1 Year Survivor

One year ago today I was diagnosed with Cancer.  It seems like an eternity.  So much has happened this past year.  As I ponder this anniversary, I am grateful.  I have read so many stories from other women with Ovarian Cancer and I am so aware of how much worse things could have been.  I am so blessed and have so much to be thankful for.  I am doing well.  I still have some physical pain as a result of the chemo, but I am doing well.  Thanks for reading.

Catching Up

It has been quite awhile since my last post about a "new normal."  It turns out my new normal is very busy.  Since my last post I have started college and I love it.  It is so fulfilling to me.  I am doing well in my classes and the work keeps me busy.  I am also still working part time and trying to stay on top of things around the house.

It has been a little over three months since my last chemo treatment. I had a CT scan on March 5th.  The results were good. (No new growths)  I am so thankful.  My blood work has continued to be good.  Although I had been a little concerned about my blood sugar,  I am pleased to report that my last fasting blood sugar was 96.

My husband and I have started working out 4 to 5 times per week and it has really helped with the joint pain as well as my blood pressure and blood sugar. We are also looking forward to going to the beach in May.

My family and I plan to participate in the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life in June.  If you are interested in making a donation, please let me know.

My eyelashes and eyebrows have completed grown back.  My hair has started to grow back too.  It is thicker and has a lot more gray than before.  Oh well, that is what hair dye is for right?

My daughter turned 19 this week.  It is hard to believe.  Time goes by so fast.

That is about all the news for now.  Thanks for checking in.

"A New Normal"

It has been a while since my last post.  The last two weeks have been a whirlwind of activity.  I told my husband, it seems like a long time ago that I had my last treatment, but it has really only been a little over two weeks.  My last treatment went well.  They were able to access my port without any problems.  I was treated to sparkling apple cider, and cheesecake to celebrate my last treatment.  I am glad that the treatments are over, but I have to admit I will kind of miss all the special attention. :-)  I have really been struggling with fatigue, which I contribute to the chemo, as well as not sleeping well at night, traveling, staying up late, and getting up early.  Now, that the holidays are over I am trying to get back to normal, but what is normal?  In the cancer community there is a term called "new normal," which means things will never be completely the way they were before your diagnosis, so you have to find a "new normal."  I am not quite sure what this means for me yet, but I know there are some things that I desire to become normal for me.  I hope that a healthy diet and lifestyle become normal and that the new perspective and appreciation for life I have gained through this journey will become normal for me.

I had a CT scan done before Christmas and the results were excellent.  The scan showed that the previous area that they were concerned about had shrunk and that there were no new areas of concern.  My blood work has continued to be within normal limits.  I will have weekly labs for two more weeks and then see my doctor.  If all is well, I will begin monthly labs and see my doctor every three months.

I will also be going back to college next week, and I am looking forward to learning new things and the challenges that college brings.  A new chapter begins...stay tuned for more details.

I am so very grateful to everyone who has supported me through the last six months.  Thanks for all the prayers, meals, cards, phone calls, e-mails, texts, blog comments, gifts, visits, understanding, friendship, and love.  I know that God has heard and answered your prayers and I believe he is smiling because of your kindness.  I am so blessed, and I know that God has been faithful to get me through Chemo with minimal side effects.  Thanks for partnering with me through this journey.  I will continue to update you as details unfold.  For now, God bless you all and Happy New Year! 

Philippians 1: 3-6

I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Tis the Season...

I went to the doctor yesterday because I have been coughing for two weeks and didn't seem to be getting better.  I also started having an earache and my throat hurt when I swallowed.  Turns out I have an ear infection, so they gave me a 10 day regimen of antibiotics.  There seems to be a lot of sickness going around.  Maybe it's the up and down temperatures we are having in VA.  One day it is 70 and the next it is 30.  I am so thankful though that in spite of a compromised immune system, I have remained healthy overall.  I have not had any fevers and my blood work continues to be within normal limits.  I am looking forward to Christmas vacation.  I only have five more days of work this year.  We will be traveling the weekend before Christmas and New Year's weekend to visit family.  We also have family coming to visit us on Christmas Day.  I will have my last treatment soon and I am excited to start a new chapter of my life next year.   I hope that each of you are well and enjoying this time of year.  Thanks for checking in. 

One More to Go

I had my fifth treatment today.  Everything went well, and I am feeling pretty good this evening.  Thanks for all of your prayers and support.  I only have one more treatment to go.  If everything goes according to plans, it will be December 19th.  I have mostly recovered from being sick this past week.  I still have an occasional cough.

I enjoyed my Thanksgiving holiday and am looking forward to the coming events that the Christmas season brings.  Blessings to you and thanks for reading.

A Grateful Heart

It has been a little while since I have written, so I want to start with an update.  My labs have been good for the past two weeks.  My potassium was a little low, but it is back within normal range now.  My latest CA 125 test is down to 6.5.  I have been battling what I think is a cold for 3 days now, with the usual sore throat, coughing, and headache.  My husband has been sick as well.  My doctor said to monitor my temperature and if I start to run a fever to call her.  So far my temperature has been normal.  Please pray that I will get well very soon, and that this would not deter me from receiving treatment on November 28th.

Thanksgiving is just three days away.  I am looking forward to seeing family and friends who are coming to visit us. This Thanksgiving is especially meaningful to me, because looking back I realize how much I have to be thankful for.  I am thankful to be alive and to be able to move my arms and hands.  I am thankful for my faithful husband who has taken amazing care of me through this whole experience.  I am thankful for my beautiful daughter, whom I was able to see graduate from high school and begin college.  I am thankful for friends who have been so supportive.  I am thankful for God's provisions.  I could go on and on, but I will stop there.  As we enter this holiday season, I pray that each of you have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving and in the midst of the hustle and bustle you would find time to reflect on how much we have to be grateful for.

Moving Right Along

I had my fourth treatment yesterday.  Everything went well.  They were able to access the port on the first try, which is a first.  I was also finished an hour earlier than usual.  I only have two more to go now and if there are no delays, I will finish before Christmas.  I  have decided to go back to school.  I will begin taking four classes in January at the community college.  I want to make the most of my life and the blessings God has given me.  I am excited to see what the future holds. 

Jeremiah 29:11

 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.