Time Is Making It Better

I have to say the fear I felt when my follow ups came along is getting smaller. I think I have the greatest Oncologist though who DOES help. His comforting words are always awesome because I feel tons better after seeing him. My follow up is August 7th. It's really not too far away. I had the CT scan last time. Maybe it's that. I think because it was still clear, more than one year later I feel more peace about it all. You never think truly that cancer will grow inside of you. You feel that your own body is betraying you. I think it made me feel I couldn't even trust my own body. Then again maybe it's a silly thought. It's just the way I felt at the time.

I do feel good though. A few weeks ago I had a slight wheeze at night when I breathed. I do believe it was a little hay fever and it did go away but I tell you my hubby FREAKS out if I breathe the wrong way. He says nothing. He just looks at me, eyebrows raised, eyes bulging and stares. He says nothing. I look at him and say everyone wheezes SOMETIME. He calmly looks at me and says "Not you. You aren't allowed."

I love that man.

I'm Going to Enter This One!

I honestly rarely enter online giveaways just because I never believe I'll win I guess. haha But this time I find this one too good to pass up. This ring is beautiful so I am giving it a shot.

Melissa at Melissas Jewelry and Gems is hosting this one. August 8th is her 40th birthday. In honor of the big event, she is giving away this Hot Pink Tourmaline, with White Topaz ring. Here are the particulars of the ring. It is sterling silver, size 6 1/2 band ring. Each stone measures appx 3mm round, 10 points each, for a total of 1/3 of a carat. It is a band ring, and sits nice, and low.

Now the rules: This contest started July 15th, and runs until August 8th at 8 AM. You must sign up to follow her blog. You must make a post on your blog, about this contest, then contact her at melissaruede@yahoo.com with the address to the post. Take the poll, at the top of her blog. It seems simple enough....so I am doing it. Look at that ring. I love pink. It's what got me. lol

I Think I Hear an Echo!

I have noticed how quiet it seems here lately. I posted that video a few days ago. I haven't had time to do much but I am here. My dad is now scheduled for gallbladder surgery. So far they have not found any cancer. There is something in there pressing on the pancreas from the way I understand it but at this point the lymph node and the cells they scraped in there showed NO cancer. This is a very good thing. I am thinking they did not get the MRI results back yet. Unfortunately they stopped by last night as I was walking out the door to school so I didn't have too much of an opportunity to chat. Dad still looks a bit yellow but better than he was. I cannot tell you how wonderful it is to see your dad standing up and walking around in jeans rather than laying in a bed, IV in his arm and hospital gown on! My dad is your typical outdoors man. He LOVES to fish. The only man who ever compared to my dad was HIS dad....my grandfather. They were fishing buddies. I smile thinking about it. I hope my dad's surgery goes well and also hope we can figure out what caused this whole mess to begin with.

I know I have gone and on talking about my dad but this is seriously consuming me lately. It's that and school. Everyone else is doing good. I have my next follow up August 7th. I am a bit worried because this is the day after my dad's scheduled surgery. I would prefer to be here but hopefully he won't have a long stay in the hospital. Hmmmm does anyone know how long you are the hospital after gallbladder surgery? I bet someone out there knows! haha


*edited to say my oncologist's office is almost four hours from here. I used to live 2 hours away and it was a good 1 1/2 hours away from there on the interstate. I just could NOT see myself switching docs for an every three month checkup. I trusted him, that office and became comfy so I stayed. I make the drive. He is so worth it. BUT if anything goes wrong with my dad's surgery OR if they found any cancer I would be four hours away. I cannot help but think of the irony in the possibility of them finding cancer while I am having my own oncology checkup to make sure my cancer is still gone.

The News Video

It's been so long since I posted the video of my news interview. I feel it tells so much of our story that I don't need to say much so for those who have not seen it, I am posing it again. Gabbi is so tiny in this. She is now 20 months old! She's such a big girl.


And yes the video is not the best quality. We pointed the digital camera at the tv to record it. haha

Is it Saturday?

This morning I thought it was Sunday until about 11 a.m. Then I realized no....it's only Saturday and I am thankful for it. I have homework to do. I actually have a book open on my lap right now. It's just been a crazy week with a lot of ups and downs. I am really glad the hubby was off all week. That has made things very nice. His plant was shut down for the whole week so he has had some much needed time off. It was paid too so hey, we won't complain.

The whole situation with my dad has been and still is very confusing. They say there is some sort of a mass pressing on the pancreas. They said at first they thought he had advanced pancreatic cancer. We were all very upset of course and terrified. They put a stent in his liver to drain the bile and his numbers are getting better. The biopsy of the lymph node showed NO cancer so at this point we do not necessarily think it's cancer. They did some testing of cells when they put the stent in and that showed no cancer as well. The docs are still VERY confused as to what is causing everything. They did an MRI with contrast dye a day or two ago and said they'll have some results on Monday. They let him go home finally yesterday and he feels a bit better but very tired and sore. Prayers are still appreciated!!

I am tired and not really in the mood to do my homework, but I'll get it done. Gabbi threw up first thing this morning so that just adds to the wonderful week! She has obviously got a sour tummy so we'll be dealing with that today on top of everything else. Hopefully she holds down the beverage I just gave her.