The Good, The Bad, and The ER

On the morning of Thursday, November 2, I went for my CT scan. I really did not know how to pray. Of course, I wanted a clear or fairly clear scan, but since my numbers weren't going down, I was hoping something would "show up" that could be easily "cured/fixed/taken care of." Unfortunately, I was unable to get an appointment with regular Cooper Radiology and was given an appointment with University Radiology. I picked up the yucky contrast on Halloween. I guess that was my trick or treating for the day. I drank one bottle on Wednesday night at Bible Study and one bottle for breakfast the next morning. Then drank a little bit more once there. Since this wasn't my normal radiology location, they would not access my port and had to play hide and go seek with my veins. After trying my right elbow with no success, they finally found a vein in my right hand and the procedure could begin. The actual scan went well, but of course, I sneezed and hoped I didn't mess up the image. The tech said all looked good and I was able to leave and head for the bathroom, then go home and EAT!!! The tech advised that I would probably get results in 24-48 hours. 

That afternoon was my 2nd gel shot in each of my knees to get them ready for cold weather and better movement. Finally, back home and a nap!!! On Friday, I had lunch & fellowship with a friend. Of course, no results on Friday means nothing until Monday. Bummer. Saturday was filled with normal house stuff, college football, and naps. Church on Sunday, then football in the afternoon. While watching my Eagles, I get a notification that my CT scan results have been posted. Sunday night??? Really??? Well, the Eagles won and according to the results, my CT scan was good and no major changes. 

THAT WAS THE GOOD!!!

On Tuesday morning, I woke up early to get to the lab when they opened at 6:30am. Again, it was a two-poke morning. Once in the left arm and once in the right. Just call me a human pincushion!!! Now, I needed to wait another 24 hours to get those results. Wednesday morning, I received the lab results in my portal. They were not the results that I was praying for. My CA-125 was significantly higher and the protein level in my urinalysis was not good either. Both of these results could derail chemo on Thursday.

Sometimes during these times, the stress of this journey just gets to me. I throw a personal pity party and then get mad at myself because I don't trust the Lord to get me through and then I cry and ask for forgiveness. God picks me back up, puts me on my feet, dusts me off, and reminds me that He's got me. I'm so glad that the Lord has been with me every step of this journey. 

On Thursday morning, I got ready to head to my oncology appointment, hopefully followed by chemo. My regular doctor is out on leave, so my appointment was with her Advance Practice Nurse. She is one of my absolute favorite people on my care team. She was a good shoulder to cry on and we shared a few laughs, too!!! She told me that because the CT scan was good that sort of trumped the CA-125 number. I reluctantly, agreed, but I still want to know why it keeps going higher. UGH!!! 

THAT WAS THE BAD!!!

She released me to go up to infusion for my Doxil infusion and if my blood pressure and another urinalysis was ok, then I could also get my Avastin infusion. After hugs, I made my January appointment and headed up to the infusion floor. Of course, my blood pressure was a little high and my urinalysis came back higher too. But I had some peanut crackers & water, and my blood pressure came down enough and the head of gynecologic oncology okayed me to get both infusions. 

The day progressed as usual and soon it was time for me to go home. The nurse came and flushed my port and then de-accessed my port. As usually, the put some gauze over the site and put a piece of tape over it. Easy peasy. I gathered the few things I brought with me and left. As I was waiting for the guys to bring my car around, I glanced down and saw that the gauze was completely soaked in blood. YIKES!!! Just then, my car arrived, and I figured I had a little bit of time to clean up at home before going to get my 3rd round of gel shots in my knees. 

By the time I got home, the site was still bleeding. I cleaned the site, put a band-aid on, grabbed a snack and headed to the next appointment. By the time I got into the exam room to wait for my shots, I looked at the site and sure enough, I had bled through the band-aid, a few places on my t-shirt, etc. When the tech came in to give me the shots, I asked for help. She left and found a colleague who is a trauma nurse. Between the two of them, they put a pressure dressing on and I decided to head back to MD Anderson and see if they could get it to stop bleeding. 

By the time I drove back to MDA and went back to the infusion floor, I spoke to the receptionist, and she called back and thankfully, my nurse, Marisa, was still there. She brought me back, removed the now blood drenched dressing. She grabbed gauze and applied a LOT of pressure to the site. The problem was, she kept grabbing gauze and I kept bleeding. I was also a curiosity to all the nurses still there. They tried ice. That didn't help. Finally, another APN was there, and she said that if it didn't stop in 5 minutes, I would need to go to the ER and they would be able to the bleeding. So, they put another pressure dressing on and I called home to say I would be a bit late. Then I posted to Facebook asking for prayer. I left the infusion floor, got my car, and headed to the parking garage for the hospital. I parked my car and I feel like I walked a mile to get to the other end of the hospital where the ER walk-in entrance is located. 

THE ER!!!

After the initial check in, I was seated in a quieter area until they came to take my vitals. I was then escorted an even quieter area. Yeah, I didn't have to sit in the fishbowl with the sea of humanity. After a few minutes and some more questions, I was taken to an exam room so a doctor could see me. The doctor finally came in and took a look at the site. All I can say is .... PRAYER WORKS!!! I had stopped bleeding!!! I couldn't believe it. After about 5 hours of bleeding, it just stopped. Thank you, Jesus!!! The doctor sent a nurse in who cleaned me up and put on a new pressure dressing. The doctor came back to make sure I was okay to leave. The only thing that I needed was dinner. They got me my discharge papers and I was out of there. Of course, I had to walk another mile to the other end of the hospital and the garage. I called home to say I was on my way to pick up dinner and I'd be home soon. 

Today, November 20, is my 10-year cancerversary. Ten years ago, I had no idea what a diagnosis of ovarian cancer meant and would I even live to see this day. The one thing that never, ever changed was my faith in Jesus Christ -- my Savior & Lord. It states in Hebrews 13:8 "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." What a comforting thought that although MY situation may change, MY health may change, the world around me may change, HE NEVER WILL!!! 

Here's a small snapshot of what I've been through over the past 10 years, by the numbers:

2+ weeks inpatient @ Cooper Hospital

several trips to the ER

25-30 (approx.) CT scans & 1 PET scan

39 rounds of chemo & still counting

numerous blood & urine tests - I've lost count

and many friends who have lost their battle with cancer

BUT, the things I can't count are:

The number of prayers that have been prayed on my behalf.

The number of hugs given to me (and keep them coming)!!!

The number of encouraging texts, emails, and Facebook messages

The number of blessings

AND the number of answered prayers - big & little!!!!!!! 

If you are reading this, you are an important part of my journey. I may never get to thank you in person but THANK YOU for being on my team!!!!

Prayer Requests:

November 30 - Chemo 13B - 9am - Avastin only - please pray they can access & de-access without any issues.

December 19 - Labs - 7am - Pray they can easily find my veins and that my CA-125 number would be lower.

December 21 - Oncology follow-up - 9am / followed by Chemo 14A - again accessing & de-accessing my port is now always going to be an issue.

Only by His Strength,

Sandy