November Update
This past Monday I returned from a truly spectacular Mexican getaway with my brother, my sister-in-law, my husband and my brother’s closest friends, who are also my friends. We had perfect weather and perfect everything. I’m no longer the one jumping on board for every adventure. Instead, you will find me by the pool. It’s been hard to adjust to my new, slow-paced lifestyle, but I’m trying! We stayed in the most beautiful home, which made relaxing so much more enjoyable.
On Tuesday, I had a PET scan, a blood draw and an appointment with my oncologist. In the cancer world there is much talk about scan-xiety due to worry, needles and/or claustrophobia. Thankfully, I do not have this issue. I cried a few times on Tuesday though. I just felt tired. Cancer tired. Cancer treatment tired. Tired tired.
My scan came out the same again! For a year now it has not been better and it has not been worse with the exception of my pleural effusion. If you read my last update, you know that I had my right lung sac drained about a week and a half ago. They insert a tube into your back between the two lowest ribs. I had it drained for two reasons. First, it causes a full feeling in my back, like I’m laying on a tennis ball. Secondly, it makes my blood oxygen saturation fall, which isn’t good. On my latest scan, the fluid shows the same amount of fluid and not less, meaning that it has already come back. I will likely have it drained again before too long. This pleural effusion will probably be an uphill battle from here on out. Unfortunately I developed a syndrome from the draining. I forgot the name of the syndrome, but it’s where the pleural sac (lung sac) has nerve pain after the procedure. The syndrome is characterized by all kinds of weird little things. A pain near my spine when a breathe deeply. A rubbing feeling in my lower lung. An occasional sharp pain into my shoulder or abdomen. Things like that. It might go away and it might not. I can deal with it better now that I know what it is.
Soon I’m going to have a blood DNA test to see if my body has become resistant to one of my medications (letrozole) because resistance is common after using it for one year. If I am resistant, this medication will be changed.
I recently wrote down my cancer history. Here is a link if you haven’t already seen it: History. As I reread what I had written, I realized that it’s a factual play-by-play. I have decided that I am going use this history in the Shadows section of this website as well, but I’m going to add my thoughts and feelings to it. My hope is that by doing this, it will be helpful to others who find themselves in similar situations. It’s going to take a while to write, so I’m going to publish it in sections. The first section should be ready soon.
I have published a new page to this website! I’ve begun adding some of the many travel documents I have made over the years. Check it out here: Travel Docs
Thank you again for checking in. Sometimes I am not good at getting back to people. If you have reached out and I haven’t responded, I apologize. Please feel free to try again. :) I and my family truly appreciate your care, time and prayers.
