Mark, our son, suggested I do a blog to keep everyone that is interested posted. You may pass the address to those that I may not have remembered to let know I was doing this. For some of my family, I will still send emails to because I know that's easier for them than finding a blog.
For those of you who don't know, I drive to Fairfax, VA ( 5 hours) for my chemo. I am in the oncology dept for about 4 hours receiving 3 drugs through an IV and then have a pump attached for 46 hours following. I am able to stay with Bryce and Cathi, our son and daughter-in-law in Maryland, for the two days waiting for the pump. It was been wonderful for me because they have a little boy, Mark (nearly two). The first two times in ran away crying, . .now he greets me at the door and runs to his playroom (my bedroom while I am there). It's been so much fun getting to know him. Mark, our son, works from home most of the time in North Carolina (we live on the same street) but his company is based Baltimore. He has been able to arrange to work in Baltimore the few days I have chemo and has been able to drive me home.
The last 8 months has been a truly awesome experience. I said that at the temple a few weeks ago and those around me smiled. Not many people can say cancer is an "awesome" experience. For those family and friends that are not members or active members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, you may think that my posts are "over the top." Just know, I am a sane individual. I don't go out on street corners condemming those that are not members. I don't preach everytime I meet someone. However, my faith in God and Jesus Christ, my love of serving, my knowledge of a pre-existence, mortal life, and life hereafter brings me strength and solace. I know I have many loved ones here, and on the other side. Knowing my family is sealed for eternity in the temple is also a blessing. Their love, faith and prayers have strengthened me through all of this. There is nothing more humbling than to hear your grandchildren (all 6 and under) pray that grandma's treatments will make her better.
Now that you know where I am coming from. . .let me tell you about the last 8 mos. They didn't discover what kind of cancer it was until September 2010. It was diagnosed as cancer in April 2010 during a routine gyn exam. After months of tests, and a hysterectomy, it was diagnosed in September as colon cancer. Everyone feared for the worst. For it to show up on a gyn exam. . .I should have been showing many other signs, as that is the "53rd" place colon cancer goes quoting Jason, our son-in-law. He is a dr and it just doesn't go there. I wasn't showing any symptoms, or signs, and we wondered if the test had gotten mixed up in the lab. After a pect scan. . .it showed lymp nodes as well as part of the liver and colon.
I started chemo and the first round didn't show any improvement. I have blood tests every two weeks to check the cancer marker - CEA - (remember that) and to check white blood cells and platelets. The first week didn't show much change, and the CEA went up. Then they started a drug called Avastin. It's wicked, the side effects can be brutal. If you survive the treatment, you survive the cancer is how I look at it. I have had 7 treatments, and have been so blessed. The worst I have is high blood pressure now and a few blood clots in my right lung. Normally Avastin causes internal bleeding, legs swelling, etc, but no, I took the other route and have clots. So my assortment of meds is growing, but all in all, I am doing extremely well.
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