Wednesday, September 2, 2009

One day at a time

My blog post sabbatical has come from a whirlwind of events - so this is going to be a long post so those who know me can understand what is going on. The "important" stuff is after the cake....

On Friday AND Saturday night I saw Julie and Julia, beautiful movie that has rejuvenated my love for baking. On Sunday, we celebrated Dashing's aunt's birthday and the baking got out of hand. See photo below...


German chocolate bundt cake with coconut glaze (left)
Creamy red velvet cake with home-made cream cheese frosting (center)
Extra chocolate devil's food cake with chocolate ganache icing (right)

After the baking festival, we sat down to play a game of 313, a card game, with 10 people. This makes the game last forever. So, in the meantime, I what Julia Child learned to "breast your cards." It was then that I noticed my right collar bone didn't feel like my left. I figured it was my posture, but I said something in passing at the enormous card table and Dashing and his father (a physician) froze. Me, oblivious to what was going on said, "sure, feel my bones." What I didn't realize was that Dashing and his dad felt three tumors.

This is when the whirlwind began. Remember that was Sunday evening around 6pm. I went to work as usual on Monday morning; finished a report, read some articles and then got a phone call. Dashing's dad has scheduled me for a doctor's appointment at 12noon. This appointment was to include a chest x-ray and meeting with my internal medicine doctor. Wow, now that was fast. Getting a little more worried about what was to come, I gave myself a migraine - great. Thank you stress.
Before I knew it, Monday morning I saw a radiologist for x-rays, my internal medicine doctor for an overview of what was going on, and a general surgeon to review. By Tuesday morning I was in the operating room having a lymph node removed. I am happy to report the surgery went well and I've been out of the hospital for about 20 hours now. However, they did find what they predicted - I was just diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma (a form of cancer) today. I was strong enough after wards to even make everyone go out for post-op breakfast - I may be crazy, but that's ok. I even had a big omelet!
See, this is all hard to swallow (not the food, the news) for me as I have shown no symptoms of illness; no fevers, weight loss, night sweats, bruising......etc. I'm active, in the gym, eating healthy and feeling fine. I've gone from a healthy, Sunday's Julie and Julia gal to a cancer patient in 36 hours. (BREATHE). I'll be having more scans, test, and workups throughout the week and have my first appointment with my oncologist on Thursday when I'll find out my radiation/chemotherapy plan. In the meantime (of course there always seems to be more with medical conditions), I'm beginning to work with a fertility clinic because I'm encourage to harvest some of my eggs for future conception. This is just precautionary they say (from the drugs)

I am currently staying with Dashing's parents. He has taken some time off of medical school. My dad has flown out from Indiana to stay with me too. I can say I am in the best care with wonderful support. With Dashing's dad being a doctor and mom a nurse - they haven't missed a beat (and have called in many a favors from others). My internal medicine Dr. has been a gem - calling all of his contacts to make this as smooth of a transition - diagnosis as possible. As for my kind of cancer - Hodgkin's Lymphoma, there is a VERY HIGH SUCCESS RATE FOR TREATMENT - which is great to hear. This kind of cancer is the one that makes people say the ridiculous phrase "If I were to have cancer, this is the one I'd want to have" - yes, like you would really say that...but they do!

I'll be continuously posting updates on my symptoms, feelings, tests, etc. If you know anyone else who is going through this - I hope you can pass on this blog to them and show them they are not the only ones out there. I hope I can provide information for my family and support for others out there.

11 comments :

Emily Hester said...

For hope, for strength, for LIFE. Tough weeks ahead of us, but a lifetime of friendship too. I love you BB.

Trac~ said...

Sara - I am sending you a lot of thoughts and prayers that all goes smoothly during your transition and chemo. Please post and keep us updated when you feel strong enough to do so.

Big Hugs, Trac~

Kristen said...

Praying for a speedy recovery and many happy and healthy days ahead. Be strong. We're pulling for you. xx

Sweet Simplicity said...

I will be praying for you. Keep us updated on everything that is going on. You are such a strong girl and seem to have a great attitude about everything. I think that is great!

McDorky said...

Oh no! I can't believe it. I will be praying for you all the way out in Oregon. Stay strong...

Josie said...

Love you Sara-we are all standing behind you! <3 itb

Kate said...

sara CATE....I want to fly out...hug you! Know that you are in my prayers for constant strength and HOPE. Many, Many hugs...kate

bord said...

Sara, even though we haven't met, I know how much you mean to so many people and how much you've touched their lives. I am thinking about you and full of HOPE for your FULL recovery - ITB - Ann

d.a.r. said...

Wow, wow, wow. I am sending prayers your way for strength, grace and life!!

Becky @ Babes in Hairland said...

I'm so sorry for the news - but that's wonderful that you have such a great support system of family & friends. That's a must have during tough times. I'm just stopping by from SITS welcome wagon to say Hi & welcome to the SITSahood.

Sara said...

Sara, I found your blog through Miss E and have been praying for you.

 

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