How I am feeling now the my cancer has come back

Even though my cancer is no longer in remission, I am feeling better than I
have in a very long time. A month ago I was having more trouble eating, having bad heartburn, and not only losing my appetite, but I was also losing weight which I couldn't afford to do. I was getting to the point where I was having trouble walking out to our vehicle. The fatigue was increasing and I was becoming weaker. The headaches were getting worse, and I experienced dizziness when I stood or walked. I was also having sharp chest pains and was out of breath when I did just a little bit. The toughest thing for me was the depression. I'd see or hear something, then suddenly burst into tears. My husband encouraged me to drink more water so I wouldn't get dehydrated! (He also gave me plenty of hugs.) 

How I am Recovering a Month After My Double Mastectomy

It has been a challenging month, but I am recovering very well. The doctors and nurses worked with me and used anesthetics which did not cause me to have allergic reactions. They gave me Benadryl before the surgery, used as little anesthesia as possible, chose the least reactive medications, gave me meds to counter the effects of opioids, and even used warming blankets* and leg compresses to help reduce the stress on my body. It really helped. 

I was walking a little in the hospital just a few hours after surgery. I had little dizziness or nauseousness and the pain was reasonable. Amazingly, I went home a little less than 24 hours after being admitted to the hospital. I was so grateful that our home is only 15 minutes from the hospital instead of having to travel for six hours to get home like I did with my hysterectomy nine months ago.

Thoughts a Few Days Before my Double Mastectomy

I feel a bit like I have been getting ready for a safari. I've had to get supplies together, study the route, and make a plan to meet the challenges. I know it will be exhausting, uncomfortable, painful, and even dangerous, but it will also be worth it. I trust my guide, and have a strong companion to go with me. All is nearly ready to begin. 

Yes, I'm physically prepared. I have discussed the possible problems with my surgeon. My home is clean, food is stocked up and meals cooked. Also, I  have old comedy videos to help divert me afterward from the trauma my body is experiencing. I have also been spiritually preparing through daily reading of the scriptures, praying, and listening to General Conference talks. 

My 72 Birthday - Ovarian Cancer, MCAS, and Lynparza

 

I made it! Today is my 72nd birthday which I enjoyed spending with my family. 

Last year about this time, I was in the hospital and had been just diagnosed with ovarian cancer stage 3c (cancer cells covered all inside my abdomen, but had not yet invaded any organs). When I was asked what I wanted for my birthday, I replied, "to go home!"

I was told that without chemo treatment, I would only live three months. My CA125 cancer marker was 1,900 (35 is where you have cancer) and there was little hope that I would live, but through the the power of God, the prayers of others, four chemo treatments, and an hysterectomy, my cancer is now in remission. 

This year I've come to feel how much I am loved, and have seen over and over how the Lord has interceded in my life to help me. Just this last month, I was concerned about having to go off of antihistamines for five days around the 4th of July so that the allergist could test for medications for my upcoming

Choosing to have a Mastectomy

This has been a very challenging month for me, but I have been expecting it for a long time. After my hysterectomy last October, many people congratulated me saying that they were so glad that I was now cancer free. I couldn't bring myself to say that I had only completed phase one. A month ago, I knew I was now strong enough for phase two. The time has come for me to have the double mastectomy I knew I would have to have. Don't worry. There is no sign of cancer, but because I have the BRCA2 gene mutation, I need to have this preventative surgery. I had wanted to wait, hopefully for years, until I actually started to develop lumps, but I can't. 

Starting a New Year Living with Cancer

Though I am glad that my chemo treatments and ovarian cancer surgery went so well, I have to accept that I will never be completely "healed" from cancer. The fact is that most cancer just goes into remission and may return at some point (recurrence). Ovarian cancer is particularly known for cycles of remission and recurrence, especially when you are not diagnosed until it has progressed to a later stage. By the time we discovered that I had ovarian cancer, I was at Stage 3c which means that though it had not yet invaded other organs, cancer cells covered all my organs in my entire abdomen. Most of this cancer was destroyed by the chemo treatments, then all visible cancer was removed during the surgery, but microscopic cancer cells still exist within me which could possibly grow in some other part of my body.

Good News a week after starting anti-cancer medication!

One good thing now is that I have hair. Actually, I never completely lost my hair before the new hair began to grow. It is gray and nice and thick like it used to be.

Another thing that I'm really happy about is that I am adjusting to the Lynparza anti-cancer medication, and it is only taking the week they assured me it would take.  It was a tough week, but I am now feeling more like myself. It is wonderful to no longer have the sense of anxiety and depression. I'm glad that the muscle and joint pain, headache, and nausea are just minor now. I don't have any diarrhea and the irritated gums are less and are being helped by using a baking soda mouthwash and the minor heartburn by pepcid medication. Oil and lotion are easing my dry itchy skin, and my decongestant and antihistamine are not only helping my allergies, but are also keeping the lung inflammation at a minimal level. So, though I don't feel as good as I did without the medication, it is livable now and my energy is even increasing. Yesterday, I walked nearly a quarter of a mile. The only thing which has become worse is that I have little sense of taste and little appetite. Since this removes the temptation to overeat, that really isn't too bad.