Question Answered

Dr. Walker called me last night to discuss whether lithotripsy could cause a lesion on my liver.  There is no difinitive proof of that.  He said there has been talk in the medical community that it might lead to diabetes and high blood pressure but once again nothing is written in stone about that.  He also answered my question about whether or not I had a lesion prior to lithotripsy.  I did.  It was mentioned in a CT scan that I had in March 2007 when I was admitted to emergeny for treatment.

Continue your prayers for Kathy and her family, please.  I talked to her yesterday prior to her appointment and she was at peace and ready to know the results of her biopsy.  She said the only reason for her peace was God’s people praying for she and her family.  Her desire is to glorify God in this storm they are facing.  This morning I learned that there is malignancy and it is inoperable.  She and her family are talking over what to do next.  If she began treatment at Mayo Clinic it cannot begin for around 3 weeks.

I may have mentioned the following verse in a previous post.  If I did it is worth repeating.  It is so comforting and another precious promise to cling to in the uncertain days we live in.

Isaiah 43:2-3

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.  When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you, for I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, YOUR SAVIOR.

Love,

Carmel

No Change

NO CHANGE.  Sounds good to me.  I am very thankful to hear those words from Dr. Ansari’s office with regards to the results of the contrast CT scan done of my liver last week.  I am breathing a sigh of relief.  I wonder if I will ever be able to fully relax when I am waiting test results from now on?  I’m trying!

I now have a question for Dr. Walker who was involved with my kidney stone attacks and lithotripsy treatment from last year.  Could that procedure have caused the “lesion” on my liver?  I have a call into him to find out.  I have also requested a copy of any type of xray that would have shown my liver prior to lithotripsy.

While I was going through thyroid and breast cancer the Lord brought a very precious person into my life who attends our church.  Kathy also experienced the same type of thyroid cancer and treatments.  She is such an angel.  She sent numerous cards and gifts my way to brighten my dark days and was a constant support to me sent from our Father.

Kathy and her husband are at Mayo Clinic.  There are cysts in her liver and a “mass” in her pancreas.  The Drs are not very hopeful of what this means for her.  A biopsy was performed today and they should have results tomorrow.  I am sick at heart over this news as well as the rest of our congregation.  She needs a miracle which our God is still more than able to do.  PLEASE pray for Kathy and her family to receive just such a miracle.  She loves the Lord and trusts him.  This is just such tough stuff to experience.

Lamentations 3:22 (NRSV)

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Love,

Carmel

Another CT Scan

I went back to Dr. Ansari’s office today to have a CT scan of my liver.  

Earlier this year when I had my first appointment with Dr. Ansari I told him after being diagnosed with breast cancer I was concerned about my lungs.  Both of my parents were heavy smokers so I ingested second hand smoke for the first 18 years of my life.  My dad and one of my sisters died from lung cancer.  True they were both smokers but I felt my concern was still valid.  He was sensitive to my concern and ordered a CT scan that went from my lungs down to my liver.   Nothing was noted about my lungs but the report did mention a “lesion” on my liver.  He was not overly concerned about this but when we spoke of it at my last appointment he thought it would be worth having another CT scan done to see if it had changed at all.  Just precautionary.

I asked my family physician what a lesion is.  His answer was that it is something that they don’t know what it is.

One of the nurses was trying to insert a “thread” for an IV today and had trouble with it.  It did not hurt but for some reason as they were working with it I started feeling sick and a bit woozy.  I don’t know if it was the thought of them having problems, that I only had clear liquids this morning or what.  She said I was looking pale and got me some water and a cold compress.  After they finished with it and I was laying down on the table I was fine.

I should hear about the results by Friday or Monday at the latest.  I am not worried about it because Dr. Ansari did not seem overly concerned. 

Hebrews 13:8

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Love,

Carmel

Another Follow Up

I saw Dr. Tachman today, my endocrinologist as a follow up appointment to my treatment for papillary thyroid cancer and to make sure that I am on a correct dose of thyroid medicine.

First of all he pointed out to me that it will take a while for everything to level out.  That includes my T3 and T4 which are thyroid hormones, thyroglobulin (see entry for June 25th for explanation of what this is) and TSH which stands for thyroid stimulating hormone.  For those that are interested and understand these my T3 is 3.4.  Reference range is 2.4 to 4.4.  My T4 is 1.40.  The reference range is 0.93 to 1.70.  The thyroglobulin dropped from a reading of 46.4 on 6-19-08 to 0.20 on 8-26-08.  That indicates that the radioactive treatment that I had is killing remaining thyroid cells.  The TSH reading is 0.01.  Reference range for that is between 0.3 to 4.0.

So, it was a good appointment.  All the numbers are where they should be at this point in time.  I asked him questions, he answered them and also added that I now need to take a mental vacation from all of this.  I was told if he has concerns about anything he would certainly let me know.  I will see him again in 6 months, about three month after my next radioactive iodine treatment…that is IF I need another one!  I am praying that is not the case.

On Thursday I see my family Dr. for a routine physical.  I already know some good news he is going to share with me.  After at least six years of fighting high cholesterol my numbers are down and up where they should be.  I am so happy about this.  I have a family history and it has been quite a battle.

Our Pastor used Psalm 139 in his sermon this past week and reading it was such a blessing to me.  I am not just a number to God.  He knows me intimately and He understands me and how I feel, protects me and keeps his hand on me.  Yay!  Isn’t He wonderful?

Psalm 139 1-6

O Lord, though hast searched me, and known me.  Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.  Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.  For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.  Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.  Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it!

Love,

Carmel

 

Another Visit With Dr. Ansari

I really do like Dr. Rafat Ansari, my oncologist.  Yesterday I had my first follow up appointment with him since my initial consultation.  He does not make me feel rushed and takes time to answer all of my questions, which I had my fair share of yesterday.  He also has a very gentle spirit.  But the most importantly thing to me is that he is highly qualified.

It was all good news.  I will see him every six months for 2-3 years.  I will also keep having mammograms twice a year.  Once a year for both breasts and the other time for the left breast only.  I had mentioned to Curt a while back that if twice a year was not recommended by him I still thought I would want to do it and pay for the one out of pocket just for my peace of mind right now.

I asked him about whether he would consider ordering an Oncotype DX test which is a “genomic test ($3,500.00) that predicts the likelihood of cancer recurrence, and of survival in patients with newly diagnosed breast cancer that has not spread to their lymph nodes and is estrogen receptive positive.”  (article from Women & Cancer/Spring 2008)  That’s me.  I like his answer.  He said that it was not needed for me because he estimates my reoccurence rate at 4%.   Pretty dog-gone good, I would say.  The thing I did not ask him was whether that includes the possibility of cancer in the other breast.

I have an appointment with my endocrinologist on September 2nd.  Prior to going to see him I will have blood drawn to see where I am at with the thyroid medicine I am on and if it needs to be tweaked.  I am also interested to see how my calcium levels are running with the problems I had with parathyroid disease, kidney stones and the fact that the arimidex I am on for breast cancer is hard on the bones.  Dr. Ansari said I will be having a bone scan done next year to check on that issue.  Anyway back to Dr. Tachman.  The blood test will also give him T3 and T4 levels as well as my thyroglobulin.  I hope to see that is way down as it was high prior to the radioactive iodine therapy.

On September 4th I go to my family physician for my yearly check up.  Ha ha.  That is funny.  What is he going to tell me?  I have health problems?  I will find out from him how my cholesterol issue is going and discuss with him that my blood pressure has been running on the high side, 130/90.  I have noticed that it has been for quite some time and i suspect it is because of the arimidex as well.  We all know that harsh treatments are a double edged sword.  You need them but they also do harm. 

Other than all of that I am doing well.  I am still feeling tired but I imagine that is normal after all the “stuff” that has been going on.  I am encouraged and have been thinking today of the verse in Psalm 27:13 which says “Wait on the Lord and be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thy heart.”  I feel that after all that has gone on that my heart has definitely been strengthened.  It feels good to know for a fact that God can be counted on during the tough stuff of life.

I will keep blogging even though they are farther apart these days and that is a very good thing!

Love,

Carmel

PS Tomorrow I am going to Indianapolis to pick up some very special medicine that has no side effects.  Arielle and Aryana.  Two very special grandbabies.  

First Follow Up Mammogram

Yesterday was my first mammogram after completing treatment for breast cancer.  I went to the appointment with peace in my heart.   The results are normal.  Thank you again, Lord.  The Dr. came in and spoke to me afterwards and said that for the next two years I will have mammograms twice a year.  After that I will go back to having them once a year.

I am very impressed with the people who work at X-Ray Consultants at Douglas and SR 23.  The Lord has used them in my treatment and I cannot thank Him or them enough for that.  I keep thinking back to what the Dr. said after my second mammogram was performed in January of this year.  The cancer was so small he was “amazed” that Dr. Linda Tutthill (who read my mammogram) was able to even see it.

Two phrases of the 23rd Psalm keep coming to my mind these last few days.  One is “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.”  We have everything that we need through our relationship with Christ.  Everything.  The other portion is “thy rod and thy staff comfort me.”  He is where we find true comfort during difficult times. 

I am feeling well but still a bit tired.  Rest is something I am really enjoying at the end of the day.  On Sundays I am taking a nap, something I normally do not do.

Still no contact from Isable or her mom.  I am getting ready to send another card to them.  She is entering into her senior year soon.

Love,

Carmel

A Quick Note

It is wonderful to feel good and to be in a more normal routine.  I am sleeping well at night, getting some excercise by walking daily, enjoying some wonderful summer days and some beautiful little grandbabies and rejoicing with friends and family that I no longer have a daily focus on medical treatments.  All of these things make a lot of difference for me mentally.  I could almost forget that the word cancer was a part of my life and that is a very good thing!

I will have more updates several times in August as I have a follow up mammogram and appointment with Dr. Rafat Ansari, my oncologist.

A paragraph out of the book called “Safe In The Shepherd’s Arms” by Max Lucado says…

“You have a God who hears you, the power of love behind you, the Holy Spirit within you, and all of heaven ahead of you.  If you have the Shepherd, you have grace for every sin, direction for every turn, a candle for every corner, and an anchor for every storm.  You have EVERYTHING you need.”   Now, isn’t that the truth?  It adds greater insight to the beginning of Psalm 23.  The Lord is my shepherd.  I shall not want.  What else do we need?

Love,

Carmel

Comfort And Strength From The Word

I will start off with my latest appointment earlier in the week with Dr. Wilson, the Dr. who was in charge of my radiation therapy for breast cancer.  It went well.  He just needed to look at the skin and also manually examined my breast, something I find quite comforting.

One of the biggest battles I have faced during this time has been in the mind.  Many times in the Bible you read “fear not”.  I am so glad that God inspired those words because I have sure needed the reasurrance that there is nothing too big for God to handle.  That has required faith on my part and that is something that does not come naturally, I suppose to any of us. 

There is great comfort in II Chronicles 20 starting at around verse 15…

The battle is not yours, but God’s…You will not need to fight in this battle.  Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you…

AMEN!

Love,

Carmel

Follow Up Scan

This morning I went back to nuclear medicine at Memorial for my follow up full body scan.  They check to make sure that the I-131  that I received last Thursday is localized in the neck area and mine was.  It is just where it should be.  This stuff is long lasting and will keep on working for up to 3 months with the dose that I received.  Hopefully by the time I have my next scan in December they will say that I do not need an additional dose.  Time will tell.

In the mean time I have a diagnostic mammogram scheduled for August 4th and a follow up appointment with Dr. Ansari August 21st.  On September 2nd I have a follow up appointment with my endocrinologist, Dr. Tachman and prior to that appointment a blood test to check out my TSH, Free T3 and T4 (don’t even know what that is…) and also my thyroglobulin.  I hope to see that number drastically reduced.  I suppose that would mean that there is less thyroid tissue and hopefully no more cancer cells left.  There is so much I don’t know and understand.  I have received an education about things I would rather not know about and that is as honest as I can be. 

I do intend to occasionally blog as there are updates to report although now they will be further apart.

I Corinthians 10:13 (BECK)

You can trust God.  He will not let you be tested more than you can stand.  But when you are tested, He will also make a way out so that you can bear it.

It has been a long haul but God has been faithful each step of the way and I know he will continue to be!!  He can’t be otherwise.

Love,

Carmel

The Treatment, ETC.

Today is the day I have been looking forward to for weeks.  First of all I am going back on my thyroid medicine today.  This is a biggie.  I have been off of it since the 17th of May and it has culminated by me feeling pretty lousy the longer I have been off of it.  Second, I get to enjoy real food again.  I can have salad dressing, iodized salt, eggs and too many other things to list.  I have to admit though that there has been an up side to being on this no iodine/low sodium diet.  My best guess is that I have lost around 7 pounds in two weeks.  That is a good thing.  BUT, spaghetti is on the menu today.  I made some sauce at the very beginning of this week to enjoy in celebration.

I received the radioactive iodine on Thursday somewhere around 2:30pm.  The dose was 30 millicuries, about 70 millicuries less than what they would have given me if there had been less thyroid tissue present.  Dr. Kletzing did not want to go back in for a third surgery which I was very glad to hear.  I was not looking forward to the possibility of that again.  I feel I am well on the road to healing very nicely from the other two surgeries.

So, my days have been spent pushing a lot of water.  They say at least 2+ liters per day for a few days.  I am also to have a piece of hard candy, preferably sour, in my mouth during my waking moments for the first seven days.  I am not enjoying this.  I started out with purely sour candy and my mouth was getting sore from it.  So, Curt purchased some regular hard candy so I can alternate between the two.  The purpose is to stimulate my salivary glands since the treatment had a tendency to affect them in a negative way.

Because I have more thyroid cells left than what they would like I will be radioactive longer than what I originally expected.  Curt and I have to sleep apart for 11 days instead of 5-7.  All the way around I am just being extra careful.  Other things I could probably ease up on a bit like even sitting in the same room with him 7 feet apart but I don’t feel comfortable even doing that for a while.  Better safe than sorry.  Who knows what they will say down the road about the safety rules for all of this.

My follow up full body scan will be July 2nd at 8:30am.  To be honest with you I cannot remember exactly what this is for.  I think it is to determine how successful the treatment was BUT as Dr. Boll said this the treatment is something that is long lasting…in other words it will keep working in my body for quite some time to come so even this next scan will not be a true indicator of success.

Between Thanksgiving and Christmas I will be going through this exact same process again.  I am praying the full body scan at that time will show no thyroid activity at all.  If that is the case then I do not believe they will administer another dose.  We asked him to please get it done prior to the end of the year for insurance purposes.

This begins a new chapter for me not only with the thyroid but the breast cancer as well.  I have wondered how people live with the years of follow up check ups and the anxiety of desperately hoping you are going to have a good report.  A good report meaning no cancer.

God has given me  time to learn how to trust him better.  Not perfectly, but better.  I know only he is trustworthy.  I have found him faithful and know that he will continue to be.  By the way, his faithfulness is no surprise.  I have had to walk through these many months to experience it in a whole new way and that in turn has strengthened my faith.

I have looked the possibility of dying from this disease in the face.  God has reminded me that we are all dying.  It is just a matter of when.  He knows.  He has assured me that he will be just as faithful in death as he has been in life, whenever that may be.  The important thing is that after I die I will be with him forever because of the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross for me.  How very glad I am that I accepted that priceless gift from him 35 years ago!!  Because of that I have HOPE beyond this painful life.  The bottom line is that he has done it ALL for me.  He has saved my soul and is helping me walk through this life.  He has given me EVERYTHING I need and then some.  What a great God he is!

Curt and I cannot begin to express the gratitude of our hearts for all the support we have received.  God’s people are amazing and such a gift from Him.  Thank you.

I Corinthians 4:17

For our present troubles are quite small and won’t last very long.  Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever.

Love,

Carmel