Time with Mom

I have SO enjoyed having my mother here these past 2+ weeks.  Less than one week 'til she goes home.  I'm also glad my recovery has been quick so we've been able to get out and go places.  We had a day out with the boys and a day out with the girls.  We're trying to get a day out with just the two of us.  Not eating as well as I should with all our excursions, but I'll do better next week!  I'm having virtually no pain and my stoma opening is healing VERY well.  The surgeon only stitched it from the inside, so the outside slowly pulls together and won't get infected.  I'll see him tomorrow for a check up.

I can't believe it's August already.  Our summer just hasn't gone quite the way I'd hoped.  We have gotten two camping trips in and we're hoping to get three more in before the end of October.

Home!

The surgery only took 2 hours, so the doctor must've been including all the before & after time when he said 5 hours.  I woke up well, with only a little nausea.  Recovery was a thousand times better this time. 

Last time my abdomen was full of infection so I had 3 bags of antibiotics hanging at one time.  This time I only had one bag and I'm not sure they started another when it was empty.  If they did, it was only once.  Last time I was on morphine for 2+ days.  This time I needed NO pain medication!  What a blessing!  The morphine caused nausea and really clouded my thinking. 

I ended up coming home Sunday afternoon, two days earlier than I was told.  Saturday afternoon The doctor said I could begin eating at supper and they'd cap my IV if I did okay.  When he came back Sunday morning he said I was way ahead of schedule and could go home after lunch!

Sunday evening I became nauseous and had a low fever.  The children had had a stomach bug the week I went in the hospital and I could tell this was a bug, not a surgery related issue.  Since I was home 2 days early, my mom was not here yet so we planned on J's mom keeping 2 children each day, while I would keep SK, SR & LG on Monday and AB, TJ & LG on Tuesday.  The older girl could help me out and my little LG is just good medicine herself ;)  I felt it was time for her to be home with Mama!  Since I got sick Sunday night J stayed home with us Monday & Tuesday.  Monday night I finally had the worst of the bug and while I felt better stomach-wise on Tuesday, I was totally wiped out from the day before.  I'm so glad he was here to take care of me :)  His mom still took 2 children each day which made for a much quieter, calmer house (separating the two boys and the two older girls!). 

Eating is coming along slowly, but it's coming.  Today I feel as good as I did on Sunday when I came home!  I'm glad I didn't get sick in the hospital, though!  It's much nicer to be sick at home.

I haven't heard the results from the colonoscopy biopsy.  I guess I'll have to call them.  Next up is the post surgery check-up, then more blood work in September.  I'll also have some genetic testing done to see if I'm at risk for this or other cancers or if this was a non-genetic case.  If it is genetic, then I guess I have a much higher risk of recurrance and my children have a higher risk. 

Right now, I'm glad to be on my feet and bag-less!

Second Surgery

Checking in at 5:30am tomorrow.  Surgery is scheduled for 8:00.  I was told it's a 5 hour surgery.  Maybe that will make up for my missing sleep :)  I was also told to expect a minimum 5 day stay again.  I won't be posting again 'til I get home.

My mom is due to come on the 26th and stay for three weeks.  I'm glad to be prepared this time, but it's also given me time to think of things going wrong, too.  I will miss my dear children the next few days.  J will be with me in the morning and evening, but I probably won't see the children 'til Saturday.

Results

All went extremely well. No polyps. There was an area of "irritation" that she took a sample of to have biopsied. One more week 'til my hospital vacation ;)

Colonoscopy Prep

Nothing but clear liquids today. I prepared myself by just juicing yesterday. I'm choosing cucumber/celery/apple juice over jello, kool-aid, soda, broth, etc. (All things I don't like and are no good for anyone.) 6pm I get to drink some yummy stuff!!! Will find out later today exactly what time my colonoscopy is tomorrow.

Yesterday morning while searching online for some healthy clear liquid ideas I happened to come across some articles on the dangers of colonoscopy and the (sometimes long term) after effects.  As often as I check into things before I do/take them (or give to/have done to my children), I had not even thought to look into this before.  I knew there was a risk of perforation and that could be dangerous.  The packet of information I was given didn't list ANY effects or complications other than perforation.  They make everything sound hunky dory.  I was fearful for a time after reading the things I did, but I know there's no need to fear.  God is in control and it's all for His glory! 

I'm trying to wrap up a lot of household stuff before I go back in the hospital next Thursday.  Jeff's mother will be keeping three of the children and some friends will keep the other two.  My mom will be flying in on the 26th; the day I (hopefully) get out of the hospital.  I think this arrangement is going to work out very well, though Jeff will have to do some running to drop off and pick up all the children twice (he'll bring them home for the weekend and take them back Sunday evening).  I'm glad we can at least be prepared for this hospital visit!!!

Maybe in my down time after surgery I can post some bday pics from the May & June celebrations and from our camping trips...  I don't want to just post about all this medical stuff ;)

Second Oncologist Visit

Had the "real" appointment yesterday morning with the oncologist that I wanted in the first place.  I am SO glad I switched.  She is a much better fit for me than the first doctor.  I was not comfortable with him.

The results:  My PET scan was clear and my CEA (blood work) was clear.  While that's good news, there are always the unknowns.  The PET scan will only detect a tumor of 5mm or larger and the CEA doesn't detect very early cancer growth.

The recommendation:  The doctor still recommended preventative chemotherapy; 12 doses over 6 months.  The reason is that there was a rupture and it was impossible to tell if it was a rupture of the tumor or the colon.  If the tumor ruptured then there could be cancer cells spreading around my body.  She cited a 16% three year recurrence rate among stage 2 patients with 12 clear lymph nodes.  She said chemo could reduce that rate by half to two thirds.  Statistically speaking, that's 4-8% vs. 16%.  Of course my recurrence risk would be higher IF the tumor ruptured, which we can never know.

So, statistics vs. a real person...  Statistically speaking J & I don't see a huge improvement in recurrence risk after chemo,  though we can't know what those risks might be if the tumor did rupture.  I would certainly be doing a lot of damage to my body by taking the chemo drugs.  Some of that damage could be permanent.

Right now we are very comfortable following a life style change that includes eating raw foods.  Some may call us irresponsible or naive, but we are confident that this is how God wants us to proceed.  This is not something new we've just heard of, but something we've been learning about for years.  If there are cancer cells present, I won't be giving them fuel to reproduce and I'll be building my body to fight them.  As the doctor said, we have to make the decision that's right for us and then don't look back or second guess ourselves.  If it's chemo, be committed to the entire course of treatment; if it's lifestyle change, do it 100%.

I will go back for more blood work and another CAT scan in September.  I will probably have blood work done every 3 months and several more CAT scans.  I'm told that if the cancer is going to come back it usually does so within 3 years.  Our lifestyle change will continue for life.  We've had the knowledge for years and we've talked it to death, now we're faced with a critical choice.  Cancer turns out to be a "health opportunity" as some have said!

I am going to call the surgeon today to see if I can have my surgery on July 27th.  I also have to determine when to get a colonoscopy:  in the hospital right before surgery or sometime before that.

Thank you all again for keeping updated, praying, and your kind words of encouragement.  The love and support from everyone has really helped our family through this.

The Doctor Visit That Wasn't

I was supposed to have an oncologist visit yesterday afternoon, but somehow it got deleted or something.  They had no appointment scheduled at all.  Now I have an appt. for the 8th.

Last week I had a PET scan and some blood work done.  Since I didn't see the oncologist yesterday they were going to have a nurse call me today with those results.  That didn't happen either and I didn't call the office until almost 4:00 and they were closed.  So, I know nothing ;)

Anyway, I'm feeling great.  I've tried many new recipes, most delicious, but some not-so-much.  I did go out to my favorite Chinese buffet last night for my birthday, but it wasn't as wonderful as it always was.  I think my tastes are changing.  I've heard that happens when you're eating raw foods for a while.

I also got to have a great conversation with a fairly new Christian lady who took my blood last week.  God just has neat blessing around every corner!

Thanks for reading and keeping up with me.  I'll post my test results when I know them.  I'll probably just wait for my visit next Wednesday.

Non doctor related news...

We had several terribly hot days, but the weather broke and yesterday and today were just perfect:  about 80 degrees and breezy!  We got to work in the garden and pull weeds in the flower bed last night.  This weekend I hope to get some mulch down.

J is trying to finish up a few cars he has to work on and then take a few weeks off from the extra work.  We have our first camping trip planned for Father's Day weekend.  I'm really looking forward to camping again!

The Oncologist

Briefly:  The visit went better than I expected.  He commented that several things were good:  my bloodwork, the clear lymph nodes, clear nerves surronding the tumor...  He said he may not recommend any chemo at all.  Now I go for a PET scan for any active cancer and a CEA blood test that measures a certain protein in the blood of cancer patients.  He would also like to test for genetic markers to get an idea of the risk of reoccurance.  I will go back on June 2nd.

The only down side to the visit is that this was not the doctor I wanted to see and he seemed a little pushy; saying "he" would determine the treatment to cure the disease.  At the very end he did say that treatment would be up to J & I.

All in all, though, some good news.  So here we go with all the tests :/

A New Chapter

Looking forward to a "new normal", though it's going to take some time.

Mom went home on Tuesday.  Please keep her in your prayers.  She had a cold or something before she left; congestion and a low fever.  After she got home she went to the doctor who gave her breathing treatments (she has asthma), antibiotics, Allegra, and prednisone.  I was very thankful she was feeling good on Sunday, because we took her and J's mom out for an early Mother's Day brunch.  I did partake in the food myself.  I considered it my farewell dinner!  It was a wonderful afternoon.  The restaurant was beautiful, and the food was delicious.

Yesterday my mother-in-law kept the children while I went to the dentist, bank, hospital, and two natural food stores.  Then J & I had a few hours for a date :)  That was the longest we've been alone (out of the house) in a l-o-n-g time.  I'm actually thinking we need to go away for a weekend for our anniversary this year.  That would be the first time we've ever left the children more than 24 hours.

I've been reading so much about nutrition and health these past weeks.  I keep seeing the same theme:  juice, raw fruits and vegetables.  Simple; sort of.  I've collected several raw food recipe books and I'm looking forward to trying things.  Our friends have lent us a juicer and we've been juicing more regularly.  We've ordered our own juicer and dehydrator.  A dehydrator works at low temperatures so the enzymes in the foods are not destroyed.  My change in diet may not only prevent cancer later, but prevent any current cancer from growing.  I just read that the 5 year survival rate for stage 2 colon cancer is 60-80%.  That's not good enough!  I want to be cancer-free for a lifetime.  I want that for my whole family!

This next week is going to be a busy one.  I've got to get a lot of work done in the basement; clearing out "stuff" so I can have room to get out the summer clothes and wrap birthday presents.  I also need to get ready for the homeschool convention next Friday.  Two weeks ago I didn't know if I'd be up for the convention, but I am feeling great.  The convention is like a day at an amusement park for me!  I can hardly contain myself, lol!

Tuesday J & I will go see the oncologist.  It's not the one I wanted to see, but in the same practice.  The one I want to see is out until the end of June.  My naturopath works with her.  The oncologist is supposed to schedule a colonoscopy before my next surgery.  My surgeon said it could be done right before the surgery.  That would be nicer, I think.

I am SO hoping I can manage to declutter the house before my next surgery (hopefully July 27th).  It will be even more of a challenge to get that done while I'm spending much for time prepare new foods and continue schooling the children.  At the very least I will be better prepared for a week away from home this time!

Thank you for your prayers for our family!  We have been blessed by cards, phone calls, visits, meals, flowers and other gifts.  What a blessing to be part of God's family!

Thank you for the valley.

Thank You for the valley I walked through today.
The longer the valley, the more I learn to pray.
I found You where the lilies were blooming by the way.
So I thank You for the valley I walked through today.

Thank You for every hill I climbed,
For every time the sun didn't shine.
Thank You for every lonely night,
I prayed 'til I knew everything was alright,
And I thank you for the valley,
I walked through today.

Life can't be all sunshine, or the flowers would die.
The rivers would be deserts, all barren and dry.
Life can't be all blessings, or there'd be no need to pray.
So I thank You for the valley I walked through today.

Thank You for every hill I climbed,
For every time the sun didn't shine.
Thank You for every lonely night,
I prayed 'til I knew everything was alright.
And I thank You for the valley,
I walked through today.

Follow up appointment.

Saw my naturopathic doctor yesterday and got a lot of good information and nutritional advice, along with some supplements.  He works with Cancer Treatment Centers of America.  I am not supposed to eat any sugar, corn, potatoes, pasta, bread, or grains.  Does that rule out the Chinese buffet for my birthday ;)

J & I saw the surgeon tonight for a follow-up.  He said I can schedule my second surgery 3 months and 1 minute after the first one, lol!  He went over the pathology report.  The tumor had not penetrated the colon wall.  All margins were clear.  They believe, though can't be certain, that the colon ruptured above the tumor.  Since it was too difficult to tell they want to treat it as a ruptured tumor.  I will also have a colonoscopy before the second surgery.  He said I should be in the hospital a minimum of 5 days again.

The children are doing well and I think J is caught up on his sleep.  My mom is working on some new curtains for the girl's room before she goes home.

Next up is an appointment with an oncologist.  We've chosen one, but don't have a date set yet.

Cancer

On Sunday, April 10^th, I went into the hospital with severe abdominal pain. I had spent Friday and Saturday in bed with a low grade fever and occasional cramping. Sunday morning I felt better, but in the afternoon the pain returned suddenly, only much worse, and my fever went up. I had never experienced pain like that and began to think it could be my appendix. I called my doctor, who agreed, and went to the emergency room. After hours of blood tests and CT scans it was determined I had diverticulitis that had ruptured. I was scheduled for surgery the next morning. Before the surgery the surgeon told me he would take about 10” out of my colon and I would have to have a colostomy for three months, until a second surgery to reattach my colon after everything had had time to heal.

After the surgery the doctor said he’d removed an inflamed mass from the colon that would be sent to pathology to determine why it had ruptured. When the lab report came back we found it was not diverticulitis, but the mass he has removed was cancer. The colon had ruptured. Thankfully, the twelve lymph nodes that were taken out with the tumor were all negative, so the cancer had not spread. Because my colon ruptured, however, he said I would probably be treated as if the tumor itself had ruptured since they didn’t know about any spillage.

At this point I don’t know any more than that. I will go see the surgeon again next week and an oncologist a few weeks after that.

I was released from the hospital Saturday, the 16^th, which was earlier than we expected. I have no physical restrictions except on lifting. I am still feeling the effects of all the IVs, but am getting around fairly well. My mom came to stay the day after surgery. She will be here a total of three weeks. She has managed/is managing the household very well! I’m so thankful for that. We are also blessed by many meals from friends and family.

Right now I am changing my diet, reading, and talking with people who have been down this path. Jeff & I will have many decisions to make in the coming months. I covet all your prayers, especially for him. He has gotten worn down over the last week.

From the first day in the hospital I have been privileged to see God’s hand at work in so many things I can’t begin to count them. I am so thankful for this opportunity. So often we don’t even recognize the ways that God is working in our life. We may go about thinking everything’s on autopilot when it’s not ! God is in control all the time and he is working everything together for HIS glory and for the good of those who love Him.