November 30th will mark SIX years since my diagnosis of STAGE IV colorectal cancer. That day I had a routine colonoscopy where cancer was found. I was sent immediately to the imaging center where a CT scan showed "it" had spread to my right lung with a tumor behind my tailbone - Thus the diagnosis of Stage IV cancer. I had Lung surgery in November of 2013 to remove one of the tumors in my right lung.
My other posts detail those experiences - experiences that have changed my LIFE! The night before I started chemotherapy/radiation I told my husband that life as "I knew it" would never be the same. I am grateful for the struggles that have been HUGE character building experiences. My life has NOT been the same. Oh how grateful I am for what I have! If you look at the statistics - which I just did for the FIRST TIME today - you will see that stage IV colorectal cancer patients have only an 11% -5 year survival rate. I am basically at SIX YEARS!! This journey has definitely been HARD. I have done LOTS of HARD things! I have FOUGHT hard to LIVE! There is not ONE DAY that goes by without physical reminders of treatments. I CHOOSE LIFE!!! Now without being flippant, I am deeply humbled by those that I love dearly who have passed on because of this TERRIBLE disease!! I think of them daily and I am a better person because of their bravery! I want to honor their lives by helping others!
I had PET scans again this past Monday at the Huntsman Cancer Center in Salt Lake City with a doctors appointment yesterday to find out the results. We took a small vacation for several days last week - a bucket list drive down the California coastline with the top down on the convertible! It was breathtaking! It was a great time and helped take my mind off what was coming up. I have felt pretty confident about where I am with my health and my physical abilities. When I entered the doctors office my blood pressure spiked and I felt my heart beating very rapidly! GOSH!! I had tried to be so calm!!
The doctor, Dr. Brandon Barney, the son of my first cousin, came in and said "YOU ARE GREAT - I told you those tumors would be gone"!!!!! Dr. Barney did a treatment last December - STEREOTACTIC RADIOTHERAPY. The tumor behind my tailbone was deemed inoperable because of where it was. They told me that since I could not be cured, it would be fruitless to operate on my right lung again. This new treatment was a chance at SOMETHING. A HOPE that the tumors could be BLASTED away!
My tumors are gone! For the first time in SIX YEARS I am deemed NED!!! NO EVIDENCE OF DISEASE!!! Friends - there have been so many tender mercies along my path. So many situations where I have taken a path that was not exactly like it "should have" been. I feel that I have been guided and directed to the path for ME!! I am ETERNALLY GRATEFUL for the inspiration and guidance on this path!
I have MUCH to give and to OFFER other people. I have referred MANY people to Dr. Barney who has helped many of them. I will CONTINUE to be a huge ADVOCATE for those who need ANY type of help. I am so incredibly HUMBLED! So GRATEFUL!
This week I reviewed where I am and what it is that I want to ACCOMPLISH with the time I have left on this earth! I PRAY daily that I can be an instrument in GOD's hands to help others. I am working hard on my CHARITY - BOBBY JO'S BLESSINGS. I am going to work hard on this so I can HELP others. You too can help me to help others! I will post tomorrow and show you how you can help me without any financial donation on your part. It is simple and easy.
"To awaken each morning with a smile brightening my face, to approach my work with a clean mind; to hold ever before me, the Ultimate Purpose toward which I am working; to meet men and women with laughter on my lips and love in my heart; to be gentle, kind and courteous through all the hours; to approach the night with weariness that ever woos sleep and the joy that comes from work well done- THIS is how I desire to waste wisely my days"
Love and Hugs to ALL - GOD BLESS US EVERYONE!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment