Lacks Cancer Center - Oncology Appt.

There'll be good days and there'll be bad days.  Fortunately, the good days far out-weigh the bad.

I've experienced some complications from my drain tube removal/expander fill from Tuesday and I have been in quite a bit of pain and feeling nauseas. Today, Jon called and spoke with Denise (Dr. Yetman's assistant) and she thinks I may have an infection in my left breast. The meds (antibiotic, pain, muscle relaxer) have been starting to help and I feel like I'm nearing the end of this minor setback. Thank you to my daughters for their extra help/tenderness last night and for my incredibly patient, loving, tender Jon for taking care of me all day.  Blesses beyond words!

I had my first Oncology Appt. at Lack's Cancer Center in Grand Rapids.  Thank you to my sweet friend Heidi for offering to take me since Jon had important business meetings in Lansing. She was so sweet and had a Chai tea waiting for me when she arrived.  Lack's is a beautiful building and it was so nice to have free valet parking. As we waited in the waiting room, I noticed the sweetest "seasoned" women, with such a warm smile, who happen to be bald, who, evidently, was there for her chemo treatment. I also noticed her absolutely adorable conductors hat that she was wearing so confidently and beautifully.  I complimented her and she gave me info on where she buys lots of her fun hats. It was an awesome encounter. Next, I was greeted by my girlfriend, Kris Grek, who works for Lack's in the scheduling dept. for my specific Oncologist. It was so wonderful and a blessing to see a familiar, loving, beautiful face/friend!

Next, was my appt. with the Oncologist, Dr. Latha Polavaram. I instantly liked her and had a very good/strong sense that we were a good match.  After reviewing the recommendations from my Oncologist at Cleveland Clinic, she wanted to give me another alternative recommendation and gave lots of detailed info on why she thought it would be a good chemo plan. She was  also very supportive if I opted to stick with Dr. Andresen's (C. Clinic) chemo suggestion.

I have my first appt. Tuesday, March 11th, which is a training class to familiarize me with what to expect at my treatments as well as side effects. I think it's wonderful that they offer this so that it takes away some of the, "not knowing," anxiety.

March 17th at 8:30 am is my appt. to have my port surgically installed.  This is an out-patient surgery and will be done at St. Mary's hospital in Grand Rapids.

My first chemo appt. is scheduled for Friday, March 21st. The Chemo concoction she is recommending is four treatments, once every three weeks...usually lasting about six hours with an additional appt. the next day for my shot to raise my white blood cell count. They will also be coordinating with my expander fills to tie in with my chemo appt. days.

All in all, it was a perfect appt./day.....until I was slightly blindsided with the info that they found a spot on my liver on my last MRI at Cleveland Clinic. They are hopeful that it is just a cyst, but want me to have a CAT-SCAN to make sure.  The CAT-SCAN is scheduled for  this Friday morning (February 28)

Prayer requests: Infection clears up, CAT-SCAN shows that the cyst is in fact just a cyst, or better yet, it's gone! Please pray for Peace, strength, clarity. 

Your prayers mean so much to me.  I am so grateful for Pastor Pete/Terri Stewart (my Church Pastor/Church family) and the prayer team who will be praying over Jon and I tomorrow morning.

This obviously came as a complete shock, but now that I've had time to pray and wrap my head around it, this too I've completely surrendered and turned over to God. We love you all and thank you again for all of your love, support, encouragement, and prayers. :-)

My good friend Kris Grek

My good friend, Kris Grek, and my wonderful Oncologist, Latha