L-O-N-G overdue update

Shall I hang my head in shame for not updating this blog in a year's time? Or shall I rest in the fact that "no news means good news?" Since hanging my head does no good, I simply will claim option 2 and proceed with the post.

Since I last met you (sounds like a good lead in to a movie mystery.....), I have twice been seen by both my radiation and medical oncologists. I see them every six months, but they have the appointment rotation arranged so that I am being seen by one of them every 3 months.

And...........no news is GOOD news! All of my labs and check ups over the past year have been positive, with no sign of a recurrence of the cancer that first came on the scene 4 years ago. The only issue of note over the past year is that my bloodwork came back last summer with me exhibiting a Vitamin D deficiency. Three months of gigantic, teal colored Vit. D capsules later, my labs showed a marked response to the supplement. Right now, I continue on a much lower maintenance dosage to keep my numbers up. Dr. Holmes feels that there is significant evidence to show that Vit. D plays a role in preventing breast cancer from returning. So, taking one tiny pill a day isn't a problem.

My last visit to Dr. Holmes' office was at the end of January. There was great euphoria in the exam room as I was able to record a 15 pound weight loss since my previous visit 6 months ago. Hugs all around and an exclamation of "Less is more!"......it's nice to make your doctor happy, in addition to knowing you are doing something to be proactive towards better health.

I've realized something interesting recently.......

This year's anniversary of my initial diagnosis passed without my remembering. Wow. I didn't think that would ever happen. January is "the" month, but I find it interesting that the exact date, which had been ever present in my mind in Januarys of the past, came and went this year without recollection. This is progress. I wonder if other cancer-related milestones will follow suit and fade from memory as the years progress? I can only trust that as God graciously allows me to grow older, my mind will store those memories farther and farther away.

So, life goes on. I keep doing the things I am supposed to do to stay healthy and continue to trust in God's infinitely better plan for my life! Without Him, I would have given up long ago!

posted by Kim @ 3:12 PM 2 comments

Too long between postings

The words of this hymn are flowing through my mind tonight, as I think over the events of the day. I had a routine appointment today with Dr. Holmes. This appointment capped off a week of medical appointments: a blood draw last week, a mammogram yesterday, and Dr. Holmes office today. All routine events, but still "must-dos." "Must-dos" in order to find out what is happening deep inside of me. My neighbor and I discussed this very thing on Monday while we chatted at the mail box. He has been undergoing treatment for colon cancer, and he was relaying the good news of his latest GOOD report from his doctor. We discussed how, even though we feel perfectly well, we still don't know for sure if there is any unseen activity. It's a rather creepy feeling, to tell the truth. It's a true test of one's faith. And, as hard as we all try, some times those tests are harder than others. Today was one of those days.

I spent the day trying to stay relaxed. After all, I had been through this sort of thing many times before. But, today, I was having a harder time. I was very distracted and found it hard to focus all day long. I arrived at the appointment a bit early and stayed in the car, reading for a bit. I was taken into the exam room fairly quickly, after barely making it through half a magazine. I was expecting to see Nurse Janice for this appointment, but I heard Dr. Holmes familiar knock on the door. She bounded into the room with a set of red, felt Valentine hearts on her head, attached by a red headband! That's why I love this doctor; she knows exactly what the patient needs when in her office..........laughter!
Anyway, once I stopped laughing, Dr. Holmes asked me the usual questions about how I was doing. Then she gave me all of my paperwork and lab results - all of which she pronounced "100% perfect!" Whew. I could almost feel my pulse drop. I wanted to hug her but thought that might be a bit much, so we chatted through the rest of the appointment. And then, I was done. As quickly as I got in, I was finished. I think it was the quickest appointment ever. There was nothing else to do. So, I sent the news via text message to Michael, who is traveling, and headed home. Yes......often my frame is feeble. I am grateful for the loving hand of my Father who gently bears me when I need it.

I realized as I began my post here, tonight, that I haven't posted since Colleen passed away. In fact, she commented on my last post. Oh, how I miss her. I miss being able to share these good reports with her, for she always knew exactly what I was feeling and always knew exactly what words to say. Her e-mails and cards are quite precious to me now. How her family must miss her, too. I think of them often and continue to pray for their comfort in their sadness. And I am sure that they rejoice with me in knowing she is no longer sick or in pain but instead sits in the presence of her beloved Savior!


I have 3 months until my next appointment with the radiation oncologist (6 mo. rotation) and 6 months until I meet with Dr. Holmes again. I will try to remember to check in again in May. I suppose that needing to remember to check in is a good thing, right?

posted by Kim @ 1:11 AM 1 comments

Update

I had a follow up check up with Dr. Fan today. He is the radiation oncologist who replaced Dr. Reddy last year. I think I was in and out of the office building within 30 minutes. In fact, when I commented on the speed with which I was getting attention, the nurse offered to let me sit in the waiting room for an hour, "to get the full doctor experience!" I declined her kind offer.

There is really nothing new to report. This is truly a case of "no news is GOOD news!" Dr. Fan asked me the usual questions, to which I relplied "No" to all of them. He examined my incision area and said everything looked good. I will return in 6 months to see him unless I have a reason to come in earlier.

God is good. Ryan is getting married this Saturday. God, in His timing and grace, has allowed me to be able to live these past 2 years and watch Ryan's relationship with Noelle blossom. For that, I am grateful. It is humbling to know that life is so fragile, and yet our Creator loves each of us and grants us the desires of our hearts. So, I am privileged to join another club this weekend - that of "mother-in-law." It will be an honor.

posted by Kim @ 4:36 PM 3 comments

Great is His faithfulness

I had my 3 month check up with Dr. Holmes today. Actually, I saw NP Janice and could hear Dr. Holmes bustling about between exam rooms. The wait time today was longer than the exam time. NP Janice came in to see me, and after commenting (as she always does) about how thick my hair grew back in, she told me that all of my labs came back GREAT! All the levels were good, especially that 'ol tumor marker number. Praise the Lord!

posted by Kim @ 7:43 PM 2 comments

730 days later........

January 18, 2006 was spent sitting in a doctor's office hearing news that would change my life forever. "You have breast cancer." Welcome to the club.

Fast forward 730 days to January 18, 2008:

So far today, I have:

• awakened next to my husband, to the sound of rain on the roof
• seen Justin off to work
• taken the girls to piano lessons, getting to drive for the first time on the new bypass!
• returned a dress to Macy's
• stopped at McD's for coffee to ward off the chills of a damp and drizzly January morning
• stopped at the grocery store to purchase chicken for dinner
• made deposits at the credit union
• picked the girls up from piano lessons
• driven home
• chatted with the neighbor to schedule Kathryn to babysit
• invited a friend and her husband to use extra opera tickets we have for this evening
• read countless e-mails, blog posts and news update

And.......it's only 1 P.M.!

There are still countless things to do today and more on the docket for tomorrow and the days and weeks to come. There trips being planned. There is a wedding being planned! There is LIFE to live!!!

I humbly give thanks to God for giving me these past 730 days. Who knows what tomorrow may bring; there are no guarantees. While so much that goes on each day might seem mundane, and at times even frustrating, I constantly purpose to appreciate each and every one of those days He gives me as a precious gift. I don't ever want to take them for granted.

"So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom." ~ Psalm 90:12

"Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee." ~ Psalm 63:3

posted by Kim @ 12:58 PM 3 comments

Pondering.....

posted by Kim @ 2:42 PM 0 comments

3 month check up....

This past Thursday was my three month check up at Dr. Holmes' office. After all of the hubbub of August's visit, I decided to downplay this one as much as possible. Getting blood drawn wasn't going to be a big deal. Just go to the doctor. Just DO it!

Try as I might, it's still hard not to think too much when those appointments come around. But, I still tried to keep cool about it when Thursday came. Having an afternoon appointment didn't make the wait any easier, either.

I saw NP Janice this time as Dr. Holmes was at an all day breast cancer clinic. The office was really busy; my 2PM appointment time turned into a 3:15 time. Appointments are so much shorter these days, though, when there are no real "issues" to discuss. The bottom line for Thursday's appointment is that my blood work is still good, and there are NO signs of recurrence! Praise the Lord!

My next appointment with Dr. Holmes is set for February, 2008. That month, I also will see the radiation oncologist. In the mean time, there are birthdays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, wedding plans, and a lot of LIFE to live!!!

posted by Kim @ 6:26 PM 3 comments