Wait Some More...

Not much to tell in regards to my appointment yesterday with Dr Boll. She said the left side looked much better, but still wants to wait "a few more months". How long, I just don't know. It's already been 6 months. She wants the skin discoloration to go away completely before she messes with it. The skin is so thin in that area and she says it needs more time to heal and hopefully regenerate. We were really hoping I could wrap up my final surgery before the end of the year, but it's not looking like that will happen. So....next year we'll get to start all over AGAIN with our insurance and pay out of pocket until we reach our max. Super. I certainly don't want to rush things like we have in the past because I DO NOT want to have to deal with months and months of open wounds again. It is what it is and I have a lot to be grateful for.

This Week's Line Up

Today at 12:30pm...see Dr Boll, my plastic surgeon

Tuesday at 10:00am...see Dr Udall and get Jake's purple cast OFF!!!

Tuesday at 2:30pm...pelvic ultrasound

Wednesday at 2:30pm...see Dr Layton, my OB/GYN, for my yearly stuff

Thursday....big boys get out of school early at 11:30am for Parent/Teacher conferences.

12:15pm... meet w/Luke's teacher Mrs. Jones. 12:30pm... meet w/Ty's teacher Mrs. Sisson

Friday....go to the cabin!! This time we're taking some of our favorite friends w/us...Chad, Trisha and kids!!

AWESOME NEWS!!

I got a phone call this evening from Dr. Obenchain. Apparently she didn't realize that I was scheduled to see her on Monday afternoon, but I am SO GLAD she called tonight! Instead of waiting 4 more days, she told me today that my PETscan and MRI came back GOOD!! There is an area on my right ovary, but I know that had shown up before in my previous scans. Dr Obenchain said these PETscans don't show very good images of the pelvis, so she suggests we have an ultrasound done just to get a better view of it. She doesn't think it's any thing to worry about, but I'm glad she's looking into it a little further. I didn't get a report on my bloodwork yet, but the PETscan is what I have been worried about the most.

WooHoo!!

I'm so happy and relieved!!

More Tests To Come...

I finally found out yesterday when my PET scan and MRI will be.

It's scheduled for next Wed at 10am but I will be checking in at 8:30. I am glad that both tests will be done that day, at the same location. I had my blood work done this week, but don't know what the results are just yet.

As far as how I'm feeling, nothing has changed. Still achey. Still have occasional headaches. Still dealing with some major anxiety. Still fatigued. I am trying to not let all of this get me down and some days are better than others. I try to continue on with my daily tasks and occasionally go to the gym, but it is difficult to do so when my body hurts. I hate that I'm not very productive most days. The days that I do have to run errands or go to appts, I am worn out. Good times!

I have started this book "Master Your Metabolism" by Jillian Michaels. It is such a great, informative book. I am hoping that by implementing her ideas, it will be one way to help get my body feeling and looking good again. I HIGHLY recommend this book to all of my friends, especially the women.

New Doctor

We met with my new oncologist this morning!

Dr Obenchain is very calm, soft spoken, and very thorough. I didn't feel rushed at all with her...and she gave me a hug before I left :) She spent quite a bit of time with us, writing down my past medical history, family history, current complaints, etc. She then did an exam and discovered that my thyroid is enlarged. That was news to me. She understood my concern for my achey body, but as far as my symptoms go, she doesn't think it is caused by cancer in the bones. She wants to do a PET scan, MRI of the brain, and a panel of blood work that will check my thyroid, an arthritic panel, as well as the usual CBC and CMP. She isn't too concerned about my headaches, but knows that I will be more at ease if I know for sure that all is well. I told her that I constantly have the nagging thought that I will end up like my sister Carrie....by the time we found out that her Stage 2 breast cancer was back, it was already in her brain, bones, lungs, and liver.

Needless to say, I am very happy with my doctor!

I feel comfortable with her and confident that she really is concerned for me. I will follow up with her on Sept 28th...by that time, she should have all of my test results. I am so sick and tired of dr's appts and tests, but I hope this latest round of tests will finally put some of my fears to rest. Once we get the results, she will then figure out the best treatment plan/medication for me to help combat my depression/anxiety without affecting the Tamoxifen.

My only regret is not switching to her SOONER!

Broken Bones...Achey Bodies

My happiness didn't last long....

A couple of hours after receiving the good news from my dr, Jake and his brothers were on the trampoline. Jake got hurt, and now one week later, we finally saw the orthopedic specialist who says he has a toddler fracture on his tibia. So Jake now has a full leg cast (from upper thigh to his toes) and he walks like a cowboy who's been riding for a looong time. So sad, but luckily he will get the cast off in about 2 weeks and should be fine after that. I feel so bad for Jake :(

In other news...

I am finally getting my breast MRI done today and tomorrow I see my new oncologist, Dr. Obenchain. I am anxious to talk to her and get her opinions/advice on a few things. Most of all, I am hoping she can give some insight as to why my body has been feeling the way it has. For the last 3 weeks, my whole body (bones, joints, back) has been so sore and stiff. The soreness has not gone away at all. I wake up in the morning sore and I go to bed at night sore. Occasionally I will have a headache added to it. I'm also extremely fatigued and could sleep the day away if I had the chance. Although my breast biopsy came back fine, I still have this nagging thought in my mind about the cancer being in my bones now. I'm sure that's not the case, but it's nearly impossible to NOT think things like that, especially when you've had cancer before. It could just be my medication? or stress? or arthritis?

I hope to know more tomorrow!!

The Results Are IN....

I just got a call from Dr. Schuster.....it's BENIGN!!

I am so full of relief and gratitude.

I am emotional now as I sit here thinking about my 3 little boys. It was heart wrenching to think of the possibility of having to tell them that mommy's cancer was back. I am so extremely grateful to my Heavenly Father for allowing me more precious time in mortality with my boys and husband.

Thank you to those who kept us in your prayers!

Oh HaPpY Day!!