The Littlest "Galaxy"

Saturday is soccer day! As I am typing this I just realized I'm a "soccer mom"...I seriously never had that thought before and it's been the case for 8 years. Time flies my friends.

Today, Sutton's team had a "bye" and Bellen's team played their first game. She is the only girl on a team of 5 boys...making up Team Galaxy! She runs the field, smiling...keeping up with those boys. Although, she couldn't care less if she touches the ball. She did however do a "kick in". The aggression difference between boys and girls starts to be noticeable at this age when it comes to sports. That's the main difference between Bellen and her team mates...well, that and the fact that her uniform is huge on her;).

Anthem

My current anthem...loving it. Take a listen on YouTube.

I Am All He Says I Am    by Cody Carnes & Kari Jobe

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5x32LP4Qeo

Today

We met with the gyn-oncologist today. I really liked her and her whole team. It makes such a difference when you like your doctors, or not. Super thankful for her communication skills and I get the feeling she is very good at what she does:). I am scheduled for an oophorectomy (crazy word, right?) on October 3rd. I was hoping for this week, but this was her first available. I'm stoked to get 'er done and excited about the prospective results that starving the cancer of estrogen will (hopefully) have. 

I did still get the Lupron shot today, that chemically does the same thing. I was hoping to skip this since my surgery is in just 2 weeks, but fun fact: did you know that estrogen has an after life of several days? So, even after my surgery, those bad boys could be floating around for a few weeks. I did the shot to get going on stopping that now. 

Does it seem odd that you know this much personal stuff about me? Oh well. Maybe it'll be a benefit to you some day, in walking thru this with someone else. At least you know specifics for prayer...like minimal side effects (please!!!) and then, if you see me in a fit of rage or in the middle of a hot flash one day...you'll know why;). 

Ha-ha-ha 

(Jason says humor is my coping mechanism:)

Stuff that makes up our life

Today were the first soccer games for Sutton & Jameson, Bellen's team had a "bye", so she is still patiently waiting her turn:). 

 

Yesterday we took Bellen to get a haircut and I ran into someone I knew, who doesn't know me. So awkward. It can make one feel like a stalker, that Instagram. It's a young mother named Kate. I found her journey with a rare brain cancer through a blog I like to read on occasion. I started to follow Kate on Instagram (back when I was joining Jason on our insta account). We were part of the same "club", Kate and I, just different divisions...her's brain, mine breast. Well, a few months after she completed her treatment she became pregnant! So when I saw a tall, striking, bald young woman with a young daughter and new baby boy I knew it was her! I did my best to not seem like a stalker:). 

I shared my story and she shared hers. It was a rather lovely 15 minutes as we waited for our girls to get their hair cut. I love when God does stuff like that...little glimpses of how He purposes everything, even haircut appointments:).

I completed my 40th treatment of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on Thursday! That is the standard for most people. But, I'm not most people. So, I'm gonna continue as long as I can. I think it will really be beneficial once I start radiation...I've heard that radiation makes you very tired and the hbot should help my skin to not be too badly damaged. Again, Thank you, thank you, thank you for all who have made this possible and continue to make this possible by your amazing generosity! I give testimony to it often-how amazing my friends & family are:).

I meet with the gyn-onc Monday morning. She told my oncologist that she still thinks that the cyst may be cancerous. We are believing and praying that she is completely wrong! Simply for the benefit of the cancer not having spread, not to keep the o's cus those babies are on their way out anyway. (Dear O1 & O2, Thank you, you served your purpose well but now you are dangerous to me. Don't take it personal, even though it is. Goodbye)

Thank you for your continued prayers! Yeah weekend!

 

An Unexpected Gift

I received great news this evening! My Doctor sent me a message saying...

"Good news...you have a dermoid cyst and the other is related to ovulation"

So no cancer in my ovaries! I was NOT expecting this gift of grace. I know several who were petitioning The Lord on my behalf all day...He answered yes!

I had such a peace during the MRI and my technician was a christian. Those things alone I was thankful for. But, this too?! Wow thank you Jesus!

I'm still seeing a gyn-Onc on Monday to follow up. And I'll still begin my Lupron shots next week because, as a friend wisely stated, "gotta take away the cancer's food" (estrogen). But now I have time to decide if surgery is the right thing, or if the shots aren't favorable then surgery is an option. Choices are good. But this news is great.:)

An exciting day too for baby Kylie...she got to leave the hospital after 216 days! Pray for her body to stay NED and for her health to be fully restored, that toddler has been through SO much in her short life.

Hopeful

Well, the pet/ct scan results were not good news by any means. But, hopeful nonetheless!

The Tamoxifen was not working so I'll be ditching that. The cancer in my sternum has gotten a bit bigger and 2 spots, one on each ovary, showed up. My scans taken in June showed one spot on one ovary, but they had defined it as a fatty, benign mass. The current scan makes them think it's cancer, so I'll be having an MRI Wednesday am to get some clarity. 

I am also having another thoracentesis tomorrow bright and early. I have to make a decision in the near future on what I want to do for this reoccurring nuisance (pleural effusion), because it seems to be very persistent. Possibly surgery...I'll explain that another day, I've already used too many words today:).

As far as treatment, I felt very hopeful in the amount of options I have. To enter this road of treatment options however, I do have to enter menopause, whether that be chemically induced or surgically done...wow, before my 40th birthday, who would have guessed? Good times.

For the cancer in the sternum I'll most likely do some radiation. My dr said it should be effective on the cancer in the bone, which does feel kind of sore.

After the MRI results we'll then take action on the ovaries. As I said to my oncologist today, "Time to bring out the big guns" .

This monster doesn't go away with chemo or tamoxifen, so time to call in the next line of defense!

Very thankful there are more options! Always something to be thankful for!

Jameson's teacher sent me this verse, it's perfect for me today...

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

But he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

**we don't want to freak out our younger 3 so we haven't told them anything is different. As we feel we need to tell them we will, not wanting to add unnecessary worry or burden to them. Thanks.

Hole in one!

Jesus had Dan scheduled and available for me today. It was fun seeing him. He's sarcastic and I love it. He looked, poked once and got the vein. I told him he's the best:).

The Ct scan was quick. I'll get the results Monday afternoon.

                   I look really excited...wow. 

Ct Scan

I am giving it another try tomorrow...I'll be going to the infusion center (chemo flashback...yuck, yuck, yuck) at noon. The hope is that someone there (nurse Dan perhaps??) will be able to poke a hearty vein. Then I'll walk over to the Imaging Center, get injected with the contrast and get my Ct Scan. After comparing the Ct with last week's Pet my Dr will let me know the progress (positive thinking!) next week.

Please pray for a successful vein access. First poke would be great!:) 

But also please pray for shrinkage in all areas! 

I'm believing God is using this for His glory and still asking Him for healing.

I read something that provoked my thoughts yesterday...

"I speak it to God: I don't really want more time; I just want enough time, time to do my one life well."

-Ann Voskamp 

Kindergarten "Rock Star"

Since school started, 2 weeks ago, Sutton has earned 5 recognitions for good behavior/leadership, earning him a "rock star" charm. This is one goal oriented 6 year old! He was excited to get back to school after the weekend because he wanted to earn his rock star. He had a goal, set his mind to it and reached it! Funny boy. He was actually the first student in our school to earn his rock star charm this year. After 10 charms are earned he gets a special lunch with the principle, but I'm pretty sure he is just as excited about wearing his new trophy necklace:).

Noodles

Today I was told my veins were like noodles. Noodles aren't even in my eating regimen, so how can that be?! (Haha)

I thought the day was gonna be easy-peasy because it started so positive. The woman at lab check in struck up a convo about church with me. She had visited ours before. The lab gal had my blood drawn quickly with just 2 pokes (2 because the first vein shut down after a few drops of blood). 

We were soooo quick at the hospital we didn't even have to pay parking!;)

The day was lookin' good. 

We had a few hours to kill so we enjoyed the local activities (code for mall), then headed back for my imaging. I was ready. I had drank over 100 oz of water by 1pm. Yep, pretty much I floated in the door.

The nurse who successfully stuck my vein last time was waiting for me. But, apparently my veins are like wet noodles and just roll around when trying to stick them with a needle larger than a butterfly needle (which is what they use for children). 8 sticks later, and digs too, I should add, she gave up. I was spent and a bit sore. 

I did have the Petscan, which requires radiation fluid to be injected, in which case the butterfly did the trick. My CT Scan, though, would have to wait, because this requires a larger gage needle for the contrast solution to be pushed thru, so the vein doesn't give out I guess. My veins just weren't having it. I'll have to go back in a few weeks. At that time I'll head to the chemo lab where I'm hoping to have Dan, my hero chemo nurse from not-so-long-ago, stick those stinkin' noodles. Maybe I'll bring him chopsticks to use.

Our very last "first day of school"

It seemed so natural today as we walked Bellen into school,for her first day of preschool. She has entered those doors countless times to drop off her siblings. Today it was her turn. And boy, was she ready!

She woke up early and very excited. Wanted to dress herself and was ready before I was.

Jason & I took her together. I didn't feel a smidge sad....until I prayed for her before we left her on the playground. Gulp. But she did great, her teacher is very friendly & warm and she was very happy & talkative when I picked her up...she even napped at school, which is super rare these days!

I, fortunately, had a super busy, run-around kind of day. So I had no time to miss that baby o' mine. I did have a "moment" when I spotted several mommies in the store, with their toddlers, carrying on conversation, the funny, sweet, silly kind that little busy minds like to have. But, then I remembered how quickly I was getting my errands done, without dragging her around town. And, that there will be a tomorrow, when my little side kick will be with me once again:).

Labor-free Labor Day @ the Lake