2 years since diagnosis

August 4, 2010, marks two years since my diagnosis. I understand that it's the date of the surgery where you can mark as your Cancer-free anniversary, so that'll be coming up November 8. My energy is back, my weight is back, my hair is back, but my feet are still numb, but very slowly improving. There has been one other issue though that I've been dealing with, and it sharp searing pain occasionally in the surgery area. Today I met with Dr. Brown, which was our 6 month appointment anyway, and sure enough there's an ulcer on an internal hemorrhoid that has been causing that. Luckily it is able to be removed in a day surgery, that we'll schedule for the end of October. Hopefully after that I can truly be past this ordeal.

CT Scan & 1 Yr. anniversary

I had another 6-month follow-up CT-Scan today. All went fine. I had to drink that qt of white barrium stuff then wait an hour, so we walked around the hospital. Found a place to sit and read by a fireplace. Then walked more, and went outside to a courtyard and sat in the sun. Got back to Radiation Waiting, where I got called back right away, Larry put in an IV, took me back to the CT scan room. I laid on a bed, went in and out, then he let the iodine into my veins, I then felt a warm sensation in the back of my throat, in my mouth, down my spine and into my pelvis and into my fingers. In and out a number of times, holding my breath, then breathing, holding, breathing. That was it. Results will be given to Dr. Basche for our appointment next week on May 4th.


Milestone: Tomorrow marks 1-year since my final Chemo Treatment. I've sure come a long way!

March 2nd - 6 mo. follow up with Dr. Brown

The last in many follow-ups went well again on Tues., March 2nd. Everything "vital" inside looked very good. I was still concerned about frequent blood in my stool, and told him I thought it was a hemmorroid. After my exam, he agreed, and said it appeared to be irritated. My doctor orders: take one Immodium every other day to reduce the frequency, and to monitor "things" and if it continues, then come in again to have a medicine applied which could help too. Other than that, I'm good-to-go with Dr. Brown for another 6 months!!

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

This article is by National Foundation for Cancer Research
"Many people don't realize that colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in both men and women, and it accounts for about 10% of all cancer deaths each year.
The good news is that the death rate from colorectal cancer has decreased over the past two decades in the United States, thanks to the progress made in early diagnosis and in the treatment of this disease. Still, 36% of patients with colorectal cancer will not survive longer than five years after initial diagnosis...."

Read more about health and screenings at www.lifelinescreening.com

Two more Rx results

The results of the uterine ultrasound came back good. The spots that showed up on the CT-scan overlays were just as they suspected, a 3mm fibroid likely caused by the radiation and nothing to worry about. Then today I went to Dr. Manfre for my (not-so) annual OBGYN exam. BTW, he delivered both Andi & Tori. The last time I’d seen him was 12/07. He had done a quick rectal prod and I always wondered why THAT hadn’t detected the cancer. Today I found out... That test will tell you if there’s blood in your stool. I started getting that symptom in July. I did let him know that it was because of his recommendation (when I called about my symptom) that I got the colonoscopy in August '08. We both agreed that that early detection is why I ended up as good as I did. We had a good conversation about everything I’d gone through, and him too, having gone through liver cancer in ‘95. But ANYWAY, my exam today was fine, all appeared GOOD!! Another one down. Now Dr. Brown (surgeon) on March 2nd for my 6-month follow-up “probe”. Will the poking never end!?? :)

Tumor Marker results - Good!

It took a few extra days, but I just heard back and the blood results from my 3-month follow-up that show the tumor markers came back GOOD! You never want the numbers to go up because that is a sign that the cancer is back. They measure it in two tests, the first came back at .8 (the same as last time); and the second came back at 1.2 (which was 1.3 before), so that's lower! So the severe twinges of pain I feel down there quite often, must just be things moving around, and nothing to concern myself with. I did make my 6-month follow-up appointment with Dr. Brown for 3/2/10, so I can ask him about that then.

Now knowing those numbers, I suppose the ultrasound on my uterus this morning wouldn't have been necessary after all. They had requested I have one because.... if you recall, the CT-scan of 11/4/09 when overlaid on top of my original CT-scan from 8/08 showed the abnormalities on my liver had not grown. However, during that same overlay, they saw a mark on my uterus that wasn't there originally. They feel certain it's either inflammation or scar tissue due to the radiation or surgery I had in between, but wanted it checked out. Those results should be back in a couple of days, as well as my mammogram results. I requested the doctor write me a letter compiling all the results in a nice little (layman's term) package for my records. I'll blog those when I hear back! (I guess it's time to hit our deductible for yet another year.)

Another 3-month follow-up

I just got back from the Cancer Center and my 3-month follow-up, getting blood drawn and vitals, and meeting with Dr. Basche. She was happy to see that my energy level is good, the numbness in my feet MAY be getting a little better, and my other issue I had after my hook-up is very much under "control" and that may weight is back up (130-"ish") My blood counts look good, but the tumor marker results will be available Thursday (if they get them back on time). Again, the comparison of the 2 previous CT-scan indicate that the spots on my liver are likely benign cysts, and nothing to be concerned about because there was no growth in a year.

There was one thing mentioned today that I hadn't heard before, and that was there's something in my uterus that showed up on the last CT-scan, but they're very sure it's just inflammation from the radiation, and because I had chemo recently I was assured it's probably not cancer - BUT to get an appointment for an ultrasound from my OBGYN. Which I just did. So, I now have more Dr. appointments lined-up: A mammogram on 2/4; uterine ultrasound on 2/25; my next CT-scan on 4/27; and the next 3-mo. visit w/ Basche on 5/4.

Doug is visiting his mother in the nursing home in Illinois, so my friend Ola came with today. She was able to see the facility including the radiation and infusion rooms. I got a little emotional when I revisited some of the things I'd gone through in there. I introduced her to many of the nurses after I got some big hugs from them - and even Rick & Scott were there, Rick getting his 50th chemo treatment, praying that this last ditch effort finally helps him.

So that's it for now, and I send this reminder once again, if you haven't done so, please get your colonoscopy......... It saves lives!

Cancer Center Open House

Doug and I attended an open house at the Sky Ridge Cancer Center last night. They sent out invitations to tour the updated facility and see their new resource center, meet with the physicians, learn about recent advancements. It was beautifully catered, and was well-attended. We were particularly impressed in the fact that they resource center provides free wigs for those who need them, and they're very nice. We mingled with some other survivors. I was given the last pink scarf by a breast cancer clothing rep, I didn't go into details that I didn't have breast cancer, but a few minutes later I had a wonderful conversation with a lady who is a 5 year breast cancer survivor, so I took it off from around my neck and wrapped it around hers. She gave me a big hug, and we both teared up. It was a very nice time, especially going there under much better circumstances.

Follow-up Doctor's Appointment

I have my 3 month follow-up for blood work and to meet with Dr. Basche on Tues., February 2nd. I expect everything to be just fine, because I'm feeling wonderful! Doug will be in IL visiting his mom in the nursing home, so this will be the only doctor's appointment he will have missed during this entire ordeal. Wish me "good numbers" on Tuesday!

Yoga

Andrea came with me to my very first Yoga class. A year ago InnerConnections Yoga in town was kind enough to present me with 5 free classes to use when I beat cancer. So I guess it was time! It was easy, yet hard. I was certainly the least limber person in the class and I needed to use the block as not to have to bend as far. Catching myself in the wall-length mirror, I was pleased with my posture, and my balance most of the time, but had to occasional pull my shirt down so my road-map of scars on my stomach wouldn't show. At the very end of the hour-and-a-half class when we finished in a sort of prayer pose and saying “nahmesdae” (sp?) to each other, it hit me what I’d just accomplished. Andi saw tears puddled in my eyes as I rolled up my mat, and asked if I was okay. I was. I’m not sure when I’ll go back, but I do know I’m very glad I went today.

Happy, Healthy, New Year

It's 2010. Saying farewell to 2009 is bittersweet. It certainly was a year of struggles and challenges, but at the same time, recovery and blessings. Doug gave me a Christmas gift that took my breath away when I saw it, and made me cry. It was two boxes, both filled with thick stacks of paper - one was every entry on this blog, the other all the email correspondence from friends and family, and Doug's reply to them. He said it took months to do, and that there were a lot that I never did see. I just barely got through the first 10 pages or so, and needed to get a box of tissue. I can imagine when I start reading the blog again.

I wish everyone a happy, healthy new year, and once again thank you for the part you played in my life this past year and a half. With much love.