Check ups are good!

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!

Update on Radiation

My dear family, friends and prayer warriors,

I can see the light at the end of the tunnel... only 2 more trips to Turlock for radiation therapy! My skin is so much very much not happy. Itchy, blistering, peeling--owie and yucky. My rad techs and doctor are completely awesome, and I will miss their daily encouragement and involvement in my treatment--though not the daily commute or damage to my skin. There is a bit of an 'after-burn' effect so my skin should start healing after next week. While wincing in pain, I am so very thankful that the technology and people exist that can fight this cancer beast. Every time I lay on that table I envision the game Galaga--and pray those rays are blasting those little bugger cancer cells out of my skin and body, and not letting one get by so we can move up to the next level!!!

There is definitely more to come. I have to get a cervical spine CT scan with contrast sometime this week because my hands are constantly going numb (including waking me up throughout the night) and we need to rule out badness going on. After an initial freak out when that order came in and some God-given insight by a friend, Brian and I truly believe that it is carpal tunnel symptoms coming back in full force. I was experiencing the same type of numbness throughout our move last year but it had dissipated with me not using my hands as much throughout all this treatment. However, I have been driving for about 3 hours and using my computer daily at work... plus the added side effects of the Taxol chemotherapy I had that causes neuropathy (numbness)... we are breathing a little easier going into the CT scan. Not that carpal tunnel is anything to snuff off, but we can handle that better than if something is wrong with my spine! So, prayers would be appreciated for that to get approved by insurance and the appointment made so we can get that taken care of asap, as well as a clear scan result.

My next check down at Stanford is on May 21, with a CT scan of my chest and abdomen to see if all the treatment we have been doing has prevented cancer from metastasizing anywhere else. This will be the appointment that either gives me the clear for the next 3 months or a new game plan. A second reconstructive surgery and removal of my ovaries are on the 6 month radar, but a clear scan to allow the healing process from treatment to begin. I, again, covet your prayers! 

Still, I am awed by the incredible love and support we are surrounded by. EVERY time I fill my gas tank, I'm using a gas card from one of our amazing co-workers. I was just the recipient of donated sick-leave at my work, allowing me 30 more paid sick days--and it was maxed out in under 48 hours once the solicitation email went out. SO incredible!!! Meals, rides to Turlock, calls, messages, care... what a gift to me and my family... we are so well loved. I look forward to the time when I can be that for someone else... now knowing how much each of these little (and big) things mean to someone going through the ringer. I'm walking through this fire with a couple of my friends in their own cancer battles, and while I do not wish this road on anyone, I am glad to be there with them, for them, and lifting them up in prayer constantly.

I also have to say that it has been good to feel more a part of things lately... We are talking about summer plans and funs ways to celebrate being done with treatment once I feel better. Emmy finished her volleyball season this past week and started track. Zeke is getting ready to graduate 8th grade and move up to high school. Going on school field trips with Ethan and thinking about end of the year gifts for teachers has been fun. Being able to attend church and going in to work most afternoons after radiation has been great. My hair is starting to grow out and I've even stopped wearing my hats everywhere. (In my radiation waiting room, there are always those rumor mill magazines, and apparently, this short hairstyle is gaining some runway popularity--who knew?) One of my eyebrows is choosing to take it's time coming back, but my eyelashes are almost all the way back, and I've had to start shaving my legs again (I do have to say that was nice to not do the last 8 months!). I've also been working to get my patio decked out with pretty plants and furniture so we are ready for tons of summer fun. Normal (almost) feels good! 

Now, just gotta get this skin healed up, get some sleep, and get a couple of clear scans... 💪

Update

A whole month since my last post... no wonder I have so many asking what is going on!

Radiation started this past week on Thursday. I was able to get the referral and feel confident with the Stanford Oncology Radiology clinic at Turlock's Emanuel Cancer Center, and that is where I am doing the treatment. I really like Dr. Zaky, nurse Sandy, Chris and David (who do the radiation), and Linda--the person who measured for my treatment and lives in Sonora :). I have 33 sessions total, which I will be doing daily Mon-Fri, so about 6 weeks or so of treatment. Each session will be about 12 minutes, and a little longer on Mondays when I have to check in with the doctor and Thursdays when they take x-rays. 

That is a lot of driving right there--it's about 1 hr and 15 mins each way (much preferred than the 3+ traffic hours to get to Stanford in Palo Alto, though!) Brian and I were debating if we should get a little commuter car or rent a car or invest in a hybrid instead of hauling my SUV up and down the hill... but decided it just wouldn't outweigh the fuel savings. We calculated the fuel cost to be right around $1000 for the entire length of treatment, including the couple trips I need to make to Stanford within the next 3 months for oncologist and plastic surgeon follow-ups. And then this happened... 

Brian texted me and said that he got an awesome gift from our Sonora High Family. And I also received yet another gift from our Columbia College Family. The love and support these two communities have shown for us has just been incredible, over and over. What gives me the goosebumps in particular this time around is that the gas cards and cash that were included in these gifts total just over $1000... um... isn't that what we had calculated we would need for all these trips (and hadn't shared with anyone)? There is even extra for lunches and a Starbucks here and there. And it's not just the financial part, either. It's the adorable handmade message board, the cards, the words of hope, faith, love and encouragement that are supplying what we need to keep up this fight, to know we are not alone and that there is something much bigger going on here than just a cancer battle. My kids are seeing the generosity and love. My husband is feeling supported and cared for. I am so amazed and humbled at how our needs are continually provided and it brings me such peace in knowing God has got me, us, in the midst of such challenge. As I treasure these gifts in my heart and wonder how I am so blessed... the Bible tells me so... 

And this time, he did it through our amazing co-workers and friends. Thank you just doesn't seem like enough!