*** One tiny, but important omission from my last blog post. Because the Zejula wasn't working, my doctor told me to stop taking immediately!!! Praise the Lord and Hallelujah!!!!!!!!!!! Within 24-48 hours, I was starting to feel like my old self and most of the horrible side effects disappeared within a week. ***
Now, back to my regularly scheduled, crazy life!!!
On the morning of September 7, I walked into Cooper Hospital for my Guided Needle Biopsy. After the admission process, I proceeded to the Outpatient Radiology in the basement of the hospital. Thankfully, I only waited a few minutes before being escorted back to my lovely hospital bed where they took some vitals, asked a few questions, and made me change into a beautiful and comfy hospital gown. One of the nurses then found a juicy vein and put an IV in my right hand. Then, I got as comfortable as I could, I got my iPad out and started looking at email, playing a game or two and reading a book. I also was watching the clock. My appointment time was 10am. I'm watching the time slowly tick, tick, tick. 10:05. 10:15. 10:20, etc. Finally, someone advises me that they are running late. Really??? You think??? Of course, around 10:45, they tell me it should be soon. So, I decide, I better use the bathroom before I have this procedure. Wouldn't you know, in the 5 minutes that it takes me to walk across the room and use the bathroom, they come to take me to do the procedure. Well, now they can wait for me!!!
So, off I go on the way to the CT scan room. Of course, I provide sound effects to warn others of our passing by. And it certainly made others smile and that made me smile. However, I think the girl that was driving my bed only had her learner's permit, but we made it safely. When we arrived at our destination, one of the techs was prepping the room. Wouldn't you know, he had a surgical cap on with a big Alabama "A." Of course, I said, "Roll Tide!" He asked if I was an Alabama fan. I told him that the company I work for is in the Birmingham area, so I was very familiar with the cheer for the Crimson Tide.
It was finally time to transfer from the bed to the CT scan table and of course, I need to lay on my stomach. After climbing on and finding a comfortable spot for my head and arms, I finally talk to the doctor, and he briefly explains the procedure. Then they hook up the IV, clean my back, numb the area where the needle is to be used. The next thing I feel is someone rubbing my arm and saying, "Sandy, wake up." WHAT??? I'm totally blown away that it's over. The thing is, the IV stuff is supposed to just put you into that place between awake and dreaming. They call it conscious sedation or "twilight." Well, let me tell you, I was out and enjoying myself in dreamland. I so wish that they could have let me sleep a few more hours. But alas, I needed to roll off (literally) the CT table and back onto the bed so they could roll me back to recovery. Finally, I was able to EAT!!! I had some peanut butter crackers & apple juice and watched some TV. They finally disconnected me from the IV and the other wires. Then I was able to get dressed and wait for the wheelchair to roll me back to the entrance and wait for my sister to pick me up and take me home. AND because they were late, I was given 2 $5 coupons to use at any of the Cooper cafes. Now, if only they would give coupons for when the doctors are late...... Hmmmm!!!! Unfortunately, they told me it would take 7-10 days to get the results. Just in time for my appointment with my oncologist.
On September 8th, I got the final gel shots in both my knees for arthritis. Ahhhh!!! Sweet relief!!! And, believe it or not, nothing medical happened on September 9th!!!
Saturday, September 10th was a beautiful, late summer day. A great day for the Together in Teal Run/Walk for Ovarian Cancer Awareness. I woke up, had some breakfast, and drove to the new location - Neshaminy State Park. Plentiful parking, a large open space for teams to gather, vendors and health organizations to set up, and the popular, survivor area.
I have to take a moment and give a BIG THANK YOU to all who donated to my walk page. Because of your generous donations, I made my goal and then some!!! If you still would like to donate, it's not too late!!! And every dollar goes to fund the programs of the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (NOCC). And September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, too!!!
https://togetherinteal.donordrive.com/participant/Sandy_Perry
After hearing inspiring stories from a survivor, a care giver, and a spouse, it was time to "hit the trail." Knowing my pleural effusion could potentially affect my walking, I told myself to walk slowly, take breaks, and drink water. Well, I started off good and forced myself to take it easy. I stopped for a break at a beautiful overview of the Delaware River, drank some water, and started off again. After walking about 5 more minutes, I knew I would not be able to continue. I saw several others heading off the trail towards a path back to the main meeting area. I decided, that unfortunately, I needed to do that, too. I didn't want to pass out on the walk and cause a scene!!! So, I headed off the main trail, stopped for a break, drank some water, and headed back to the main area. I will finish the miles that I didn't finish that day as soon as this pleural effusion goes far, far away!!!
The morning of Thursday, September 15, this verse arrived in my inbox from K-LOVE:
With little sleep, it was finally time to hopefully find out the results of my biopsy. And surprise, I was taken early for my appointment!!! Of course, I then waited, and waited, and waited for the doctor. God certainly has a sense of humor!!! Finally, the doctor arrived and with her, the moment of truth and results did, too! After the obligatory physical exam, she asked me to change back into my clothes to talk about the results. When I was dressed, she came back in and said, that she had spoken to the pathologist and the tissue sample was "high grade." Although this wasn't exactly the news I wanted to hear, she said that this could make me available for a clinical trial. In fact, she was excited about one particular one. She thought that I would be one of her first patients who qualified. When I seemed interested, she dashed off to her office and printed the 21-page document. She also, went to find the research coordinator so I could ask her questions. My doctor also advised that if I wasn't accepted into the trial, then it would be back to traditional chemo, just 2 different drugs. I told the research coordinator I would look over the document and call her on Monday.
After my appointment, I drove home, picked up my Dad to take him to his senior group at church and then, I had a lunch date with a couple of friends nearby. It was so good to meet with these friends and talk about life & the Lord. We will definitely be doing lunch again!!!
After driving from church to pick-up my sister in Philly and then back home, I really needed a nap!!! During dinner, I explained what the doctor said, then watched some football and went to bed.
Finally, it was FRIDAY, September 16th!!! About 6 weeks ago, I signed up for NOCC's one day symposium called Rejuvenate. A day filled with education and wellness sessions, complimentary oncology massage, plus breakfast & luncheon. A time to practice a little self-care. A time to renew your energy, reclaim your spirit, and relax your mind. It was a wonderfully relaxing day, and I received another fabulous chair massage (thanks BL!!!), plus a fabulous swag bag. Unfortunately, I didn't take a lot of pictures. Thanks NOCC for a great day!!!
As I drove to the Blue Bell Country Club listening to Christian music, I was reminded to be thankful for the many blessings over the past several months. Has everything been easy? No. Has everything worked out in my favor? No. Has God been with me every step of the way? 1000% YES!!! Over the past several weeks, K-LOVE has been playing popular Christian songs from over the past 40 years. This one by Chris Tomlin from c. 2012 is titled, "Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies)" has been replaying in my mind over & over. The song is based on the Biblical account found in 2 Kings 6. The Bible describes how God provides an army of angels leading horses and chariots of fire to protect the prophet Elisha and his servant and opens the servant's eyes so that he can see the angelic army surrounding them. This is how I feel these days. I just need to open my eyes and see how God is working and how God is protecting and how God is guiding me as I face another battle with this beast called cancer.
Saturday & Sunday, September 17 & 18 were relaxing and joyful because I had lunch with a friend on Saturday and worshipped the Lord on Sunday. Psalm 122:1 NIV says, "I rejoiced with those who said to me, 'Let us go to the house of the Lord.'" Any time you can be with brothers & sisters in the Lord, and hear the Word of the Lord proclaimed, it is a time to rejoice!!!
And then came Monday, September 19. I called the research coordinator before work to ask a few logistical questions because I already decided that I wanted to be a part of science and possibly part of a cure. After speaking with her, I logged in to work and really thought that I wouldn't hear anything until possibly the next day. As I was finishing up for the day and ready to close down my work computer, I could see my phone ringing and it was from someone at Cooper. I answered and it was my oncologist. After pleasantries, she gave me the disappointing news, I didn't qualify for the trial because I have both high grade and low grade ovarian cancer in my body and they wanted someone with only high grade. So ... it's back to traditional chemo, but with 2 different chemo drugs - Doxil & Avastin. I'll go every other week. The first week, I get both drugs. The next time, just the Avastin. She said we'll start with four (4) rounds and see how it goes. I certainly was disappointed that I didn't get into the trial, but I know that this is God's plan and so, here we go back to chemo, but this time, it's Mr. Chemo's evil, but hopefully helpful cousins. I'm currently waiting for my insurance to approve and then I wait for the scheduler to call and start this whole ugly process all over again.
Back to school for me means learning how these new drugs work and how my body will respond. It means learning better time management. It means learning to rest better. It means continually learning to fully rely on God to get me through this battle ... again.
What is the Lord teaching you in this season of back to school?
As always, thank you so much for all the prayers and encouragement.
All this is for my good & His glory!!!
Prayer Requests:
- That insurance would approve sooner than later
- That I can schedule my treatments around my other obligations
- That in everything I do & say, Christ will be glorified.
Only by His Strength,
Sandy
