All done with chemo as of Nov. 3rd!!! YIPPIE YAHOO! The week that followed almost killed me though. I spent the week in bed throwing up unable to keep even the littlest sip of water down. My Dad moved in with me that week and was by my bedside and there for my every need. Once we got to the hospital for follow up xrays and ct scan, my blood pressure was 54/22. NOT GOOD. The staff immediately put things in motion to get my IV hooked up to some new meds for nausea and some nutrients.
It has been a long six months. I almost can't believe it's over and now all I have to do is rest up for surgery scheduled for Dec. 5th. I have a new surgeon but I love him (Dr. Rocha) as much as I do Dr. Ryan who must be going into retirement. Rocha is younger but lots of experience and so incredibly patient with me. I am very optimistic that as complicated and long (6-8 hours) as this surgery will be, that the outcome will be very positive. Apparently, not only did my tumor disappear off the ct scan, so did my pancreas. LOL This of course is going to increase my odds of coming out of surgery with diabetes... a common side affect from surgery. Not looking forward to that but I'd rather be alive with diabetes than dead from cancer..................right?
Good news is I'm going to lose lots of weight..........or so the Dr says. LOL There is lots of good news actually, the big news being that my tumor looks to be cancer free now and ready to remove. Also, I'm so blessed by the outpouring of kindness thru cards, emails, and text messages from family, friends and friends of friends. Sometimes I cry because I'm touched so deeply by so many people.
I'm excited for the fundraiser DIVA BIZARRE tomorrow. I don't have the energy to attend but the girls (Sharon and Val) are so excited for the big event. Please know I'm so grateful for all the financial support it has enabled me to focus on my health and not panic about going into bankruptcy with all the medical bills. FYI my chemo alone costs about $7000 a week. Insurance covers most of it, but I am still responsible for a lot myself. Without your support I wouldn't be able to heal due to the financial stress but Val and Sharon are doing amazing at raising funds to pay my medical expenses. Two angels! along with their spouses, Jim and Scott!!
Dr. wants me to eat as many calories as possible between now and surgery. As wonderful as that news is, it's incredibly hard. I have no appetite and still have metal mouth so can't eat much without spitting it out. Hoping to enjoy a tasty Thanksgiving though!!!
Speaking of Thanksgiving. My family will all be together for the first time for this holiday.....also my FAVORITE holiday! I'm so grateful to be alive it's crazy. Each day I get to see my parents and am so thankful to have them here for this journey. In fact, not sure I could have made it thru the six months without them.
I know I still have a big hurdle to get over with surgery.............but I'm so optimistic that it will unveil a cancer free body and that recovery with go smoothly. I know it will be painful with some negative side affects but I'm going to get thru it and be back to my life in the new year. I can't begin to tell you how excited I am for 2012 and all that it will bring.
I'm a better person now having traveled this path. I'm closer to my family and my friends. I realize how lucky we are to have our health when we have it. Something I will never take for granted again! In fact, I can't wait to get back into the gym with Tim on a regular basis. Just being able to walk for more than 30 feet will be exciting to me!
I know everyone reading this is fighting some kind of battle. Please know my heart reaches out to you and I'm so grateful for all your love and prayers. You just have no idea how much and how deeply you've touched me. I'm the luckiest person I know!
I wish you the happiest of Thanksgivings! and hope you will take the time you need to really FEEL grateful, that's what this time of year is all about!
Much love to you all!
LIVE WITH PASSION!
DJ
PRAYER FOR MONDAY'S SURGERY
ReplyDeleteLoving Father, Please care for Dawn on this important day. Guide with wisdom and skill the minds and hands of the medical people who will minister in your Name. Grant that every cause of illness be removed and that Dawn may be restored to soundness of health.
Through Jesus Christ. Amen.
Dear Father in heaven, please restore Dawn the way that you and only you can do. Be with the Dr's as they perform the skills that you gave them. In Jesus name we pray. Amen
ReplyDeleteDiabetes will be a small hurdle for you after this...my sons dad has juvenile and so does my nephew and yes it can be hard to keep the wieght on but you have to keep up the exercise and healthy foods:)
ReplyDeleteSo amazed that the tumor is so small they can't see it I just had my cyst followed up on and they say its about 1/2 inch in diameter I meet with my specialist in January he says it doesn't look threatening at this point so that's a relief:)
Kim