Dallie and Riggin spent the whole day with the neighbor friends. We switched off babysitting with David and Tarah so we could we could go to the temple. I had the kids in the afternoon and these two little brothers played hard and got along really well.
John was helping Riggin get up after he got knocked over.
The PET scan came back clean. I don’t even know what to think. Can it be real? I’ve been psyching myself out for two weeks, trying to mentally prepare for surgeries, chemo and whatever else it would take to beat this. I think I’m in shock. I can’t stop crying. To be on the safe said, my endo is ordering some precautionary scans (a thyroid ultrasound and a bone scan). But the cancer scan showed no cancer. I’m still not sure I believe it. I can’t get ahold of Jason because he’s in meetings. My parents are at the temple. I finally got ahold of Mijken to share the good news. I want to run, shouting, to all my neighbors, but my eyes are red and puffy. I think I am as excited and relieved for all of you (all my family and friends who’ve shown their concern) as I am for myself. I think in some cases it is easier to be the one who’s sick than to be the one watching.
Thank you. Thank you. For your prayers and fasting. I’m overwhelmed by your kindness and love, your faith, and your willingness to mourn with me. And now we can celebrate together. I acknowledge the Lord’s hand in my life. I know he hears and answers prayers. And even if this scan would have shown cancer, my testimony of prayer wouldn’t have changed. He has answered my prayers and your prayers. I feel like Alma’s people in the book of Mosiah. The Lord has seen fit to chasten me; to try to patience and my faith. But he has also eased my burden. I bare witness that the Lord does visit his people in their afflictions.
I was invited to “Muffins with Mom” at school with Ryder last week. His class sang a couple of songs and each student gave a reason why they loved their mom. Ryder teared up a little (so did I) when he gave his reason. He has such a kind and gentle heart.
Ryder and Mrs. Schroeder.
For those who may not understand this post, check its prequels here and here.
My radiation treatment went well. It already seems like it was ages ago. The isolation wasn’t too hard to handle (for me anyway, Jason may say otherwise). My neighbors brought me lots of treats, movies, a puzzle, etc. to keep me busy.
The only side effects I’ve noticed from the treatment are sores in my mouth and a burnt tongue. So I can’t taste. Kind of sad since I really like to eat but everything tastes blah. Hopefully it will only last a short while.
I had the RAI (radioactive iodine) scan last Friday. Unfortunately the RAI showed up in parts of my body (lower right lung and left hip areas) that are not common, meaning the cancer most likely spread. There’s still a chance that these hot spots are radiation contamination, but my endo is worried. I will have a PET scan next Tuesday, which will show whether or not there is cancer and where exactly it is located.
We’re shocked, to say the least. It only crossed my mind once that the cancer might have spread, but then we were all so confident (doctors included) that it didn’t spread because the margins and lymph nodes were clear. I don’t even know what happens after this because we never talked about it. I wish I knew which oncologists or cancer treatment facilities are best in Florida. I just hate not knowing and not doing. If I could make a plan I think I would feel better, but instead I sit here waiting and thinking and worrying.
We were invited to a branding on Saturday. One of the units had 30 calves to brand and the guys wanted to head and heel. I think it was the longest branding I’ve ever been to. But the kids had a fun time getting dirty and playing with friends and lunch and the visiting was fun for me as well. Riggin had to play in every mud puddle he could find and was caked in mud by the time we went home.
When Riggin and I got home, he saw the neighbors washing their car and headed over to join in the water fun. Their duck was also out swimming in its little pool and it wasn’t long before Riggin had kicked the duck out and had taken over the pool.
The poor duck didn’t know what to think.
Jason ran this gator over on the way home from work. The kids were glad he stopped to pick it up.
