Finally - Surgery Date (April 4)

Hello Friends -

Here is my promised happy post! 24 days out of chemo-radiation today and I was able to dress for work without padding myself with burn cream and bandages. I am starting to feel pretty normal again and able to move about much more comfortably. Horray! This past weekend Steve and I celebrated our birthday by venturing out on a cross-country ski at Windblown. I was able to ski 5 miles and it felt wonderful! Also, my intestines seem to be recovering and I am thrilled to be able to eat fruits and vegetables again.

This Friday I will have a re-biopsy of the new lump found in the area of my Paget's disease. The first biopsy (done by a NP) may not have been sufficiently deep to adequately rule out Paget's so an experienced doctor will do this one. We are keeping our fingers and toes crossed that it is NOT Paget's and we can proceed with the treatment plans as is.

Speaking of treatment plans - my surgery date has been set for April 4. We are busy talking with doctors, plastic surgeons (for skin grafts), ostomy nurses, and a few folks who have been through this surgery before and can help us plan for post-surgery, setting up the house, and recovery. I am also working to get myself mentally prepared for both the surgery and aftermath. Although I am mourning the upcoming loss of important functional body parts - I know that this surgery is the path to getting rid of these nasty cancers and long-term survival!

I am told that I will be in the hospital for 7-10 days post surgery, then will have 6 weeks of medical leave where I will be somewhat confined while I adjust to my "internal remodel" and life as a "bag lady". Steve will be setting up a post-surgery visit schedule via this blog and I will welcome your smiling faces to help cheer me up!

Thank you everyone for the continued support. I really couldn't do this without you all!

 

Phase I Complete !

Hello beloved friends and family,

Well today I am 5 days post-treatment (phase I: chemo-rad complete!) and am taking my first full sick day due to painful blisters, of all things. As predicted, the worst effects of the radiation have shown up the week after treatments. The good news is I am done with this phase and should start healing soon!

Assuming all goes as planned, we probably won't be posting much the next month or so as I heal and prepare for surgery. Looks like surgery will be in early April and I will recover for at least a week in the hospital, then my surgeon wants me to plan to be off work for 6 weeks. We will plan to keep people updated on surgery dates and progress via this blog as many of you have said that you find it useful.

EVERYONE - I am SO thankful to you for helping us through the past 4 loooooonnnng months! The support everyone gave us, including encouraging notes, messages, calls, delicious meals, Tony walks, foot massages, lotions, music, flowers, treats - it was just so incredibly uplifting and really helped power me along! One thing about getting very sick is it really helps you feel the love! The love for LIFE, living, and the people around you. That means YOU ALL!

And I am so thankful for the wonderful STEVE, who has been the best cancer-caregiver a girl could possibly wish for!

Thanks for checking in folks and for everything! You should see a happy post in a week or so about my speedy healing!

World Cancer Day

Congratulation on finishing this phase of your treatment Mom. You are strong and healthy and you can do this. I love you so much.