Dearest Blog Followers:
I have been remiss in my duties to update the Blog, and for that I apologize. I have been back at work since August 31st, am absolutely THRILLED to be back in my job and have tried to regain a sense of normal life. Through the generousity of family and friends, I have actually attended all 3 of Virginia Techs home football games -- and sat in the "Box" all 3 times. I was truly a joy to be in the Box 2 weeks ago in the driving rain storm as we kicked Miami in the "bum!!"
I've met with both Drs. McCoy and Stoeckle and gotten great reports. I had to have a small lumpy-thing removed from my abdomen wound during my last check-up with Dr. Stoeckle. I asked if it was going to involve a needle and he said no. I asked if it was going to be painful and he said compared to everything I've been through, no!! So, off it came!! Dr. Stoeckle had not heard my fabulous news that I was not going to undergo chemo and we had a HUGE hug on that one!
Dr. McCoy is continually happy with my improvement and I see him on a monthly basis for my gamma globulin infusions. He will check my blood levels every 3 months and probably ask for a CT scan of my abdomen, but I'm okay with both of these. I came off the blood thinner injections the end of September (YEAH!!), and am not getting all those lovely blood bruises I used to get.
Thanks to EVERYONE who continues to follow the Blog. I will try to update it more regularly.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
WONDERFUL NEWS!!
Dearest Blog Followers:
Today marks almost 10 months since this health situation began on December 1, 2008.
I am so thrilled to report that the results of my PET/CT scans done last Saturday report that there is no activity in the cells and I do not need chemotherapy at all!!
Tom came with me with my appointment with Dr. McCoy and we both just looked at each other in shock when we were told the news. I was released to go back to work, which I will on Monday, cleared by my surgeon on Monday, and will have monthly check-ups with Dr. McCoy to monitor everything. He suggested I have CT scans done every 3 months and suggested I continue taking the blood thinner for another month, to err on the side of caution.
I called David and Heather immediately after we left Dr. McCoy's office. Heather's wonderful school secretary actually got Heather out of her classroom so I could tell her my good news personally. I am so thankful our children have such wonderful support from their co-workers.
I had to personally go to my office and tell my sweet Cindy the news, as she was the one who stayed with me when I was in ICU. My darling Ye Yes (and you know who you are), also were notified. I think I used up all my monthly Verizon minutes today!!
So, I plan to go back to work on Monday, although reporting to work at 7:30 will be an adjustment to me, since I don't usually get out of bed until about 9!!
A huge thank you to each and everyone one of you who have followed the blog my wonderful David, Trisha and Heather created and updated. Regardless of your depth of faith, I know and feel my success was due to all the prayers and thoughts coming my way. And, of course my sainted Mother was always on my side, too. I "turned it over..." many times. I wish she was here to celebrate this wonderful day with me, but know that she is with me always.
Loves, hugs and thanks to all of you!
Today marks almost 10 months since this health situation began on December 1, 2008.
I am so thrilled to report that the results of my PET/CT scans done last Saturday report that there is no activity in the cells and I do not need chemotherapy at all!!
Tom came with me with my appointment with Dr. McCoy and we both just looked at each other in shock when we were told the news. I was released to go back to work, which I will on Monday, cleared by my surgeon on Monday, and will have monthly check-ups with Dr. McCoy to monitor everything. He suggested I have CT scans done every 3 months and suggested I continue taking the blood thinner for another month, to err on the side of caution.
I called David and Heather immediately after we left Dr. McCoy's office. Heather's wonderful school secretary actually got Heather out of her classroom so I could tell her my good news personally. I am so thankful our children have such wonderful support from their co-workers.
I had to personally go to my office and tell my sweet Cindy the news, as she was the one who stayed with me when I was in ICU. My darling Ye Yes (and you know who you are), also were notified. I think I used up all my monthly Verizon minutes today!!
So, I plan to go back to work on Monday, although reporting to work at 7:30 will be an adjustment to me, since I don't usually get out of bed until about 9!!
A huge thank you to each and everyone one of you who have followed the blog my wonderful David, Trisha and Heather created and updated. Regardless of your depth of faith, I know and feel my success was due to all the prayers and thoughts coming my way. And, of course my sainted Mother was always on my side, too. I "turned it over..." many times. I wish she was here to celebrate this wonderful day with me, but know that she is with me always.
Loves, hugs and thanks to all of you!
Sunday, August 23, 2009
PET/CT Scan
It is over! The PET/CT scan went fine yesterday.
It's actually pretty easy as you just sit for an hour after having been injected with radioactive dye. The scans themselves take 23 minutes and all you do you lay there while the machine runs over you. I know I prayed and prayed the whole 23 minutes as the results will determine my treatment schedule for the rest of the year.
Another update to come after Wednesday....
It's actually pretty easy as you just sit for an hour after having been injected with radioactive dye. The scans themselves take 23 minutes and all you do you lay there while the machine runs over you. I know I prayed and prayed the whole 23 minutes as the results will determine my treatment schedule for the rest of the year.
Another update to come after Wednesday....
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Update
Nothing like trying to slip in-and-out of church only to be caught by people telling me I haven't updated the Blog. I do so apologize to those local followers!
Next week is the last of my 6-week hiatus from any type of treatment and I am celebrating it by going with my "longest best friend" to visit my aunt and uncle at Emerald Isle, NC for 4 days. We will come back through Greenville to see David and Trisha's new house on Friday.
Saturday begins the reality of dealing with the cancer. I have a PET/CT scan schedule that afternoon, then will meet with Dr. McCoy on Wednesday to determine when I will be admitted to the hospital so chemo can begin. I am hoping I can go in on Thursday and get this started. I will go in every 3 weeks for 3-4 days, which I dread. But, I want chemo behind me and am willing to go through whatever infection/pain occurs with my wounds. It's like a black cloud always hanging over me and I just want to get it done.
Otherwise, I am doing very well -- eating and eating, although I don't feel like I've put on weight. I'm told my color is great and my wounds are looking good, too.
I'll update again after my appointment with Dr. McCoy. As always, I appreciate the thoughts and prayers coming my way!
Next week is the last of my 6-week hiatus from any type of treatment and I am celebrating it by going with my "longest best friend" to visit my aunt and uncle at Emerald Isle, NC for 4 days. We will come back through Greenville to see David and Trisha's new house on Friday.
Saturday begins the reality of dealing with the cancer. I have a PET/CT scan schedule that afternoon, then will meet with Dr. McCoy on Wednesday to determine when I will be admitted to the hospital so chemo can begin. I am hoping I can go in on Thursday and get this started. I will go in every 3 weeks for 3-4 days, which I dread. But, I want chemo behind me and am willing to go through whatever infection/pain occurs with my wounds. It's like a black cloud always hanging over me and I just want to get it done.
Otherwise, I am doing very well -- eating and eating, although I don't feel like I've put on weight. I'm told my color is great and my wounds are looking good, too.
I'll update again after my appointment with Dr. McCoy. As always, I appreciate the thoughts and prayers coming my way!
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Update
I met with Dr. McCoy today. He was encouraged that I had no swelling in my legs, had gained a couple of pounds and thought my wounds looked good. All of these will be in my favor when I begin chemo again. He didn't see any indications that the tumor(s) have grown, but he has scheduled CT and PET scans later next month. The CT scan will tell the size; the PET the activity level.
I was interested in taking the oral chemo, but he explained that it was not a good choice for me if my goal is to cure the cancer. So I will most probably have a treatment called EPOCH, which must be administered in the hospital (3 - 4 days each time) and through a main line. Since port-au-catheters are not an option for me, a PICC line is it. I have had success with those in the past. However, I do not want one in my neck again, so he said they could use one of my arms. It can be easily removed when no longer needed.
Of course, both he and Dr. Williams at UVA will not make the final decision until the scan results are received, but I am extremely encouraged by today's appointment.
I was interested in taking the oral chemo, but he explained that it was not a good choice for me if my goal is to cure the cancer. So I will most probably have a treatment called EPOCH, which must be administered in the hospital (3 - 4 days each time) and through a main line. Since port-au-catheters are not an option for me, a PICC line is it. I have had success with those in the past. However, I do not want one in my neck again, so he said they could use one of my arms. It can be easily removed when no longer needed.
Of course, both he and Dr. Williams at UVA will not make the final decision until the scan results are received, but I am extremely encouraged by today's appointment.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Doin' Fine
I have been reminded too much lately, that I haven't updated the blog. I was going to wait until after my appointment with Dr. McCoy on Wednesday, but was just told that ANY news would be better than no news, so here goes....
I am doing very well considering where I've been! While my energy level has improved, I still tire after trying to do too much and have to stop and rest. That's my body talking to me, I guess. With more movement, my appetite has improved, but I still don't eat a whole lot. Snacks are good, though.
David, Trisha and Heather invited me to come join them at the beach next week for my birthday (6th), so I'm going to do that. I hope to have new CT/PET scans done the week of the 10th or 17th, and am resigned to begin chemo again soon after.
The Senior Associate Director of my office has approved holding my office position until January 2010, which was a HUGE relieve for me. It is one of the best pieces of news I've had as I absolutely love my job and our office unit, but recognize that the office needs a "warm body" working my position. I'm still blessed with donated leave from the wonderful employees of Virginia Tech. I am hopeful I can get through this nightmare known as 2009 and be back to a normal life by the 2010.
Please feel free to call to say hello, visit, play cards, etc. I will update again after my appointment with Dr. McCoy.
Love to all!
I am doing very well considering where I've been! While my energy level has improved, I still tire after trying to do too much and have to stop and rest. That's my body talking to me, I guess. With more movement, my appetite has improved, but I still don't eat a whole lot. Snacks are good, though.
David, Trisha and Heather invited me to come join them at the beach next week for my birthday (6th), so I'm going to do that. I hope to have new CT/PET scans done the week of the 10th or 17th, and am resigned to begin chemo again soon after.
The Senior Associate Director of my office has approved holding my office position until January 2010, which was a HUGE relieve for me. It is one of the best pieces of news I've had as I absolutely love my job and our office unit, but recognize that the office needs a "warm body" working my position. I'm still blessed with donated leave from the wonderful employees of Virginia Tech. I am hopeful I can get through this nightmare known as 2009 and be back to a normal life by the 2010.
Please feel free to call to say hello, visit, play cards, etc. I will update again after my appointment with Dr. McCoy.
Love to all!
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Doctor Visits
I went to both my oncologist and surgeon this week so I wanted to bring everyone up-to-date on where I am.
After my last visit to Dr. McCoy (oncologist), my family and closed friends forbid me to go by myself, so Heather went with me and took notes! And what a great "note-taker" she is, but that's the teacher in her. Dr. McCoy agreed that I need to build up more strength before taking another round of chemo, since it will have to be a stronger dose. He agreed to let me skip treatment for a month, then he wants to do new CT and PET scans to re-evaluate the tumor. The new scans will tell him (1) if there is any activity in the newly discovered left tumor and (2) the exact size of the right one.
Naturally, I recognize that I run the risk that the tumor could grow in the month off, but as I explained to him, I take comfort in that it has not grown from 4 cm, which was what it was in March when I stopped chemo for the 1st round.
Dr. McCoy is in contact with Dr. Mike Williams, former Head of Oncology at UVA about my case, so that's my 2nd opinion. Dr. Williams was Dr. McCoy's Mentor when he was in medical school and I understand they talk regularly about me. David has researched Dr. Williams and feels very comfortable that he's on the case, so that's good enough for me.
Dr. Stoeckle (surgeon), is very pleased with how well my abdomen wound is healing, but is quick to add that it's because I'm not on chemo. He was happy to hear I'm not going to take any for a month as it will heal more in that time, too.
I am encouraged that I'm eating and moving more, but still love that afternoon nap and tire easily. Last Saturday, Cindy, David, Trisha and I went to Emerald Isle beach and as I sat under the umbrella and looked over the ocean, I had to think that I was as close to heaven as I could get within the last 8 months. What a treat that was!!
After my last visit to Dr. McCoy (oncologist), my family and closed friends forbid me to go by myself, so Heather went with me and took notes! And what a great "note-taker" she is, but that's the teacher in her. Dr. McCoy agreed that I need to build up more strength before taking another round of chemo, since it will have to be a stronger dose. He agreed to let me skip treatment for a month, then he wants to do new CT and PET scans to re-evaluate the tumor. The new scans will tell him (1) if there is any activity in the newly discovered left tumor and (2) the exact size of the right one.
Naturally, I recognize that I run the risk that the tumor could grow in the month off, but as I explained to him, I take comfort in that it has not grown from 4 cm, which was what it was in March when I stopped chemo for the 1st round.
Dr. McCoy is in contact with Dr. Mike Williams, former Head of Oncology at UVA about my case, so that's my 2nd opinion. Dr. Williams was Dr. McCoy's Mentor when he was in medical school and I understand they talk regularly about me. David has researched Dr. Williams and feels very comfortable that he's on the case, so that's good enough for me.
Dr. Stoeckle (surgeon), is very pleased with how well my abdomen wound is healing, but is quick to add that it's because I'm not on chemo. He was happy to hear I'm not going to take any for a month as it will heal more in that time, too.
I am encouraged that I'm eating and moving more, but still love that afternoon nap and tire easily. Last Saturday, Cindy, David, Trisha and I went to Emerald Isle beach and as I sat under the umbrella and looked over the ocean, I had to think that I was as close to heaven as I could get within the last 8 months. What a treat that was!!
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