Clean bill of health

Yesterday I went to see my oncologist for my first official 3 month follow up,.  My cute cousin Debbie greeted me and took my vitals and took my blood for a CBC.  I get so nervous going to that place since it doesn't have very good memories for me.  It is hard to believe that I go there just for an office visit now and not for chemo.  It even has a very distinct smell and makes me really uncomfortable.  Maybe the further away I get from chemo I won't get so anxious to go there for a doctors visit.

When my doctor walked in he made a comment on my hair and said that I almost have more hair than Jeff.  I told him I have more hair than him now but it is very curly so it is hard to see the difference in length.  We had a good laugh.  After that he talked to me about how I have been feeling. 

I feel great with the exception of the joints in my legs.  He said that is normal and sometimes caused by chemotherapy but it is probably arthritis due to lack of estrogen in my body.  It may be here to stay.  I also told him that I am unhappy with my weight gain since all of this started.  He looked at my chart and said that I really didn't gain that much weight compared to most people.  I feel like I have gained a lot because when you are short and gain 20lbs it appears to be quite a bit.  I told him how I have tried to exercise but it is very painful on my legs.  He told me take some Ibuprofen or Tylenol about a half our before I start and see if that helps.  I am to the point now that I just need to buck up and live with the pain because I need to start exercising.  I need to get this 20lbs off as well as a few more.  

Lack of estrogen in a women's body can create so many uncomfortable symptoms.  I am going to have to get used to it because if I feed my body estrogen through hormone therapy the cancer will surely grow back.  Right now I am still in menopause.  My doctor is still calling it temporary until you don't have a cycle for one full year after finishing chemotherapy.  I am only about 5 months out from finishing chemo.  I still have a tremendous amount of hot flashes every day.  If I had to guess, on most days I probably have 1-3 an hour, so do the math and that amounts to quit a bit.  I never understood why women would complain about them so much but now I know.  Not only do they make you super hot and sweaty, they also make your heart race and an anxious feeling overtakes your body.  They are terrible and I don't wish them on anybody.  Because I got thrown in to menopause at a younger age it will take my body quite some time to adjust before they start to dissipate and hopefully go away forever.  My mom says she still gets a couple of them a month, what I wouldn't give to only have a couple of them a month!!!!  At least I am alive and for the time being healthy.

My CBC (complete  blood count) all came back within the normal ranges so that was good.  I have a risk for Leukemia because of the AC chemo I had.  They will watch my blood for the rest of my life because of it.

We are not going to do any scans or anything like that because unless I have a symptom there is no need.  That way I get so save myself the anxiety and I will have more money for other things.  I want to experience all that I can right now while I am feeling good.  I love vacations with my family because we always make such great memories and memories are what we will take with us when we die.

At the end of the appointment my doctor said that he is giving me a clean bill of health.  

My next appointment will be in November.  Until then I hope all goes well and I can enjoy my time and all the fun things that I have planned for the next couple of months.

Much needed vacation

This summer has been super busy with us camping every weekend except one since Memorial Day.  We have had so much fun as a family and have enjoyed taking our friends with us as well.  We have made some really good memories.  I kept saying that this was going to be my funnest summer every and it sure did not disappoint. 

 This past week we went on a 10 day RV road trip.  Our first stop was Bear Lake, Utah for 3 nights and then we went to Grand Teton National Park and stayed at Colter Bay for 4 nights.  Then we went to Island Park Idaho where we visited Yellowstone National Park for 3 nights.

Each year I like to go to Grand Teton and Yellowstone.  Last year it got cut short because of a severe allergic reaction that I had.  There was no explanation as to why this occurred as they tested me for everything possible.  I still think it had to do with my cancer.  I really believe that this was from my cancer spreading to my lymph nodes.

This year was absolutely perfect.  My family of three went, along with both of our mom's.  We had the best time.  We didn't have a whole lot planned so the days were quite relaxing.  I love Colter Bay, it is truly my happy place and there isn't any other place in the world I would rather be than Grand Teton.  It is heaven on earth!!!  We have already started planning next year (I have to book the RV Park at Colter at least 6-8 months out in order to get a place).  We are going to stay at Colter Bay the entire time as all of us really love it there. 

This vacation ended up being my favorite vacation ever.  I think I feel that way because my life has a new meaning and after everything I went through this past year it was just what I needed.  I felt so far away from cancer and even forgot what I had went through.  It is funny how vacations and the beautiful majestic scenery can ease all of your stress and fears.  Of course after 10 nights it was time to come home and waiting for me Monday morning was my 1st official 3 month follow up with my oncologist.

Benign!!!!

I had to wait all weekend to find out that this mass is benign.  I don't know exactly what it is until I see my doctor tomorrow, but for now I am sooooo happy!!!!!!  Thank you to everybody who saw my posts on Facebook for your prayers and words of encouragement, it means a lot to me.

Update:  August 4, 2015.  Today I met with my surgeon.  She examined me and said that the mass feels smaller and I have to agree.  Why?  We don't know.  Either way she said both herself and the radiologist feel 100% confident that this is nothing more than scar tissue.  I feel better about it all now that I met with her.  I will go back in 3 months for another check up unless of course I feel it changing.  I walked away, finally with good news.  Throughout my entire journey things always got worse with each biopsy, surgery and appointment.  I am so happy right now, I can't stand it!!!!