2024: Embracing Change

So many changes last year and some apprehension over what this year will bring. I am coming to grips with my new life and try my best to have faith over fear. Each day I pray and ask for mercy and grace as I battle this journey. This has to be the hardest thing I, and my family, have ever dealt with. My family does not complain but I have seen the stress they have experienced during the time I have dealt with cancer. This is not an easy road but having a positive attitude and a support system help tremendously.

I cannot count the times we have been blessed by others. We have an awesome church family, our family and friends, and co-workers have blessed us in our time of need. They will never know how much the meals, cards, texts, etc. were appreciated. My husband didn't have to worry about meals. The thing I'm most thankful for is prayer. I believe in the power of prayer - prayer can move mountains. I believe I'm here today because of the believers that regularly pray for me and my family.

On to the next treatment plan, this new one was introduced and for once I could see a change. My energy level seemed to improve. I did not feel run down as I had previously, and I started fluids weekly to build my system up. Thank you Jesus for this affirmation that things were going to get better.

I was scheduled for my regular PET Scan and also for a MRI of the brain. To say I was nervous was an understatement. What if these tests yielded negative results - what would I do? Remember, as I told myself, FAITH OVER FEAR.

I met with Dr. R and was told that the brain was clear. The PET Scan was also good, and my numbers had come down. I would remain on this treatment, and we would test again in another three months.

Feeling better was so wonderful. I tried one day to drive to the pharmacy and back, another day the grocery store and back. Short trips around town helped my confidence in driving. I had not driven for months, and I wanted to regain my independence. Taking it day by day, sometimes hour to hour helped me get back on my feet. After being at home for months, we decided to take a trip to the beach. It was so nice to see a different surrounding and enjoy some seafood. My husband needed the trip as much as I did. This year had been the most stressful of all. He told me once "I feel like we are in a nightmare we can't get out of". Some truth in that statement.

As the year progressed, I began having trouble with my teeth/gums again. A smaller area in my mouth opened up again with another section of bone exposed. Dr. R stopped the Xgeva again and I returned to the Oral Surgeon. On two separate occasions he numbed my mouth and scraped the sharper areas of the bone exposure. I would see him again in thirty days for a follow-up.

I returned to the Oral Surgeon, and he examined my teeth and gums again. I had a lot of swelling on the same side and infection was apparent throughout the left side of my mouth. He was able to get a clear picture of the situation with an X-ray. As he began to check my teeth, he found that several were loose and the bone under the teeth was dead. Not the outcome I expected. He proposed surgery to remove one tooth definitely and up to four teeth if needed. He also planned to clean out the affected area and treat as needed. The bone would be removed and sent to Chapel Hill to determine if it had metastasized. The only appointment available is December 31st.

I awoke on December 13th with pain and discomfort in my mouth. Up until now pain had not been present. Something did not feel right. I felt the area and immediately I could tell the bone was more exposed. I called the oral surgery on Monday and he confirmed what I thought. He asked did I want to wait until the 31st and of course I was ready to have the procedure sooner. A patient was ill and had to cancel their procedure on the 21st so my appointment was moved forward.

On December 21st, I went in to have the outpatient procedure. I was fortunate that only one tooth had to be removed. Dr. M removed a large piece of bone and cleaned an infected area. Once all the work was complete he stitched up a large area to allow the healing to begin. The bone/tissue will be sent to Chapel Hill for testing. I will see him again on January 7th. Please pray that this area is clean and no trace of any lesions.