Decision, decisions, decisions - making them is not one of my strong points (just ask Devon), but decisions have been made and we have a plan.

First I want to report that at 4 weeks post surgery I am doing really good! My appetite and attitude are great, and I am feeling so much better. I wouldn't say I'm 100% recovered, but feeling stronger and having more stamina each day. I've even started to sew a little - great therapy for me!

I have had consults with three oncologists and have decided to trust my care to the Huntsman Cancer Institute. I've been to both the SLC and South Jordan facilities. I like the physicians and staff at both, but because South Jordan is closer and smaller I will be going there for my chemotherapy. HCI really is an amazing place with so many services offered for their patients, and believe it or not, everyone is so friendly, positive, and happy there. I think it will be a good fit for me.

I will have a port-a-cath placed on March 10th and chemo will start on March 17th. I will be receiving the standard chemotherapy for colon cancer. It's called Folfox and is a combination of three different drugs. The routine is that I go to the infusion clinic for labs, IV anti-nausea medication, and infusion of one of the chemo drugs. This will take about 4 to 5 hours. Then they attach a pump with the two other drugs and send me home. In 46 hours the second infusion is done and a home health nurse comes to our home to discontinue the pump. Then it is up to me to rest and recover. This routine will repeat every other week for six months.

I'm told the side effect from Folfox are not as drastic as some other chemo drugs. I can expect fatigue, nausea, decrease in immunity, cold intolerance (will need to wear gloves a few days if I touch anything cold and need to drink warm liquids), neuropathy, and maybe some hair loss - but maybe not either. They say I won't look like a chemo patient and strongly encourage me to continue life as normal as possible. The first 3 -5 days after chemo I will feel the worse, but then I should start feeling better. There is a cumulative effect and so it gets a little rougher as time goes on.

All three oncologist have said my situation is unique. I do have recurrent colon cancer, but thanks to an amazing surgeon there is no visible evidence of cancer - he removed everything. So, no tumors and no metastasis to my liver or lungs. Good news for sure! But without a doubt there are microscopic cells left in my abdomen. The plan is for chemo to take care of them.

I'm feeling very positive and ready for this next step, largely due to the amazing love and support I've felt from all of you. Your messages of encouragement, love, and prayers have been powerful in my life. I can't thank you enough!!! Please don't hesitate to call or message me if you have questions, or just want to chat. You are all part of my village...and I love you!

February 9, 2015

Today is a bittersweet day. We were supposed to report to the MTC. Instead we had a consult with the oncologist at Huntsman in SLC. They were very thorough in describing the chemo and side effects. I’m also planning a consult with an oncologist at Utah Cancer Institute in Murray. I’m sure the treatment will be the same. I just need to decide which place will be best for us. I won’t start chemo for another 4 weeks so I have time to decide.

Otherwise I feel good! My recovery from the surgery is going well and I feel stronger each day.

I can’t thank you enough for all your prayers and well wishes. It brings a smile to my heart and strength to my soul as I read every one. Wishing blessings for each of you.

February 6, 2015

Feb. 6, 2015

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First I want to thank you ALL for your love, concern, and prayers. I appreciate them more than you can imagine, and I feel them every day!

On January 12, 2015 I had a routine CT scan to follow up on the colon cancer I was diagnosed with in June 2013. It showed a new 3 x 3.9 cm soft tissue mass at the original cancer site. The recommendation was to have it removed, so on January 27, 2015 I had surgery at St. Mark's Hospital in Salt Lake City. The mass was removed along with surrounding tissue, lymph nodes, etc., and two other incapsulated nodules. Pathology confirmed that it was recurrent colon cancer in each mass/nodule and also in one lymph node.

After 5 days in the hospital I was released to go home and continue my recovery. It's been wonderful to be home. I am sleeping well, eating just about anything I want, and able to move around very well. Devon is a wonderful caregiver - very attentive to my every whim. He even made chocolate chip cookies yesterday - a first for him and oh are they yummy! I went to the doctor today and had my staples removed and was very pleased to have lost only 4 pounds. 

I am scheduled to see my oncologist at Huntsman on Monday. We are anxious for information regarding the next step - chemo. But for at least a month the plan is to just recover from surgery. Thankfully I am well on my way, and thankfully it has not spread to my lungs or liver. 

Our mission assignment to Hawaii while initially postponed, is now officially cancelled. Our new mission is to complete treatment, get strong, and re-submit our mission papers. 

I feel truly blessed - not to to have this diagnosis return, but for the many little miracles we've already experienced. We are optimistic. It's not the journey we had planned, but it's one we'll get through together.