Mama's making a comeback!

So today, for the 1st time in probably 3.5 weeks, I did 2 loads of laundry.  From beginning to end.  Yippeee you might be thinking, but to me, this means getting closer to normal again, and normal never felt so good.  It feels good to be contributing to my family again.  Someone had to carry it upstairs for me, but I have almost another month of that, so I'll take the victory where I can. 

I'm healing up pretty well from surgery and the drain wound.  Physical therapy has improved my range of motion and soreness nearly daily, it's so gratifying to see such constant progress forward. 

The other day a complete stranger asked me about my hair-do (I call it my hair-don't, at least for now, hee hee).  They asked what kind of cancer I had.  I began to share, then realized, I DON'T HAVE IT ANYMORE!!!! So I changed my reply to say, "I had breast cancer, but it's no longer in my body."  What a fun moment that was!  Thankful to God for these victories,

James 1:17-21 English Standard Version (ESV)¹⁷ Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

 
Tonight I'm working on a college course to get my teaching license renewed.  It feels so good to be doing normal life activities.  I love the required reading, thoroughly enjoying it, would probably read it on my own even if it weren't required.  Tis good to be working again on things that are everyday living. 

Today I met with the Radiation Oncologist again, she scanned and marked me so she can study how she exactly plans to radiate very targeted parts of my body, so as to avoid other parts.  Next week, after she's put together her plan, they'll have me come in for my first ever tattoos and a "dry-run".  Feels a little mechanical to me, but I trust them, these providers are kind and caring as really all have been throughout.  It's just weird.  The tattoos provide 2 purposes, to exactly be certain they radiate only the specific places each time and to mark the radiation for the future so that if I should experience a cancer recurrence, they would know where they had already radiated so as to not repeat in those areas.  Another reminder this is not a cut and dried cure.  And another opportunity for me to give it to God, leave it with Him, He can handle the unknown, I can not.  Of course He knows what is unknown to me, another great reason to give it to Him.  I trust Him. 

The day after the "dry-run",  the 6.5 week marathon begins.  It felt a little close in time to hear about today.  It's all been "later" until now, at this time it's next week.  You'd think a girl might be used to all this by now, but my tummy being a little unsettled on my walk out the door today reminded me that none of this is welcome or familiar.  Although these side effects aren't nearly as awful as chemo was, it's still something I'd rather skip.  And yet the surgeon told me that if I didn't agree to radiation, she wouldn't do the surgery, she felt that strongly about it's necessity.  So, since she's been doing this some 30 years, we defer to her expertise.  We are grateful.  Grateful for these technologies and great minds that can eradicate and seek to prevent recurrence.  Bittersweet is what this is I suppose.  

So, that's the latest update.  Thank you again for caring, reading, praying, loving and plodding along with us.  We love and appreciate each of you oh so very much.  💗

 

Who knew surgery could be so fun?

 

Monday of last week, day before surgery, my Aunt Lorraine came to town from PA.  We enjoyed a field trip to the Stock Show on the way home from the airport.  She is, in my opinion, a professional aunt, always has been .  Just a fun gal to spend any amount of time with, laughter and joy flow from her.  Such a blessing.  I told her only she could make surgery so fun.

  A book I stumbled upon a few weeks ago came in from the library.  I wish I'd read this book at the beginning of this journey, it really is a must read for a person just starting this overwhelming disease.   It's a quick read, but lots of good content and advice.  Bought a couple copies for my Infusion Day bag to give as He leads.

The surgery went well, with the exception being the surgeon discovered it was necessary to take 7 lymph nodes.  This necessitated a drain, boo-hiss.  I was able to come home same day as planned, grateful for that.  The surgical team was very kind, caring and compassionate and I'm appreciative for each of them and their skills.  The anesthesiologist was a pediatric dr. too, so when I was tearing up, she was gentle and caring with me, like she would be a child, which I appreciated.  Tom and my mom were there the whole time, looking over me and being my support.  So thankful.  Pathology is back on the tumors and lymph nodes removed, there were no surprises and all looked great we're told.  We were once again thrilled to get a good report.  Thanking God for the medical team He has provided. 

Another great bonus during the week was having my mom spend so much time with us.  She is a former R.N. so her knowledge and care are HUGE.   We even got to get out of the house a day for a road trip to Bailey where she lives.  Beautiful drive and sweet family time.  Board games were enjoyed, here pictured is Parcheesi, a game I vividly recall my Great Granny Rhoades, my Gram and Great Aunt Lorraine with us kids playing when I was a child.  I couldn't help but wonder if they were grinning to see the tradition continue.  (I don't really know how all that works, I wonder though)  My mom and aunt have the board memorized with counting the spaces as their mom, aunt and gma before them did.  Pretty precious to watch our kids enjoy this family favorite.

Today Tom and I met with the Radiation Oncologist.   She seems very detail oriented and thorough, we're glad to have her working on eliminating every last remnant of the cancer that could possibly be hanging around.  The radiation treatments, 15-30 minutes each day 5 days a week will last 6.5 weeks she says, starting in early February. 


Along the lines of keeping it real, I feel like I've heard multiple times recently about people who have a cancer recurrence.  A friend gave me a "fear not" bracelet this week.  Couldn't be better timed.  I have to be intentional to not let the enemy have what I've been given today, peace, His peace.  He's given me a clean bill of health, and unless or until a different report comes in, I need to camp there and not in the "what if's".  A scripture I need to lean into repeatedly,



“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”   —John 14:27

 Thank you again for prayers, love, support and all you do to keep this journey moving forward.  We continue to be wowed by your steadfastness in this season.  We love you all. 
 

Still elated about our news, and details about next 2 months

10 days ago we shared our wonderful news of cancer being undetectable in all the scans.  There is a lightness back in our home again.  So relieved.  Can't seem to tell people w/o getting emotional,
I expect that will just be my new way, I'm ok with it.  The kids and hubs are just used to it.  We all are so grateful that God's plan is this for now, and we'll take it. 

HOWEVER, we do have a couple things we would ask you to keep in prayer as He leads.  Tues, 1/10 I will have a lumpectomy and some lymph nodes removed.  My surgeon says she expects it to be a minor surgery.  Shouldn't even need a drain, if all goes as she anticipates.  We pray that is the case.  It should be outpatient too, 11 a.m. this Tues.  She says I should be healed in about 2 weeks. 

My mom and aunt will be helping out this week and Tom will be able to take a few days, so school can get in for kids as well.   Looking forward to fun family time too. 

I meet with Radiation Oncologist 1/17.  I've been told to start the 5 days per week for 6 weeks radiation schedule, we're thinking to start in February, finishing in mid-March.

I'll be re-scanning every 3 months until the Oncologist shifts the schedule. 

Every 3 weeks I will need to go in for a Herceptin infusion, a miracle med that will help keep the cancer away as I am what is called HER2 positive.    God's given me an assignment to have eyes wide open for anyone I can love on, share His hope with.  I'm grateful for a clear task.  That infusion room can be sad and dreary.  I pray He finds ways to use me to help bring hope.

So, that is the full update.  All the details that we know at this time. 

Our family is so appreciative for each one of you as you celebrate alongside us this yes answer to our prayers.  It touches us in deep ways as you have been so in this with us.  Words seem weak to express our true feelings, but THANK YOU. 

1 Thessalonians 1:2

  We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers.