So, I guess no matter how strong we all are and how strong our faith in God is, we will all have our "Woe is me moments." Today has been one of those days. No matter how strong I have tried to be, my defenses have been completely down. I guess it could just be lack of sleep, huh? For some reason, when the lack of sleep was caused by a crying child, it seemed somewhat easier. But anyway, this day is almost over, and then nighty night, well for some of the night anyway. :)
I did have a visist with my ENT doctor today to go over procedures for my surgery. Like I said before, my surgery is set for December 15th. They expect me to be in ICU for 4 days and in the hospital a total of 7 to 10 days. Please, everyone pray that I will not need to stay that long, it will kill me not to spend Christmas with my kiddos. But anyway, they will be removing the part of my tongue with cancer on it and replacing it with part of my arm and an artery from my arm. They will then remove some skin from my hip to replace on my arm (for some reason, they must have missed all the skin I have hanging around my waist, I could furnish a few surgeries for them, LOL). They will be removing one of my glands from my neck and also put in a traech (sp?). Ok, when they told me that, it freaked me out b/c I was not expecting that one at all and was not prepared. But, come to find out, it could come out in as little as a week or I may have to go home with it. From what I understand, they may have to use that for a feeding tube. So, that is that, I was also informed that they will also be sending in home health care for me. So, I guess all that is lined up, now I just need my big old bottle of courage pills (which I will find, just not today).
Besides that, everything and everyone has been a blessing. All my family has been extra supportive with the kids and even Christians school (River Dell Elementary). I really do appreciate all that everyone has done and I know there is no way possible that I could ever repay any of you. My ex husband is even pitching in. We are having a really hard time with the bills, so he is holding a Charity Golf Tournament December 11th in my honor. This is thanks to my baby boy asking his daddy to help his mommy who is really, really sick. I know what great kids I have but they never cease to amaze me. They really are my heart. God has blessed me with best two kids a mother could ever ask for.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Keep the prayers coming, God is watching out for me!
Well, yesterday I received a call from my nurse saying that they have moved my surgery date up to December 15th due to the fact that January 4th was too far away. So, I had 3 other doctor appointments today. First thing this morning, I had to meet with their dentist. Since I will be undergoing radiation, she informed me that the tooth that will be exposed to most of the radiation will need to be removed prior or I could experience complications later on, one of which could mean pain for the rest of my life. So, what do I think of this? That tooth has got to go!!!! Hey, I believe I can rock some dentures if I have to! LOL But hey, on the bright side, that was the only news from that doctor. Thank you God, I love it when the news is this simple. Since I have to go through all this, I pray that it will be kept as simple as possible.
Next I had to meet with the ultrasound people. When they cut the cancer off of my tongue, they will have a plastic surgeon standing by to remove some skin and an artery from my arm to replace on my tongue. One nurse told me that she has witnessed several people who have had this done and you can't even tell that part of their arm is in their mouth :). So, he had to assess both arms and arteries to see how they would work if one of the arteries were removed. Good news once more, no problems in that area again. Keep the prayers coming people! I am telling you, God is on my side.
My final appointment of the day was with the radiation people. I actually thought they were going to take my tongue out at that moment. Just kidding, but they twisted it, turned it, and checked it inside and out. Luckily, we found out, that the cancer is basically contained to just my tongue. It has not gotten to my lymph nodes, down my throat, or anywhere else. They informed me that I would be going through radiation, just not sure as to how much. They let me know alot of what was going on and what to expect. We were told that my surgery would last anywhere from 8 to 12 hours, which is news my mom didn't take to well. (Just remember mom, I am strong and will make it through this, plus they need to make sure my tongue is pretty LOL) From there, I will probably be in the hospital anywhere from 2 to 10 days for recovery. They will then give me 4 weeks to heal and then I will proceed to radiation/chemo. At this moment, it is looking like 6 to 7 weeks radiation, 5 days a week, with one of those days with chemo. We do not know for sure, but that is all we know.
So, all in all, it has been a pretty positive day. I am extremely tired and sore from all of it but it was worth positive news. We were really fortunate last night b/c Temple Baptist Church of Selma was kind enough to bring my family a pancake dinner. They are very kind and caring people and look forward to seeing them quite often at church. Also, as everyone is praying for me, please say a prayer for my mom. I know this is extremely hard on her, since she had to deal with alot of medical difficulties with Heather, which she handled like a champ. She has been my mouthpiece alot, especially since my fat tongue makes it really hard to talk sometimes not to mention sore. She is also asking all the right questions and trust me, this pain med can hardly let me know what day of the week it is. So, not only is she being strong for her but for me as well. She has taken me to all my appts and is planning on taking all this time off after my surgery so I ask that many prayers are sent her way so that she will be able to get the rest and peace that she needs and deserves.
That is all for tonight, but thanks again for all the kind words of encouragement and prayers. I love you all!!
Next I had to meet with the ultrasound people. When they cut the cancer off of my tongue, they will have a plastic surgeon standing by to remove some skin and an artery from my arm to replace on my tongue. One nurse told me that she has witnessed several people who have had this done and you can't even tell that part of their arm is in their mouth :). So, he had to assess both arms and arteries to see how they would work if one of the arteries were removed. Good news once more, no problems in that area again. Keep the prayers coming people! I am telling you, God is on my side.
My final appointment of the day was with the radiation people. I actually thought they were going to take my tongue out at that moment. Just kidding, but they twisted it, turned it, and checked it inside and out. Luckily, we found out, that the cancer is basically contained to just my tongue. It has not gotten to my lymph nodes, down my throat, or anywhere else. They informed me that I would be going through radiation, just not sure as to how much. They let me know alot of what was going on and what to expect. We were told that my surgery would last anywhere from 8 to 12 hours, which is news my mom didn't take to well. (Just remember mom, I am strong and will make it through this, plus they need to make sure my tongue is pretty LOL) From there, I will probably be in the hospital anywhere from 2 to 10 days for recovery. They will then give me 4 weeks to heal and then I will proceed to radiation/chemo. At this moment, it is looking like 6 to 7 weeks radiation, 5 days a week, with one of those days with chemo. We do not know for sure, but that is all we know.
So, all in all, it has been a pretty positive day. I am extremely tired and sore from all of it but it was worth positive news. We were really fortunate last night b/c Temple Baptist Church of Selma was kind enough to bring my family a pancake dinner. They are very kind and caring people and look forward to seeing them quite often at church. Also, as everyone is praying for me, please say a prayer for my mom. I know this is extremely hard on her, since she had to deal with alot of medical difficulties with Heather, which she handled like a champ. She has been my mouthpiece alot, especially since my fat tongue makes it really hard to talk sometimes not to mention sore. She is also asking all the right questions and trust me, this pain med can hardly let me know what day of the week it is. So, not only is she being strong for her but for me as well. She has taken me to all my appts and is planning on taking all this time off after my surgery so I ask that many prayers are sent her way so that she will be able to get the rest and peace that she needs and deserves.
That is all for tonight, but thanks again for all the kind words of encouragement and prayers. I love you all!!
Monday, November 16, 2009
The moment my world stood still.....
I have never done this before, but once I received the wonderful news, my mom suggested setting up a blog so that my close ones would always know what was going on, even when I didn't have the strength to stay on the phone for hours. So, I said what the heck, and here goes my first blog ever. I wish it could start off on a more positive note. But, just follow along, because I guarantee it will end with fireworks for the finale.
It all started with a small sore on my tongue. I didn't do anything about it until it started messing with my sleep (and anyone with 2 small kids knows, you do not mess with our sleep or it is war). I went to my family doctor and the ER about 3 times because it started causing me alot of pain and alot of sleepless nights. Well, they kept diagnosing me with Thrush and treating me for it. It wasn't getting any better, but worse. My last visit to the ER had me seeing a new PA, which many came to me and apologized for the wait because she was new and slower than the rest. Well, needless to say, I was dealing with having someone new but when she walked in the door, had me say Ahhhh (like they all do) and then gave me the dreaded news. "Honey, you need to go to an ENT immediately because this looks like cancer." Wow, what a blow. I went though, immediately, and he did a biopsy right away. As many of you know, I am not your everyday, typical, mother of two, medically speaking. One of the first things that came to mind is that, ok maybe it is sarcoid. That is rare and likes to show up every once and awhile just to let me know it is still there. Then, there is that dreaded HPV, which I can thank an unfaithful husband for giving me such a parting gift. So, there we were, me and my family, pondering all the possiblities of what it could be because even though I had this feeling, like when I knew my first was a boy and my second was a girl, that it was cancer. For once, why couldn't my feelings be wrong??? But I have accepted it now, and now I am ready to fight. Yes, I am diagnosed with cancer but it doesn not make me who I am, it is just a glitch in my system, one that will just have to be terminated.
I am doing this to keep all my loved ones updated on appointments and my progress. But, all of you should know, I am a fighter and this is going to be one hell of a fight but I have way too much to live for for something like this to knock me down. All I ask out of everyone reading this is that you keep me in your prayers. Yes, money, babysitters, food, etc.... that all helps, of course, but I know that God is the best help I can ever receive and he is always on my side, looking out for me. I know I am a challenging case, but he also has all my guardian angels helping him out.
I just found out today that my surgery is scheduled for January 4th, 2010. Right now, I am scheduled to meet with the dentist and radiation people on Thursday the 19th and then see my regular physician on the 24th. On the 30th, I will be meeting with the people doing the chemo. So, they are already trying to fill up my calendar. I will keep everyone updated and the times when I am too weak or just don't feel up to it, my mom will fill in for me.
I want to thank everyone for the kind words of encouragement I have already received and for all the prayers which have been sent out on my behalf.
Love you all and God Bless!!!
It all started with a small sore on my tongue. I didn't do anything about it until it started messing with my sleep (and anyone with 2 small kids knows, you do not mess with our sleep or it is war). I went to my family doctor and the ER about 3 times because it started causing me alot of pain and alot of sleepless nights. Well, they kept diagnosing me with Thrush and treating me for it. It wasn't getting any better, but worse. My last visit to the ER had me seeing a new PA, which many came to me and apologized for the wait because she was new and slower than the rest. Well, needless to say, I was dealing with having someone new but when she walked in the door, had me say Ahhhh (like they all do) and then gave me the dreaded news. "Honey, you need to go to an ENT immediately because this looks like cancer." Wow, what a blow. I went though, immediately, and he did a biopsy right away. As many of you know, I am not your everyday, typical, mother of two, medically speaking. One of the first things that came to mind is that, ok maybe it is sarcoid. That is rare and likes to show up every once and awhile just to let me know it is still there. Then, there is that dreaded HPV, which I can thank an unfaithful husband for giving me such a parting gift. So, there we were, me and my family, pondering all the possiblities of what it could be because even though I had this feeling, like when I knew my first was a boy and my second was a girl, that it was cancer. For once, why couldn't my feelings be wrong??? But I have accepted it now, and now I am ready to fight. Yes, I am diagnosed with cancer but it doesn not make me who I am, it is just a glitch in my system, one that will just have to be terminated.
I am doing this to keep all my loved ones updated on appointments and my progress. But, all of you should know, I am a fighter and this is going to be one hell of a fight but I have way too much to live for for something like this to knock me down. All I ask out of everyone reading this is that you keep me in your prayers. Yes, money, babysitters, food, etc.... that all helps, of course, but I know that God is the best help I can ever receive and he is always on my side, looking out for me. I know I am a challenging case, but he also has all my guardian angels helping him out.
I just found out today that my surgery is scheduled for January 4th, 2010. Right now, I am scheduled to meet with the dentist and radiation people on Thursday the 19th and then see my regular physician on the 24th. On the 30th, I will be meeting with the people doing the chemo. So, they are already trying to fill up my calendar. I will keep everyone updated and the times when I am too weak or just don't feel up to it, my mom will fill in for me.
I want to thank everyone for the kind words of encouragement I have already received and for all the prayers which have been sent out on my behalf.
Love you all and God Bless!!!
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