Rooted & Established in Love

Rooted & Established in Love

“Rooted & Established in Love” couldn’t be a more accurate bible verse share today on our 31st anniversary.  We have had 31derful years! 

In Sickness & In Health

“In sickness and in health” .  Five simple words that are often included in a couple’s wedding vows.   They were in ours.  To be honest, I didn’t really think too much about those words for the majority of our marriage.  We were both fairly healthy until I wasn’t. 

In mid January of this year, I was diagnosed with pneumonia during a routine check up.  Prior to the check up, I noticed that I wasn’t as interested in food as I normally was.  I am usually the type of person who wants to know what we are having for dinner on Friday night on Wednesday morning.  If asked if I want to split something for lunch or dinner, most likely you would get a very resounding “No” as an answer.  I am very protective about my food! In addition to not having much of an appetite,  I was coughing a bit and just didn’t feel right. During my appointment, I mentioned all this to the Dr and after listening to my lungs, he sent me for a chest x-ray.  

The x-ray should signs of pneumonia so the Dr prescribed antibiotics and steroids.  Once I was finished taking the antibiotics for the pneumonia, I had a follow up appointment with the Dr and I told him I still didn’t feel quite right.  I had no energy and could barely make it thru the day without taking a nap.  He sent me for blood work and another chest x-ray.  Blood tests revealed I had iron deficiency anemia and a critically low Vit D level.  I started taking supplements for those two deficiencies near the end of January.  The picture below was taken about the time I started the supplements.   The gentleman in the photo is one of my Mom’s cousins. 

Even though the pneumonia was “gone”, my appetite never really returned.  I started having dry heaves several times a week.  I was losing weight.  The nurse practitioner thought I had gerd so he put me on medication for that.  

Several more weeks went by with no improvement in appetite.  I was still dry heaving and losing weight.  As a reference, I weighed approximately 165 pounds in September of 2023.  I was operating on about 7 hours of sleep in 3 days when this picture was taken! 

By the end of March, I was still struggling with my appetite and was down to 146 pounds.  On one hand, I was happy to have lost the weight because I could fit into some clothes that I hadn’t been able to wear for a few years.  

On Easter, I was able to eat a whole plate full of food.  I was happy!  I thought I had turned a corner and started to look forward to enjoying food again.  

The next day, I started having severe pain in my abdomen and started throwing up.  Tuesday, I slept a lot and continued to throw up. I wasn’t able to eat much because I just couldn’t keep anything down.   On Wednesday , I decided I better call the dr.  I was laying in bed, crying about my inability to function.  Dave took me to the Dr the next day.  After examining me, the Dr sent me for an x-ray of my abdomen.  The x-ray showed a blockage in my small bowel.  The Dr advised going to the ER, either right then or at least by the next morning. 

I was afraid they would put a n g tube in and I didn’t want that. I decided to try and give myself the prep you would take for a colonoscopy.  I thought maybe that would help the blockage.  Sadly, it did not. It was just was just more liquid to throw up!

Dave took me to the ER on Friday April 5th.  They ran test after test.  The nurse put an n g tube down my throat at approximately 4 p m. I was only allowed to eat ice chips. Nothing else. 

They admitted me and after more tests , finally decided I would need surgery.  During the surgery on April 10th, they removed a softball size tumor that turned out to be cancer.

The surgeon had to do a temporary ileostomy.  She said it would be reversed at some point (anywhere from 3 to 6 months)

I was finally allowed to eat clear liquids on Sunday April 14th. 9 days with only ice chips and the occasional popsicle.  I was pretty hungry by that time.  It took that long for the n g tube to get all the ick out of my system!

I was released from the hospital on April 16th. During the hospital stay, I lost another 6 pounds.  Dave had to act as my nurse and caregiver for several weeks after I got home.  He did a great job!  

Treatment Plan

I met with the oncologist on Wednesday May 1st.  They did testing on the tumor and it had two genetic markers. Even though I had had routine colonoscopies done, I still developed this cancer.  They think it is probably the same type of colon cancer my mom had.

The good thing about these genetic markers is their presence can make the cancer react favorably to immunotherapy .  The immunotherapy is less damaging overall to my body.  I have had 3 treatments so far.  I have my next one on July 15th. 

The plan is to have a treatment every three weeks for 2 years. I will have periodic pet scans, the next one will be on July 23rd.  I had reactions during the first two treatments but they were able to manage it . I haven’t really noticed any issues between treatments.   Well, only that my already thin hair is becoming even thinner.  That could be a lingering side effect from the iron deficiency.  

Overall I am doing well.  I am able to get out and meet friends.  I can enjoy food again!

The first pet scan was done in mid May.  Since I had a treatment the previous week, some spots may be inflammation not necessarily cancer.  The pet scan did not show any evidence of cancer remaining in the colon. The surgeon thought she got it all by removing the tumor.  The Dr said the next one ( July 23) should give us a better idea of what is happening.  

I have lost approximately 30 pounds.  I really needed to lose some from my legs anyway!  The picture below was taken at the beginning of July, I was 11 1/2 weeks post op at that time. 

A Toast for Luck

Here’s hoping we have many more years together!