My oncologist had a cancellation so I will be able to see her tomorrow at 1:30 PM. Eric and my parents will be at this appointment. My appointment tomorrow is great news so that I can keep moving forward in this process. Unfortunately, it happens to be when I am supposed to be presenting our curriculum program to my faculty. The good news is that we present as a team . . . so hopefully everything will be just fine. Another great thing is that my faculty piloted this program so it is old hat.
Again, thanks so much for your words, prayers, thoughts and love. I know that I am not alone.
p.s. I woke up today at 2 am hoping it was all a dream. Apparently it is not.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
CT Scan Results, Next Step a PET Scan
Today was a difficult day.
"Sarah, I have bad news."
Hearing those words from anyone at MD Anderson is heart-wrenching. Today, Dr. Lin called me and informed in that my CT Scan showed small spots on my lungs. This of course is a change from my CT Scan just 4 months ago. While Eric and I knew that this indeed was a possiblity, I had convinced myself that everything would be just fine. I found myself in disbelief. I have very few details -- my mind could not think of any questions.
What I do know:
*I am scheduled for a head to toe PET Scan on Friday at 2:30
*I am going to be meeting with an oncologist next week to discuss results and treatment
*Dr. Lin says I will most likely have chemo
When I was first diagnoised I heard God say to me, "Sarah, you are going to be fine because I have you in my arms, but it is not going to be as easy as you think." I didn't share this with many people because everything was looking really good and I thought I was being overally dramatic. Now I understand. It is beautiful to see how God has constantly provided for me (and Eric) and I know that He will do so through this experience.
Although, I do find myself wondering -- Why me? Honestly, I feel like I have already gone through a lot in my life and I just don't understand this trial. Please pray for me especially with the beginning of the school year. I was so excited to start this year healthy and strong. I WILL start the year strong and I WILL love my children with all of my heart but please pray for strength and health. I want to be able to give them my ALL every day. On another note, I am getting married in November. My marriage is quickly approaching with so many unknowns. While we never know what the future holds, it is definitely easy to let my mind wander down the path of "what if's . . ." Please pray that I will conquer cancer and enter my marriage strong. Please pray for Eric and strength and guidance during this time.
Love you all. Thank you for reading. Wish I could bring better news today.
"Sarah, I have bad news."
Hearing those words from anyone at MD Anderson is heart-wrenching. Today, Dr. Lin called me and informed in that my CT Scan showed small spots on my lungs. This of course is a change from my CT Scan just 4 months ago. While Eric and I knew that this indeed was a possiblity, I had convinced myself that everything would be just fine. I found myself in disbelief. I have very few details -- my mind could not think of any questions.
What I do know:
*I am scheduled for a head to toe PET Scan on Friday at 2:30
*I am going to be meeting with an oncologist next week to discuss results and treatment
*Dr. Lin says I will most likely have chemo
When I was first diagnoised I heard God say to me, "Sarah, you are going to be fine because I have you in my arms, but it is not going to be as easy as you think." I didn't share this with many people because everything was looking really good and I thought I was being overally dramatic. Now I understand. It is beautiful to see how God has constantly provided for me (and Eric) and I know that He will do so through this experience.
Although, I do find myself wondering -- Why me? Honestly, I feel like I have already gone through a lot in my life and I just don't understand this trial. Please pray for me especially with the beginning of the school year. I was so excited to start this year healthy and strong. I WILL start the year strong and I WILL love my children with all of my heart but please pray for strength and health. I want to be able to give them my ALL every day. On another note, I am getting married in November. My marriage is quickly approaching with so many unknowns. While we never know what the future holds, it is definitely easy to let my mind wander down the path of "what if's . . ." Please pray that I will conquer cancer and enter my marriage strong. Please pray for Eric and strength and guidance during this time.
Love you all. Thank you for reading. Wish I could bring better news today.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Results from Follow Up
I just finished up my appointments today. My plastic surgeon, Dr. Adelman, is pleased with the healing but NOT pleased with me wearing sleeve-less shirts. Yes, I had the divine luck of running past Dr. Adelman on Allen Parkway this past Saturday. I knew the man with the Yale shirt looked very familiar. I questioned, "Could this be Dr. Adelman taking a morning jog??" Since he was out of his element, I was not sure. I just ran and smiled.
Well, today, he said, "Were you running on Saturday?" My response, "Yes, I KNEW it was you!!" He replied, "Well, I didn't recognize you in the sleeve-less shirt you were NOT supposed to be wearing." "Dr. Adelman, I told you I wore sleeve-less shirts. I told you. I wear 60 spf sunscreen everyday." Anyway, long story short, I left feeling like I wasn't really taking care of my scar. But oh well, it's Houston and it's HOT!!!
My follow up with Dr. Lin was brief. He is a man of few words with a direct point. I really respect him. My chest x-rays were clear and my MRI looked pretty good. Since I just had surgery on my arm, the imaging looked intense but normal for post surgery. However, Dr. Lin stated that he noticed a interesting shadow on the MRI that appeared under my arm/lung. Since my chest x-ray was clear, he doesn't think it has to do with the lungs. He however wants to be certain, so I will have a CT scan on Friday. (I hate CT scans)
Oh well. So I will keep carrying on. :o) Thanks for reading.
Well, today, he said, "Were you running on Saturday?" My response, "Yes, I KNEW it was you!!" He replied, "Well, I didn't recognize you in the sleeve-less shirt you were NOT supposed to be wearing." "Dr. Adelman, I told you I wore sleeve-less shirts. I told you. I wear 60 spf sunscreen everyday." Anyway, long story short, I left feeling like I wasn't really taking care of my scar. But oh well, it's Houston and it's HOT!!!
My follow up with Dr. Lin was brief. He is a man of few words with a direct point. I really respect him. My chest x-rays were clear and my MRI looked pretty good. Since I just had surgery on my arm, the imaging looked intense but normal for post surgery. However, Dr. Lin stated that he noticed a interesting shadow on the MRI that appeared under my arm/lung. Since my chest x-ray was clear, he doesn't think it has to do with the lungs. He however wants to be certain, so I will have a CT scan on Friday. (I hate CT scans)
Oh well. So I will keep carrying on. :o) Thanks for reading.
First 3 Month Follow Up
Today, I will have my first 3 month follow up from my April surgery. I sent Friday at MD Anderson getting an MRI, chest x-rays, and x-rays of the right humorous. In July Dr. Adelmen revised my incision eliminating the extra pointed skin. I have to say it is a little weird not having a mini cone on my arm :o). But yes, I think I can handle it! My good friend Courtney is giving up her afternoon to be with me for my follow up appointments. She is wonderful.
Eric is about to complete a 26 hour drive to Salt Lake City. He is on a business trip touring the west with Garrett Finney, mastermind of Cricket Trailer. http://crickettrailer.com/. Tomorrow there is a huge trade show for outdoor enthusiasts. Hopefully they will get some orders for the cricket! Now off to MD Anderson.
Eric is about to complete a 26 hour drive to Salt Lake City. He is on a business trip touring the west with Garrett Finney, mastermind of Cricket Trailer. http://crickettrailer.com/. Tomorrow there is a huge trade show for outdoor enthusiasts. Hopefully they will get some orders for the cricket! Now off to MD Anderson.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Engagement Photos Done!!
Yesterday, our wonderful photographer posted our engagement photos on her website. You should check them out; they are incredible. www.sweetcarolinephoto.com If you or anyone needs photos taken, Caroline is sooo talented and so pleasant! She listens and tweaks ideas! Caroline has a gift and we are so blessed that she is taking our wedding photos as well.
The wedding planning process is a wonderful one full of learning. It always comes back to what is important, really? And the answer to that question is the life-long commitment Eric and I are making to each other and the wonderful blessing of spending a life with someone you adore and who adores you. And the party that celebrates this blessing and commitment is really fun too -- BUT extra.
I have been reading Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas. Thomas looks at marriage as a spiritual discipline not a path to happiness. I appreciate his realness. He helps put marriage in perspective.
"Marriage calls us to an entirely new and selfless life. . . I believe the primary purpose of marriage is to model God's love for his church. . . . The first purpose of marriage --beyond happiness, sexual expression, the bearing of children, companionship, mutual care and provision, or anything else -- is to please God."
If I enter my marriage with the mindset that my goal is to please God -- can you imagine how life changing that will be for Eric and I!
Anyway, just some thoughts.
The wedding planning process is a wonderful one full of learning. It always comes back to what is important, really? And the answer to that question is the life-long commitment Eric and I are making to each other and the wonderful blessing of spending a life with someone you adore and who adores you. And the party that celebrates this blessing and commitment is really fun too -- BUT extra.
I have been reading Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas. Thomas looks at marriage as a spiritual discipline not a path to happiness. I appreciate his realness. He helps put marriage in perspective.
"Marriage calls us to an entirely new and selfless life. . . I believe the primary purpose of marriage is to model God's love for his church. . . . The first purpose of marriage --beyond happiness, sexual expression, the bearing of children, companionship, mutual care and provision, or anything else -- is to please God."
If I enter my marriage with the mindset that my goal is to please God -- can you imagine how life changing that will be for Eric and I!
Anyway, just some thoughts.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
School's Out for Summer!
So, I made a goal for this summer to read the chapter books in my classroom library that I have not already read.
Frindle by Andrew Clements
I love, love, love this book! Clements has a way with words that keeps the reader involved. I will be recommending it to my students for sure!
The Lemonade War by Jacqueline Davies
I liked that this book used economics throughout the plot. Children can relate to selling lemonade and having a feud with their siblings. It was slow in parts but I really do like the economics aspect.
Umbrella Summer by Lisa Graff
The theme of this book is outstanding. The main character is dealing with the sudden death of her brother Jared. I highly recommend this book for adults too.
A selection: "Maybe it took one person to open an umbrella and stick it up in the air to block out the rain, but it took a whole lot of people to close it. And even though I was pretty sure I still had a few more inches to go, I knew that once my umbrella was all the way closed, I was going to keep it like that for a long time. Because as it turned out, I sure did like the sunshine."
Frindle by Andrew Clements
I love, love, love this book! Clements has a way with words that keeps the reader involved. I will be recommending it to my students for sure!
The Lemonade War by Jacqueline Davies
I liked that this book used economics throughout the plot. Children can relate to selling lemonade and having a feud with their siblings. It was slow in parts but I really do like the economics aspect.
Umbrella Summer by Lisa Graff
The theme of this book is outstanding. The main character is dealing with the sudden death of her brother Jared. I highly recommend this book for adults too.
A selection: "Maybe it took one person to open an umbrella and stick it up in the air to block out the rain, but it took a whole lot of people to close it. And even though I was pretty sure I still had a few more inches to go, I knew that once my umbrella was all the way closed, I was going to keep it like that for a long time. Because as it turned out, I sure did like the sunshine."
Sunday, May 2, 2010
I can't believe it's May!
So . . . as you can imagine, my life has gotten very busy! Have I told you that I am getting married! WOOHOO!
It is amazing to see how God has moved through my life already this year. I am constantly in awe of the how He is sharpening me. Let's just say planning a wedding can bring out the best in you OR the worst in you! This past week was crazy. But God brought me a peace that this process isn't worth the stress and He whispered gentle reminders of His faithfulness.
I once again see the beauty of sharing a life together with the man I love and not just the stress of preparing for one day.
I know I will continue to learn beautiful things through this process.
Love you guys!
It is amazing to see how God has moved through my life already this year. I am constantly in awe of the how He is sharpening me. Let's just say planning a wedding can bring out the best in you OR the worst in you! This past week was crazy. But God brought me a peace that this process isn't worth the stress and He whispered gentle reminders of His faithfulness.
I once again see the beauty of sharing a life together with the man I love and not just the stress of preparing for one day.
I know I will continue to learn beautiful things through this process.
Love you guys!
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