Just wanted to post the continued good news I have been receiving from my doctors, as many of you are continuing to pray for that for me!
Oncologist appointment on Sept 10th was just a physical exam, no CT scan or blood work, but everything checked out good. On Dec 10, we'll do another CT scan on my every 6 month cycle. I will continue on Tamoxifen (daily med) to keep estrogen from growing bad cells in my body, and with that, experience the lovely effects of menopause--hot flashes and all. I'll take that over chemo any day, so just learning how to best navigate it (like alcohol affects me even more and faster now, weight gain, stomach aches from the meds, etc.). I have finally been able to kick the nightly sleep aids, too. Chemo (maybe just cancer in general?) wreaks havoc on your sleep (I'm even part of a sleep therapy study for it), and I was so nervous to not use sleep aids (over the counter and melatonin) and not get good rest, as I am already so tired. However, I am getting fed up with taking all this medicine and just want my body to heal as much as I am in control, so I started weaning myself down a few weeks ago and the last week has been sleep med free. It's awesome to wake up less groggy and it feels better over all for sure... the sleep hasn't been as sound or as long most nights, but it'll get there!
Yesterday, my radiation doctor was most impressed by the way my skin is healing up. She was actually really surprised that it was this good this soon! The NP at my school has suggested some really great oils (rosehip oil for healing skin and scars) and salves (calendula for moisturizing) that I have been using, and apparently that has made the difference! Dr. Zaky said that it will really benefit my reconstruction surgery to have that skin all soft and pliable (skin that has been radiated tends to get stiff and leathery), so I will keep up the regiment, and I don't have to go back to see here until April 2019!
Getting in the groove with school schedules and regular stuff has been good. Kids are all doing well and enjoying their friends, church and school activities. (first day of school pics below)
Brian is hanging in there with his absolutely insane class schedule this year (he's teaching 4 sections of different classes within one period this year, plus 2 sections in another, plus 3 other class--ridiculous!). It's homecoming week at the high school right now, so he and Zeke have been having fun with dress up days and building the freshman float for the parade tomorrow.
I have been feeling so much better, here in the last couple weeks especially. I am still getting tired faster than I used to and my brain gets tired quicker, too, but I am learning it's okay to come home and cat nap and have the kids help with dinner. Work is awesome, I love meeting with students again, but it's super draining for me also, so learning to balance it all again. I got to go on a field trip with Ethan this week on a walking tour of Downtown Sonora--so fun to learn history of our own town. Also, last Saturday, I was asked to share my testimony about God's story working in mine at the Women's event at church. I probably ended up talking for way too long, but it was really neat to share how God has been working in my life - cancer and all the way up to it and through it - and hopefully be an encouragement to others shining God's HOPE in my story.
Coming up... next week I go down for a pre-op consult with my plastic surgeon for my reconstruction surgery, currently scheduled for Dec 20. During that procedure, I will also get my ovaries removed, so a consult with that dr will happen closer to the surgery date. (Merry Christmas!) So, continued prayers for that process and for doctors hands to be steady, sure and skilled! For scans to be clear!
Also, prayer for another dear sister just diagnosed last week. Praise for another who just got the beautiful word 'remission' from her oncologist. October is Breast Cancer Awareness month--make sure you are doing your self-checks and doctor visits... please BE AWARE!
