth Moore study called "Breaking Free". It's pretty intense, and helps you overcome anything that might be holding you captive. I have no idea what that might be right now, but I'm pretty sure I'm going to find out! God wanted me at this study for a reason. The study says that "A Christian is held captive by anything that hinders the abundant and effective Spirit-filled life God planned for her". I want that "abundant and effective Spirit-filled life" that God has planned for me! Rachel and Alyssa are doing the study too. Alyssa has also done other Beth Moore studies.
Speaking of Alyssa, she and Jaren are down in Cabo San Lucas on their mission trip right now. They will be building a classroom for the youth in the area and putting on a marriage seminar. She sent me an e-mail after their 1st day. It is warm and beautiful there and she saw some whales in the bay! They asked for prayer for sleep (apparently the bed and pillow are hard as rocks!), and for them not to have any stomach troubles or illness. Also, please pray for the lives they will be touching down there. This is a very poor area where the kids are often left alone during the day. There is lots of drug use also. Pray for the team to be strong in the Lord and the presence of the Holy Spirit to be with them.
Rachel is spending a lot of time trying to get all their paperwork done for the adoption. Many forms have had to be redone more than once. If everything is not PERFECT it has to be redone! They are hoping to be one of the first families called to go over there to adopt their son. Hopefully this will be in March or April!
Shonna is back at school and busy as ever. She works a few hours a week at a nearby library. She will be learning how to play the keyboard and has some sort of singing lessons too, I think. Also choir, theology, and required time in the prayer room. Here is a link to the prayer room. It's great to listen to during your own prayer time or Bible study time.
Well, that's all for today!
Love and blessings!
Tina
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
