Done with Chemo
Well, as you know, I have gotten some great news recently. Being completely honest I haven't fully processed this information nor do I know how to react to it.
I've spent all of 6 months being EXTREMELY careful, shut-in, and solely focused on my health. Re-doing my way of life completely. Making it a routine to take lots of vitamins, get 60-80 ounces of water daily, eat healthily (when I can eat at all), cut out all caffeine, stopped smoking, homeschooling kids, going nowhere to avoid illness, avoiding friends/family to try to keep my kids and myself as healthy as possible. Mentally, it's been the hardest thing I've done simply because I'm a social person and very much enjoy the calls of people needing help from me or just wanting my company.
Now, that someone not only tells me I'm "free" to resume some normalcy, but I can also hardly believe my ears. Do I jump in in a big way? Do I dip my toe in? The only way to really enjoy the water without shivering is to cannonball, right?
This really was such a shock. Yesterday morning my doctors were messaging with me to try to figure out my plan as me going to LA to do the surgery is tricky. They don't work with Dr. Tseng and almost seem to not know how to proceed. So, I've been relaying messages back and forth between Mayo and Dr. Tseng. The plan as of yesterday morning and even mid-afternoon was for me to finish my next round of chemo, do my scans, and go from there with either more chemo or advancing to radiation. Then I got home and was video chatting with my friend when Mayo called. It was one of the general appointment guys. He was talking about how they switched my radiation MRI from one date to another. I thought well that’s in just three weeks, what the heck is going on? The guy on the phone seemed nervous and went to find a member of my team to explain. While on hold I went to my Mayo portal and there was a message from Sara, Dr. Amed's number two lady, explaining that my team discussed it and decided since my blood work has been consistently bad and that they've already had to lower my chemo dose, and space out treatments to every four weeks instead of every three that moving on would be the better option.
So, as of October 12th, I will go in for my radiation MRI where they will lay me down, take measurements, take a cast of my foot, and mark up my body with a tattoo marker, and do simulation radiation. Then starting on the 19th I will be going to Rochester daily for 5 weeks to receive treatments. Then the plan is to wait 5-6 weeks after that to heal from radiation before heading to LA to have surgery with Dr. Tseng.
Like I said earlier this is just mind-blowing to me. It's surreal! A week ago, I had nearly no hope. I had mostly processed the fact that Mayo's plan was my only option. I'd do chemo, then a stronger and longer radiation to "stun" my tumor, and if/when it grew again, try more chemo, until I had no other option but to accept the amputation. Now, I have HOPE! That not only is it possible to save some of my body but also is the possibility to be NED (No Evidence of Disease). It's obviously NOT a guarantee, but it IS a POSSIBILITY now. I simply cannot believe it.
I know that my future could change at the drop of a hat and the future could again get bleak BUT right now, I'm feeling so happy, humbled, and grateful. God has heard all our prayers and is giving the beautiful opportunity of feeling hope again for the first time in this journey! I don't think any of this would have been possible with all of you out there sending all of your thoughts, prayers, and positive energy my way. Thank you, you amazing people! I'm forever in your debt!
For the first time in this journey, I truly feel the strength a warrior should have. Hope is fueling my drive to attack this beast and knock it down. I feel powerful and renewed in spirit!
I hope you all are having an amazing start to your beautiful October as well! I hope you're all feeling the joy and positive energy the universe is providing us as much as I am. Love to you all!
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