Hey Everyone- I hope you are all doing well and having a great weekend! I just got back from a week in Snowmass, Colorado. My parents, sister with her family, my great grandma, Doug, Ella and I all went together. It was absolutely beautiful up there with a lot of snow. I mean A LOT of snow! We used to go to Snowmass every year growing up. Andrea and I haven't been for several years, since starting our families. So it was so good to be back there and see how things have changed and stayed the same. I had been wanting to take Doug there for so long to show him the mountain. He is a snowboarder and we are pretty equally matched so we have a good time skiing/boarding together! It was a great time. I bet you are wondering if I skiied, I did a little bit! I only skiied a few hours at a time and only 3 days out of the five but I did get to ski a little bit. A couple of the days I was feeling pretty good and felt like my old self skiing fast down the hill. One of the days, my body was pretty tired and it was frustrating that my body couldn't do what it used to be able to do. I also didn't ski more because my body was pretty sore and out of shape so I didn't want to push it and hurt myself. This again, was a bit frustrating because again, I am not my old self. I did wear a helmet, my oncologist really pushed this, especially since I am on Coumadin! So I did wear it and only fell once.
I don't know if I told you, right before we left, I fell picking up Ella from daycare and twisted my foot. I didn't break it, thankfully, and it healed quickly so it didn't affect the skiing. Whew, i was concerned about that.
Now, we are back, that was a long driving trip, but Ella did so well. We were so proud of her. I head back to chemo this week, starting Tuesday. I did talk to Dr. Foster this past week. It sounds like the surgery is a go for probably early March. I have to talk to my oncologist and make sure he is on the same page but if all works out okay, I will start to wean my chemo. This means I will drop one of the drugs for the next two rounds of chemo, the Avastin. Then I will be off a month from chemo before I can have surgery. So that will probably fall early March.
This will be a bit of a challenge since the surgery will be up at Creighton in Omaha. It could be a major surgery it could end up being just a laprascopic procedure depending on what they find when they look. I hope they can do a lot, but that would then require the more difficult recovery. So it is a bit of a catch twenty two but if they see that they can't do much when they get in there because it is so bad and wide spread, then my recovery will be much easier and I will get back on chemo sooner. Anyway, I will about that later, or not at all, I can't do anything about it so why worry, right? Well, I will let you all know how chemo goes this week. Have a great week! shawndra
9 comments:
Glad you had a fabulous trip, and with so much of your family...what great memories that makes for!
Did Ella sled or do peewee skiing?
Ciao!
Deb
Shawndra, You don't know me but I came across your story via Jennifer Ireland. I came across Jennifer's story researching colon cancer info for my dear mom who was diagnosed last year with Stage 4. She died May 13,2007--Mother's Day and her 71st birthday. We were pursuing surgery with Dr. Foster but Mom had complications from the chemo and we never got there. We were so impressed with Dr. Foster. He really spent a lot of time with us and genuinely cared about Mom. I can't remember his assistant's name but she was awesome also. They even called months later just to see how we were doing. You are much younger and stronger than Mom. You have an awesome outlook and perspective. I am praying for you and your family. I know you don't know me but if you need anything when you come to Omaha you could contact me. Let me know through the blog. Hang in there!!
I figured after a week or better of no writing that you must be in Snowmass......AAHHHH, it must have been great! And how fun that everyone got to go. Did the kids try skiing? Even with the 1/2 days skiing you did ,it must have felt great to be there with everyone. I know that was always a fun trip, and if you haven't been for awhile then it's like old times. Like an old comfy pair of jeans. Don't think too much about treatments (a little, or enough to keep you focused and informed is good), much more than that is when the nutty stuff pops up and you can't focus where you need to. Glad you're back to the ole blog and the trip was good for the soul. Tell the family hello. Peace and Love.
Dear Shawndra,
I was about to write that I am missing you, and here you are! It is so good to "hear" you and feel your cheerful presence again. Bless you. Like others who do not know you, I feel like you are an important presence in my life. Joyce
Shawndra, Just returned from seeing The Bucket List. Sounds like you are doing things your way,just like the move and enjoying every minute of your life.
I was starting to worry about you as you hadn't written anything for a week. So glad you got to ski and have a wonderful trip. Good for you and Doug and Ella too! I know you had a ball and you deserve it. Kathy
Hey there you little snow bunny!!! So glad you got to go and have a great trip and enjoy being with your family. That is awesome. Now my thoughts and prayers will move towards your surgery and them getting in there and taking this stuff out of your belly and you living a long wonderful life with your family. If you really look at things, you have beaten so many odds and done it with such grace and hope. That feeling of mine has NEVER gone away and it is still there. You go girl!! Have a great week and know that you are loved. Melodie Chrisman
Shawndra-
Glad to hear you had a wonderful time snowing with you family! Please know we are here for you! We would love to get together for a playdate soon with Ella! Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family!
The Mudge's
Shawndra,
Have you checked out colonclub.com ? Some really inspirational stories. Take care.
Wendy
IMAGINE SHWANDRA!!!
BACK SKIIING!!!!
ISN'T THAT QUITE AN ACCOMPLISHMENT?
I COULDN'T DO IT IN 92, AND I' WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO. I'M NEVER IN SUCH GOOD SHAPE, AND I'M HEALTHY.
SO, LOOK AT YOU!!!
AFTER ALL YOU WENT THROUGH, YOU PUSHED YOUR BODY, MIND AND SOUL , AND YOU DO HAVE THE STRENGTH TO SKI!!!!
I CAN SEE YOU ALL SKIING, LAUGHING AND WALKING AROUND SNOWMESS, AS WHEN WE WENT ALONG WITH YOU.
KEEP THOSE FUN TIMES IN MIND AND KEEP ON BEING AS STRONG.
YOU'RE MAKING IT.
WE'RE ALL WITH YOU IN OUR MINDS AND PRAYERS.
LOVE,
ROSWITA
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