For an update! I know many of you are wondering why it has taken so long to update “the Blog” so I will try to summarize as quickly as possible. In a nutshell, it has been a rough month+ since I finished the last round of chemo. I haven’t been on email very much lately and hope everyone can understand if I haven’t returned a call or note(s). I have not felt good and have been working on my recovery which includes sleeping & radiation therapy.
The last round of tests, MRI’s, Scans, and X-rays prompted the doctors to advise me to prioritize my healthcare; 1) consult with an Orthopedic Surgeon specializing in oncology for a possible hip replacement and 2) review the tumor in my right chest wall for possible radiation.
1) David, Theresa & I went to UCSF last week and saw the Chief Orthopedic Oncology Surgeon. Although Dr. O’Donnell has excellent credentials, and had performed hundreds of surgeries, he has never done this surgery. This is a very vascular (bloody) surgery which makes it much riskier. After “family review”, we are going to pass on UCSF. Marla & Char think they may have located a doctor out of Boston who has done this exact procedure, so that’s there homework this week.
2) Thursday, 9/27, I finished 12 days of radiation treatment to reduce the tumor size in my right chest wall. The good news is everything else looked good from the last set of tests, and this radiation hopefully gets me one step closer to remission. In the mean time, the treatment has made me really fatigued, nauseated, and dizzy and all the other fun things that come during recovery. My Radiation Oncologist is working hard to dissect many of my pending problems; for example changing medication dosage. Dr. Fischer has also referred me to an Ear Nose Throat specialist, who I will see on the 10th , as there is a possibility I could have wax build up from years of radiation treatment, which can throw off your equilibrium. It would be GREAT, if for once the solution was that easy – my fingers are crossed and daily prayers are said to unclog my head!
Other than working on these health priorities, Char & Marla are still working with the people at MD Anderson as there staff of doctors, nurses & admin gather and review all of my files – it’s HUGE!
In addition to keeping busy with me, David has just opened his second store while he is working on the third store to open in 2008. Thanks to Char & Gina who came up to stage “decorate” for the soft opening and wrapped 200+ giveaways for the Grand Opening scheduled for the 26th & 27th of Oct. Thanks also to Karen & Theresa who came up a few weeks earlier to deliver decorator product they had picked up in so Cal and delivered for the opening of Store #2. Thanks again, we couldn’t have done it with out you!
My eyes are starting to get heavy – must be getting close to knap time. Right now I must stay off my left hip as much as possible, so my days are spent trying to rebuild my energy level and making sure I don’t damage the left hip with an accidental fall, etc.
Please feel free to call David, Marla or Char for an update while I am working on my road to recovery. Also, know that I think of all of you and appreciate the prayers & letters. I look forward to when I am feeling better and will be able to “entertain” or see you soon!
God Bless – My Love to All,
Kelly
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4 comments:
Oh so good to hear from you. I'm glad to hear that you've put everyone to work! You are so smart in finding the right doctor for your surgery, it doesn't matter how great a doctor is if they haven't done the surgery you need. Boston has terrific doctors. We still tons of friends in Boston, so if your sisters need me to do anything or research, send them my way.
You get your rest and keep your focus on doing all the right things for your health.
I'll leave you with one funny from our house. Picked up Delaney's cell phone on Sunday from the couch (she got it for he 10th birthday a few months ago). She had two pictures of a bare naked butt on it. I asked her whose butt it was, and she said it was hers of course. (Like, duh mom, it would be anybody elses naked butt on my cell phone.) Come to find out her little sister thought it would be funny to take the pictures. We had our first discussion on not photographing yourself nude. I thought for sure we'd make it to the teenage years before we had this one....not ages 7 and 10!!
Oops, hit send to fast. Love you! Nicole
Hi Cousin Kelly,
Talked to Marla today and we have come to the conclusion that caregivers are a funny lot. Oh I guess we forgot to include ourselves it. Not. Had our dads talk to each other it was pretty comical and alot of mumbo jumbo. Life is busy here as the kids are in full swing ahead and rodeo season has started.
I am glad to see you are putting yourself first, you need to do what works for you at this time.
Rest up so you have all your strength for the trip to Texas or
Boston. Why not go to the top.
Glad to hear that the store opening went well and that your gang was there for you.
Just sending you a hug and a kiss. I love you girl. Cher
Thank you so much Kelly for bringing us all up to speed. You have been surrounded by loving prayers from all directions, I know. I'm not sure if my hip surgeon does the type of surgery you need, but he is a pretty amazing guy. I've had a crush on him since 1995! He is my hero, without him I would have been bed-ridden for the past 12 years.
All the orthopedists I saw before him told me that I would never walk again. Most wanted to completely remove my entire hip, which had disolved into mush. He did an experimental surgery which was a first - and Praise the Lord it worked! So, I'm thinking he just might be the one for you, as well. Here is his info:
Dr. Bert J. Thomas
UCLA School of Medicine
1245 16th Street 1245
Room 202
Santa Monica, Ca. 90272
Phone: 310-319-3828
Fax: 310-319-3372
Office Hours: Mon. 9-11:30 am
Weds: 1:30 - 4:30 pm Fri: 9 - 11:30 pm
I pray this helps in some way.
I love you dear cousin.
Keep up the fight. You have made us all look like wussies!
God bless you and keep you in His loving care.
Love,
Kathy
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