Much better news

After seeing my oncologist I went to see my colon surgeon. He has been the one that has been the point through all of this, finding me the other doctors that I needed since my diagnosis. I told him what the oncologist said and he was shocked. He said he didn't see anything in the report that made him believe I only had two years. So the surgeon, my husband and I agreed what I really needed was a new oncologist. One that was agressive and would fight with me to find the best treatment, and not have his mind made up that I was dead already. How can you have faith in an oncologist that sees you dead? While I was still in his office the surgeon called another oncologist and was able to get him to take my case. I met with him the next day and he was awesome! He also agreed that there was no reason to believe I would be dead in two years. He said I had a lot of work to do and it wouldn't be easy but he believes WE can beat it! He has already spoken with my liver surgeon, my colon surgeon and the radiologist to determine the best course of action for me. Teamwork! What a concept! I am so happy with him already. I have also been told that he is one of the top research oncologists in Charlotte.


So I leave Saturday morning for my Caribbean cruise to celebrate my 50th birthday on Tuesday and then when I come back we start fighting. I'll start with a new regimine of chemo and go from there. The biggest thing is my change in attitude. It's amazing how demoralizing it was to have someone tell me I was going to die. Whole different ballgame to have them tell me with a good fight my time is unlimited!

Bad news

Wish I had happy news to tell you, but unfortunately I don't. The cancer in the liver is growing and has possibly spread. The liver surgeon wanted me to start chemo immediately, but that's not going to happen. I'm going on my cruise for my 50th birthday, and I'm not doing it sick from chemo.


He also wants me to go to a radiation specialist to find out if my insurance company will pay for a specialised radiation to my liver. It will probably take about 3 weeks to set it up and get it approved, so I will probably do that when I get back from the cruise. I've already told the oncologist that I'm not doing chemo again unless it's the only option left to me.

Neither chemo or the radiation are a cure. They are basically tools to prolong life. As of right now there isn't a cure for me.  My onc said 2 years, but why should I take his word for it?  I"m going to fire him and find someone that will work with me, not someone who has written me off already.

Please keep me in your prayers.

Love,
Millie

Great News!

My surgery went very well. I no longer have cancer in my colon! God is good!!! And not only that, I feel great! Very little pain. Haven't had the nausea like I did after the last surgery. It's wonderful. I'm really amazed at how good I feel. I've been walking around with no problem. I get a bit lightheaded, but nothing bad. And there is no cancer in my colon! Woohoo!!!! I love being able to say that. Still have a bit in my liver, but that will be gone in a couple months.
The nurses and other people here at Mercy are awesome! I have been treated so good! Great response out of the, and they really care. They also work great as a team.

Thank you all for your prayers. I believe they really made a difference.
Love you!

Millie

www.milliescancer.blogspot.com

www.mmtarase.blogspot.com

More surgery

I am having surgery on my colon on Tuesday, June 30th! I saw the surgeon this morning and he set everything up. I go tomorrow for all my pre-op blood work and stuff, on Sunday have to drink all the yummy stuff to clean out my colon, have a colonoscopy on Monday and Surgery on Tuesday. Which means no food after midnight on Saturday. :( I gonna starve to death!

The good news is the surgery is at a different hospital than the liver surgery was so I don't have to put up with the terrible nursing staff again! The only way they could be worse is if they didn't show up at all!

I'm so glad this was scheduled so fast. There are still some spots in the liver that will need to be addressed, but I won't see the liver surgeon again until the end of September. It will give my body some time to heal from the 2 surgeries before we start again.

I really appreciate all the cards all y'all have mailed me and all the prayers! Keep them coming!

I love you all!
Millie

LIver surgeon

CT scan was awesome! The tumors he ablated are dead and gone!!! God is good! wonderful! There are a couple tumors left, but he told me to begin with that was to be expected. Now I see the colon surgeon on Thursday and make arrangements to have the colon tumor removed. God is good!!!

Tomorrow

24 hours from now I will see my liver surgeon and find out how successful my surgery was.  I have a CT scan at noon and then go see him.  Woohoo!  Then on Thursday I'll see my colon surgeon and set a date to have my colon resection done - in other words he will cut out the part of the colon with the tumor on it.  If there is anything left in the liver that will probably be cut out at the same time.  Then I should be cancer free!  I'll keep you posted. 

New Anti-depressant

As of my last post I told you I was going to get anti depressants. Found something that works even better. A new puppy. We've had her a little over a week now and she is really sweet. At least she will be when I can convince her she really doesn't need to chew on me all the time. Housebreaking is going well. She is starting to get the idea to go to the back door when she needs to go potty. Unfortunately that's usually right after she piddles on the floor.


The cat finally came out today. He's been hiding upstairs for most of the last week. He wasn't too happy with a new dog, but he's starting to get used to it. He lived with a dog his whole life so it really isn't anything new for him.


Physically I'm doing well after surgery. Still get really tired easily, but the pain seems to be gone and I'm not getting out of breath as bad as I had been. I have an appointment with my oncologist today to see what he thinks the next steps will be. Probably an appointment with the colon surgeon to get that part taken care of. I'll keep you posted.




Here's a picture of the new baby. We finally decided to name her Abby.





And here's Devil Kat.