Winter Wonderland - Various Singers of Christmas Music

When I don't write it is usually a good sign that I am feeling better. I have been lucky to have family here helping for the last two weeks while I recover from surgery. Last Wednesday I had an epic day in Seattle. I had a chest X-ray an appointment with the thoracic team, plastics and the radiation oncologist. Thankfully, it was a day of good news. I am healing well. I was given permission to drive, sit in the front of the car and use my arms as needed, still no lifting my 36 lb boy, but that is ok. The best news was that the margins of my surgery we're microscopically clear. So when we we're seeing the radiation oncologist we were pleasantly surprised that the recommendation was NO radiation! I was thrilled. I was preparing for another round of at least two weeks of radiation. I felt like I could exhale. Doctor appointments are so exhausting mainly because of the emotional roller coaster and all of the waiting.

Ahhh, so what's next. I have this hope that we can have a family vacation and I can just rest and avoid doctor appointments for a while. Focus on getting my leg pain resolved.

Monday I had an appointment with my neurology oncologist, he is in charge of helping me with my nerve pain and neuropathy. So I had an MRI to rule out a tumor and the results were good, no tumor. The diagnosis he gave me was scarring from radiation. Specifically injury to the small blood vessels which have irritated my nerves. That is why my right foot is partly numb. The numbness has also taken over the back of my right thigh. I have started on a fentanyl patch and he has increased the dose to try to cover the pain. It's hard to walk and I have a lot of deep bone pain, it drives me crazy. I am now the lady riding in the wheel chair at shopping stores. I haven't gained enough gumption to drive a scooter/amigo yet, but I am sure I will. The problem is I have to try to keep my leg strong so I don't want to get to used to walking aids. Getting dressed is challenging for me. I continue to be reminded how much we take for granted as able bodied people. My leg pain is the most challenging part of my daily life. There doesn't seem to be an easy fix answer. Just manage the chronic pain. I believe the body work that I have been doing will help. I think that the complementary medicine approach will be where I find possibilities for healing. I never thought I would have so much pain or trouble walking due to a side effect. However my body has been to hell and back a lot in a short amount of time.

The next step is getting another PET/CT. This is scheduled January, 5th. Hopefully it will be clear and I will be cancer free. My oncologist is conservative and that has been a good thing since this cancer has been so aggressive. So through the holidays I am doctor free and feel decent.

Tomorrow I am going to the amazing fund raiser my coworkers have organized. I am excited and nervous. I feel so lucky and blessed. I am enjoying the holidays to the fullest. I love christmas and had help to decorate my house. I have been enjoying Christmas lights and music everyday. My little guy is turning 3 in four days and I am here to celebrate.

Well my pain is ramping up so I can't concentrate very well. Unfortunately my pain is worse when I am laying down.

With exploding gratitude, thank you all who are making this journey a little easier for me and my family. Even sending a positive thought makes a difference. You are awesome.