Post surgical update

For times sake, I am posting my caring bridge entry...I am starting to see the sun shine, so I anticipate updating my blog on a more frequent basis.  Thanks for having patience with me on this journey of healing.

Today's caring bridge entry:

Watch out world, I’m baaaacckkk!!


For those who have been wondering how I’ve been doing, I am sorry that I haven’t updated my caring bridge since I had surgery on the 3rd…

I am not sure what happened but when I woke up from surgery, I found myself in tears…the only thing I can think of is that my body finally said “ENOUGH!!” The next day, I started running a fever which won me another night stay at Sanford. I was than able to go home on Friday with two drains and two antibiotics, thankfully I didn’t have much pain—just mild discomfort. Last week, I continued to fight the blaahh’s and after having the drains in for 9 days, this past Friday I was able to bid them “Good bye”—yipee!! (Thankfully, I am starting to feel better and stronger each day)

I do have an update concerning my recent oncology appt. A few weeks back when I visited with my oncologists she recommended a medication called Zometa. This medication is typically given when cancer has spread to the bones. Recently there have been some studies that have shown that Zometa may offer protective benefits for breast cancer patients whose cancer hasn't spread, possible up to a 30% decrease in reoccurrence rates. Zometa is a long acting medication and given by IV every 6 months. I was scheduled for the IV Zometa tomorrow afternoon and really worried about some of the potential side effects of high fever, flu like symptoms and horrible bone pain especially as my body continues to feel pretty weary trying to heal from my recent surgery. So, this morning I sent out a pray request to a special group of ladies that I typically have lunch with on Tuesday and asked for them to pray, specifically that if this plan wasn’t safe for me at this time, that God would close the doors and if I did get the IV Zometa, my side effects would be few...Since with this medicine there is a chance of jaw necrosis, today I saw an endodontic specialist to make sure my teeth, jaw bone, etc are healthy. Well…I don’t know if this is good or bad news, but I do know that God heard their prayers. The endodontic specialists recommended that I have a redo of a root canal…urrggghhh and yuck! I am thankful though that this could possible help prevent a very bad long term complication from the Zometa. Too be honest, I don’t know how this all fits into the “plan” and it is a struggle to not think of it as one more “hurdle”…I am trusting in God to provide and work in miraculous ways. As of now, I am scheduled for a root canal on April 5th and will be receiving the IV Zometa soon thereafter.

It is interesting as I think back on these past few weeks; I am beginning to wonder if I am not in transition to the next stage of healing. When first diagnosed with breast cancer, I was in the VICTIM stage. Something bad invaded my body, what was I going to do? Then through treatment, I was in the SURVIVOR stage…aggressively and eagerly approaching treatment, researching the latest treatment plans regarding cancer, nutrition and health, and developing my faith foundation. Now, I believe, I am transitioning into the THRIVER stage…learning how to live with my treatment choices, exploring what God has planned for my life and continuing to build on my faith foundation, and exploring the opportunity of walking beside others who find themselves on the cancer journey, hoping my experiences can help make theirs a bit easier.

As of now, I am unsure if and when I will do another caring bridge update…but if you’re interested you can read my latest ramblings, thoughts and ideas on my blog.

I THANK EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS, SUPPORT, AND LOVE FOR ME ON THIS JOURNEY! YOU MADE OUR JOURNEY A LOT EASIER! MAY YOU KNOW THAT THERE IS A MIGHTY GOD WHO LOVES AND CARES FOR YOU!!

MAY GOD SHINE HIS BLESSINGS ON EACH OF YOU!!