Thank you so much!

Sometimes we go through life and have moments of wondering if anyone really cares. We all do! Not in a "oh poor me" pity kind of way, but just a, "here I am with my little circle and that's ok," sort of way. Make sense? Or maybe it's just me! LOL. Anyway... my point being... I had no idea how many amazing and wonderful people I have in my life!!!!

News of my cancer began to spread like wildfire! It's one of those things you hear about happening to other people, ya know, a child becomes very ill, word spreads, and people all over, known and unknown, are praying and supporting a family they don't even know! We've all been on that end of a story. I guess I didn't realize that it actually does happen and how incredible it really is!

Every day we were getting calls and emails from people encouraging us, praying for us, and letting us know who they passed the information on to. There were churches, schools, bible study groups, prayer chains, and families all over the united states lifting me and my family in prayer!! I still can't fathom it!! I read every single email over and over again, soaking in the truth and faith that people were sharing. I had so many visitors while in the hospital; I made a list and counted 50 people that had come on gone throughout my stay! 50! Each of you that visited, called, emailed, sent cards and flowers... THANK YOU!!

This road has not been easy, but knowing that so many of you care and support us, has made the biggest difference; I cannot even express my gratitude with words. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that your prayers have made the difference in my diagnosis, recovery, and each day from here on out. God heard every prayer and my heart will be forever changed from experiencing Christ's love in such a way, through all of you.

Galatians 6:2, "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."

Surgery Day!

Wednesday, May 11th was surgery day! We were told that I would be going in around to 2:00pm, and to our surprise they came to get me at 9:30am! Frank was able to stay with me as they wheeled my bed into the pre-surgery room. My surgeon, Dr. Sorour, came to greet us and by 10:15 I was in the operating room. All I can remember was lying under the large, bright lights as different doctors and nurses introduced themselves and comforted me. I don’t remember anything after that. From what I was told, surgery lasted two and a half hours, and while I was under, family and friends waited in the waiting room.

I remember waking up back in my room, Room 269. I saw and heard Frank and my parents around me. Of course I was in and out for quite a while, but I remember knowing that everything was ok!

I had stage 2 colon cancer in my cecum, in the right side of my colon. The mass was large and very much “alive”. I know this is gross, but it was actually sucking my blood. This explains the anemia I had dealt with! The doctor removed the entire right side of my colon and was able to reattach everything so that I did not have to have a colostomy bag. My incision was about 12 inches top to bottom, and I counted about 36 staples. It was a little shocking the first time I saw it, that’s for sure! The cancer had spread to the lymph channels, the bridge right before it would enter the lymph nodes. Dr. Sorour removed 36 lymph nodes and all of them tested negative. We were so thankful when the doctors let us know they got it just in time!

It’s kind of strange because we all felt like I had cancer for three days. We discovered it Monday and by Wednesday it was gone! In reality, we know that I had cancer for about two years, but we are thankful that in the whirlwind of that week it was all taken care of. I was so at peace on Wednesday night, knowing that I was cancer free and on my way to a healthy life.

Psalm 91:1-2, “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.”

If Gramps can do it, I can do it...

Tuesday was a day of uncertainty. The news was setting in for all of us and we were each beginning to deal with it in our own ways. There were some emotional moments, yet there was still such a peace that was constantly reassuring us that everything was going to be alright.

My husband was unbelievably strong. He cared for me, made sure I had what I needed, made me laugh, and got busy on all of the paperwork. Mom, Dad, and Laura sat with me, bringing humor to every possible aspect. My brother, Alyssa, and Meg drove in from Las Vegas, which was the greatest surprise and meant so much. Frank and Ruth brought care and laughter, as well as so many other family members and friends. We were overwhelmed with love and support; it was surreal.

We found out on Tuesday afternoon that I was scheduled for surgery the next day. What a relief! This meant the cancer would be gone and health was on the way!! I sent Frank home on Tuesday night to get some sleep, since he had been with me since Monday morning. I wanted him awake and rested for surgery day! My mom stayed with me Tuesday night, and it is a night I will remember as long as I live…

To prepare for surgery I had to drink more colon prep and take 24 antibiotic pills; all of this on an empty stomach, mind you. At this point I still hadn’t even had a sip of water since Monday morning! Needless to say this didn’t sit well. I was so sick that night. Between the headache, the vomiting, the dizziness, and the intense pain where my cancer was, I can honestly say that I have never experienced that much pain and discomfort. I remember finally settling down and lying still, when the nurse came in to increase my potassium. She put it through my IV and left the room. Within a few seconds of it hitting my blood stream, it was as if I left my body. For some reason I couldn’t handle it as it pained and crippled my hand. While I was screaming, my mom got the nurse and she stopped the flow, flushing it with saline.

I remember sitting on the edge of my bed, crying, while my mom was praying over me. It was truly the worst night of my life, the biggest battle I had ever faced, and I felt like I couldn’t do it… why did I have to go through this…I can’t make it! And then in a moment, I could. I looked at my mom and said, “If Gramps can do it, I can do it.” See, just recently, my 83 year old grandfather had gone through 9 weeks of radiation and treatments for prostate cancer, and he had done it with strength and resolve. If he did, then I can!

The next morning, I woke up with my mom still next to me. When I opened my eyes she said, “You did it. You made it through the worst night of your life. If you made it through that, you can make it through anything.”

Since that moment, I still say, “If Gramps can do it, I can do it.” Thank you, Gramps. Your positive attitude, your strength, and your perseverance have helped me know that I too can walk through this season with a joyful heart.

P.S. We got the report back yesterday (6/29/11) that Gramps’ radiation worked and he is cancer free! Good job Gramps!! Thank you, Lord!!!

Deuteronomy 31:8, “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid and do not be discouraged.”

Monday, May 9, 2011... Diagnosis

Good morning! Here, drink another bottle of pure yuckiness so you can go have your colonoscopy!! Oh how I loathe those preps!

After my bout with severe anemia, my doctor wanted to get to the bottom of things. Afterall, there is no reason or any sign of me losing so much blood. He did not figure in finding anything, but he ordered a colonoscopy just to "say we did" and have it on file as a starting point.

So there we were, my husband and I, waiting patiently for my turn. Mind you, I am starving since this is Monday and I haven’t had anything but water since Saturday evening. After some delays, my name is called. I go in, have the procedure, and the next thing I know, I am coming out of my anesthesia, apparently a little too early…

I woke up and turned to see the doctor and my husband standing there. And I hear what I never expected, “I’m sorry sir, I believe your wife has cancer.” It became a whirlwind after that. I went from grogginess to hearing talks of surgery, getting in a wheel chair, wheeled outside to the corner crosswalk, across the street, and directly into a bed at Lodi Memorial. Laying in the bed, I remember looking at Frank and saying, “ I might have cancer?” So many questions filled our minds, but at the same time, we were filled with so much peace. He sat by my side and said, “Honey, its ok. God is in control and He is going to see us through. We trust him.”

A while later my mom and sister arrived with hugs, followed by my dad, my in-laws, and many friends. I had a CT scan to see if the diagnosis was cancer and if so, had it spread. It was late in the evening when the results came back that it was indeed colon cancer, but praise the Lord, it was contained! I remember looking around the room after the doctor left. There were at least 15 people gathered around Frank and I, sharing in that moment with us. There were tears, but the room wasn’t filled with panic and chaos, rather a gentle peace rested among us as different people began to pray.

From that point on, we knew that even though this was the beginning of a road we never expected, we had truly experienced Philippians 4:7, “And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

From the Beginning...Anemia

A few years ago, I began to not feel well. At first I had your basic chest colds and flues and tiredness. As time went on, I began to get sick more often, to the point that I was sick EVERY weekend. And that is not an exaggeration; I mean every. Of course we all related it to the seasons and to the fact that I was a preschool teacher and I picked up the germs of my kids. After a while, being sick and exhausted became "normal" for me, so it didn't really phase me that something terrible could be wrong. It was just how I lived. Looking back, I realize how sad it was that I went through each day in such a way. My husband and I didn't really go anywhere, or get involved in many activities, as I was too tired to do anything. It was the last few months of 2010 that my tiredness began effecting me in a greater way. Just the thought of getting up to change the laundry made me cry.

I went to the doctor to have blood work done and we found out that I was slightly anemic, so I began taking a small dose of iron. It didn't make much of a difference, and by late March, we knew it wasn't enough. I ended up in the ER at Lodi Memorial. After more blood tests, we found that my blood levels had dropped to a 7.8, half of the blood a person should have. By the end of the night, I was being transfused with two units of blood.

Needless to say, with a new blood level of 11, I felt so much better! I began taking 975 mg of iron every day and I felt like a new person!! I was finally on a new path and really "living" for the first time in years!!

God had answered our prayers and we were so excited to have a fresh start!

Recap!

Two years later... it's just one of those things. I didn't write for a lack of happenings, good grief no! Too much happening I suppose! But alas, it is time to begin again...
Over the past two years, let's see:



I graduated with 2 Associate degrees!



Our dog had 9 puppies!



I taught preschool at Blessed Beginnings!

We bought our first home!



And I found out I had CANCER!

Yep! I'd say its been an exciting few years!