Sunday, June 16, 2013

I lost my super hero powers

Since my MRI scans have come back good for the past few visits, I have been feeling invincible. I even thought about going back to school to get my BSN, so I could be a part time nurse when all of my kiddos are in school. This is something I wanted to do before I was diagnosed with brain cancer, but decided not to do it as soon as I was diagnosed, figuring that my time with my family was more important than my wanting a little job and some me time.


So my last MRI and visit with my oncologist, I realized that I am not invincible...

My oncologist saw my images and although he's always told me it's growing, even when we can't see the growth on the MRI, this time he said he could see the growth and estimated it as about 10 percent growth.

He suggested that I do radiation, which I still refuse to do. So, he would like me to do a year of chemo, which I am willing to do, after I get a second and third opinion. It's not that I don't trust my oncologist, because I completely do. But he is human and looking at these images with his eyes, so I'm guessing that it could be seen differently from another oncologist and I'd like to hear another opinion before I make a drastic change, like a year of chemo.

If I go the chemo route, I'm not going to start until September so that I can enjoy the summer with my kiddos without feeling sick. And my mom had a great suggestion as the chemo is in pill form, that I would take for 5 days every 28 day cycle for a year. She suggested that we sit down with a calendar and mark off all the dates I don't want to be on chemo, so that we can schedule those 5+ days at a time during the months that will not fall of holidays, birthdays, school breaks, etc.

I haven't told many people yet, because I have wanted to keep it on the down low, as my daughter, Faith, was finishing the last week of her senior year. She's seen us be back and forth on this for the last 2 years of her senior year, so I wanted her to just enjoy her last week like a normal high school student. Her graduation was wonderful, I'm a very proud mama and I'll post about it another time with pictures!!

As for now, just please keep me in your prayers and I'll try my best to keep you posted.

9 comments:

  1. I would love to pray for you, my friend! One of my brothers has fought cancer three times in six years.

    Five years ago they gave him 2-5 years to live. They also had him have a bone marrow transplant not to cure him but to extend his life those years and increase the chance that he might actually live that long.

    Anyway, during that time they came out with a new cancer treatment drug and he took it this last round. The doctor believes that they have actually cured him.

    Your mom's suggestion was brilliant. That way YOU'RE in control!

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    1. Thank you for your prayers, they are very appreciated! I'm so happy your brother is doing well now, it's such an inspiration to me...Thank you for sharing!

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  2. Many prayers & hugs.

    Jenn McCullar

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    1. Thanks Jenn, prayers are always appreciated!

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  3. Praying for you, Melanie. I'm sorry you're having to face these difficult times. Praying God will give you strength and peace and that you'll be able to rest in His superpower to take care of you.

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    1. Thank you for your prayers, I really appreciate them!

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  4. I have only just started reading your blog and can already tell you are an amazing and strong person. Sending hugs and prayers. xo

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    1. Thank you Stephanie for your kind words and prayers!

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  5. Thank you all for the wonderful comments, I went out of town right after I wrote this post and didn't get a chance to reply to each of them.

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