No news is good news! Sorry I haven’t had time to post any entries lately – things have somewhat hectic here, and I’ve had to put off all but the most crucial tasks. No bad news at all, so there’s good news, and more good news. First and foremost, my last scans came back clear. Two weeks ago I had an MRI and a full, head-to-toe PET scan looking for metastasis, and both came back fine. There’s still residual “activity” in my leg, the site of the tumor, but nothing unusual considering the fact that it’s still trying to heal. The MRI results came back in three days, but the PET scan took a full week, and Tom and I were incredibly anxious. Anyone who’s waited for test results knows just how nerve-wracking it can be, especially if the results are taking longer than you expect. We were convinced that they had to send the PET scans to twelve hospitals to get more opinions, or simply ran out of pens as all their ink was used up circling “suspicious” areas! I think there’s a point where hoping for the best, preparing for the worst works fine, then once the preparing for the worst starts to occupy all your thoughts – not good.I just finished my 27th “dive” in a hyperbaric chamber as part of my wound care regimen. These dives were daily – five per week, at two hours each. When you factor in driving in traffic, that was more than three hours each day for five weeks. . .did I mention that I’m glad those are done??? Anyway, the increased air pressure in these chambers forces oxygen into your body, thus promoting healing. The wound responded well, and is almost healed. There’s still a hole, about the diameter of a pencil, that hasn’t closed up yet, but they tell me it will in time. I hope so, as it’s been 13 months now since the surgery that caused the wound in the first place. Yes, I’ve had an open wound for 13 months now. . .Wow. . .That’s the first time I looked at it that way.
BUT – All this complaining must be leading to something – right? Right. I’m alive, and as crazy as life has been lately, it’s also been full, vivid, and rich. We just celebrated my oldest son’s 12th birthday yesterday and it was great. We have two summer vacations planned including an Alaska cruise that we all can enjoy knowing I am, for the time-being and God-willing forever, cancer-free!
Until next time. . .
2 comments:
That's wonderful Ema!
Hi Ema, I read your blog. I wish you and your family the best of luck. I hope the best for you too. My brother in-law and good friend was recently was diagnosed with Pleomorphic Sarcoma. I've been trying to find out as much as possible on this form of cancer and stumbled upon you blog. You're a great writer. Thanks
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