Placement of Port

On Friday I had the port put in. This is a little device in the shape of a triangle and about an inch thick that sits just below my skin in my chest and then a tube travels up into my neck and into a vein. It will make life a lot easier as it will be like a temporary IV that will stay in for 6 months. When blood is needed for tests or dye and medicines need to go in, the nurses and doctors can access the port. I was awake for the procedure which was kind of creepy. They sedated me a little but I could feel the doctor pulling on my skin.

Here is a picture as I was recovering. They kept me there for about an hour after the procedure to make sure that things were fine. I was just glad that I didn't have to stay the night.



I've been pretty sore the past couple days and Friday afternoon when we got home, I crashed and slept for a few hours. Today it is sore and the incision where the port is, itches like crazy. Hopefully it will feel better in a couple days.

Chemotherapy---here we come!!

I thought it might be best to update my cancer news on this blog. I haven't been too great at updating other items of news.

For a summary:
On Jun 30, I had a colonoscopy that was ordered by my doctor because of blood in the stool. The colonoscopy found a tumor that had malignant tissues. On Jul 7, I went into surgery and about 10 inches of my colon was removed that contained the tumor. The doctor also took out 31 lymph nodes. The results were that the cancer had penetrated the colon wall and one lymph node was infected with cancer.

Today I met with my oncologist (cancer specialist) and we discussed my treatment plan. I officially have Stage 3 colon cancer (due to the one lymph node that is infected) and I start chemotherapy on August 12. The chemo will last for 12 treatments over 6 months. I will have a port inserted in my chest which lies just below the skin and the chemo will be administered through the port. I do not have to go through radiation which is great news. Things look really good and I really liked my doctor. He says that because I am young and healthy, I should do OK with the chemo. When the chemo is done I will still have about a 20% chance that the cancer will return, so that is why there is continued monitoring which will consist of blood tests, CAT scans, and colonoscopies for the next 5-6 years.

I feel really good about all of this and am determined to beat this. Oh yeah and the other good news is that I will keep my hair. It might not grow too fast and it might thin but I most likely won't go bald. My brothers will be glad that they don't have to shave their heads with me. :)

I will continue to update the progress. I have been so blessed through this whole trial by such great family, friends, co-workers and neighbors. Thanks to all...it means a lot to know that so many are thinking of and praying for me.


I had to attach a couple of cute pictures that I took while recuperating at the family cabin.

My cute mom and I painted whirligigs to go in flower pots. They were so fun to do and I was so proud of my mom for painting outside the box (she usually needs a detailed pattern to follow). They are fun to watch when they get spinning.





Here is a picture of cute BriAnn and Amelia. BriAnn's hair was static clinging to the sides of the swing but she squealed with delight when anyone pushed her. The swing set was a new toy at the cabin and a huge hit.

Christmas Tree

Here is our new Christmas tree. It looks so much better than the 6' pencil tree we used the last couple years. My country type ornaments and rafia bows just won't look the same on this tree so it looks like I'll have to do a 2nd tree downstairs...but not this year. It's all I could do to get this one all decorated in time for December.

Utah Thanksgiving

I forgot to take pictures of the dinner...but I did take pictures of the aftermath. Here is one load of dishes....

and here is the other.

We had Thanksgiving with Mike's parents and it was an enjoyable feast. Our turkey turned out so moist...I think it must have been because I didn't cook a monstrous bird.

We went to Aunt Nancy's for pie and the raisin tradition to say what we are thankful for. I am most thankful this Thanksgiving to be able to walk and for Mike and all his patience.

Monitors Galore

Here is Mike's early Christmas/Birthday present to himself. He built himself a new computer and talked me into letting him get 3 monitors. He is in heaven and I don't think I'll be able to get him out of his office.

Graduation

Today I graduated from Physical Therapy. YEAH!!! After 38 appointments, I have learned so much and come a long way. Today I was able to bend my knee to 125 degrees on my own and Charles (my therapist) was able to push it to 130 degrees. My good leg only bends to 135 degrees so this is a huge success and better than I could have hoped for.

We did a little recap today of all the progress I have made. When I first went to Charles, I could only bend my leg to 50 degrees but after the manipulation (where the doctor put me out and bent it for me) and the steroid pack (to reduce the swelling) I am happy to see how far I have come. I still have to continue working it so that it doesn't freeze back up.

My ruined summer

I ruined my 2007 summer with a serious knee injury. I was on vacation at my family's cabin up in Washington riding horses. I love to ride bareback and I was trying to get back on after helping my nephew Brigham off my mom's horse. As I jumped from a rock wall to get back on the horse I didn't quite make it so I was going to slide off and start again. The horse was moving forward and when my leg hit the ground it hyperextended from the side and crushed and fractured my tibia. So for the past 5 months I have been working on getting better.

This is before surgery.

This is after surgery and shows all the metal they put in my leg.


I was in the hospital for 9 days mostly just WAITING for surgeries.


Here it is unwrapped with the sutures still in place (48 stitches).


And here is my leg as it is today. I have been rubbing cocoa butter on it morning and night to help the scars to fade.



And here is the last apparatus that I use to help me walk. I was unable to put any weight on my leg for 3 months. I am so glad to be done with the wheelchair, walker, elevated toilet seat, leg brace, and shower seat. I'm finally feeling like a normal person again.


I have so much to be thankful for this holiday season. I was asked to contribute to the ward newsletter for November and here is what I said:

Since my knee injury in June, I have had a lot of time to reflect on all that I am grateful for. I am so thankful and have a new appreciation for healthy legs that can take us from place to place without pain. I am grateful for doctors who can take metal plates, brackets, donor bone, and lots of screws and make a crushed bone function right again. I am thankful for a dedicated physical therapist who continues to give me new exercises to help strengthen my muscles and bones so that I can walk normal again. I am thankful to my great husband Mike who has been so patient and learned how to become domestic. He has had to take over the cooking, laundry, cleaning the house, catering to my needs, and taking care of the yard and all this he has done without complaint. I am thankful to be in a ward that is so caring and is willing to help out in any way with dinners, rides to therapy and just a concerned call to see how things are going. And most importantly I am thankful for a Heavenly Father who listens to my many prayers and pleadings to make me well again. I have so much to be thankful for and the blessings continue to pour in.

I am also thankful for my family who helped me while in the hospital in Washington while Mike was working in New York. I don't know how I could have lasted 9 days without their daily visits and sometimes overnight stays. Mom and Alison...you are the best.

I have learned so much from this experience...especially patience.