Friends, Family, and stalkers...I have something to share with you.
To quickly recap on the series of events this year:
(on the right you can click on March, April, and so on to read my previous posts)
-December- I noticed a little lump on the left side of my neck.
-January- I returned from my brothers wedding in California and learned a friend Rachel lost her battle to Melanoma Cancer. Quickly prompted me to make an appointment. Was told to "watch" the lump. None of my family or friends liked that answer and I became a "bulldog" and asked for a second opinion. Blood work was normal and once again told to watch it. Thought I was possibly turning psycho???
-February- Valentines Day to be exact, the ship was due to pull in. I was sicker than a dog. Made appointment to be seen on my way to pick Max up from the pier. Told a different Doctor then the previous two that I had lumps on my neck and had no clue why. After testing positive for strep and him feeling 4 abnormally swollen lymph nodes, one under the clavicle was the size of a gulf ball, he ordered me a CT Scan.
-March- CT results read suspicious. Realized I may not be psycho. :) Privileged enough to experience a Fine Needle Aspiration. Still inconclusive, I had a full biopsy. Results confirmed Nodular Sclerosis Hodgkin's Lymphoma Cancer. Completed all tests needed to bring to my Oncologist.
-April- My first experience on Valium for a bone marrow biopsy. Found out I was Stage 3. Medi-port was put in and four days later on Thursday April 23, I started chemotherapy.
I will summarize May, June, July, August, and September with "WOW! That was a wild ride!"
October- Last of my 12 treatments. More testing...in which only God could control the grade for.
Yeah, so, that brings me to my appointment today. Did I drag it on long enough? Oh, I almost forgot to mention, I have the best smelling pumpkin candle. What? You don't care about that!
(drum roll please)
Dr. A gave me permission to tell my blog reading mafia that my CT scan came back CLEAN! So clean in fact that I don't have to get the PET scan that was rescheduled for next month (due to TRICARE only covering 1 scan every 3 months). My spleen looked normal. The 'spot' in my chest is still in the report but is not of concern (may be scar tissue) and we successfully killed the aliens that were growing in my neck!
Now all I have to do is pay close attention to my body, go in to get my port flushed every 6 weeks (keeping it for 6-12 months) and report for PET/CT scans every 12 weeks. :)
Did you catch all that? Difficult test, not only for me but for my family. Gave it to God! He told me "Do not be afraid" and lookie now... REMISSION! Thank you Jesus!
At one point I did feel ill-equipped and under prepared. I rebuked the attack but welcomed God to use me in His service. Just as I tell my children "I'm telling you to do ____ for a reason", the Lord told me to host a ladies group (in which we named Girls Gone Godly). Once I finally listened (yes, I resisted at first) he equipped me. We do what we can do and trust God to do what only he can do. As a friend mentioned at study on Wednesday 'God doesn't call the equipped, he equips the called'.
This doesn't mean to stop praying. It just means I landed on the other side, on two feet but I'm still gripping His hands. The ride will only be over when I'm with Him. Obviously today's not my time.
For some odd reason I'm doing the unthinkable. I'm posting "unseen" pictures. Maybe so those from a distance can see the change? I dono.
May 9th. 16 days after my first treatment. I was pushing my hair back in my head that day. Julie blessed us with family pictures...I still choke up over these. :) We shaved my head the day after these were taken.
Mothers Day 2009 we called an emergency hair shaving meeting in our backyard because it was falling out in chunks.
Yes, the clippers hurt. Sensitive head.
An icky after treatment day. Not feeling so hot.
My birthday! Weird fuzz with a little shine. Never mind the crazy bald neighbor behind me. :)
Me responding to the "how do you feel?" question.
Proof that one can smile through discomfort and pain after treatment even if they have no make up on.
...and again. I lived in pajamas after treatment. Medi-port is visible. I never try to hide it. My theory...why hide cancer? Awareness may save someones life.
Treatment #11. Almost makeup-less and making a scarf.
Tomorrow I will have Max take pictures of my head. I think my hair is understanding it's time to return. :)
Thank you all for following, listening, helping, feeding, and praying for me and my family these past 7 moths. We appreciate it more then words can express.
Do not be afraid; only believe. (Mark 5:36)
For nothing is impossible with God. (Luke 1:37)
Cast all your anxiety on Him because he cares for you. (1Peter 5:7)
Me and Renee
We watched the reading of the Declaration of Independence and the drummer boys followed.
Gorgeous tree and the shack behind it was the kitchen on The Great Hopes Plantation.
Me and my babie.
I'm telling you, the scenery was enough to make me want to go back weekly! Go ahead, call me an Autumn junkie.
This place was so hands on. We learned a game called Shut the Box, saw the alphabet puzzle that was missing two letters, played with some of the toys, and they got to see what kinds of things children of those days carried in their bags. Renee explained why the slave girl had a permit and since then, Kalee has elaborated on it more each time it's told. Sometimes my girl has an imagination that blows me away.
The end!
