The Final Countdown Begins!

Yesterday was an interesting day.  I can't think of a better word to describe it without being negative and that's just not my style.  I had a test called a Gastrografin.  It was awful.  I don't wish it on my worst enemy.  The test was uncomfortable and the after effects were really not pleasant.  I won't go into details but it made it seem like a colonoscopy is a walk in the park.  On the positive side, I have no leaks in my intestines so I am ready to have the reversal!

After the test, I went to see the surgeon for my pre-op appointment.  That appointment went very well.  It was very exciting for me.  There is no prep for the surgery which is great.  Clear liquids for the day before surgery but I can handle that.  Rita's counts as clear liquids!  I will be in the hospital 3 nights and will be able to return to my normal activities as I feel up to it.  They said they would approve me for 4 weeks off from work but you know I will be back in less than two.  I can't sit home that long.  I will have to take care of my wound where my stoma was.  They let it close on it's own so I will have an open wound for a week or so.  I'm sure it will heal quickly.

Life after surgery will be interesting.  It will take a couple of weeks for my body to get used to things being back to normal.  The surgeon told me to be patient and kind to myself.  He is sure in a couple of weeks that things will be normal and I will be on my way with my usual busy life.  I have to modify my diet for the first two weeks with low fiber diet.  There could be some swelling and he doesn't want anything to get stuck like the last time.  Of course that diet doesn't help with making going to the bathroom normal but I will deal with it.

So, now it's just 2 weeks away until my surgery.  The countdown has started (well it started a while ago) but the official countdown has started!

Cancer Free!

I received great news today.  I am officially cancer free!  I beat cancer!  I am a cancer survivor!  The news hasn't quite set in yet.  I worried all day today waiting for my results.  When my doctor said the CT Scan was clear I was so elated.  Words just can't express how I feel yet.  Now just one little surgery and this journey will come to an end.

I have been trying to get back to my old self.  I played 9 holes of golf last Thursday, went on two bike rides this past weekend and swam this morning.  Granted, I am really out of shape and it's going to take me a while to get back where I was but I am happy to be doing my activities again.  I can not wait to kayak on Wednesday morning.  I love to be out on the river early in the morning when all is quiet.  So exciting.

I do want to spend the next three and a half weeks before surgery trying to get in good shape.  After all, I have to be able to beat the grannies around the hallway.  I can't let them beat me!  Besides that, I think I will just do better under anesthesia and recovering if I am in good shape.  Granted, I won't be in great shape but I think good shape will cut it.

It was tough for me on Sunday during my ride with Venture Outdoors to be the slowest one in the group.  I have never been the slowest before.  It was a big piece of humble pie to eat.  I kept having to remind myself that I wasn't even out 2 weeks from chemo and I need to cut myself a break.  I did much better swimming this morning knowing I wouldn't be able to do the workout with my teammates.  But you just watch out, come the end of the summer, I know I will be back to my old self and preparing for my big bike vacation in the southern outer banks.

One Step Closer

I had my last chemo treatment yesterday.  It was a great day.  I was nervous that my blood levels would not be good enough but they were.  The nurses started to do a dance in the hallway they were so excited.  I was excited too.  As much as I dreaded getting chemo and not feeling well, I just wanted to be done.  I was able to have a great weekend feeling well and knowing that I'll be feeling well again made it OK. 

I was also able to get my surgery scheduled.  I actually called for the appointment as I was sitting getting my chemo.  I'm all set for June 14.  It's just a little over 5 months away.  It's hard to believe that this journey will soon be over.  I'm am super excited to get my life back and pursue the things I love again.  I miss swimming and hiking and kayaking and cycling so much.  I can't wait to jump back in the pool in a couple of weeks and take a nice ride on the trails.

Good to Go for Monday

Yesterday I went to the dermatologist to figure out what the mysterious red spots were.  Well, they didn't know what they were either.  They decided to do a biopsy just to make sure all was OK.  I told the doctor she could do whatever treatment she wanted as long as she cleared me for chemo on Monday.  She told me she has never had a patient who actually wanted chemo treatment.  Once I explained it was the last one, she understood and cleared me.

I had a punch biopsy of one of the spots on my neck.  I don't really think it was necessary as the spots are fading but if that's what it took to be cleared for chemo then so be it.  It didn't hurt much.  I got numbed up and the 2 stitches were in before I knew it.  I'll go back next week to have the stitches out so no biggie.  I'm a professional with using Glad Press and Seal to cover wounds so even my shower was easy today.

So now I just need to hope that my platelets are high enough on Monday to get my last treatment.  I'm hoping these 5 extra days make the difference.  Hopefully Monday I will have my chemo, be disconnected on Wednesday and be done with this phase of treatment.  Then it's just the reversal surgery and I am done.  I can't wait.  If I get my chemo on Monday I will be calling the surgeon's office to get a date for my surgery while getting chemo!

Mysterious Spots

So I got the bloody nose taken care of.  I went to the ENT on Monday afternoon and he removed the packing and indicated no further care was need.  Yea!  I hope I never have to get my nose packed again.  It is not a pleasant experience.  With the nose thing behind me, a new issue has appeared: I have spots on my shoulders and neck.

The first spot was noticed Sunday night.  I figured it was just a bug bite.  On Tuesday morning, I woke up with 5 additional spots on my other shoulder and my neck.  I'm not sure if they are spots or welts or what they are but they are red and raised.  I went to my PCP yesterday and she didn't know what they were either but after consulting with my oncologist, it was decided I need to see a dermatologist and hold off on chemo today.  Sigh.  So tomorrow I am off to the dermatologist who will hopefully solve the mystery of the spots.

I am disappointed I am not finishing chemo today but there was a good chance my counts weren't good enough to get chemo anyway.  I'm trying to look at the bright side of things.  I'm going to a concert tonight and I'll be able to feel good.  Tomorrow I'm going to the wine festival.  Even though I can't drink a lot, it will be fun to sip a few good wines.  Perhaps a BBQ is in order this weekend.  I'm trying to stay focused on enjoying time with my friends, something I really haven't felt up to in a while.

If all goes well with the dermatologist tomorrow, she will OK me to continue with chemo.  I'll get my final treatment on Monday and disconnected on Wednesday.  It will so nice to finally be done.  It just seems like it's taking forever to just finish up!