My New Rhythm and Upcoming Scans

 

There is a lull that happens after diagnosis as treatment and dr appointments for monitoring become the new normal rhythm of your week. Nothing really seems "blog worthy" but I have honestly missed interacting with everyone and it feels so comforting to know I have an army of people who love me and intercede for me walking this out alongside me so....  I thought I would peek in and update you guys on where things stand. 

Paul and I and the kiddos had a quiet holiday season. It was nice. I love the cozy feeling that covers the house during the season. Sitting in the twinkle of the lights, listening to holiday music, and doing all the annual tradition things just settles my soul and reminds me of what is REALLY important. It felt a bit different this year without my mom and with so many of the kids grown. I just had one "santa" kid at home this year. 

 I think last year, which was the one-year anniversary of my moms passing (she died Dec 23, 2021) I was in a bit of shock with the diagnosis of this cancer journey and that numbed the feelings of her absence. I just didnt have the bandwidth. This year I allowed myself to feel what came up. I missed her but I also felt her in a lot of our family activities and I cherished being able to feel that closeness in those moments. It was bittersweet... I just wasn't done with her yet. 

In November, I transitioned from twice a month immunotherapy treatment to once a month. That has been nice. I usually feel pretty wiped out after my treatments and when they were every other week it didnt leave very much time to feel good and do things. It has been nice to have enough of a break between to recover fully. But, its also been cold enough this winter that Ive felt too lazy to do much so lol yeah, there is that :) 

I saw my oncologist today and overall, he said he is pleased with how my body is tolerating the treatments, even with the joint pain and fatigue. My blood work looks great. I also got a great report from my cardiologist and my most recent appointment with my pulmonologist was good too. I am now 100% off oxygen! YAYY ! He said my collapsed lung (from the big surgery in March) has healed and the fluid that was in my lungs has also resolved. My lungs are still pretty sensitive, so I am hoping to navigate this winter's viruses to keep them on the right track.  

My biggest issue is aspirating. I am still having reflux that goes into my airway about 3-4 times a month while sleeping. Sometimes it is just a little bit and I wake up. Other times it is significant, and I wake up choking. When that happens the next week after is pretty tough. It causes a chemical pneumonitis. Symptoms are fever, chills, coughing, fatigue, low o2 stats and just overall malaise. I have an upcoming surgery in Charleston to check on the structure of my new esophagus again and dilate it if needed.  I had this scheduled in December but the surgery date just happened to fall on the big rain storm day that flooded downtown Charleston. When I called to cancel my surgeon said he was actually stuck in the hospital because the roads all around it were flooded, some chest deep!  

Id like to ask for prayers for both my surgery on January 29th and also for my upcoming 3-month monitoring CT scans next Tuesday January 23rd. It is such an unsettling feeling leading up to the scan day. I don't know if I will ever get used to it. Don't get me wrong, I feel utterly blessed to be able to get them done so that my team can come up with a plan quickly if something is wrong but it is challenging to not panic ahead of it and I have to really work to keep my mind resting in the moment and not running off playing out scenarios of all the what could happens. 

I also had a chance today at my oncology appointment to ask about the next steps down the road. Barring no changes to how I am tolerating my treatments or with my scans....my last immunotherapy treatments will be on June 10th. After that, we will be done aside from monitoring scans periodically. That thought is so freeing to think about but also completely terrifying. Im in process thinking about it presently and will probably come back in the next week or so to put into better words what Im thinking and feeling on it all. This whole experience has definitely changed me forever.

So to recap... prayers for my upcoming surgery on January 29th and for my CT scans on Tuesday Jan 23rd.  Id also like to ask for unspoken health related prayers for my sweet husband, Paul. He has some tests coming up (more on that later too) but for now, just for coverage, peace, and wisdom/discernment. 

Blessings to all of you this new year! Remember... this is the day that the Lord has made....

Rejoice and be glad in it!