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July
20
.....It
was scary going in for a hysterectomy, but at the same time,
a positive thing. I had had problems off and on with heavy
bleeding, and it now appeared that I had a fibroid that was
prolapsing. I was going in for removal of the fibroid, and
then a complete hysterectomy. I was looking forward to my
"post uterus" days.
.....All
went well until I woke up in the recovery room, realizing
that they hadn't done any surgery. I heard voices a few feet
away from me saying "biopsy", and then it started
dawning on me that the "remote possibility" that
my gynecologist had talked to me about was true. It wasn't
a fibroid, but a tumor on my cervix. This was, without a doubt,
the scariest moment of my life. Immediately, the oncologist
explained what had happened, and next thing I knew, I was
going down the hall to my room. There, waiting for me were
some of the most important people in my life: Kenny, my daughter
Emily, son-in-law Jason, and Trish Anderson, one of my dearest
friends. They had already been informed of what had happened.
.....Once I was over the nausea from the anesthesia, and got
some food down, they released me from the hospital. We went
home, and then faced talking to our other children. Joel,
Neal and Ellen were here, and we broke the bad news. It was
a difficult time for us all, but God helped us through.
July 21
.....Happy Birthday, Kenny!! I couldn't believe
what a terrible birthday present I had given Kenny, as if
it weren't enough that he was turning 50!!! But Kenny and
I probably had our closest day on this day. Our closest, yet
most terrible day. Being in limbo is one of the worst parts
of something like this.
.....We
went to Overlake Christian Church in the morning, and got
prayer from their elders, which was very encouraging. The
rest of the afternoon was spent on the phone, going for walks,
and crying off and on. We faced the difficult task of telling
other family members and friends. Later in the day the kids
came over again, and we had dinner together. But all the time
looming over us was the question of whether or not the cancer
had spread anywhere else. I was scheduled for a CAT scan on
Monday to determine this.
July 22
.....Today
was my CAT scan, and my appointment with the gynecological
oncologist, Dr. Veljovich. This was all down in Seattle, in
the totally massive Swedish complex. For those of you not
in our area, Swedish Hospital, and its many related facilities,
take up at least a city block….gee, maybe it's more.
They are some of the finest medical facilities to be found,
for which we are very thankful.
First I had the CATscan, and boy, was it an awesome thing.
The machine that did it cost $3 million. What amazing technology
is available now! That part was easy, but then started the
waiting, on this, the day which seemed so long. We had to
wait for the films. We had to wait longer than usual, because
of some mixup as to whether we could take them with us or
not. Finally we got them, and walked across the skybridge
to the other building, where Dr. Veljovich practices at Pacific
Gynecology.
.....It
was a terrible feeling having that big brown envelope in your
hand, knowing that, in a way, your future was inside that
envelope. The suspense was excruciating. We had to wait for
a bit to see the doctor, and then he spent the first several
minutes talking to us about what had happened on Saturday,
etc. Finally, he said that the films did not show any invasion
in the lymph nodes, or anywhere else, except for the tumor.
Kenny was so happy that he jumped up and hugged the doctor.
Let me assure you. On the relief scale, that rated a 10 !!!!
.....Dr.
Veljovich explained to us what was the recommended course
of treatment for this type of cancer. For those of you who
are interested, it's a stage 1B2 cancer. That means it hasn't
spread, but it is bigger than 4 cm. Oh, did I mention that
my tumor was 8 cm in diameter?? I saw the films, and it's
definitely large. That's what the chemo and radiation do…..shrinks
the size of the tumor so that afterward they can do surgery
and remove it.
July 23
.....Today
was my appointment with the Radiation Encologist. I am getting
radiation treatment at the Northwest Tumor Institute, which
is located at the Northwest Hospital complex. It's a relief
to know we don't have to fight that downtown traffic everyday.
And Emily's apartment is just a few minutes away.
.....This
appointment included an incredible amount of interruption
and waiting, so it was quite draining. But it was very informative,
and we like the doctor, Dr. Robert Meier. One of the bad things
about all this is having to sit and listen to all the negative
things that could happen as a result of the treatment. Maybe
one way to look at it is to realize how relieved I"ll
be when I don't develop every symptom!July
24
.....How
exciting! Two appointments in one day!!! The nice thing about
where I am getting treatment is that both places (radiation
and chemo) share the same waiting room. The right hand can
know what the left hand is doing, if you happen to be having
both things done together.
.....This
morning I got to drink a yummy barium drink to light up my
insides. Mmmm, creamy. Then I went in for what they called
my planning appointment. I lay on a table, they had these
laser lights on me, and made ink marks. They also did some
things with some lead plates. The radiation technicians were
wonderful. One lady had just returned from a missions trip
to Mexico, and was really an encouragement to me.
.....Since
we got out at noon, we were able to drive over to Emily's
apartment, pick her up, and go out to lunch. It was a nice
break. We also got to see the neat stuff she got at her baby
shower Tuesday night.
.....Our
last event of the day was meeting with the man I called "The
Chemo Dude", my medical oncologist, Dr. George Birchfield.
He is a funny guy, and it was great to have someone fun to
talk over such a heavy subject with. He spent lots and lot
of time with us, and I think adequately prepared us for the
treatments that will be starting on Thursday.
.....I'm
pretty nervous about the chemo. The radiation doesn't scare
me so much. Maybe it's those memories of being so sick when
I was pregnant. But I'm believing God to have little or no
side effects. I'm believing for the best, but prepared for
the worst. The main thing is to get this cancer destroyed!
July
25
.....First
day of treatment! I had chemotherapy this morning, which consisted
of sitting in a comfy chair and having an IV for almost three
hours. It wassn't bad at all. At one point a sweet little
lady was sitting next to me that was 95 years old. She was
an inspiration.
.....After a quick lunch, I had my first radiation treatment.
Piece of cake! The treatments themselves are not a problem,
but now we wait and see how I react to them. I am getting
anti-nausea drugs in the IV when I get the chemo, as well
as taking other anti-nausea drugs orally. I am hopeful that
these will help out.
.....I feel very tired tonight after my long day, but I am
sure that a lot of it has to do with the cummulative effect
of the last several days. So far all this is going quite well,
and we are feeling more positive each day.
July
26
.....Wow.
Today I only have one 20 minute radiation appointment. This
is the most "doctor-free" day yet. Emily came over
this morning and decided to take me, to give Kenny a little
break. He's been putting in his hours at the fire department
when he can. The chiefs there have been very supportive, and
are giving him a lot of leeway with his time there, which
we are so grateful for.
.....The
appointment was totally noneventful. Then I hung out with
Emily at her apartment until she had to go for an ultrasound.
It is so late-term that it was hard to tell what was what.....way
too crowded in there! But we did get a couple of good looks
at his pretty little face. He appears to look a bit like Jason
to us.
......Kenny
came to pick me up afterward, and then we headed home. I was
very, very tired today. I am hoping it is a cummulative effect
from all the past week, and not just the treatments. But so
far no nausea.
July
27
.....
Our good friend Todd Panabaker spent the night with us tonight,
while he's in town working. We were sorry to greet him with
such grim news, but still were able to enjoy our evening together.
Earlier today we went to California Burger for lunch while
Kenny was out doing an errand for the fire department. I was
proud to eat my entire burger and most of my fries! (It's
been quite awhile since I was proud of eating a hamburger!!)
......I
have been really overwhelmed with all the email notes I have
been receiving, from this site, and otherwise. It has been
a tremendous blessing, and faith builder.
July
28
.....There has still been no nausea from the
chemotherapy. They had told me that I would probably experience
something over the weekend. I am so thankful to God that I've
been free from this so far, and thank each of you who have
prayed in that regard for me. I had some visits today from
Van Lang, Chak and Eva Aw, and Jeff and Jake Woodward. I also
talked with Greg and Odulia Anthony on the phone, which was
really a blessing.
......Today I have actually felt better than I did yesterday.
I was able to do a little sewing (trying to keep up with my
home
business a little bit), and still had enough energy for our
evening walk.
July 29
.....Another
week has started, and the days seem really long. I can't stay
up very late at night, and as a result, wake up quite early
in the morning. I have some energy to start the day with,
so try to get a few things done. This morning I went to the
grocery, the bank, and by the quilt shop where I work to drop
off some things. I could really tell when I got home that
I'd done too much at one time. It's disappointing to have
to pace myself so much, but I know I need to keep positive
about it.
.....After
radiation this afternoon I went home and slept like a rock
for two hours. Kenny and I went for our nightly walk after
dinner, and already I'm thinking bedtime.
....Everyday
I am so overwhelmed by all the encouraging emails I have been
getting. I know I am not answering them all, but please know
that each one means so much to us. Thank you, friends!!
July 30
.....
..... I
had a nice visit today from my good friend Karen Potts. Then
I went to my radiation appointment, and had some blood drawn
while I was there. Usually that does me in for the day, but
today, I made raspberry jam when I got home. We have tons
of fresh raspberries on our vines. I was so proud that I got
that much done. Of course, I had to take a nap afterward.
......Got a real shock today in the mailbox. We got the first
major statement from the hospital for my surgery that didn't
really happen. So far we racked up over $8000 worth of bills!
We are so thankful to God that we have good insurance. He
finds all sorts of ways to provide for us.
July
31
.....Today
has been terrific. I hit the I-5 madness early this morning
to make an 8:15 a.m. appointment with my chemo doctor. He's
pleased with how I'm doing, and said that, if we continue
to do the same things each week, anit-nausea-drug-wise, we
should see the same results. Woohoo! My blood counts are all
good, platelets are cool, and kidneys super.
.....This
afternoon I had my fifth radiation treatment, and met with
my radiation doctor. He, too, thinks I'm doing well. I found
out today that I am scheduled for 25 treatments.....gee, I
thought it was 30! All kinds of good news.
.....Each
day I look forward to the many emails I get. So many friends,
too numerous to mention, have contacted me. This has been
the most encouraging thing of all. I read each one, and print
them out, and have put them into a notebook. Please don't
be disappointed if I don't answer....there are just so many.
But each one is special, and many bring tears to my eyes.
You guys are great!!! |
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