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!

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....

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!