Thankful this Thanksgiving

As the holiday season is approaching us, we all reflect on what we are thankful for.  I am sure thankful for the friends and family in my life that have helped support me through this time.  This thanksgiving I am especially thankful for my health report.  I told many of you that I am not much of a "blogger" at the start of this.  So, this is my last blog entry for awhile.  I have a check up appointment in 6 months and will update the blog then and will send out the link as a reminder.  At this point, "no news is good news."  I do want to send another thank you to everyone who kept me in their thoughts, prayers, sent emails, posts, text messages, phone calls, flowers, cards, and more.  It made this time that much easier knowing I had an army behind me supporting and encouraging me along the way. 
I would also ask that you keep my mom in your thoughts and prayers because she will be having an ileostomy on December 13.  This is a result of her multiple sclerosis and although it is sad that it has come to this, we are hopeful for an improved quality of life in the future. 

Getting Better

Today is almost a week since I got my surgery.  I am feeling better and stronger each day.  I think I underestimated a little how much time it would take for me to recoup.  That is OK though, I am in good spirits!  My 73 (one) limphnod did come back positive with carcenoid cells, however I do not need to seek further treatment at this time.  The surgeon said the pathology report spotted two areas with the cells on the one limphnod, but because it was one of 73, its no big deal.  I will just need to have tests and MRI's done in about a year and be monitored closely.  I am feeling incredibly lucky and praising God for this good news.  Thank you to all who have followed and keeping up with me.  Tremendous thank you for the support, love, and prayers! :)

In the Clear

Sorry I am late on my post.  I have been home from the hospital since Sunday night but have been very sick, tired, and weak.  The medication has made me not feel very well and I haven't been able to eat much, so I am pretty weak.  BUT I HAVE GOOD NEWS!  I called the doctor yesterday and he said that 72 out of the 73 limphnods that were removed came back negative (this is very good).  The one came back abnormal so they need to do more tests on it to determine whether or not it is cancer cells or just abnormal.  Have no fear, whether or not the test results come back positive or negative, I am OK!  I don't have to seek further treatment because it was just one of the 73.  My surgery went well and I am on the road to recovery...the slow road I am finding out.  But, all things considered, I am doing great and will be better than ever before you know it.  Praise the Lord!!!!

Thank you for your continued prayers, posts, emails, cards, flowers, love, and support.  It truly makes this time a little easier knowing I have a hole army behind me.  God bless you!

out of surgery

i am out of surgrey and doing well. thanks for all of the prayer. test results come back on monday

Night Before

Wow.  I think that is all I can say, wow.  The amount of support, emails, text messages, posts I have got is overwhelming.  Thank you.  THANK YOU! Your love and prayers have been amazing.  This cancer thing doesn't stand a chance!  I praise and thank God for all of you.  I have an early morning tomorrow, I report in at 5:45 a.m.  Not sure how long surgery will last but I will have someone post as soon as I get out.  I know that no matter what happens, I am in HIS hands.  God bless all of you.  Much love and appreciation!

The rain before the storm

On August 28, I woke up not having any idea that I would be in the position I am today… 
I woke up that Saturday morning with a sharp pain in my side.  It felt different, but was manageable so I went about my day.  Mike and I decided to go golfing because it was beautiful, so I played 9 holes, still experiencing some pain but still trying to ignore it.  That night Mike and I went out to dinner and that is when the pain got serious.  I knew I was experiencing something, but had no idea what it was so I called my mom.  My mom wasn’t sure and my grandma, who used to be a nurse, wasn’t sure either.  So, I decided that maybe it would go away and ignored it.  Monday I went to work and knew I was still feeling off.  Since it hadn’t got any better, I decided that after work I would go to urgent care. 

I arrived at the urgent care facility around 5 p.m.  They told me I immediately needed to go to the hospital because they suspected it was my appendix.   After a lot of waiting and tests, I was admitted to the hospital.  At this point, they were not convinced that I had appendicitis.  The surgeon came in the next afternoon and said that I had a “stone” wrapped around my appendix and that they were going to remove both my appendix and this stone. 

A week or so after my appendectomy I returned to the surgeon’s office for a check up.  I sat on the table as she told me that the “stone” they removed was actually a tumor that was malignant.   The good news was that the tumor was small and they removed it all when they removed my appendix.  I was told to make some appointments with the GI doctor and Oncologist, but that I would be fine.

Several weeks and tests later I found out that I was not fine.  They did not get all of the carcenoid cells like I was told and that I would need to have surgery. 

On Friday, November 5, I will be going into surgery at Mayo Clinic to remove 1/3 of my colon.  The doctors (and myself) are very confident that this will be the end of my treatment and that all of the cells will be removed with the surgery. 

God has taught me so much in the last few months.  He continues to be good and reminding me of the many blessings in my life.  I have learned to trust Him in ways I never have.  I have grown in my faith and am thankful for that. 

All I ask of you is to pray for me.  Please lift me up in prayer this week and especially Friday during surgery.  You can pray for a fast, speedy recovery.  Pray for the doctors to do good work and pray for no more cancer cells! 

I will update all of you on my recovery and will keep you posted as soon as I can.  Thanks and Gods blessings to you!