Well, I am awake from my "nap". I hope I didn't say anything bad, hehe. Everything went well. The doctor did see that it is a tumor, which we pretty much knew. He did biopsy it. I don't think it will change much as far as treatment. He did mention a couple of things we will be checking into but I did accept an offer to start on a study with the new medication called folfiri along with another medication called Vectibix. This is supposed to be a promising new drug. I did consult with Dr. Foster, who I recently saw in Omaha and he agreed that this was a good option. That made my decision to go ahead with it. The only down side is that I have to go have another CAT scan, bloodwork and EKG before I can start the study. Ugh. I feel like this is my life now, doctors, needles, etc. Oh well, small price to pay if it works, right! Let's pray that it works. I will be learning more, but I think one of the side effects is an acne like rash on my face and maybe body. I am not looking forward to that. Also hair loss may be more likely with this new regimen. I may have to have a few people over for a hat party, or a shave your head party... who is with me.... hehe. That will be a difficult day, but I know a lot of people go through it and I can do it too.
I have to tell you about the "sign" I received today. I will try to make it short. I had a book in my hands when I went in for my procedure, one that my good friend, Julie, gave me recently. It is about a minister who was in an accident and died for 90 minutes. The nurse saw my book and told me she was just talking about this book with one of the other nurses. Apparently, the minister who this story is based on is speaking tomorrow night here in KC. I take this as a sign and will be attending. It is amazing these subtle hints or "signs" we are given. You just have to be paying attention to spot it. Sometimes we get to busy and let it pass us by. Thank you, God, for this "subtle hint". I will listen and act on it! Have a great night sleep everyone. Thank you all for checking up on me, praying for me and being my support system. I have such a strong support system!!!
PS. I was kind of bummed I didn't wear my tiara today since my birthday is over. I guess I don't need a reason to wear it but people at the store, etc. might look at me a little funny. I better go try to read more of this book before tomorrow night. Good dreams...
16 comments:
You can wear your tiara anytime you want. Doug thinks you are a princess, so that is reason enough. Good Luck with the new meds.
Beth Patterson
I'm very excited to hear about the new options for treatment. You are so right about signs and missing so many because we get so busy with day to day life. How lucky we all are to have you to slow us down and remember to take advatage of the signs we are given. As for the hair thing....if you really have a shave your head party, count me in. Heck what's the worst that can happen, looking bald? Of course my stylist would probably weep but I think it would be an adventure! Have a great rest of your week!
Shawndra - I read this book awhile back and interestingly one of my co-workers told me tonight that she is going to see the author tomorrow as well. I hope that this is an inspirational evening for you.
Best of wishes as you move ahead in your treatment options. May God fill you with His healing grace and strenghten you in all that lies ahead.
Much love and prayers
Jean, an email friend in Blue Springs.
Shawndra, I see we have something else in common. As I said yesterday, we share a birthday. Unfortunately, cancer has touched both our lives, albeit in different ways. My mother was afflicted and sadly, you have been afflicted as well. And now I see that you are reading 90 Minutes in Heaven. I read the book about a year ago. And the weirdest thing is that when we were driving home from the Royals game tonight, before I ever read your post, I thought about the experience the minister you're referring to had and was wondering if that was really the way it was in heaven. What's weird is that I can't tell you the last time I thought of this book. Then I come home and read your blog less than an hour after thinking about it and you're reading it. I just thought that was interesting and thought I would mention it to you. Maybe that's another "sign" that I think of the book and then read your blog about it in the same hour. What happens in that book is truly a miracle. Not just the heaven experience, but the fact that he is alive to tell the story. I'm glad you're going to listen to him speak. I hope he inspires you and that you leave with lots of positive thoughts and renewed hope of what God's will can do.
I will leave you with a bible verse about hope. I will continue to pray for you and hope that God's will is to heal you and make all you're going through be history one day. "And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the holy Spirit that has been given to us." Romans 5:5
Take care and may God be with you.
Leisa
You are so right about just paying attention to the "signs" that God sends us everyday. Enjoy seeing the speaker. Have faith that being accepted for this chemo is a sign, a good one. I will continue to prayer for you, think of you often.
I just started reading your blog and read Jennifer Ireland's and I just wanted to ask you something. I am a 26 year old female and I have Irritable Bowel Syndrome really bad and just wanted to ask how you know the difference between that and colon cancer? I have been to MANY GI specialists and am currently with one at WAshU, here in ST. Louis. I have severe constipation, that at times can go for up to a month with only small amounts of BM. They've done a LOT of tests on me and always come back saying it's just the IBS with constipation. So now I'm on a laxative and I take Beano, before I eat, for the bloating. But some days, my stomach will look 9 months pregnant, my pants will get tight and I can get severe pains in my stomach. How can I be on the safe side? Please email me with your response to this. I'd appreciate it. Thank you and God Bless. Since reading about all you young ladies with this, I've added you all to my prayers. Good luck. Hope to hear from you. Thanks. My email: goose189@hotmail.com. My name is Corey. Thank you.
Your courage is amazing!!! I will be so eager to hear where the "sign" leads and what God has to say to you there. He is so awesome.
Shawndra-
You truly are amazing Daughter, Sister, Friend, Wife and Mother. You have touched so many lives. Thank You for sharing your life with us. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Have a Great Day! Take Care and Be Careful!
The Mudge's
Hey Shawndra,
Count me in for the wig party. Thinking about you and praying for you here in Nantucket. I think we needed some east coast prayers so I have spread the word about you and your story. I can already feel the prayers working. See you soon. Jenny
Shawndra,
I just read an article on Fred Rogers (yes, THE Mr. Rogers) and his life, and how he lived it with such honesty and openness, and how he signed his letters to many people, "I am proud of you". I thought of you when I read this: You live your life with openness and honesty and one other thing--courage. While I am not even close to being like Mr. Rogers, I am indeed proud of you. For your courage in this journey, for your incredible sense of humor, for your honesty in sharing. I AM PROUD OF YOU!!!
Keeping up the prayers,
Elena
Shawndra,
I have been a faithful reader of Jennifer Ireland's blog and was linked to your blog from there. I just read all of your entries and wanted to tell you that I am wowed by your strength, faith, courage, and most of all your honesty. I feel so priviledged to be able to have some insight into your life and what it's like to live in your shoes. I know I can't say that I fully understand, but I have 3 young children and am in my 30's and I know that I can't imagine being faced with cancer at this time in my life. Thank you so much for sharing! I will be keeping up with you from now on and I will pray for you and your family. I know God works in miraculous ways. Also, if you do come to MD Anderson, and are interested, I do photography in the Houston area and would love to give you and your family a free session. I could send you a cd of all the pictures. (Here's my link just so you know I'm not some psycho writing you, haha). www.studiobloomphoto.com
Take care,
Laura
Good luck with the new meds, sounds like a good way to go!
And by the way, what's the name of that book? It sounds interesting.
God bless :)
Hi Shawndra,
I have been following your blog for about three months now. My boss is Jennifer Irelands's Uncle so that's how I found your link. I have started to say the rosary for you daily. There is great power in the rosary. You seem like such a positive fun and trusted friend that I can see why people are drawn to you. My prayer for you is for healing and happiness in your life. Trust in GOD and I know he will give you the desires of your heart.
Janice
Shawndra,
I'm so glad you had a great birthday; I was thinking about you! I will be saying some prayers that the new meds do great things for you. Have a great weekend! :)
-Amy
YOU'RE SUCH AN ELEVATED SPIRITUAL BEING, SHWANDRA. YOU'RE AN EXPRESSION OF WHAT LOVE REALLY MEANS. IF WE COULD JUST ALL FOLLOW YOUR PATH IN HANDLING OUR LIFE CHALLENGES AS YOU ARE WITH SO MUCH STRENGHT AND THIS OVERWHELMINGLY WILL TO FIGHT!
GO ON FIGHTING FOR YOUR LIFE!
ENJOY EVERY SECOND IN ITS FULLEST.
YOU'LL BE REWARDED.
Love, Roswita
Hey, lady!
You should ABSOLUTELY keep wearing that tiara (I wear mine all the time). :)
Know that you are in my prayers every night.
Margit
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