ROUND 2

Just as I was getting my life back on track, I get news that puts me right back at square one. Now that my worst year was all behind me, sadly I’m faced with another battle.. a much bigger one.

A couple weeks ago, I started having severe pains on the left side of my abdomen (same side as before). The pain was off and on so I thought nothing much of it. It only got more painful and so painful I could barely get around on foot.  I knew it was time to see my physician at Evergreen. When I did, they immediately ordered a CT scan of my chest and an MRI of my abdomen. I was prescribed some pain killers to help manage the pain. I was discharged soon after and later that day was contacted regarding the results- the cancer is back and now twice the size. The doctor says this time it’s 13 centimeters in diameter. Now I’m thinking, “How can this be happening to me again? Haven’t I been through enough?”

Yes, I knew that there was a high chance of recurrence. That was always on the back of my mind. It was an aggressive tumor, but just didn’t think it would happen so soon. A full year hasn’t even passed and my January scans were all clear…so how does this manage to happen all within 4 months time????

After my surgical oncologist at SCCA reviewed my scans, there was no question that another surgery had to be done. But first I had to meet with a radiation oncologist who specializes in the treatment of sarcoma cancers. There was a good chance I would have to do a few treatment rounds of radiation prior to surgery.

Feelings of shock, disbelief, anxiety, fear, anger, uncertainty and sadness all come pouring in again. But there is something that I have that I didn’t have before – experience. And with experience comes expectation. Having gone through this before is somewhat comforting because I’ll know what to expect in the days, weeks, months ahead.

Thank you all for taking the time to read through all of this, you can also follow my blog to get the latest update. Please continue to keep me in your thoughts and prayers. Don’t forget to leave me a “love note”, it makes my days that much better when I get a chance to hear from you.

I thought I fought my biggest battle last year, or so I thought. This is Round 2 and it’s going to take more “fight” but I’m positive I can get through this. I just can’t give up on myself or lose hope, because that’s my biggest enemy.