Survivor Day

Tonight Houston Methodist The Woodlands hosted their 2nd annual Survivor Night Celebration. I didn’t know what to expect tonight going into the evening. But, it turned out to be such a wonderful night. My entire medical team was there! They had delicious food and drinks and adorable cookies made for the event. They brought in a fun photo booth to take pictures and took a big “Survivor” picture to hang in the hospital. As we were sitting and looking around a room filled with people who have survived cancer and their caretakers, I noticed something- people who are under 50 were a minority. My heart is pulled towards those “young” survivors and having a desire to share the Hope that I have and the One I have found it in. I’m praying on what that looks like for the future. 

Tonight I got to do something so amazing. I was recorded by a camera man giving my story - God’s story of how we’ve fought cancer. This video will be shown in October at the Power of Pink luncheon and possibly other places. I pray that the parts where I talk about God are not edited out. I know that I had cancer for a purpose. I know that it was to make God famous in the medical community! I’m excited to be apart of that journey. 

New Medication

Summer is now in full swing and last week, my fist full week of summer, was filled with a training and a doctor appointment. My doctor appointment was to meet with Dr. Ramshesh to go over our next steps. The last time we met with her we thought that we would be going into the trial and getting medication for the trial over the next year. When we found out I was placed in the observation arm we called and asked for another appointment to go over all of our options. One year of just waiting didn't seem like the right choice for us. So on Wednesday we met with her. I went ahead and went over my memory loss issues that I was concerned about and some stomach issues I have been having. As for memory loss issues - I can start taking some B vitamins or a B complex vitamin to help boost my memory and help with leftover fatigue. She also told me to play some brain games just to stimulate my brain. My stomach issues - she told me that it was from a fatty liver. She was surprised that I was just now having issues with it seeing that my liver has had to filter all kinds of medication and chemo over the last year. Exercise and diet changes such as no spicy foods, cutting back on fatty foods etc. should help with those issues. She also agreed that going on another medication would be the best thing for me right now. This medication is 100% preventative and I will take it over the next 9 months. 4 pills in the morning and 3 at night for 2 weeks on and then 1 week off. It is basically a low dose chemotherapy but has very few side effects. I won't be sick, loose my hair, or have low blood counts - so that's a win!!! The one side effect I will have is darkening of the skin with a darkening focus on my hands and feet but moisturizing heavily should help with that. This medication should be here within the week and we will get started on the Monday that follows that.
Thank you for your continued prayers and for always checking on me. Realizing that this is a marathon and not a sprint has helped us make sure our focus could be on the long term.
#alreadywon