Treatment Plan
I posted this status on Facebook, "Things went well this morning at the oncologists." Brian says I may have overstated it a bit, but the truth is things did go well. As has happened on all of my other major medical days, I have felt an unnatural calm that can only be explained by prayer. Dr. W is very pleased with my recovery, and has a plan for me. I will be having two ports installed (is that the right way to state it?): one in my abdomen and one in my clavicle in preparation for chemo treatments. I will have 5 months worth of treatment in 3 week cycles. Day 1 will be chemo in my clavicle, Day 2 and Day 8 will be chemo directly into my abdomen. The good news is that this kind of treatment plan has a higher cure rate. The bad news is that it's pretty brutal on the body. (This is where being young and healthy comes into play.) My first two treatments are tentatively scheduled for May 4 and 5.
Dr. W gave me an 80% chance of success with this treatment plan, which is a very positive number. As always with cancer, there is a chance of recurrence, but we're not going to worry about that right now. One other major component to this is genetic. My younger sister, Liz, and I tested negative for the gene mutation that caused Becky's cancer. Today I was tested for the full range of genetic mutations. It would be very uncommon for a family to have two separate mutations, but it's also very uncommon for a 35 year old to have ovarian cancer so we'll just have to wait and see. Obviously, this has strong ramifications for Liz as well as my female cousins and other members of our family. While I have always been grateful our family was formed through adoption, this makes me even more grateful because there is no chance I have passed this on to Camden or Rory.
I am not looking forward to the next several months of my life, but I have almost 3 weeks to relax and enjoy feeling good. I am confident that despite the difficulty, things will be just fine.
If you're looking for some specific prayer requests besides the obvious, please pray that our insurance company will cover the genetic testing which will cost approximately $4,000. We also need prayer regarding our current job situation. Those two things weigh heavy on our mind at the moment.
If you're looking for some specific prayer requests besides the obvious, please pray that our insurance company will cover the genetic testing which will cost approximately $4,000. We also need prayer regarding our current job situation. Those two things weigh heavy on our mind at the moment.
Oh, and because I know you're dying to know, I had 46 staples removed today. Surprisingly enough, it was not painful. :)
Comments
God will see you through this.
"When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee."
God bless you girl!
Okay, so now when I am awake at 2:30 I have some very specific requests to be made:)
Love ya!!
The chemo sounds scary, but hopeful!!! I will be praying for the requests that you listed!
I'm glad there's a plan in place and the remission percentage is so high.
Let me know if there's anything I can do to help. I volunteer with the American Cancer Society, so I can ask them anything you need me to ask. I can take you up there if you want to do the Look Good, Feel Better program they have for women going through chemo. I see Brian every day at work, so just pass anything along that you need me to do. (And I was serious about crocheting you snazzy hats - I love to crochet, but I never do it unless I have a reason to.) I can make you and Rory matching hats even!
And, as always, I'm praying for you.
I am so incredibly encouraged by your doctor's projected success rate, but even more so by your amazing attitude and hope. You are so surrounded by love and support that I think your chance for success is even better than 80%!
Please do let me know how I can help you - we will be in Nashville soon, and I want to help out in ANY way possible... toasted ravioli & gooey butter cake from STL? Taking Camden and Rory to the zoo for the day? Cupcakes from Gigi's? Come and clean your house?
You name it, friend, and I will do it.
Love ya,Angel
http://www.facingourrisk.org/
Keeping you and your family in prayer. I so admire your positive attitude!
Janet
I know it's strange, but if there is ever a time you need to talk, one survivor to another, I would be happy to connect. It truly does help to have someone that can relate to all aspects.
Praying for you and your beautiful family, and the job situation. Enjoy your weekend!
Lisa
I can only imagine how difficult the next several months are going to be. It will be a roller coaster ride that I'm sure you'll be wanting to get off of several times. We'll be cheering you on and telling you to throw your hands up in the air on the roller coaster and keep on riding! (or at least we'll hand you a paper bag to throw up in!) I promise to continue to keep you in my prayers.
I have definitely been questioning my genetic testing results since you found out about your cancer. I'm going to my doctor in May & I am going to make her continue to take me and my family background seriously.
Love you my friend!!!!
that's what you are!
Praying for a full and complete recovery with your treatment, and for peace and strength for you as you endure this.
First off, I keep wanting to click the "Like" button when I read the comments to your blog post today. I like all of them! You have amazing support.
I have so much to say, but not really sure what all to say. I feel connected to you even though I have never met you. I am pulling for you like I would pull for my best friend.
Sending tons and ons and tons of prayers up for you and your situation from fridgid Minnesota!
Take care Melissa! We are all thinking of you and praying for the best.
sending you continued calm as you walk this journey....
much love and prayers
oxxo
Lauren
"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer" Romans 12:12
When i was 17 I had a malignant ovarian tumor. They said it was very rare, especially for someone my age. I had 9 mos of chemo, and I'm now 48! I will be saying lots of prayers for you!
Love the 80% and your attitude! It IS weird the calmness and the readiness to get things started, but I know exactly how that goes. I also was Dx with ovarian cancer at the age of 33. When they did the genetic testing I *think* (things tend to become a blur when I think back to treatment times) that the genetic counselor told me that when the testing came back negative for the mutations, that if in the future a close relative was diagnosed with breast OR ovarian cancer that their genetic testing would be done for free? Something about needing to go and look to see if there was a new mutation. I'm not sure about your past family history but it sounds like you were tested before due to a family members history.
I'm THRILLED to hear of the success rate... and I ADORE your outlook on this. You simply amaze me.
And I have to say I LOVE Krista's comment... FIGHTING is right!!