Good news with a Glitch

My appointment yesterday went well. My CA 125 cancer marker has dropped yet again. It was nearly 400 a few months ago and is now 9! Also, the CAT scan looks great. I originally had nearly a thousand cancer points and now have only 2! Both are around a centimeter in size and easily removable. Hip hip hurray! Our prayers have been answered. Praise the Lord!

The surgery date has been postponed for three weeks. Due to Federal regulations the HIPEC treatment I want has been temporarily halted nation-wide. Each facility doing this treatment needs to review safety protocols for spillage to ensure safety of the administering team. Currently, UofM is the only hospital in Michigan including this treatment for abdominal cancers. Therefore, Dr. McLean thinks it might be possible that UofM will receive the okay soon. Please pray that the necessary regulations can be completed by then. I really want HIPEC as it increases remission length. In the meantime, I’ll need another chemo to keep this formidable foe at bay. Saturday I’ll have another treatment. Ron and I made this decision based on the long term diagnostic data. My surgery will be February 6- regardless if HIPEC can be added or not. Three more chemo sessions will follow, meaning the worst of this will be over in April with plenty of springtime healing and recovery time.

Ron and I wish to thank you all, AGAIN, for your continued prayers and good wishes. The holidays were a pleasant diversion. The cards and packages we received have been truly appreciated and have buoyed both of us.

A Happy and HEALTHY New Year to us all!

Outrageous Courage. Determined Joy.

A mantra is a sacred utterance that is repeated often to aid in meditation, reflection and for me, encouragement and grit. A decade ago I found myself needing a powerful one. Thirteen years ago today, on December 29, 2006 my first husband, Ken, died. His death was a life-altering tragedy for Sarah, Erik and me. Many people think the first year following a loss is the most challenging. I thought the second year was harder. I became fully aware that he was gone for good and I was a single Mom, and for the most part on my own. Without the endless help of my community- faith, teaching, family, friends… I would have been at a loss. They buoyed me through.

Early in 2009 I was cross country skiing when I found myself missing my bubble of BLISS. I was contented, that is certain, but not really living with vitality. Before, I had always been optimistic and joyful. I delighted in small pleasures and was grateful for larger ones. I prayed to return to my former self. This however is impossible. Erik was a freshman at UofM. Sarah was a senior at Hope College. I was alone most nights. I ate dinner by candle light- the flickering light keeping me company. That’s when God and I hatched a plan. Sitting on a snowy log beside the Cedar River, I argued with him. Eventually, I came up with my mantra:

Outrageous Courage. Determined Joy.

I wrote this mantra with lip stick on the bathroom mirrors, I placed sticky notes on my dash board, kitchen sink, my desk at school, my key chain- everywhere really. It took a few months, but eventually it really began its magic. I slowly began to BELIEVE it. I did have outrageous courage and I do have determined joy. That spring I met Ron. He is now the love of my life. Here we are- six months after we (finally) got married, and I’m in need of my mantra again. This time- you’re ALL with me, it’s our mantra. Please know that I am certain I am not alone. This is now OUR MANTRA because YOU share it with me. The attached video and photos prove this power. Thank you so much for being part of my support group.

It’s not good news, it’s the BEST NEWS EVER!

One of my favorite songs from the Christian group, Mercy Me, is "Best News Ever" and Ron and I got some really great news today. My current blood work came in and my cancer markers have dropped significantly. They have plummeted from the high 300s all the way down to 20! Which is within the normal range! Hip hip hurray!

This means that I can have surgery in early to mid January. The doctor was quite impressed that my body has reacted so well. Additionally, all my other tests were normal as well! This is definitely THE BEST NEWS EVER.

Thank you to everyone who has helped, prayed, sent cards and letters and ALL the positive vibes my way. I am blessed beyond measure. Keep the love coming- God is good all the time. All the time, God is good.

As a bonus, the Sensational Second Graders of Room 119 have made a special video to help encourage me to "Stay Strong!"