Last exam for a while

My run with doctors is slowing down... today's exam by a third obGYN should be my last for about 6 weeks. He confirmed once again no fistula, and no additional surgery necessary. The scar tissue caused by radiation should repair itself with time and continued, increased, medication.

I felt so good after returning home that I rode my Vespa to town to do errands. This was the first time I got on it since my treatments started, I simply didn't have the energy. It was great - very freeing. I just smiled the whole time.

Sunday of Surprises

First of all, Doug and I decided to go to the driving range this morning to see how I'd do. I felt very good and energized at the beginning, then half way through the bucket 'o balls I started to wane and had to sit for a while before getting up and hitting a few more. Then ended up giving my remaining golf balls to a man next to us who'd just hit his last. I was so thrilled that I was able to get out again and do that, but not as thrilled as when we arrived home to see Andrea's Jeep in front of the house. She surprised us and came home for the day! Even though we're getting "another" afternoon thunderstorm, it's a GOOD day.

No additional surgery

Dr. Brown called today, and after consulting with two other doctors, they concluded that an additional surgery will not be necessary!! I will need to meet with another doctor soon, and there will be some things I'll need to do to help repair that area damaged by radiation, but no surgery is WONDERFUL news. He also said they're on MY schedule now for that final "reversal" surgery, there is no hurry at this point, so we're going to get through our summer and assume late August for that. Thanks again for everyone's words of encouragement, unending acts of kindness, and all your prayers - they ARE working! There's still a ways to go until all the chemo is out of my system, but I am feeling better every day!

More "good news"

While visiting my oncologist on Friday, she pronounced me "cancer free"!! I had asked when I can say I am, and she said "oh you ARE and probably were right after your surgery in November" but since I still had to go through those four months of chemo to make sure, I'm using June 5th as my official notification. :)

"Good news"

"Good news..." is how Dr. Brown started when leaving me a voice mail. He believes there is no fistula from what he saw on the films, but would like to confirm this after one more thorough exam, that I have not yet scheduled. Meantime, my energy is coming back, so is my appetite. I feel His healing hands working!

Fistula

A fistula is an opening, or as the medical field calls it "a communication" between two areas of your organs. Due to some symptoms that's what the doctors were concerned I have, which is not good and would need to be repaired, as Doug mentioned in an earlier post. The first procedure was absolutely miserable though they said I may feel a little cramping, it was the worst thing I remember ever going through... they filled my colon with a sort of barrium enema, then while laying prone on a table had to move side to side while they took a number of films. It made me feel nauseous, faint and near passing out, let alone the cramping, which was not "a little." The nurse held my hand until it expelled from me, at which point I was fine and ready to go.

That test showed no visible fistula, so now they wanted to do another, this time from the "other area". This was yesterday, and it was not near as bad to go through, other than the fact they I had to go through it twice as the first films were not conclusive. It showed what looked like the iodine dye was escaping through a tiny tear, but it could be something else, hence the repeat of the procedure. This time it appeared to be finding its way to my uterus, not anywhere else that it's not supposed to be - which we were told is "good news".

Now the findings need to analysed and sent to Dr. Brown (my surgeon), who will then consult with my OBGYN and call me later in the week with the news. Right now, we are hoping for the best, and preparing for the worst (which would be another possible surgery.)

But as myself, my family and friends have been praying... if it's there, let God lay his healing hands on me and repair it naturally.
- Perhaps He already HAS. -