On to the next step

This is a picture that Alan took of me when we were at Arches National Park last May. :)


Monday was a very busy day. I had to be at Maine Medical Center at 7:30 a.m. to have a mediport put in. I was extremely anxious about this because it is a foreign object attached to a major vein and then left in my body until I am through with chemo. Not to mention I had it put in while under conscious sedation. HA! Not doing that again.... Feeling the doctor tugging and stitching me up was awful....not to mention I listened to them talk about the Oscars while doing all of this. It was weird.

That procedure was over by 10:40 a.m. and then my mom rushed me to my surgery in Scarborough. Dr. Molin happened to arrive at the same time I did, so I was able to talk with her for a minute before I had to get ready in pre-op. I asked her about the pathology report involving the extra lymph nodes she had to take out. Only 2 out of the 21 she took out had cancer cells in them. Good news! :)

Within 5 minutes of getting in the building, I was prepped for surgery. I was much more laid back for this one because I was just there a week ago and knew what to expect. I even gave my anesthesiologist crap for being a BYU graduate. I told him not to "accidentally" overdose me with anesthesia because I'm a Utes fan. :D

The surgery went well. I woke up a little more sore, but it's probably because she cut open the incision again. My mom said that after the surgery, Dr. Molin came out into the waiting room with a smile saying she thinks she got all of it this time. Yay! :)

Today was my first appointment with my oncologist. This was a very overwhelming, 3 hour appointment with a lot of information thrown at my mom and I. He wants to wait 3 weeks for my incisions to heal before I start chemo. I also have to go in for a CAT scan on Friday to check my chest, abdomen, and pelvic areas for tumors. I honestly had no idea how involved this whole treatment of cancer thing was....

One of his major concerns for me right now is that my mom lives 76 miles away from the nearest hospital. He said that if I get a fever while going through chemo, I need to be at a hospital within an hour. Even though I will be staying with our friend Becky in Mt. Vernon (which is about 30 minutes from the nearest hospital), he is concerned with me not having someone there to take care of me during those times when I am really weak or sick from the chemo. Becky and my mom both have to work. So this is something we are trying to figure out..I will need someone to stay with me, at least for the few days when the chemo is hitting me the hardest.

My doctor is a very nice man and he felt really bad for me. He was very sympathetic because I'm only 26. He said several times, "I'm so sorry you're going through this. This shouldn't be happening to you." Dr. Rasmussen and Dr. Molin have also said this to me. I definitely wish I didn't have to worry about chemo and could go out and do the things I planned for the summer. But after all the treatment is done, I can go on with my life!

On a very generous note, he offered for me to stay at his house in Brunswick, GA for the summer while I went through chemo because it's only 3 miles from the hospital. He said that he's paying the mortgage on it, the utilities are paid, and he'd take it off the market until I was done. So if I can't find a closer place to stay here in Maine, then I could just go there. HOW NICE WAS THAT?! Both the nurses in the room were shocked that he offered that to me and said that he must really feel sorry that I have to go through this. People like him make this SO much easier!

His other concern was my fertility. There's a good chance chemo, radiation and the hormonal therapy will completely sterilize me. He wants me to meet with a fertility doctor within the next three weeks to discuss my options (freezing my eggs, etc.). This is obviously tough for me because I have always wanted to have children. I would definitely adopt if I can't have my own, but I'd still like to try.

Insurance issues are still a factor as well. I have pretty much used up my insurance coverage ($50,000) after all the tests and two surgeries. I'll be applying for MaineCare, but I definitely have to start applying for grants and scholarships..something I'll do this week while I'm healing from surgery.

On a happy note, my brother and his hockey team raised over $1,500 for me!! THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH!! Another incredible act of kindess! :) It means the world to me! I appreciate all that you guys did to put the game together and for showing your support all the way from Pennsylvania! :) You guys rock!

I will be okay. :)

Positives!
Only 2 out of 21 lymph nodes had cancer.
Chemo will start in 4 weeks.
My mom is superwoman and I want to thank her for everything! :)
My brother and his team are awesome! Thank you guys again!
Thank you to my sister for being with me before and after surgery.
Thank you to Mike G. for starting a blog to help raise money!
My oncology doctor is a very kind and generous man!