Post by scrapmomof2 on May 10, 2021 17:42:03 GMT
Update #5
Almost done! I won't bore you with the gory details of the last few weeks, but suffice it to say, it's been very painful, lots of "zingers", diarrhea, constipation, radiation burns, and to urinate? The worst!! Burning beyond belief! Thankfully, not every time though.
Other than that, I'm still in a positive frame of mind. I've had so many family and friends stop by to visit, bring flowers, gifts, and love. My DH has been ah-mazing! I haven't had to do much of anything, except lay around and watch tv, read, or nap.
I have 6 more radiation treatments to go, and chemo is done. Then let the healing begin. And my fabulous doctors say I'm doing great, and they will get rid of this nasty cancer, with hopefully no reoccurrence.
We booked a trip to Florida in October to our vacation condo for 3 weeks, so I have to look forward to at least.
Update #4 Well, I'm about half way through my treatments. I got a port put in to make it easier on my veins for the chemo. I recovered from that surgery. Now I am going every day for radiation and once a week for chemotherapy. It's not easy. The radiation is killing my nether regions burning them and when I urinate, it feels like glass shards! I started with 25 sessions and I have 10 more sessions to go. The chemo days are very long. I have 5 sessions and only 2 more. It's about 5 to 6 hours of infusion. I sit in a lounge chair, read on my kindle, watch tic toks or tv, nap a bit, and generally just wait it out. They give me anti nausea meds too. So far that has been minimal. I just eat a few crackers or something to settle my stomach. The doctors think it's going great, but I have to say, today I wanted to quit. And I'm no quitter!! The doctor had to talk me off a ledge today. I am now trying to take Tylenol 3 to see if that will help with the pain. It's going to get worse before it gets better.
I explained to my DH that just because treatments are over, the pain from healing will be a nightmare as well. Prayers are always welcome!!
Update #3 Doctor's office called me back with the results The margins were NOT clear. They took out a very large (for this area) piece and some of the margins had cancer on their edges. Also the second site they biopsied has invasive cancer. So, I meet the doctor on Monday, he will go over the next steps in treatment. I'm a little shook by this. DH is actually out working today as he is usually working from home 90% of the time. Even before the pandemic. I have no words, and I'm not a cryer. My DD is home from college but I don't want to scare her bc she is a cryer and this will be extra hard on her. Sigh. Thank you for all of the prayers, good thoughts and wishes. I do feel the love from the peas.
Update #2 I sailed through the surgery like a champ. Unfortunately, the doc found another site close to the original that needed a biopsy as well. The scar is pretty long and hurts, but I am using lidocaine gel that numbs the area. I haven't got the results back yet. Stitches come out June 7th. I have called a few times, but reports aren't back yet.
My kids took the news well, and are very sweet and supportive. My husband was being very sweet at first, but now it feels like he is in denial. He keeps correcting me when we have friends over, saying we don't know that it's cancer for sure.....I'm like what? The doctor DID say it's cancer, and we are just waiting to hear if he removed it all. I think he justs wants it to over already. He doesn't like me sitting around resting and watching tv all day, napping and reading. My sleep schedule is way off and sometimes I'm still awake at 2am. I don't know if it's hormones, or I'm resting too much, or am I just avoiding his snoring? Haha!
Update: Well, it's cancer. I have surgery next Friday. Lots of tests to do before for medical clearance. I've been down this road before and can handle it with grace. I think my husband is more upset than I am. If they get the lump out with clear margins, then no further surgery, chemo, or radiation will be needed. I will be followed for 5 years or more. I just have to tell my kids which is going to be hard. My DS is graduating from college this Saturday, and I don't want to upset his day, we'll tell him on Sunday before we leave. My DD plays college softball and is competing these next few days, so I don't want to distract her....we'll tell her but not sure when.
As for the rest of the family, boy, hard to know when. Surgery is happening so fast, I'm not sure. I'll probably start a text chain next week after we tell the kids.
Funny story time: I saw other doctors in this practice when I had my hysterectomy done for uterine cancer. I was followed for 5-7 years, when my doctor left the practice and the new doctor came on board. I was sent a letter with a picture of the new doctor. (He is my new surgeon) I thought "no way! He's too good looking and I don't want him taking a looky-lou at my private parts!" Well low and behold, my pcp recommends him and now I have, and he's adorable. I tell him this story and he turns 50 shades of red while the female resident laughs hysterically!! He tries to remain professional and calm, while I just grin! So on to my treatment to get rid of this cancer.
I found a lump, not on "top" but in the lower region. I have had three different cancers in my life, Hodgkin's when I was 25, endometrial/uterine when I was 48, and melanoma on my back. This new lump was biopsied last week, I find out the results in 2 days. I'm thinking it's vulvar cancer. UGH.
Almost done! I won't bore you with the gory details of the last few weeks, but suffice it to say, it's been very painful, lots of "zingers", diarrhea, constipation, radiation burns, and to urinate? The worst!! Burning beyond belief! Thankfully, not every time though.
Other than that, I'm still in a positive frame of mind. I've had so many family and friends stop by to visit, bring flowers, gifts, and love. My DH has been ah-mazing! I haven't had to do much of anything, except lay around and watch tv, read, or nap.
I have 6 more radiation treatments to go, and chemo is done. Then let the healing begin. And my fabulous doctors say I'm doing great, and they will get rid of this nasty cancer, with hopefully no reoccurrence.
We booked a trip to Florida in October to our vacation condo for 3 weeks, so I have to look forward to at least.
Update #4 Well, I'm about half way through my treatments. I got a port put in to make it easier on my veins for the chemo. I recovered from that surgery. Now I am going every day for radiation and once a week for chemotherapy. It's not easy. The radiation is killing my nether regions burning them and when I urinate, it feels like glass shards! I started with 25 sessions and I have 10 more sessions to go. The chemo days are very long. I have 5 sessions and only 2 more. It's about 5 to 6 hours of infusion. I sit in a lounge chair, read on my kindle, watch tic toks or tv, nap a bit, and generally just wait it out. They give me anti nausea meds too. So far that has been minimal. I just eat a few crackers or something to settle my stomach. The doctors think it's going great, but I have to say, today I wanted to quit. And I'm no quitter!! The doctor had to talk me off a ledge today. I am now trying to take Tylenol 3 to see if that will help with the pain. It's going to get worse before it gets better.
I explained to my DH that just because treatments are over, the pain from healing will be a nightmare as well. Prayers are always welcome!!
Update #3 Doctor's office called me back with the results The margins were NOT clear. They took out a very large (for this area) piece and some of the margins had cancer on their edges. Also the second site they biopsied has invasive cancer. So, I meet the doctor on Monday, he will go over the next steps in treatment. I'm a little shook by this. DH is actually out working today as he is usually working from home 90% of the time. Even before the pandemic. I have no words, and I'm not a cryer. My DD is home from college but I don't want to scare her bc she is a cryer and this will be extra hard on her. Sigh. Thank you for all of the prayers, good thoughts and wishes. I do feel the love from the peas.
Update #2 I sailed through the surgery like a champ. Unfortunately, the doc found another site close to the original that needed a biopsy as well. The scar is pretty long and hurts, but I am using lidocaine gel that numbs the area. I haven't got the results back yet. Stitches come out June 7th. I have called a few times, but reports aren't back yet.
My kids took the news well, and are very sweet and supportive. My husband was being very sweet at first, but now it feels like he is in denial. He keeps correcting me when we have friends over, saying we don't know that it's cancer for sure.....I'm like what? The doctor DID say it's cancer, and we are just waiting to hear if he removed it all. I think he justs wants it to over already. He doesn't like me sitting around resting and watching tv all day, napping and reading. My sleep schedule is way off and sometimes I'm still awake at 2am. I don't know if it's hormones, or I'm resting too much, or am I just avoiding his snoring? Haha!
Update: Well, it's cancer. I have surgery next Friday. Lots of tests to do before for medical clearance. I've been down this road before and can handle it with grace. I think my husband is more upset than I am. If they get the lump out with clear margins, then no further surgery, chemo, or radiation will be needed. I will be followed for 5 years or more. I just have to tell my kids which is going to be hard. My DS is graduating from college this Saturday, and I don't want to upset his day, we'll tell him on Sunday before we leave. My DD plays college softball and is competing these next few days, so I don't want to distract her....we'll tell her but not sure when.
As for the rest of the family, boy, hard to know when. Surgery is happening so fast, I'm not sure. I'll probably start a text chain next week after we tell the kids.
Funny story time: I saw other doctors in this practice when I had my hysterectomy done for uterine cancer. I was followed for 5-7 years, when my doctor left the practice and the new doctor came on board. I was sent a letter with a picture of the new doctor. (He is my new surgeon) I thought "no way! He's too good looking and I don't want him taking a looky-lou at my private parts!" Well low and behold, my pcp recommends him and now I have, and he's adorable. I tell him this story and he turns 50 shades of red while the female resident laughs hysterically!! He tries to remain professional and calm, while I just grin! So on to my treatment to get rid of this cancer.
I found a lump, not on "top" but in the lower region. I have had three different cancers in my life, Hodgkin's when I was 25, endometrial/uterine when I was 48, and melanoma on my back. This new lump was biopsied last week, I find out the results in 2 days. I'm thinking it's vulvar cancer. UGH.