Yes, I know, it has been awhile. Well, I am on the final lap of this long journey. My final surgery is scheduled for June 21st. At this time, they will remove my thyroid and shave down my tongue so that I am able to eat and talk normal again. The good news is that when they did my Pet Scan in May they found that the only cancer left in my body, well from knees to head, was in my thyroid. So, as of June 21st, after surgery, I will be cancer free. I can't explain how good it feels to say that. It has been such a long and hard fight, but as I have told everyone, I am strong and I can beat this thing. God, I really didn't know how strong I was b/c believe me, there were definetly times when I didn't think I had anymore fight left in me. I can't say it was all me though. Not only was God there the whole time but he furnished me with the best friends and family a person could ask for. I have had the best support system anyone could ever ask for. Alot of people never know how much people really care for them and then it is expressed at a memorial service, thank god I didnt have to find out that way. I felt like in the beginning that I was being punished for some odd reason, but now I see the rewards in my family and friends, because each and every one of them has been the best gift I could have ever asked for. I have such mixed feelings about this surgery but God has pulled me through so far and I am definetly not going to lose faith in him now because he has carried me further can I could have ever wished for. I am so excited that I will be able to live my life cancer free and move on, hopefully as normal as possible. At the same time, I am scared to death of the "what ifs". I shouldn't think like that, I know, I preach it to others all the time, but that fear is still there. At this very moment, I will push those what ifs to the back of my mind and trust in my faith.
I will keep everyone updated after my surgery. I would like to really express my gratitude to my support system. I don't think that some know what a huge role they have played in my recovery, but just know that every word, every expression, every prayer, and every hug has meant the world to me and has helped to fight off this evil devil called cancer.
Much Love and God Bless,
Stacy
Monday, June 14, 2010
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
A Time of Discovery......
Ok, so for some reason I feel like reliving the first part of my surgery. I have been through alot of emotional ups and downs and maybe I haven't portrayed them as well as I should have, for my sake. When I first found out about this cancer, all I could say was "I am tough, and I will surely make it through this." As time went on, I was doubting myself and wondering if I was indeed as tough as I had given myself credit for. I went into surgery thinking, ok, in about 6 months I will be back to my normal self and living my normal life, just as I always have. Little did I know, my normal would no longer exist. I remember waking from surgery, feeling like crap and all the doctors and nurses coming in smiling at me wanting to know how as was doing. Well, I felt like I had been run over by an 18 wheeler, but they were expecting that. I knew that I had been through a bigger ordeal than what they had led me to believe, just by all the tubes and the pain in my body. I knew at that moment, my life had been stripped away.
I wouldn't look at myself in the mirror for days, about 6 to be exact. I felt like a monster. I never felt that I was beautiful by any means, but I knew I looked half way decent. But that wasnt me anymore. Everyone kept saying, it will be ok and in time you will be back to what you once were. Do you think I believed anyone? Heck no, because all I saw was a monster. Everytime the doctors came in and said, "Oh, you are looking really good." I wanted to shove their stethoscopes somewhere really unpleasant. How could they look at me and say that. And of course, my parents, my sister, and my aunt would say the same thing. I couldn't even think that I looked good, I saw myself and that image was burnt in my mind. Not to mention, what would my kids think? Would they be scared of their mom now? I couldn't get the thought in my head that it would heal and look better, because the person I saw in the mirror blocked out all other thoughts.
I could see the changes when I got home. I could tell things were getting better but there was no way I was believing when people would say, "This too shall pass, it will get better." I really got sick of hearing it because that image in my head was not going to dare let me think it. After time, things were getting better and doctors were impressed my progress. But here comes radiation and chemo. I will have to admit, in the beginning I started to feel better and had a little hope. I also had my moments of depression, due to missing my old life. After my treatments, I was warned that radiation was the gift that kept on giving after treatments were finished. I started having several complications which included my sodium levels dropping dangerously low. I spent several weeks, on and off, in the hospital trying to get me back. I could hardly get out of the bed and the thought of even trying to get nutrition in had me running to the bathroom sick. With my moms insistence, you cannot ever tell my mom no---it doesn't work, we stayed at the hospital until they got me well.
I knew I was down, but I started taking a good look within myself and knew I was falling into a depression. I had some friends and family suggest support groups, maybe even counselors. I did know myself to know, these groups would not help. I am a person whom works out my problems within myself, no matter what anyone else said. Bless my sisters heart, she had numerous talks with me about the person I am. I tried to fight what she was saying, because honestly, I didn't feel like that person anymore. Well, I finally came to the realization, I may not look like that person anymore, but I still am that same person in the inside. I have to just dig deep and bring that person back to life because she got pushed away in all this mess, maybe hid from having to deal with all this cancer crap.
Well, it leads to the present. I am trying to find me again, and I will, but it will take time because although the same me is inside, I have changed also. Once I am on the final road of recuperation, I will live my life differently. If my past life has taught me nothing else, it has taught me that you never know what lies ahead and your whole life can change in a second. I know this sounds cliche, but once you have it happen to you, you truly appreciate it. I will soon have my surgery to have my thyroid taken out and my tongue shaved down so that my voice will be back to normal and I will actually be able to eat again. So, although I have had to fight physically, this emotional battle has been a whole lot more intense.
I really appreciate all the thoughts and prayers that have gone out for me, please keep them coming. I have come a long way, but I still have many more miles to travel. God has carried me this far, he surely won't drop me now.
God Bless and Love Always!
Stacy
I wouldn't look at myself in the mirror for days, about 6 to be exact. I felt like a monster. I never felt that I was beautiful by any means, but I knew I looked half way decent. But that wasnt me anymore. Everyone kept saying, it will be ok and in time you will be back to what you once were. Do you think I believed anyone? Heck no, because all I saw was a monster. Everytime the doctors came in and said, "Oh, you are looking really good." I wanted to shove their stethoscopes somewhere really unpleasant. How could they look at me and say that. And of course, my parents, my sister, and my aunt would say the same thing. I couldn't even think that I looked good, I saw myself and that image was burnt in my mind. Not to mention, what would my kids think? Would they be scared of their mom now? I couldn't get the thought in my head that it would heal and look better, because the person I saw in the mirror blocked out all other thoughts.
I could see the changes when I got home. I could tell things were getting better but there was no way I was believing when people would say, "This too shall pass, it will get better." I really got sick of hearing it because that image in my head was not going to dare let me think it. After time, things were getting better and doctors were impressed my progress. But here comes radiation and chemo. I will have to admit, in the beginning I started to feel better and had a little hope. I also had my moments of depression, due to missing my old life. After my treatments, I was warned that radiation was the gift that kept on giving after treatments were finished. I started having several complications which included my sodium levels dropping dangerously low. I spent several weeks, on and off, in the hospital trying to get me back. I could hardly get out of the bed and the thought of even trying to get nutrition in had me running to the bathroom sick. With my moms insistence, you cannot ever tell my mom no---it doesn't work, we stayed at the hospital until they got me well.
I knew I was down, but I started taking a good look within myself and knew I was falling into a depression. I had some friends and family suggest support groups, maybe even counselors. I did know myself to know, these groups would not help. I am a person whom works out my problems within myself, no matter what anyone else said. Bless my sisters heart, she had numerous talks with me about the person I am. I tried to fight what she was saying, because honestly, I didn't feel like that person anymore. Well, I finally came to the realization, I may not look like that person anymore, but I still am that same person in the inside. I have to just dig deep and bring that person back to life because she got pushed away in all this mess, maybe hid from having to deal with all this cancer crap.
Well, it leads to the present. I am trying to find me again, and I will, but it will take time because although the same me is inside, I have changed also. Once I am on the final road of recuperation, I will live my life differently. If my past life has taught me nothing else, it has taught me that you never know what lies ahead and your whole life can change in a second. I know this sounds cliche, but once you have it happen to you, you truly appreciate it. I will soon have my surgery to have my thyroid taken out and my tongue shaved down so that my voice will be back to normal and I will actually be able to eat again. So, although I have had to fight physically, this emotional battle has been a whole lot more intense.
I really appreciate all the thoughts and prayers that have gone out for me, please keep them coming. I have come a long way, but I still have many more miles to travel. God has carried me this far, he surely won't drop me now.
God Bless and Love Always!
Stacy
Monday, March 15, 2010
Last Radiation Treatment!
Today, I have officially finished my first set of treatments. No more radiation and no more chemo!!! Thank God! I let my son stay out of school today to go along since they have this huge gong to ring at the finalization of treatments. He was pretty stoked but he did hold back because I am sure he could have made that thing make noises it had only dreamed of. I figured, my kids are the main reason I made it through, well they were my driving force anyway. I wanted them to be apart of the finalization since they are the ones who have had to make the major adjustments of their new mommy. I know it has been really hard on a 3, now 4, year old and 8 year old to see their mommy transform in so many ways in just 3 months. And they have been real troopers through all of this. I just hope that when they look back on it they just remember how strong their mommy was, how much I love them, and how much it will eventually make our family grow with this life changing experience. I have had alot of changes in my life lately, all of them for the good I hope.
I have now lost 46 lbs altogether. I know it is not good to lose all this right now but I just look at all the food I will eventually be able to eat again, hopefully sooner than later. I have good days and I have bad days. On my bad days, I would kill for a balogna sandwhich, and you could even read me the ingredients and I would still eat the heck out of it. lol But, all this will come in time and I just have to keep reminding myself of that. Even though I have finished with my treatments, the doctors tell me that the next couple of weeks will remain the same if not a little worse because I am so drained. But after that, it should slowly start to get better. I can't wait, even though it means getting closer to one more surgery. This too, shall pass.
Even though I have finished with radiation and chemo, I am still going through my steps to getting better. One day at a time. I am starting to see a glimpse of the light at the end of the tunnel these days and hopefully these rainy, stormy days are in my past and the future will be nothing but brighter. I am going to wrap this up now. Thanks, to my little one that doesn't like to sleep at night, there is no telling what all I have typed because I kind of feel like I have been rambling. If I have, I am sorry, but I will try to keep everyone posted on what else is to come in the future.
Love and God Bless,
Stacy
I have now lost 46 lbs altogether. I know it is not good to lose all this right now but I just look at all the food I will eventually be able to eat again, hopefully sooner than later. I have good days and I have bad days. On my bad days, I would kill for a balogna sandwhich, and you could even read me the ingredients and I would still eat the heck out of it. lol But, all this will come in time and I just have to keep reminding myself of that. Even though I have finished with my treatments, the doctors tell me that the next couple of weeks will remain the same if not a little worse because I am so drained. But after that, it should slowly start to get better. I can't wait, even though it means getting closer to one more surgery. This too, shall pass.
Even though I have finished with radiation and chemo, I am still going through my steps to getting better. One day at a time. I am starting to see a glimpse of the light at the end of the tunnel these days and hopefully these rainy, stormy days are in my past and the future will be nothing but brighter. I am going to wrap this up now. Thanks, to my little one that doesn't like to sleep at night, there is no telling what all I have typed because I kind of feel like I have been rambling. If I have, I am sorry, but I will try to keep everyone posted on what else is to come in the future.
Love and God Bless,
Stacy
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Yeah, Yeah I'm Still Around :)!
Sorry, it has been awhile. One of my moms crazy friends, just kidding Max, informed me that it has been awhile but I hadn't realized just how long it has been. Not too much has happened except that I am getting better day by day. Well, that is quite a big deal, but you know what I mean. I am now finished with my chemo treatments, yeah. I was scheduled for one more but opted not to do it. Those things make you sick as a dog and I was told the last one really doesn't add much benefit. I have lost so much weight, so I figured that why keep throwing up for something that isn't really going to benefit me? They also decided to put me back on steroids to help with nausea and thank God because those things really help out. I am down to my last 4 radiation treatments and I am steadily counting. Radiation is work from the devil :). I have lost about 4 inches of hair under the back, which you cant tell with my hair down. The worse is all this mucus. I don't know how in the world I could produce so much crap. I feel like I am honestly blowing every part of my body just to get it out. I have to clean my mouth out with toilet paper, I know it sounds gross but it works. One day Kami, my 4 yr old, walked in and said, Mom, you are only supposed to blow your nose, not your mouth. Well, she now has to blow her mouth along with blowing her nose. LOL They informed me that for 2 weeks after my last radiation, which is the 15th, I will still have effects like I am still having daily treatments, then it should start getting better. So, that is pretty much what I have to look forward to. I go tomorrow to meet with Dr. A, my plastic surgeon. My leg is completely healed and my arm is looking really good too. I think it has completely healed but I am no doctor. He will probably let me quit with the daily wraps on my arm though, so that will be good. I don't meet with my ENT again until April and then we shall find out when I will venture with the lovely thyroid surgery. This should be a piece of cake though.
Well, along with this lovely surgery, doctors, diagnosis, and all the other medical terms, you have emotional side of this. It has to be the hardest part. I find that I am now hurting peoples feelings and not even knowing it because honestly, I don't mean for things to come out like they do or how they sound. Not to mention that half the time my mouth is full of mucus that I am trying to get out all at the same time. I don't know what to do to fix this, but I do get tired of apologizing all the time, which is what I feel I need to do "in most circumstances." What should I do people? My emotional roller coster is very exhausting. What most people don't realize is that I just want my normal life back. I haven't been able to eat in 3 months, but yet I still manage to cook for everyone else. Not that I am complaining about cooking too much because I enjoy it, but 3 months without eating is a very big deal. I could go on and on about eating for days but I want because I have my list for things and places I will be eating at once I am able once more. I do get comments from people on me changing, but I don't think that is such a bad thing, and besides, I don't think you could talk to one cancer patient out there who has not changed going through such an ordeal. I just hate that I feel like I have burdened some so much that my changes are affecting them drastically. I also have run across some that like to use my cancer as an excuse and that it still can't be how I really feel ,it is the cancer talking, but nope, trust me, it is my mouth and my words coming out. This thing has been the biggest life changing event of my life. I pray though that the Lord helps my changes to be positive and for those who cant see that, again I am sorry. I am going to have to cut my little soapbox lecture short, due to my lovely pain meds kicking in, but I will not wait so long to update again. Sorry Max LOL :)
Thanks again for everyone who has been praying and keeping me in their thoughts.
God Bless,
Stacy
Well, along with this lovely surgery, doctors, diagnosis, and all the other medical terms, you have emotional side of this. It has to be the hardest part. I find that I am now hurting peoples feelings and not even knowing it because honestly, I don't mean for things to come out like they do or how they sound. Not to mention that half the time my mouth is full of mucus that I am trying to get out all at the same time. I don't know what to do to fix this, but I do get tired of apologizing all the time, which is what I feel I need to do "in most circumstances." What should I do people? My emotional roller coster is very exhausting. What most people don't realize is that I just want my normal life back. I haven't been able to eat in 3 months, but yet I still manage to cook for everyone else. Not that I am complaining about cooking too much because I enjoy it, but 3 months without eating is a very big deal. I could go on and on about eating for days but I want because I have my list for things and places I will be eating at once I am able once more. I do get comments from people on me changing, but I don't think that is such a bad thing, and besides, I don't think you could talk to one cancer patient out there who has not changed going through such an ordeal. I just hate that I feel like I have burdened some so much that my changes are affecting them drastically. I also have run across some that like to use my cancer as an excuse and that it still can't be how I really feel ,it is the cancer talking, but nope, trust me, it is my mouth and my words coming out. This thing has been the biggest life changing event of my life. I pray though that the Lord helps my changes to be positive and for those who cant see that, again I am sorry. I am going to have to cut my little soapbox lecture short, due to my lovely pain meds kicking in, but I will not wait so long to update again. Sorry Max LOL :)
Thanks again for everyone who has been praying and keeping me in their thoughts.
God Bless,
Stacy
Friday, February 5, 2010
Wow, what a bumpy ride!!
Well, I am currently on my 11th radiation treatment and on Monday I have my 3rd chemo. I believe this stuff was made for torture chambers. Seriously, I have experienced many ups and downs so far, and I am just getting started. My doctors have informed me to make sure that I get plenty of rest, which isn't too hard since there are times when I fall asleep sitting up, get proper nutrition, follow through with treatments, enjoy family and friends and have No Stress. Ok, so let me sum this up. I have already told you about my sleeping habits and as far as nutrition goes---well, thank god for the feeding tube. Everything taste like crap (and that is putting it lightly) and if it doesn't then it makes me nauseated. Then I have to make sure I follow through with treatments. I make them everyday and haven't started throwing tantrums yet. Enjoy friends and family---isn't it funny that you don't realize how many times that involves eating--which I can't do. And of course, what all doctors say all the time, No Stress. Yeah, that is an easy one. Maybe I need to look into yoga! LOL The doctors are pretty much all impressed with my healing. My leg is completely healed and my arm is looking better and better all the time. My tongue is still extremely swollen, which radiation doesn't help any, but the stitches are gone and it kind of looks like a yin yang symbol, but of course isn't black. :) So, all in all, I am kicking this cancers butt, this far anyway. The doctors did warn though, my worst weeks are right around the corner with radiation and chemo, so I guess it gives me something to look forward to.
That was my physical state. My emotional state has seen many twists and turns. It is funny how many different emotions you can feel at one time once you stare death right in the face. At one point, I was very child like, to the point I couldn't take care of myself, especially like I was used to. Then all of a sudden I would feel one ounce of independence again and I would grab at it so quickly that, at the moment, it didn't matter who was in the way or what I had to do to obtain it. You never realize how much in life you take for granted whether it be being able to grab a burger from Mcdonald's and eat in the car or just having enough energy to take care of everything that you used to take care of. I really appreciate everything that everyone has done to help me and everything that some continue to do. It is just so hard to let go of everything that seems to make you an adult. I didn't realize how much I value my adulthood until now. I want to be able to do everything I did before but somewhere I do know, that I need to let loose and let others help without thinking they are trying to take over my life and take my independence away. I guess no one will realize how fast you can feel stripped of this unlesss it happens to you, and in my case it seemed to happen overnight.
Ok, so I am going to get off my soapbox for now. I just would like for others to know some of the emotional baggage that comes along with this. I'm not trying to make excuses but this is what I go through on a daily basis. Now, you may wonder, why I am not in some deep depression if I have these emotions. Well, along with all this, I still have prayer. Prayer is a daily routine and will be a lifetime ritual because I thank God each and every day that I am here and doing as well as I am. I hope you all will forgive me for not keeping this thing updated as much as possible, but sometimes I am just really tired. But all of you are always in my thoughts and prayers.
God Bless,
Stacy
That was my physical state. My emotional state has seen many twists and turns. It is funny how many different emotions you can feel at one time once you stare death right in the face. At one point, I was very child like, to the point I couldn't take care of myself, especially like I was used to. Then all of a sudden I would feel one ounce of independence again and I would grab at it so quickly that, at the moment, it didn't matter who was in the way or what I had to do to obtain it. You never realize how much in life you take for granted whether it be being able to grab a burger from Mcdonald's and eat in the car or just having enough energy to take care of everything that you used to take care of. I really appreciate everything that everyone has done to help me and everything that some continue to do. It is just so hard to let go of everything that seems to make you an adult. I didn't realize how much I value my adulthood until now. I want to be able to do everything I did before but somewhere I do know, that I need to let loose and let others help without thinking they are trying to take over my life and take my independence away. I guess no one will realize how fast you can feel stripped of this unlesss it happens to you, and in my case it seemed to happen overnight.
Ok, so I am going to get off my soapbox for now. I just would like for others to know some of the emotional baggage that comes along with this. I'm not trying to make excuses but this is what I go through on a daily basis. Now, you may wonder, why I am not in some deep depression if I have these emotions. Well, along with all this, I still have prayer. Prayer is a daily routine and will be a lifetime ritual because I thank God each and every day that I am here and doing as well as I am. I hope you all will forgive me for not keeping this thing updated as much as possible, but sometimes I am just really tired. But all of you are always in my thoughts and prayers.
God Bless,
Stacy
Friday, January 15, 2010
I'm Back!!!!
OK everyone, I figured it was finally time for me to get back up here and update on my progress. Well, this has been one long, trying road so far. Believe it or not, some of the stuff about my surgery, I didn't find out until everyone else, just by reading my blog :). See even at 34, my mom is still being super protective of me. I love you mom! Anyway, like I said this has been a pretty tough experience with lots of ups and downs, with plenty more to come I am sure. After my surgery, it seemed as if several days had gone by before I had received conscienceness. I can remember, the first thing I wanted when I came to was some water, which they were quick to inform me that since I had a trac, it was not allowed. I didn't want to hear that. I will have to be completely honest, my surgery was a month ago today, and I was definetly in a different mindset. I didn't care if I made it or not at alot of points along the way. With all the tubes, stitches, trac in my neck and the feeling of having a big ol wad of dough (my new tongue) in my mouth--I felt like some kind of sick, twisted voodoo doll. Well, needless to say I ended up getting off my woe-is-me soapbox and the fighter has come back.
I was very fortunate that they did discharge me in time to spend Christmas with my babies. That was my whole reason for any advancements while I was in the hospital. The word "NO" was not an option, and my mom could tell you that. No matter how much I just wanted to lay in the hospital bed and wallow in self pity, I got up, put on that extra nightgown (so that I didn't put on a naked hiney show for everyone), and walked around that hospital for all to see. I was determined that I was going to go home. Eventually, day after day, one more tube was coming out or one more stitch or staple. Then after mom about strangled a few people, it was official I was going home for Christmas. It was definitely different, and I had a few moments, but it was the greatest things to see my babies, especially after 9 days in the hospital. They both were great, so gentle and caring and, of course, wanting to see presents.
I have been on the road to healing ever since. The wound from my leg has been completely healed now for about 3 weeks and the one on my arm is healing nicely too. I just wish the pain was not there on my arm but I know I just have to work it more, which it is definetely getting a work out now by me typing. I finally got that hateful trac out the 12th. I will tell anyone who is listening, that thing is work of the DEVIL. I promise. I worried my doctors like crazy but now it is finally out and all is good. I was even able to call my papa that day and tell him Happy 80th Birthday myself. That made the trac coming out even better. The swallow therapist said he is really impressed at how good I am doing, I also had to confess that I started drinking waaaay before they told me to but I couldn't help it, I had to have my water! He told me that I could tell what was right for me to have and not have. Boy, I didn't realize how good mashed potatoes really are! and milkshakes----YUM! I have actually put on 4lbs now, which is what they want. I spend my whole life trying to lose weight for my doctors to put this feeding tube in and wanting me to gain weight. UGh, can't I please anyone??? They say that just in case, with the radiation, they want me to have some extra pounds that it wouldn't hurt to get rid of. Ha, Ha, they haven't looked at my belly :).
Well, I start my radiation on the 20th at 6:30pm due to a specific machine they want me to use. I then start chemo on the 25th. I am not really looking foward to it but I am looking foward to getting this over and done with so I can get my life back to normal, or as close to normal as possible. I did find that I have cancer in my thyroid which they are not that worried about. I am not going to worry that much either. I did fine with a 12 hour surgery, I think I will be ok with a 2 hour one.
Well, my arm is telling me it is tired and ready for some pain meds. I do want to say thank you to each and everyone of you who has said a prayer for me. God is looking out for me and showing what a great physician he really is. I know I would not have made it this far and healing as good as I am without him by my side. So, thanks for all the prayers and kind words and please, keep the prayers coming.
Also, my mom works with someone who had their baby six weeks early and it seems the baby was having some problems with its lungs. Please say a prayer for the baby. They should never have to go through anything like this especially just coming into the world.
God Bless,
Stacy
I was very fortunate that they did discharge me in time to spend Christmas with my babies. That was my whole reason for any advancements while I was in the hospital. The word "NO" was not an option, and my mom could tell you that. No matter how much I just wanted to lay in the hospital bed and wallow in self pity, I got up, put on that extra nightgown (so that I didn't put on a naked hiney show for everyone), and walked around that hospital for all to see. I was determined that I was going to go home. Eventually, day after day, one more tube was coming out or one more stitch or staple. Then after mom about strangled a few people, it was official I was going home for Christmas. It was definitely different, and I had a few moments, but it was the greatest things to see my babies, especially after 9 days in the hospital. They both were great, so gentle and caring and, of course, wanting to see presents.
I have been on the road to healing ever since. The wound from my leg has been completely healed now for about 3 weeks and the one on my arm is healing nicely too. I just wish the pain was not there on my arm but I know I just have to work it more, which it is definetely getting a work out now by me typing. I finally got that hateful trac out the 12th. I will tell anyone who is listening, that thing is work of the DEVIL. I promise. I worried my doctors like crazy but now it is finally out and all is good. I was even able to call my papa that day and tell him Happy 80th Birthday myself. That made the trac coming out even better. The swallow therapist said he is really impressed at how good I am doing, I also had to confess that I started drinking waaaay before they told me to but I couldn't help it, I had to have my water! He told me that I could tell what was right for me to have and not have. Boy, I didn't realize how good mashed potatoes really are! and milkshakes----YUM! I have actually put on 4lbs now, which is what they want. I spend my whole life trying to lose weight for my doctors to put this feeding tube in and wanting me to gain weight. UGh, can't I please anyone??? They say that just in case, with the radiation, they want me to have some extra pounds that it wouldn't hurt to get rid of. Ha, Ha, they haven't looked at my belly :).
Well, I start my radiation on the 20th at 6:30pm due to a specific machine they want me to use. I then start chemo on the 25th. I am not really looking foward to it but I am looking foward to getting this over and done with so I can get my life back to normal, or as close to normal as possible. I did find that I have cancer in my thyroid which they are not that worried about. I am not going to worry that much either. I did fine with a 12 hour surgery, I think I will be ok with a 2 hour one.
Well, my arm is telling me it is tired and ready for some pain meds. I do want to say thank you to each and everyone of you who has said a prayer for me. God is looking out for me and showing what a great physician he really is. I know I would not have made it this far and healing as good as I am without him by my side. So, thanks for all the prayers and kind words and please, keep the prayers coming.
Also, my mom works with someone who had their baby six weeks early and it seems the baby was having some problems with its lungs. Please say a prayer for the baby. They should never have to go through anything like this especially just coming into the world.
God Bless,
Stacy
Saturday, January 2, 2010
A New Year and New Challenges
Once again, this is momma updating Stacy's blog. Stacy is doing well, a little disappointed that she did not get the trach taken out last Tuesday, but is very motivated to have it taken out on January 12, when she returns to Dr. Couch for a follow up appointment. When we went this past Tuesday, December 29, Dr. Couch looked very closely at her airway and determined that while the swelling has gone down a lot, and there is airway space, it was not sufficient and Stacy's breathing could easily become compromised if it was removed. Dr. Couch is hopeful that she will be able to remove it on January 12. In order to reduce the swelling, Stacy needs to be upright and moving about. Taking in more fluids will also help. Stacy is a remarkable young woman. She pushes through, even when I can tell that she would much rather be laying in the bed. We also received the results of the indepth pathology tests that were done following surgery. Dr. Couch informed us that Stacy also has a different cancer in the thyroid gland. It is a papiloma (SP?), which is a very slow growing/non-invasive cancer. The plan is to start her radiation/chemotherapy in 2 weeks, and upon completion (6-7 weeks) Dr. Couch will remove Stacy's thyroid and look at surrounding lymph nodes.
I did some research on thyroid papilloma's, and everything I read said they were the second most treatable/curable cancers next to skin mellanoma's (which Stacy also had removed about 18-24 months ago). We discussed the surgery and it is about a 2 hour surgery, with a 2 day hospital stay. There will be no need for a trach to be inserted again, and Dr. Couch did say she was not overly concerned about this cancer. I'm sure the genetics people at Chapel Hill will find this interesting, as did Dr. Couch. She said this was the second time in about 4 months she has seen this type of thing. Strange.............
We encourage everyone to keep praying for Stacy. She will soon be starting her radiation which will be Monday-Friday for 6-7 weeks. If you have volunteered to help transport, I will be contacting you to see what day/date(s) you would like to help out. We are so very thankful to all our friends and your kindness is really appreciated. I say thank you time and time again, and realize those are 2 very small words for all you have done.
Stacy has been responding to e-mail, and also does have unlimited text messaging on her phone. Please feel free to send her an e-mail or text message her. When she is up and has a minute, she will respond back to you.
Once again, thank you's to all family and friends for all their prayers, support, and well-wishes. Momma
I did some research on thyroid papilloma's, and everything I read said they were the second most treatable/curable cancers next to skin mellanoma's (which Stacy also had removed about 18-24 months ago). We discussed the surgery and it is about a 2 hour surgery, with a 2 day hospital stay. There will be no need for a trach to be inserted again, and Dr. Couch did say she was not overly concerned about this cancer. I'm sure the genetics people at Chapel Hill will find this interesting, as did Dr. Couch. She said this was the second time in about 4 months she has seen this type of thing. Strange.............
We encourage everyone to keep praying for Stacy. She will soon be starting her radiation which will be Monday-Friday for 6-7 weeks. If you have volunteered to help transport, I will be contacting you to see what day/date(s) you would like to help out. We are so very thankful to all our friends and your kindness is really appreciated. I say thank you time and time again, and realize those are 2 very small words for all you have done.
Stacy has been responding to e-mail, and also does have unlimited text messaging on her phone. Please feel free to send her an e-mail or text message her. When she is up and has a minute, she will respond back to you.
Once again, thank you's to all family and friends for all their prayers, support, and well-wishes. Momma
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