06/21/2023
Hey all!! It’s been a while so I have an update for you. So the last post I made I went on about radiation and I’m not sure if it was the radiation or the chemo but it’s working. The huge tumors on my chest have shrunk significantly and I’m hoping others have as well. We will do a scan sometime in July. Since my last radiation I’ve had chemo a few times and many other things….I ended up with some incredible hip pain and leg weakness to the point I had to get a Walker just to even move around the house. One really bad day I was stuck on the couch and had to actually be lifted into my bed by Austin. By far my worst day and not my finest moment and I cried my eyes out with my inability to function. The doctor didn’t like my leg weakness so we did some testing….we did a total spine MRI (since we already knew my brain was clear) as well as MRIs of my hips and where I was super confident after my hours of MRIs I was given bad news….they found cancer in both my spine and my hips. Which again led to a minor melt down on the drive home. The cancer in my spine is on my T1-4 vertebrae (mostly T1/2) and was “leaking” into my spinal cord. And the cancer in my hips was a little confusing as they said there’s visible muscle inflammation but only cancer visible in the right side (but both sides were equally painful) so that confused me. Anyways I’ve since done another whole week of radiation on my spine to stop the cancer from reaching my spinal cord as that would be terrible news.
I finished up my radiation last week and had round four of chemo today. To which we discovered I am infact allergic to it and did need a bit of Benadryl to get through this round and coming rounds. As much as I hate Benadryl I really don’t much like itching and sneezing and all of that either. My blood work wasn’t real great today but well enough for chemo anyways. Last blood work we had a bit of a worry as my platelets were nearly dangerous but this super impressive body I have just kicks ass and recovers all on its own.
I am now drinking protein shakes in addition to my daily meals as the weight loss hasn’t quit since my hospital stay and while I enjoy losing weight and “looking good” they are less than pleased with my appetite and the fact I’ve lost 45+ lbs so today I’m proud to say I gained just about 3lbs back in two weeks!
Yesterday I received bad/sad news that a fellow cancer warrior received his wings after six years of ruthless fighting. And to see the kind words from everyone and the impact he left in the world I couldn’t help but hope that when I’m gone I’m forever remembered as he is. Many people have said “you’re so strong”, “I don’t know how you do it, I never could” and many other things along those lines but truthfully what other choice does one have….I’ll always fight for a “normal” life and to achieve my goals and wants and I will always always chose to laugh rather than cry about it. Ill have days of pain, defeat and my own pity parties but in the end I’m going to choose to laugh rather than cry.
Anyways Austin has picked up much of the slack here at home with the animal chores and my family and friends have helped with cleaning the house on my hard days and have been my company during radiation weeks and to say I’m thankful, grateful, and blessed is truly an understatement. Thank you all for your kind words and gifts as all are appreciated and loved. Keep praying all, it’s still very needed to defeat this wicked beast.
Enjoy some pictures 💙 love y’all
