Well, I got wonderful news today, and I thank you all for your support and prayers. All my nodules have shrunk except one, and that one just stayed the same! Very positive. I will continue with round 4 of Doxil one week from Thanksgiving.
I will return to see my doctor at Stanford for my voice on December 8th and will update you again at that time. Thank you again! God is so good--all the time!
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Hello everyone--
Well, I have now finished the third round of Doxil. It's been just about eight weeks and I still haven't lost my hair. I do have the itchy rash they told me about on my hands & wrists, with the worst of it under my arms (I guess from the movement of conducting). I also have some pretty painful mouth sores, making it difficult to eat, drink & talk for about a week each round.
I will be having a CT scan on Monday to see how this drug is working. I pray all is good. If it is, then I guess we will just continue. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers that this drug is working and that I continue to tolerate it well. Thank you so much for your support, everyone.
Well, I have now finished the third round of Doxil. It's been just about eight weeks and I still haven't lost my hair. I do have the itchy rash they told me about on my hands & wrists, with the worst of it under my arms (I guess from the movement of conducting). I also have some pretty painful mouth sores, making it difficult to eat, drink & talk for about a week each round.
I will be having a CT scan on Monday to see how this drug is working. I pray all is good. If it is, then I guess we will just continue. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers that this drug is working and that I continue to tolerate it well. Thank you so much for your support, everyone.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Hello everyone,
I know it's been a while, and since people keep asking for a health update, I thought I'd give you a little one. I started the chemo drug Doxil on Sep. 24th and have had two rounds. It is every three weeks, so the second round was on this past Thursday. So far, so good. I haven't had any real side effects so far, except being a little tired. I'm sure they're yet to come, but so far, I'm just enjoying that. My hair hasn't even begun to fall out, which I was sure would have happened by now. I know it will happen, but it's just a matter of when. I feel good, except for the athsma attack I had on Monday night, which quickly turned into some kind of infection. I started antibiotics right away, so I'm hoping for a quick recovery on that. Speaking of recovery, my voice has begun to come back! I can actually sing a little. I don't have much power yet, but we'll see what happens in the coming days as I get better from this infection. Thanks again for all your thoughts & prayers--they really help!
I know it's been a while, and since people keep asking for a health update, I thought I'd give you a little one. I started the chemo drug Doxil on Sep. 24th and have had two rounds. It is every three weeks, so the second round was on this past Thursday. So far, so good. I haven't had any real side effects so far, except being a little tired. I'm sure they're yet to come, but so far, I'm just enjoying that. My hair hasn't even begun to fall out, which I was sure would have happened by now. I know it will happen, but it's just a matter of when. I feel good, except for the athsma attack I had on Monday night, which quickly turned into some kind of infection. I started antibiotics right away, so I'm hoping for a quick recovery on that. Speaking of recovery, my voice has begun to come back! I can actually sing a little. I don't have much power yet, but we'll see what happens in the coming days as I get better from this infection. Thanks again for all your thoughts & prayers--they really help!
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Hi everyone--
Well the results came back this morning from my CT scan and unfortunately, the cancerous nodules in my lungs have begun to progress again. The good thing is the progression is minor (only a few millimeters) and it has not spread anywhere. We want to "nip it in the bud," so I will have a chemo teach for the drug Doxil on Friday, and will begin back on chemo next Thursday, the 24th. I have regained a lot of strength in the past three and a half months being off chemo, so hopefully things will go well on this drug, and maybe we can finally get me into full remission. I truly appreciate your thoughts and prayers. They are getting me through, so please keep them up :)
Well the results came back this morning from my CT scan and unfortunately, the cancerous nodules in my lungs have begun to progress again. The good thing is the progression is minor (only a few millimeters) and it has not spread anywhere. We want to "nip it in the bud," so I will have a chemo teach for the drug Doxil on Friday, and will begin back on chemo next Thursday, the 24th. I have regained a lot of strength in the past three and a half months being off chemo, so hopefully things will go well on this drug, and maybe we can finally get me into full remission. I truly appreciate your thoughts and prayers. They are getting me through, so please keep them up :)
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Hi everyone--
I thought I'd just briefly update you. I saw my oncologist for the first time since my last chemo on June 4th. We are going to do CT scans every two months. Unfortunately, the first two month CT is already here, and I will be making an appointment for next week sometime. I say "unfortunately," because it's been so nice not to have to deal with chemo and to start feeling like my old self. I've loved being back at school with my wonderful students. I've had so much more energy! I started my pulmonary rehab class at Lifestyle Rx (it's basically an exercise class in the gym where they closely monitor me). It feels wonderful to exercise again. I am praying for the scan to have good news so I can stay off the dreaded chemo and out of the hospitals. As long as things go well, I will have monthly bloodwork, monthly checks with the oncologist and CT scans every two months. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers for clear news on the CT and bloodwork. I truly appreciate the support you all give me! Your prayers help so much!
I thought I'd just briefly update you. I saw my oncologist for the first time since my last chemo on June 4th. We are going to do CT scans every two months. Unfortunately, the first two month CT is already here, and I will be making an appointment for next week sometime. I say "unfortunately," because it's been so nice not to have to deal with chemo and to start feeling like my old self. I've loved being back at school with my wonderful students. I've had so much more energy! I started my pulmonary rehab class at Lifestyle Rx (it's basically an exercise class in the gym where they closely monitor me). It feels wonderful to exercise again. I am praying for the scan to have good news so I can stay off the dreaded chemo and out of the hospitals. As long as things go well, I will have monthly bloodwork, monthly checks with the oncologist and CT scans every two months. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers for clear news on the CT and bloodwork. I truly appreciate the support you all give me! Your prayers help so much!
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Post-op news
Hi everyone--
I had my post-op appointment at Stanford today. All is healing perfectly. The doc says since nerves heal at a rate of 1-2 mm per day, it will be at least 3-6 mos. for all to be normal again. That is the down side to this surgery. The up side is it was a better long-term option for a singer. He said the nerve he used was a "really good one" and that I should expect a good & full recovery, but I have to be patient. During surgery he placed the left vocal cord back where it should be. We looked at my larynx with a scope and he said there was very little swelling and things looked really good. I will go back on Sep. 29th and if he feels I need it, he will inject collagen into the vocal cord to give me more of a voice while the actual healing is still taking place.
I will go for my first monthly check with the oncologist on Sep. 2nd. Please keep the prayers going. I thank you so much for your support!
I had my post-op appointment at Stanford today. All is healing perfectly. The doc says since nerves heal at a rate of 1-2 mm per day, it will be at least 3-6 mos. for all to be normal again. That is the down side to this surgery. The up side is it was a better long-term option for a singer. He said the nerve he used was a "really good one" and that I should expect a good & full recovery, but I have to be patient. During surgery he placed the left vocal cord back where it should be. We looked at my larynx with a scope and he said there was very little swelling and things looked really good. I will go back on Sep. 29th and if he feels I need it, he will inject collagen into the vocal cord to give me more of a voice while the actual healing is still taking place.
I will go for my first monthly check with the oncologist on Sep. 2nd. Please keep the prayers going. I thank you so much for your support!
Saturday, July 25, 2009
successful surgery!
Hi everyone! I was released from Stanford today and am home. I haven't had to take one pain pill since the surgery! I have some soreness, and the doctors said my voice would actually get worse before it gets better. I'm having some troubles breathing and swallowing, but they said that was all normal. The breathing problem is due to phlegm that started from the surgery. The swallowing issue is because they had to cut muscles that help me swallow in order to get where they needed to go. Both problems will clear up--hopefully very soon. He rotated my left vocal cord to the midpoint so that my right cord could meet it. He also grafted part of a nerve from another place in my neck to repair my damaged recurrent laryngeal nerve, and my singing voice won't be back to normal for a few months (3-4), but the speaking voice should be back much sooner. Right now I'm still having troubles talking on the phone, but as soon as it heals I'll be calling you! They also had to cut through many nerves that go to the skin on my face, so the bottom left side of my face and neck are completely numb on the outside. It could be six months to a year for that to completely heal. No big deal. It's not really bothersome. Both my doc and his assistant said the surgery went very well. In fact, the assistant said, "I was right next to him and was his right-hand man the entire time, and I can tell you the surgery could not have gone more perfectly." As if I don't know why. Thank you all so much for the prayers & emails. They help to heal me both mentally and physically!
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Hello everyone,
I wanted to quickly update you on my City of Hope visit yesterday. They were wonderful. It was great to hear (and validating) that after reviewing all of my info, the totally agree with my course of treatment from what I've already had to where we are planning to go from here. My doc will be very happy and his head can now get even bigger. :)
My surgery on the paralyzed left vocal cord is on Friday and I have been counting down the days. Please keep all the medical professionals working on me, my doc and me in your thoughts and prayers on Friday at 1:00 as I have my surgery. I pray that it will be successful and that I will be TALKING and SINGING His praises again very soon!! I can't wait to be TALKING with you all again!
I wanted to quickly update you on my City of Hope visit yesterday. They were wonderful. It was great to hear (and validating) that after reviewing all of my info, the totally agree with my course of treatment from what I've already had to where we are planning to go from here. My doc will be very happy and his head can now get even bigger. :)
My surgery on the paralyzed left vocal cord is on Friday and I have been counting down the days. Please keep all the medical professionals working on me, my doc and me in your thoughts and prayers on Friday at 1:00 as I have my surgery. I pray that it will be successful and that I will be TALKING and SINGING His praises again very soon!! I can't wait to be TALKING with you all again!
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Miraculous!
Well, I got my PET scan results, and it is a miracle! The decrease in size & especially cancerous activity is so significant that we are going to stop chemo! We will just have monthly checks for now. The miraculous thing is that usually I have PET scans in-between rounds of chemo, but in this case I have been off chemo for six weeks and we still had this significant decrease. Originally they always told me that even if we had a decrease, we would probably still go a few more rounds of chemo before we stopped. So I'm assuming that it must have been quite a bit for them to say we could stop for a while. Anyway, I'm very happy.
Also, thanks to my incredible aunt Ani, I am flying to southern California on Tuesday to get a second opinion on my cancer at City of Hope. It will be a day-long trip and then my long-awaited surgery for my voice is a week from tomorrow on Friday, July 24th! I'm counting down the days! Please keep me in your prayers, for the City of Hope visit to be helpful and the surgery on Friday to be successful. I am so thankful to God for this wonderful news & thankful to all of you for the prayers of support!
Also, thanks to my incredible aunt Ani, I am flying to southern California on Tuesday to get a second opinion on my cancer at City of Hope. It will be a day-long trip and then my long-awaited surgery for my voice is a week from tomorrow on Friday, July 24th! I'm counting down the days! Please keep me in your prayers, for the City of Hope visit to be helpful and the surgery on Friday to be successful. I am so thankful to God for this wonderful news & thankful to all of you for the prayers of support!
Friday, June 26, 2009
I know it's been a while. These past two weeks have been extremely tough. Coming out of a very stressful last three weeks of school, I ended up in the ER the day after graduation. I went back three more times that same week. It turned out I had a lung infection and a UTI. I'm on so many meds right now I can't believe it, but most of them will run out in a few days. I've just been sleeping away the past two weeks. The good news was that while I was in the ER they took a CT scan of my abdomen/pelvis and all was clear. The scan also caught the bottom of my chest, and when they compared it, it was exactly the same.
This chemo drug I've been on (Taxol) really took a huge toll on my body. I cannot tolerate it. My hands ended up with a horrible rash that burned and itched horribly. It gave me continuous body pains (muscles and bones) than nothing would help. There are so many other things I could go on and on. Anyway, I'm going to have a PET scan probably next week to make sure there is nothing of any urgency right now, so I can concentrate on getting strong for my voice surgery at Stanford on July 24th. I just can't wait. It will be a 2-3 hour surgery where they will rotate my left vocal cord and may also borrow a nerve from another place in my neck if necessary. I'll be at Stanford at least overnight, if not two nights. He says I'll be able to talk right away, but the voice will sound strained until the swelling inside goes down.
When I recover from the surgery, the plan (pending PET results) is to go back to chemo, this time on the drug Doxil.
Sometime in all this mess I've got an 8th birthday party to plan for Amanda, so please pray for strength! I cannot thank you all enough for your prayers and support.
This chemo drug I've been on (Taxol) really took a huge toll on my body. I cannot tolerate it. My hands ended up with a horrible rash that burned and itched horribly. It gave me continuous body pains (muscles and bones) than nothing would help. There are so many other things I could go on and on. Anyway, I'm going to have a PET scan probably next week to make sure there is nothing of any urgency right now, so I can concentrate on getting strong for my voice surgery at Stanford on July 24th. I just can't wait. It will be a 2-3 hour surgery where they will rotate my left vocal cord and may also borrow a nerve from another place in my neck if necessary. I'll be at Stanford at least overnight, if not two nights. He says I'll be able to talk right away, but the voice will sound strained until the swelling inside goes down.
When I recover from the surgery, the plan (pending PET results) is to go back to chemo, this time on the drug Doxil.
Sometime in all this mess I've got an 8th birthday party to plan for Amanda, so please pray for strength! I cannot thank you all enough for your prayers and support.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
THEY CAN FIX MY VOICE!!!
Hi everyone--
I couldn't wait to tell you. I went to an Ear, Nose & Throat specialist yesterday morning. He was wonderful. He did a complete ENT exam on me and told me that during radiation in the summer of 2007, it damaged my recurrent laryngeal nerve, which runs from the brain stem, down the neck, down the chest and back up again. This paralyzed my left vocal cord. Since it's paralyzed, it cannot meet the right cord to vibrate and make sounds properly, and I'm also losing a lot of air because of it. The right cord is trying really hard to meet the left one, but it can't reach. There is a procedure where they can move my left cord over so that the right one can meet it and I will be able to sing and talk normally again! The doc was extremely knowledgeable (Dr. Michael Murphy), but he told me that since he's still young in his career (seven years), and I make my living singing and teaching singing, he is going to send me to Stanford to see one of the top two specialists in the country for the procedure. His name is Dr. Ed Damrose, and he specializes in working with singers. He's had many articles published, two of them being specifically on the recurrent laryngeal nerve, so I'm very excited to meet him and get this done!
I am just thanking God for this news, because of everything that I've gone through in the past three and a half years since my diagnosis, this has by far been the hardest for me. I can't thank you all enough for the love, support and prayers you've given. Please--keep them coming.
I couldn't wait to tell you. I went to an Ear, Nose & Throat specialist yesterday morning. He was wonderful. He did a complete ENT exam on me and told me that during radiation in the summer of 2007, it damaged my recurrent laryngeal nerve, which runs from the brain stem, down the neck, down the chest and back up again. This paralyzed my left vocal cord. Since it's paralyzed, it cannot meet the right cord to vibrate and make sounds properly, and I'm also losing a lot of air because of it. The right cord is trying really hard to meet the left one, but it can't reach. There is a procedure where they can move my left cord over so that the right one can meet it and I will be able to sing and talk normally again! The doc was extremely knowledgeable (Dr. Michael Murphy), but he told me that since he's still young in his career (seven years), and I make my living singing and teaching singing, he is going to send me to Stanford to see one of the top two specialists in the country for the procedure. His name is Dr. Ed Damrose, and he specializes in working with singers. He's had many articles published, two of them being specifically on the recurrent laryngeal nerve, so I'm very excited to meet him and get this done!
I am just thanking God for this news, because of everything that I've gone through in the past three and a half years since my diagnosis, this has by far been the hardest for me. I can't thank you all enough for the love, support and prayers you've given. Please--keep them coming.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Well, I just realized I really haven't updated you in a while, and so much has happened. The bad news I shared in the last blog was actually incorrect. We thought the spots had grown, because San Ramon Regional was comparing the CT scan to the last scan THEY took back in November. They didn't know I had had a PET scan two months ago at another facility. There was actually not really any change from the PET two months ago to the CT at San Ramon. They had released me on Friday, I went back to school on Monday feeling fine, went to our competition on Saturday at Great America (and WON), and I've been working ever since. I was so proud of my students for getting the highest scores of the entire festival, including bands and orchestras. They also won the best overall choir, and the biggest trophy (for character ed, showing good sportsmanship). I could not be happier.
I had a follow-up with the pulmonologist and my lungs are clear and I'm doing great. I started a new (for me) chemo drug; Taxol. It is again a drug they use for many other types of cancer. I pray this one will get me to full remission. I will lose my hair again, and I've already been wearing my new wig--stop by and check it out if you get the chance! The new wig and the 52 pounds I've lost have made quite a difference in my outlook. Thank you so much for your love & support through your thoughts, prayers and emails. Please keep 'em coming...
I had a follow-up with the pulmonologist and my lungs are clear and I'm doing great. I started a new (for me) chemo drug; Taxol. It is again a drug they use for many other types of cancer. I pray this one will get me to full remission. I will lose my hair again, and I've already been wearing my new wig--stop by and check it out if you get the chance! The new wig and the 52 pounds I've lost have made quite a difference in my outlook. Thank you so much for your love & support through your thoughts, prayers and emails. Please keep 'em coming...
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Hi Everyone--
Hope you all had a wonderful spring break. I got sick the day after Easter,
was hospitalized Thursday and came home Friday night. They found fluid in my lungs, and after a CT scan, Echo and seeing a pulmonologist, they said there was no clot in my lungs (which they originally suspected). That was the good news. The bad news was that the spots on my lungs were starting to grow (well, I have been off chemo for three months). I also had a touch of pneumonia. I guess it's some kind of coincidence that a week after tour last year and a week after tour this year I ended up with pneumonia. Now that my toe is healing up, I'm seeing my oncologist on Wed. to start a new plan with yet another type of chemo. I'll be losing my hair again, but then I'm pretty much bald already, so I'm happy to go back to a wig. I've been on antibiotics and diuretics to get rid of the fluid, and today I feel much better, praise God! I hope to get right back to school on Monday and can't wait to see my students and prepare for our competition a week from today! Please keep me in your prayers for us to get the right chemo drug to get rid of this thing and go into full remission. I believe it will happen.
P.S. I hope you all saw my student Nick when he asked his girlfriend to the prom on Good Morning America Monday! (she said yes) you go Nick! :)
Hope you all had a wonderful spring break. I got sick the day after Easter,
was hospitalized Thursday and came home Friday night. They found fluid in my lungs, and after a CT scan, Echo and seeing a pulmonologist, they said there was no clot in my lungs (which they originally suspected). That was the good news. The bad news was that the spots on my lungs were starting to grow (well, I have been off chemo for three months). I also had a touch of pneumonia. I guess it's some kind of coincidence that a week after tour last year and a week after tour this year I ended up with pneumonia. Now that my toe is healing up, I'm seeing my oncologist on Wed. to start a new plan with yet another type of chemo. I'll be losing my hair again, but then I'm pretty much bald already, so I'm happy to go back to a wig. I've been on antibiotics and diuretics to get rid of the fluid, and today I feel much better, praise God! I hope to get right back to school on Monday and can't wait to see my students and prepare for our competition a week from today! Please keep me in your prayers for us to get the right chemo drug to get rid of this thing and go into full remission. I believe it will happen.
P.S. I hope you all saw my student Nick when he asked his girlfriend to the prom on Good Morning America Monday! (she said yes) you go Nick! :)
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Hello everyone--
Well, I'm home from the hospital. The surgeon was very pleased. It went very smoothly. The surgeon was wonderful. He said that with the toe gone, it should help to give my body's immune system a boost. I felt so blessed to have had my friend Tom watching over me (even though he was way too busy in OB that day).
I had to have my little mourning cry at 3:30 am when they changed the dressing and I had the first look at the foot without a big toe, but I got over it. It was nice to wake up with no pain, although the pain started in yesterday about 11:30 am. I'm dealing with it, and am sure it is going to get better and better each day. I have to heal so I can be well enough to take my 30 Chamber Singers to Disneyland April 3-5. I'm going to try to get back to school either Monday or Tuesday with my little scooter to move around the classroom. Amanda loves the scooter, and wants to have scooter races with me--well I'm not quite ready for that yet :) I also want to get in to see at least the second weekend of performances of our musical, Bye Bye Birdie.
I thank each and every one of you for the support, love and especially prayers, because I couldn't have asked for an easier experience, and I know that is what helped. Thanks also for all the encouraging emails!
Well, I'm home from the hospital. The surgeon was very pleased. It went very smoothly. The surgeon was wonderful. He said that with the toe gone, it should help to give my body's immune system a boost. I felt so blessed to have had my friend Tom watching over me (even though he was way too busy in OB that day).
I had to have my little mourning cry at 3:30 am when they changed the dressing and I had the first look at the foot without a big toe, but I got over it. It was nice to wake up with no pain, although the pain started in yesterday about 11:30 am. I'm dealing with it, and am sure it is going to get better and better each day. I have to heal so I can be well enough to take my 30 Chamber Singers to Disneyland April 3-5. I'm going to try to get back to school either Monday or Tuesday with my little scooter to move around the classroom. Amanda loves the scooter, and wants to have scooter races with me--well I'm not quite ready for that yet :) I also want to get in to see at least the second weekend of performances of our musical, Bye Bye Birdie.
I thank each and every one of you for the support, love and especially prayers, because I couldn't have asked for an easier experience, and I know that is what helped. Thanks also for all the encouraging emails!
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Hi everyone--
Well, it looks like after five months of extreme pain, I will be going in to San Ramon once again on Thursday morning (3/19) to finally have this toe amputated. Hopefully the pain will be gone soon afterward. Please do keep me in your prayers for a successful surgery and quick recovery. I should be released the following morning. Thank you so much for all your prayers and encouraging emails. They really help. I apologize that I can't figure out how to respond to those of you that leave comments on this blog. I know--sad.
Well, it looks like after five months of extreme pain, I will be going in to San Ramon once again on Thursday morning (3/19) to finally have this toe amputated. Hopefully the pain will be gone soon afterward. Please do keep me in your prayers for a successful surgery and quick recovery. I should be released the following morning. Thank you so much for all your prayers and encouraging emails. They really help. I apologize that I can't figure out how to respond to those of you that leave comments on this blog. I know--sad.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Hi Everyone--
Thank God I have good news to report on the PET scan. No new growth. The main tumor is still undetectable and in regression. The only very small bit of not-so-great news was that one of the two spots on my lung they have been tracking since the beginning had a very slight growth in size, BUT all of the spots are showing very little activity! The other spot remained the same, along with all the others. God is so good and I am so grateful!
I also met with the surgeon about my toe and liked him very much. We're trying to get a date on the calendar for the surgery. Of course it's difficult scheduling around my life with our musical opening in one week and a tour to Disneyland in three weeks. After the surgery is over, I will go back to meet with my oncologist to see about most likely restarting chemo with a different drug. If we do, I will lose my hair again. Oh well, not as scary this time--I love my wigs! Thank you all so much for your prayers. I really do feel them! I couldn't get through this without your amazing support.
Thank God I have good news to report on the PET scan. No new growth. The main tumor is still undetectable and in regression. The only very small bit of not-so-great news was that one of the two spots on my lung they have been tracking since the beginning had a very slight growth in size, BUT all of the spots are showing very little activity! The other spot remained the same, along with all the others. God is so good and I am so grateful!
I also met with the surgeon about my toe and liked him very much. We're trying to get a date on the calendar for the surgery. Of course it's difficult scheduling around my life with our musical opening in one week and a tour to Disneyland in three weeks. After the surgery is over, I will go back to meet with my oncologist to see about most likely restarting chemo with a different drug. If we do, I will lose my hair again. Oh well, not as scary this time--I love my wigs! Thank you all so much for your prayers. I really do feel them! I couldn't get through this without your amazing support.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Hi everyone--
Thank you so much for the prayers, because I got great news, in that they are only going to have to amputate the toe. The circulation issue is not affecting my feet or legs! In fact he said that there is even quite a bit of circulation in that toe, but thinks there must be a clot half way down my toe that is causing this. So, I am supposed to get a recommendation for a good orthopaedic surgeon and get the surgery scheduled right away. As far as the rest of my health, I will call tomorrow to schedule a PET scan (hopefully for next week). I still need those prayers, because I'm hoping for good results there too. We are hoping the spots have decreased in activity (or maybe they don't have any activity at all) so that we can maybe stop chemo, but that is a long shot. Anyway, when we get the results we will be able to make an educated decision on where to go next. Thank you so much for everything!
Thank you so much for the prayers, because I got great news, in that they are only going to have to amputate the toe. The circulation issue is not affecting my feet or legs! In fact he said that there is even quite a bit of circulation in that toe, but thinks there must be a clot half way down my toe that is causing this. So, I am supposed to get a recommendation for a good orthopaedic surgeon and get the surgery scheduled right away. As far as the rest of my health, I will call tomorrow to schedule a PET scan (hopefully for next week). I still need those prayers, because I'm hoping for good results there too. We are hoping the spots have decreased in activity (or maybe they don't have any activity at all) so that we can maybe stop chemo, but that is a long shot. Anyway, when we get the results we will be able to make an educated decision on where to go next. Thank you so much for everything!
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Hi all--
I just wanted to update you. Early tomorrow morning (Thursday) I will be having an angiogram as the last test before they make a final decision on my toe. I'm praying the circulation is good everywhere else, because as of now they plan to amputate my right big toe. There is always the chance though, that if they find more circulation problems, they have to amputate more than just the toe. I don't even want to think about losing a foot or leg (one or both), so please send me all the prayers you can. Thanks so much!
I just wanted to update you. Early tomorrow morning (Thursday) I will be having an angiogram as the last test before they make a final decision on my toe. I'm praying the circulation is good everywhere else, because as of now they plan to amputate my right big toe. There is always the chance though, that if they find more circulation problems, they have to amputate more than just the toe. I don't even want to think about losing a foot or leg (one or both), so please send me all the prayers you can. Thanks so much!
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Hi everyone--
Just a quick update. I returned to work yesterday, but I'm only going to work every other day this week. Hope to be back on my regular schedule by Monday. It is wonderful being back at school with my amazing students. I'm on a one-month break from chemo, then we will get a PET scan to see where we're at, and make decisions on where to go from there. We're still up in the air as far as my toes. I guess I'm stalling a little, because it seems like they're just a little better. I don't want to make any hasty decisions on that one. By the way, a correction from my last blog: I guess I accidentally typed the opposite of what was going on with my thyroid. I meant to say that it is hypo-active (not hyper-), meaning my metabolism was very slow. Since they put me on the correct meds, I've lost 35 lbs. Yeah!
My doctor has asked me to let everyone know that since I was released from the hospital, my immune system is extremely weak. He knows I'm a "hugging" type person and told me I should not be hugging anyone at this point--just in case. If there is even the slightest possibility of sickness I need to stay away completely. If I catch even a cold it could land me back in the hospital, so please don't be offended by the lack of hugs if we run into each other, because you know I love you all! :) Please keep up the prayers and I will let you know when we schedule the PET.
Just a quick update. I returned to work yesterday, but I'm only going to work every other day this week. Hope to be back on my regular schedule by Monday. It is wonderful being back at school with my amazing students. I'm on a one-month break from chemo, then we will get a PET scan to see where we're at, and make decisions on where to go from there. We're still up in the air as far as my toes. I guess I'm stalling a little, because it seems like they're just a little better. I don't want to make any hasty decisions on that one. By the way, a correction from my last blog: I guess I accidentally typed the opposite of what was going on with my thyroid. I meant to say that it is hypo-active (not hyper-), meaning my metabolism was very slow. Since they put me on the correct meds, I've lost 35 lbs. Yeah!
My doctor has asked me to let everyone know that since I was released from the hospital, my immune system is extremely weak. He knows I'm a "hugging" type person and told me I should not be hugging anyone at this point--just in case. If there is even the slightest possibility of sickness I need to stay away completely. If I catch even a cold it could land me back in the hospital, so please don't be offended by the lack of hugs if we run into each other, because you know I love you all! :) Please keep up the prayers and I will let you know when we schedule the PET.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Hi everyone--
Well, just after I got my great news, Amanda came down with a horrible virus and passed it on to me. My little one, who usually only gets sick for three days at the most, was down for 1 1/2 weeks. Of course with my immune system, it's taken me three weeks and I still have some remnants from it. One week of that landed me back at San Ramon Regional (this time not quite up to its usual standards). However they were trying to figure out so many issues it's amazing I was able to get out of there in a week. Here's what's going on:
So my blue (black) toe is looking more and more like it's going to be amputated. I still have one more test to go through (angiogram--last time was a CT-guided one, this one will be the old-fashioned way) and a few more opinions to get first. I certainly won't make any moves until I have all the info. They were also concerned about circulation in my other leg, so this has not been fun. I'm doing all I can to improve circulation through exercise in both my toe and my legs, and I do see progress there--hallelujah!
They told me I have a hyperactive thyroid gland and put me on meds for that.
They tried to tell me they thought I was now diabetic, but they were wrong. My glucose levels have fluctuated for these past three years, because of the steroids they have me on for the chemo.
The chemo gave me horrible swelling in my knees, making it almost impossible to bend them. I had a horrible rash at the time when I got the virus, and while in the hospital the scabs were pulling and making it hard to walk. Every time I'd try to walk the fluid would just drain from them. This is getting better. The doc thinks some time off will help the fluid go down.
Of course for me, the worst part of it is that my voice is basically at a whisper, making it impossible to talk with all of you when you call. Believe me, I'm not trying to avoid you--it's just very difficult because most people can't hear me on the phone.
Well my doc and I decided to take one month off of chemo to try and give this body a much-needed break. After that, we'll do a PET scan and decide where to go from there.
I hope this doesn't sound like I'm just complaining about all my woes. There just didn't seem to be any other way to bring you up to date. I have struggled with depression, but when I remember to keep my eyes focused on the One who will heal me, I come out of it. I'm still a fighter and with my fight and your prayers & support, I plan to kick this thing!
Well, just after I got my great news, Amanda came down with a horrible virus and passed it on to me. My little one, who usually only gets sick for three days at the most, was down for 1 1/2 weeks. Of course with my immune system, it's taken me three weeks and I still have some remnants from it. One week of that landed me back at San Ramon Regional (this time not quite up to its usual standards). However they were trying to figure out so many issues it's amazing I was able to get out of there in a week. Here's what's going on:
So my blue (black) toe is looking more and more like it's going to be amputated. I still have one more test to go through (angiogram--last time was a CT-guided one, this one will be the old-fashioned way) and a few more opinions to get first. I certainly won't make any moves until I have all the info. They were also concerned about circulation in my other leg, so this has not been fun. I'm doing all I can to improve circulation through exercise in both my toe and my legs, and I do see progress there--hallelujah!
They told me I have a hyperactive thyroid gland and put me on meds for that.
They tried to tell me they thought I was now diabetic, but they were wrong. My glucose levels have fluctuated for these past three years, because of the steroids they have me on for the chemo.
The chemo gave me horrible swelling in my knees, making it almost impossible to bend them. I had a horrible rash at the time when I got the virus, and while in the hospital the scabs were pulling and making it hard to walk. Every time I'd try to walk the fluid would just drain from them. This is getting better. The doc thinks some time off will help the fluid go down.
Of course for me, the worst part of it is that my voice is basically at a whisper, making it impossible to talk with all of you when you call. Believe me, I'm not trying to avoid you--it's just very difficult because most people can't hear me on the phone.
Well my doc and I decided to take one month off of chemo to try and give this body a much-needed break. After that, we'll do a PET scan and decide where to go from there.
I hope this doesn't sound like I'm just complaining about all my woes. There just didn't seem to be any other way to bring you up to date. I have struggled with depression, but when I remember to keep my eyes focused on the One who will heal me, I come out of it. I'm still a fighter and with my fight and your prayers & support, I plan to kick this thing!
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Wanna hear about my miracle?
Well, today I received the news about my CT scan. It shows that the spots on my lungs have basically had no change, but the main mass is completely UNDETECTABLE on the CT!! I am insisting on a PET to find out if there is still any activity in the spots on my lungs as well as getting info on the main mass. I can't get over this news. This really is what we've been hoping and praying for. I can't thank you all enough! Of course, until we get a PET and see what's going on there, we can't really be sure of anything. This is what they all thought could never happen. My nurse practitioner told me I had no idea what kind of miracle we were looking at, because it's already miraculous that I've been on this drug (Gemzar) all this time and it's still working. I guess that's not normally the case.
I thank you SO much for the love, support and prayers! I will update you again as soon as I know more.
I thank you SO much for the love, support and prayers! I will update you again as soon as I know more.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)