When I typed the
words update #50, I just stopped and pondered to think about
how much gratification has been given to me through the
ability to stay connected to all of you. Most of us have
shared laughs and some tears along the way of the last 49
updates, and the greatest joy for me has been the continued
gift of life. June 23rd marks two years since my
surgeon oncologist informed Andy and me that the cancer had
come back with vengeance in the form of “too many tumors to
count” in the liver and surrounding lymph nodes. In a book
I am reading, the late Christopher Reeves, actor and
activist, was quoted saying “You play the hand you’re
dealt. I think the game’s worthwhile.” Amen to
Christopher’s thoughts, as folding due to a bad hand was
never an option for me either.
Shannon’s baseball
season has almost come to a close. The team had a rough
season, but they did manage to win a few games and came
super close on many others. Shannon got a certificate at
the end from the coach, who commented that he was the best
hitter on the team. We are very excited, as he has been
selected to be on an all-star team. The big sports upset
though was that he took 1st place in the tennis
skills competition at the Junior Olympics in Caledonia for
his age group and qualified to compete in the regional
event. This is a kid who has only held a racket a handful
of times playing against his mom in Florida and a couple
times locally. We are not sure the outcome of the regional
event, but we are so incredibly proud that he had the
courage to even compete, let alone do so well. He also
placed 2nd in the Caledonia basketball
competition, but only 1st place winners go onto
the regional events.
A couple weeks ago,
we got together for a family birthday party and also
celebrated my nephew, Michael’s, graduation. The card Andy,
Shannon, and I gave him had a quote on it from Logan
Pearsall Smith that just seemed perfect for someone
beginning a new chapter in his journey. It read, “There are
two things to aim at in life: first, to get what you want;
and after that, to enjoy it. Only the wisest of people
achieve the second.” Even being very competitive and goal
focused, I believe firmly that all cannot be expended in the
quest or mission, as if you lose sight of what makes you
happy, so much is lost in the process.
A lot has been
happening on the health front. I have been taking
self-administered chemotherapy shots daily for the past
several weeks. The medicine is predominantly designed to
help strengthen my immune system, but it also has potential
for targeting the cancer. My local nurse told me the shots
would cause side effects that would be like the worst flu of
my life. She was right as it was one rough ride, but the
doctor also informed me it would get better over time, and
he was thankfully also correct.
Last week, Andy and
I headed to Mayo. We were very fortunate that Karla and
Cory and my mom watched Shannon while we were gone. He had
a terrific time with them (especially as much as they all
spoil him). As I mentioned in my last update, I went there
to do a “test” pre-procedure to see if my body could handle
radioactive “seeds” being deposited through my arteries to
my liver without too much shunting/leaking to my lungs or my
stomach region. The only complication was that my calcium
was so high again (13.3), they had to conference to
determine if they would go ahead with the pre-procedure, but
fortunately they felt I could handle it with all my past
dealings with the high calcium. I also got a kick out of
the fact that I have a new name there; two doctors and a
nurse in separate situations referred to me as “the nice
lady from Michigan”. Andy joked with me later that they
really don’t know me very well.
It looks like
perhaps this will be my second year of “summer camp” at
Mayo. I have just received word that the doctors are
recommending a two-step treatment plan for me. I already
will be returning with Andy to Mayo next week (week of June
23) for the actual radioactive “seeds” procedure. They are
not going to be able to give me a full dose due to the
difficulty of reaching my liver in the right places and due
to the large quantity of cancer, so approximately a month
later they are going to have me return, and the same doctor
is going to perform a special hepatic artery embolization.
In my crazy continued need to be unique, apparently I have
developed a new network of artery branches flowing into my
liver, caused by the cancer trying to feed off more blood
flow. The goal would be to close down as many of these new
branches as possible. They are going to be aggressive, as
they know that also is my desire. I like to think of it as
giving the cancer the one, two punch. I feel really good
about all of this, as it is so important for me to be on a
plan, knowing I am pushing the limits to try to prolong my
life. God continues to answer our prayers and help me walk
through new doors with an amazing sense of peace.
Andy and
Shannon are so incredibly strong through all this. What a
relief it is to be close as a family at a time filled with
much uncertainty. For Father’s Day, Shannon painted a
birdhouse for his dad’s gift. It was so moving when Andy
opened it and on one side Shannon painted Andy’s name, one
side his name, and one side my name. On the bottom he had
painted Father’s Day 2008. He used a variety of bright
colors that just popped. When something difficult happens,
it is easy to lose sight of the colorful surroundings that
still exist. I am quite confident we are not going to let
that happen, as “the game’s worthwhile” to us and if we keep
finding a few of God’s rainbows here and there, our dreams
still give us a vision of hope. Wow, update #50 and two
memorable years since the cancer returned! Yes, dreams
really can come true.
Sally
