Hi all!
It occurred to me today while my husband and I were driving back home, that I never posted an update after my February Doctors appointment! Shame on me! I started back at work, and I have been very busy!!
My Doctor's Appointment
Earlier this month, I had a follow-up appointment with my Oncology Surgeon, Dr. O'Donnell. Like all other appointments, this one too was in San Francisco. This appointment had been on my calendar since early December and was only a follow-up from the surgery. During the appointment, Dr. O'Donnell said that my burn was really, really bad and that I had a lot of swelling. At this appointment I was hoping to get a referral for my last PET CT Scan in the next month or so. After this last scan, Dr. O'Donnell will tell me if I am in remission or not. I did get the referral but, Dr. O'Donnell told me that he wanted to wait until May! He told me that he wanted to wait a full three months. He told me that by waiting, he will be able to get a more true read from the scan's results. He told me that my leg needs to do more healing and the swelling needs to subside completely. He said that if they were to scan my leg right away it might read as though I still have cancer when, I might not.
Physical Therapy: Dr. O'Donnell did give me a referral to physical therapy. He wants me to go twice per week for 3 months.
Medicine: Dr. O'Donnell gave me a prescription for a medicated gauze. Before leaving, he had the resident physician place this gauze on me, then wrap my leg with the Ace bandage that I brought. This gauze made ALL of the difference!!
Update on me
As of today, I am happy to report that my burn has COMPLETELY healed!! I can't believe it! I still have numbness, a weird suntan (only on my knee), and a scar BUT, I'm not in pain! Honestly, I have a little pain, but it is NOTHING like it was and I feel SO much better!!
In short: I'm doing so well!!
What's next?
I have a few appointments coming up - these are the ones I know of...
1. I have a follow-up appointment in March with my Radiation Oncologist.
2. Physical Therapy appointment(s)
3. PET CT Scan in May
4. Follow-up surgeon appointment in May
At my follow-up appointment in May I am hoping to hear the word: Remission!!
Thank you for continuing to pray for me! I know deep down that your prayers are healing me!
Sunday, February 23, 2014
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
Trip to San Fran + Question & Answer time!
Morning!
Today is National Cancer Survivor's Day! In my journey, I've learned that it is very important to celebrate the little things... even if its a National day!
I have an appointment with my Surgeon today. Im happy that he's back to work. I can't wait to see him and see for myself how he's doing. As I type, my husband is driving us to San Francisco! Im looking forward to seeing the city and the water! Hopefully we will get to have lunch there too! It's been a while since we've had to make this trip. Today's appointment is a scheduled check-up on how my leg is doing.
Here is a picture of my outfit today. It's no secret that Im obsessed with Stella & Dot. Today, Im wearing the gorgeous Green Stone Sutton Necklace with the Palm Springs Nave Stripe Elephant scarf! S&D makes me happy!
As soon as Im done with this appointment, I will tell you all what happened once I get home!
Question & Answer
I get asked a few of the same questions all the time. So I wanted to take a couple minutes to answer them all on here in case anyone else has similar questions.
Q: Does your leg hurt?
A: I won't sugar coat it... Radiation hurts really, really bad! I told my husband last night that it hurts like I just had surgery. Seriously. Bad.
Q: Are you Cancer-free yet?
A: No, not yet. Well, I guess I could be but, I haven't heard it from the doctors yet. I have a couple steps that need to happen before
Q: What are the next steps?
A: My next step is to get a PET CT (cancer) Scan of my right leg to see if the Radiation worked
Q: When is that PET CT Scan scheduled for?
A: As of right now, I don't have this scan scheduled. Right now, my Doctors are waiting for the Radiation side-effects to subside. When I still have a burn, this means that the Radiation is still working. If I was to get a scan now, it very well could come back positive for Cancer because the Radiation is still working. However, if we wait, once the side effects are done, then the scan will give a muck more truer read. I will then know if the Radiation worked, or if we will need to proceed to Plan B.
Q: How are you walking? Can you walk?
A: Im walking really well!! Actually right now I have a limp. The massive Radiation burn is on the inner side of my right leg, then it wraps around the backside of my knee joint. Because if this, it really hurts to bend my leg. Sitting at a chair is the absolute worst. However if Im sitting with my leg straight, then it is much easier! However, after surgery and prior to this burn, I have been waling surprisingly well! I love it when people haven't seen me in a while and they are so surprised by how well Im doing!
Q: What about that spot that was on your lung... What was it?
A: In short.. I don't know and we hope too find out more from my surgeon today. Since he was ill I haven't been able to talk to him directly about it. I do know that the Cancer in my leg had not entered my blood stream, which means that the Sarcoma had not spread to my lungs. I do know that the spot is still there though. I could very well be a spot from when I had Bronchitis twice last year. I don't know if they will continue to monitor it or not.
Q: After having Radiation, can you still have babies?
A: I sure hope so!! Technically, I don't know. My Radiation Oncologist told me that the Radiation that is delivered now-a-days is so concentrated only to the one area that they want to treat that it is highly unlikely that even scatter Radiation hit my ovaries. She told me that if I were to get pregnant the day after my last Radiation treatment day, that the baby would be fine!
Please pray that they spot in my lungs is nothing and that the Radiation worked it's magic. Pray that we have a safe trip to and from San Francisco.
Thanks for reading!
Today is National Cancer Survivor's Day! In my journey, I've learned that it is very important to celebrate the little things... even if its a National day!
I have an appointment with my Surgeon today. Im happy that he's back to work. I can't wait to see him and see for myself how he's doing. As I type, my husband is driving us to San Francisco! Im looking forward to seeing the city and the water! Hopefully we will get to have lunch there too! It's been a while since we've had to make this trip. Today's appointment is a scheduled check-up on how my leg is doing.
Here is a picture of my outfit today. It's no secret that Im obsessed with Stella & Dot. Today, Im wearing the gorgeous Green Stone Sutton Necklace with the Palm Springs Nave Stripe Elephant scarf! S&D makes me happy!
As soon as Im done with this appointment, I will tell you all what happened once I get home!
Question & Answer
I get asked a few of the same questions all the time. So I wanted to take a couple minutes to answer them all on here in case anyone else has similar questions.
Q: Does your leg hurt?
A: I won't sugar coat it... Radiation hurts really, really bad! I told my husband last night that it hurts like I just had surgery. Seriously. Bad.
Q: Are you Cancer-free yet?
A: No, not yet. Well, I guess I could be but, I haven't heard it from the doctors yet. I have a couple steps that need to happen before
Q: What are the next steps?
A: My next step is to get a PET CT (cancer) Scan of my right leg to see if the Radiation worked
Q: When is that PET CT Scan scheduled for?
A: As of right now, I don't have this scan scheduled. Right now, my Doctors are waiting for the Radiation side-effects to subside. When I still have a burn, this means that the Radiation is still working. If I was to get a scan now, it very well could come back positive for Cancer because the Radiation is still working. However, if we wait, once the side effects are done, then the scan will give a muck more truer read. I will then know if the Radiation worked, or if we will need to proceed to Plan B.
Q: How are you walking? Can you walk?
A: Im walking really well!! Actually right now I have a limp. The massive Radiation burn is on the inner side of my right leg, then it wraps around the backside of my knee joint. Because if this, it really hurts to bend my leg. Sitting at a chair is the absolute worst. However if Im sitting with my leg straight, then it is much easier! However, after surgery and prior to this burn, I have been waling surprisingly well! I love it when people haven't seen me in a while and they are so surprised by how well Im doing!
Q: What about that spot that was on your lung... What was it?
A: In short.. I don't know and we hope too find out more from my surgeon today. Since he was ill I haven't been able to talk to him directly about it. I do know that the Cancer in my leg had not entered my blood stream, which means that the Sarcoma had not spread to my lungs. I do know that the spot is still there though. I could very well be a spot from when I had Bronchitis twice last year. I don't know if they will continue to monitor it or not.
Q: After having Radiation, can you still have babies?
A: I sure hope so!! Technically, I don't know. My Radiation Oncologist told me that the Radiation that is delivered now-a-days is so concentrated only to the one area that they want to treat that it is highly unlikely that even scatter Radiation hit my ovaries. She told me that if I were to get pregnant the day after my last Radiation treatment day, that the baby would be fine!
Please pray that they spot in my lungs is nothing and that the Radiation worked it's magic. Pray that we have a safe trip to and from San Francisco.
Thanks for reading!
Saturday, February 1, 2014
Peak of Pain
I hope you all had a great Saturday!
I can't believe it is already February! February is my birthday month, so I get extra excited!
Burn, Baby, BURN!
I woke up today and I was in a ton of pain. I asked my husband to snap a couple photos of my radiation area. I feel like these photos really capture the height of pain that I am feeling.
Radiation hurts like a really bad burn... Every minute I'm reminded of the burn. I know that the burn I feel is burning the Cancer so it really makes me happy, in some weird way!!
Peak Pain Day
Good News! Yesterday was the peak pain day! This means that each day starting today, I should only get better and better! Yesterday was my peak day because the Radiation continues to burn for an entire 7 days after my last day of treatment, until I hit the peak (7th day).
And then the nurses snapped these photos of me!
By the time I got down off of the table, all the nurses in the room were crying! Apparently, they loved me and were all so happy that this was over for me! They told me that they will always remember my positive attitude, and in the sweetest way told me that they never hope to see me again... Well, at least not in Radiation Oncology.
Later that evening, I got to go to dinner with Nate and his Boss! His Boss, Taylor brought her husband, and Nate's co-worker, Matt brought his Wife Katie! If your following me.. all 6 of us had a fantastic dinner! IT was so nice to finally put faces and personalities to the people that I've heard about at home. I only wish we could all go out to dinner (all 6 of us), again!
Please pray for the healing of my leg. Pray that the pain subsides. Pray that I'm able to get good sleep with no pain.
Thank you for reading!
I can't believe it is already February! February is my birthday month, so I get extra excited!
Burn, Baby, BURN!
I woke up today and I was in a ton of pain. I asked my husband to snap a couple photos of my radiation area. I feel like these photos really capture the height of pain that I am feeling.
Radiation hurts like a really bad burn... Every minute I'm reminded of the burn. I know that the burn I feel is burning the Cancer so it really makes me happy, in some weird way!!
Peak Pain Day
Good News! Yesterday was the peak pain day! This means that each day starting today, I should only get better and better! Yesterday was my peak day because the Radiation continues to burn for an entire 7 days after my last day of treatment, until I hit the peak (7th day).
Last Day of Radiation
Speaking of last Friday, I must share with you some highlights of that very special day! I was so thankful that my Mom took the day off to be with me and make the day so memorable. The whole day felt like a huge party! I arrived at the Radiation center and went to the changing room. I waited for only a few minutes before they called my name over the loud speaker... only this time, instead of saying "Jennifer" they called out "HEY PARTY GIRL, COME ON DOWN!" The last Treatment seemed to go by quicker than any other day! When I was done, the nurses allowed me to snap this photo of 'My view" of the Radiation machine. You can see my right leg elevated in the 'cradle' higher than my left leg. The right leg is elevated higher, so that when the large (dark grey) radiation machine rotates to my left side, the radiation only hits my right leg and misses my left leg all together.
And then the nurses snapped these photos of me!
By the time I got down off of the table, all the nurses in the room were crying! Apparently, they loved me and were all so happy that this was over for me! They told me that they will always remember my positive attitude, and in the sweetest way told me that they never hope to see me again... Well, at least not in Radiation Oncology.
ALL DONE!
Later that evening, I got to go to dinner with Nate and his Boss! His Boss, Taylor brought her husband, and Nate's co-worker, Matt brought his Wife Katie! If your following me.. all 6 of us had a fantastic dinner! IT was so nice to finally put faces and personalities to the people that I've heard about at home. I only wish we could all go out to dinner (all 6 of us), again!
Please pray for the healing of my leg. Pray that the pain subsides. Pray that I'm able to get good sleep with no pain.
Thank you for reading!
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