Let's just cut to the chase and give you an update. My one year anniversary of having back surgery to biopsy my tumor was November 4th. Up to about a week before that date, I was kicking some serious ass. I was walking around, driving myself. You name it. I was doing it. I was doing so well, I even got discharged from Physical Therapy. Woot-woot! That was a Wednesday. The Friday of that same week - I thought I was going to fall over walking from my office to my car. What the heck?
At first I thought it was the crazy muscle relaxers I was on to help stretch my legs out. So, I started taking less and called my doctor to get off them. Not worth it if I can't walk at all. The doctor that prescribed them didn't call me back quick enough so then I went to my amazing primary care doctor - Dr. Elizabeth Jaffe - and got in to see her. It was about time for my follow MRI anyways so she suggested I move up my follow up MRI to see if there is something else going on since my back had also started to hurt again.
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| Me, my wheels and Belle. |
1. Your original tumor is still shrinking.
2. But now there is something above where we radiated.
It could be rouge tumor that we didn't get the first time or "fall out" from the radiation. (Is it bad that I kinda giggled when he said "fall out" because I thought of the video game...?) Anyways, from what I got out of it being "fall out" is basically some side effect of good cells getting blasted by the radiation and now they're freaking out. My neurologist then tells me that he's going to show my MRIs to another doctor to get his opinion and then we'll have a game plan. Until I go back in a few weeks - back on to steroids I go. Yea for drugs. Bleh.
I just had my follow up with my neurologist and was told two things again. We're going to get another MRI with hopefully a better few/contrast to be certain - but it's probably rouge tumor. So...
1. We can biopsy and then radiation.
2. We can just do radiation.
Hummm... let me think about this. The last time you filleted me open I was in the hospital for three - four weeks. I think I'll just do the radiation. Thanks.
So - here I am. Just waiting for another MRI and a game plan. Only this time around I feel so much better about where I am mentally and physically. Which might be weird to hear since I'm in a wheelchair and not driving myself or walking. But it really is better this time around. My work is very accommodating - my co-workers take such great care of me and help me - and it's not like I haven't been here before. So, mentally I'm not having to stress about NOT having a job, or income or insurance or any of that crap that can wear on you. When you have to go through something as physically demanding as radiation or chemo or being in a wheelchair or anything of the such - it's taxing. And the last thing you want to do is worry about how you're going to pay for things. So, I do live a blessed life and God is gracious and looking out for me. I know that no matter how bad I think I have it, someone else is suffering more. So, I will be thankful for all that I have and where I am.
I recently made a donation to two great charities that helped me when I was going through radiation last year and wasn't working. They helped pay for my COBRA, gas for my car, ect. If you would like to make a donation to help others that need financial assistance while trying to heal - here they are.
Reno Cancer Foundation - 1155 Mill Street, Reno NV 89502
Nevada Cancer Institute
