i went 2 meet with an oncologist this morning....i LOVED this guy & was disappointed to find out he's only going to b around for another week - he's filling in for a few weeks cause one of the regulars just left....but he promised to "pass the baton" in front of me - introduce me to the oncologist i'll b dealing with from here on out - he & the nurse insisted that all the docs there are super nice & friendly
anyway, he first explained the 4 stages of lymphoma to me...
stage 1 - when it's effecting 1 group of lymph nodes
stage 2 - when it's effecting 2 groups of lymph nodes
stage 3 & 4 are when it's also effecting areas below the diaphragm (which mine is not)...also when it's effecting the liver or ur bone marrow, etc.
right now, i'm considered 2 b at stage 2....BUT, they're seeing some activity in my bones....so i go on friday to have some marrow taken out....if it is in my bones, that will bump me to stage 4....the prognosis is good either way - i'll still b fine! the only difference is, with stage 4, i'll need a little more chemo & radiation
right now (if i stay at stage 2), i can count on 4 rounds/months of chemo (once every 2 weeks)....if it's at stage 4, that will add 2 more rounds/months....and the same with radiation - at stage 2, i'll get some radiation after the chemo....at stage 4, i'll get a little more
make sense?
~lol~
now the bad news - chemo isn't just some pill for me....i have to do it intravenously...and he says i will lose my hair (90% chance - it'll start about 3 weeks into chemo)....he said they have kick-ass meds for nausea these days - that they give u thru ur IV during chemo....of course, it could still make me sick & it will probably run me down....i can still have kids later if i want (but i don't want....pretty sure we're done ~wink~), and of course my hair will all come back - i hear it might even come back totally different (the doc didn't tell me this, but several friends have mentioned it)
now, onto how it developed...
it's not hereditary....it came from some sort of environmental toxin that i came into contact with at some point in my life (could have been as a kid or adult).....and for whatever reason, my immune system over-reacted to it & developed into lymphoma.....he said most people never know what caused it & even if u do, it doesn't change ur treatment.....he said it's surprising it didn't pop up when i had kids - that for some reason, child birth usually makes it act up.....again, i'm a classic case - all of a sudden my lymph nodes swole up & it usually appears to those in their 20's - mostly females
like i said, the marrow extraction is friday afternoon....we haven't scheduled 2 begin chemo yet - i'm hoping to put it off until after christmas (the doc kinda hinted that we'd b looking at the 1st of the year)
please continue to pray for me & my family....i'm still ok with all of this - but i admit, i am a little worried about 2 things:
1) that i'll have trouble with continuing to get the kiddos to & from their activities & that things will get difficult for me, with curtis working 2nd shift & not being there 2 help in the evenings....i recognize that things may have 2 change a little & there's a chance that the kiddos will have to slow down with their activities for a few months - i hate that, but i'm prepared 2 do that if need....plus i've had soooo many friends & family offer to help with the kiddos thru all of this - i'm sure i'll have plenty of help & will manage just fine
2) how the kiddos will react to mama losing her hair....we've talked about cancer & how sometimes people have to take medicine for cancer that makes their hair fall out (this has come up when we've seen bald kids on tv or in real life & the kiddos have asked ?s about it)....and just this past sunday, i talked to the kids about mama being sick....after my official diagnosis, i decided that they were old enuff for me 2 b up-front & honest with them & let them know what's going on....i'll spare them all the details - they just wouldn't understand the whole thing....but they know mama has cancer & that i'll have to take those meds that might make my hair fall out & make me feel sick/tired....but that my hair will come back & that i'm going to b just fine after i finish taking all these medicines
the doc says that after chemo/radiation, i'll most likely go into remission & in 5-10 years, i'll probably be cured - couldn't ask for anything better than that!
he wanted me to understand that i have a great prognosis - i assured him, that i totally recognize that....& i told him that i've been telling everyone - if i have to have cancer, this is the one i want! he agreed, saying that most of the people in that waiting room would love to trade places with me! again, i recognize - it could b a lot worse!
anyway, he first explained the 4 stages of lymphoma to me...
stage 1 - when it's effecting 1 group of lymph nodes
stage 2 - when it's effecting 2 groups of lymph nodes
stage 3 & 4 are when it's also effecting areas below the diaphragm (which mine is not)...also when it's effecting the liver or ur bone marrow, etc.
right now, i'm considered 2 b at stage 2....BUT, they're seeing some activity in my bones....so i go on friday to have some marrow taken out....if it is in my bones, that will bump me to stage 4....the prognosis is good either way - i'll still b fine! the only difference is, with stage 4, i'll need a little more chemo & radiation
right now (if i stay at stage 2), i can count on 4 rounds/months of chemo (once every 2 weeks)....if it's at stage 4, that will add 2 more rounds/months....and the same with radiation - at stage 2, i'll get some radiation after the chemo....at stage 4, i'll get a little more
make sense?
~lol~
now the bad news - chemo isn't just some pill for me....i have to do it intravenously...and he says i will lose my hair (90% chance - it'll start about 3 weeks into chemo)....he said they have kick-ass meds for nausea these days - that they give u thru ur IV during chemo....of course, it could still make me sick & it will probably run me down....i can still have kids later if i want (but i don't want....pretty sure we're done ~wink~), and of course my hair will all come back - i hear it might even come back totally different (the doc didn't tell me this, but several friends have mentioned it)
now, onto how it developed...
it's not hereditary....it came from some sort of environmental toxin that i came into contact with at some point in my life (could have been as a kid or adult).....and for whatever reason, my immune system over-reacted to it & developed into lymphoma.....he said most people never know what caused it & even if u do, it doesn't change ur treatment.....he said it's surprising it didn't pop up when i had kids - that for some reason, child birth usually makes it act up.....again, i'm a classic case - all of a sudden my lymph nodes swole up & it usually appears to those in their 20's - mostly females
like i said, the marrow extraction is friday afternoon....we haven't scheduled 2 begin chemo yet - i'm hoping to put it off until after christmas (the doc kinda hinted that we'd b looking at the 1st of the year)
please continue to pray for me & my family....i'm still ok with all of this - but i admit, i am a little worried about 2 things:
1) that i'll have trouble with continuing to get the kiddos to & from their activities & that things will get difficult for me, with curtis working 2nd shift & not being there 2 help in the evenings....i recognize that things may have 2 change a little & there's a chance that the kiddos will have to slow down with their activities for a few months - i hate that, but i'm prepared 2 do that if need....plus i've had soooo many friends & family offer to help with the kiddos thru all of this - i'm sure i'll have plenty of help & will manage just fine
2) how the kiddos will react to mama losing her hair....we've talked about cancer & how sometimes people have to take medicine for cancer that makes their hair fall out (this has come up when we've seen bald kids on tv or in real life & the kiddos have asked ?s about it)....and just this past sunday, i talked to the kids about mama being sick....after my official diagnosis, i decided that they were old enuff for me 2 b up-front & honest with them & let them know what's going on....i'll spare them all the details - they just wouldn't understand the whole thing....but they know mama has cancer & that i'll have to take those meds that might make my hair fall out & make me feel sick/tired....but that my hair will come back & that i'm going to b just fine after i finish taking all these medicines
the doc says that after chemo/radiation, i'll most likely go into remission & in 5-10 years, i'll probably be cured - couldn't ask for anything better than that!
he wanted me to understand that i have a great prognosis - i assured him, that i totally recognize that....& i told him that i've been telling everyone - if i have to have cancer, this is the one i want! he agreed, saying that most of the people in that waiting room would love to trade places with me! again, i recognize - it could b a lot worse!
6 comments:
Your attitude is amazing! And of course we are all praying for you. I mentioned to my mom that you had the AFLAC coverage and she was so happy to hear that. I'll be honest I don't know exactly what the coverage is, but if it takes even the intsiest bit of stress of you job wise it'll be well worth it!
hugs
Well maybe your hair will come back and it won't be gray! lol-think of the money you'll save having your hair died!
You know if you or curtis or the kids need anything i'm just right across the bridge there in timberville and i'm more then happy to help-just call. I'm so glad the out look is so good! You know we will keep praying for you.
wow! That's a lot to take in. It's so fabulous that you have so many friends to help you, Curtis and the kiddos out. Wish I was closer to be more of a support. Always here on the computer for chat sessions though;)
I just love you! With or without hair. I think your head'll look cute naked. *wink*
It does make me feel better knowing that your prognosis is better. But I'm a worry wart at heart...so I'll probably be concerned til' it's over.
Of course I'll be praying alongside you. Your wisdom in mommy things is already amazing...you'll just know the right things to say. Or not.
Just a last thought...I have NO idea if it'll be helpful/applicable at all... But I just learned that Trevy qualifies for respite care. I'm not entirely sure what that means...but I do know it means someone here helping me a few hours a week. I wonder if there isn't something similiar for you? Especially with juggling the kiddos?
Anyway...xoxoxoxo
...danielle
thx ladies - as always, u put a smile on my face AND in my heart!
danielle - not sure, never thought about that...i was given some helpful numbers 2day...i might just have 2 look into this respite care thing...thx girl!
WOW>...again, you amaze me!!! I nannied for a family, 9 years ago, in the midst of the Mom going through radiation and chemo. PLEASE, email me, anytime, if you want to "talk" about kid stuff--I dealt w/ it all--I was their "second mommy" who was actually "first mommy" most of the time-especially after Kim would get her chemo. Take care...be strong--but don't be afraid to ask for help too!
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