I’m not sad to see 2023 coming to a close, yes, that’s an understatement. What a challenge 2023 has been. It started out amazing, my AS disease was well under control and enjoyed the end of January with an amazing vacation in Hawaii. A dream vacation really. It was certainly the highlight of the year.Continue reading “2023 is coming to an end, bring it on”
Category Archives: Life Update
BUILDING UP EACH OTHER Val Velde, RLC Council President
“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”– 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Building each other up and supporting one another is what we are called to do. I see this in action at Roseville Lutheran Church. I’ve seen the power of our community through the work of the Reconciling InContinue reading “BUILDING UP EACH OTHER Val Velde, RLC Council President”
Happy Thanksgiving!
Today is a day to be grateful! And I have a lot to be grateful for, last night I got the lab results from Monday’s lymph node surgery and there is no active cancer found! LEFT AXILLARY LYMPH NODES, DISSECTION: So basically this means one lymph node found with dead cancer. Yippee, the chemo worked!Continue reading “Happy Thanksgiving!”
Lymph Node Surgery
Yesterday I add Axillary Lymph Node Surgery. They removed all lymph nodes from the left arm pit area. Some of them are under the shoulder blade as well as under the pec muscle in the outer chest area so healing can take time. This week my goal is rest and keeping ahead of the pain.Continue reading “Lymph Node Surgery”
Getting Ready for Surgery
I’m almost a month out from the last chemo session and many of the challenging symptoms are improving or gone. Nausea and digestive issues are way better. My hair is starting to grow back. My skin is way better now that I’m not having weekly steroids. Even the numbness in my hands and feet haveContinue reading “Getting Ready for Surgery”
Ringing that 🔔 Bell!
It feels so good to be done with Chemo! God is good!
Life is Good, but Right Now it’s Hard
November 3, 2023 I’m realizing just how long this cancer journey may be so as a result I’m switching my venue for updating my family and friends away from Caring Bridge over to a Blog that I can manage on a longer term basis. There may be a time when I want to reflect onContinue reading “Life is Good, but Right Now it’s Hard”
“Hearing” Challenging News
October 31, 2023 Happy 🎃 Halloween! Today I had a couple hearing tests done and met with the audiologist. My fears were confirmed, the chemotherapy medicine caused damage to my inner ears that is unlikely to improve. It was disappointing news to hear (pun intended). The ringing may not ever go away but sometimes theContinue reading ““Hearing” Challenging News”
A Hard Week – Round 13
October 19, 2023 In a few hours I’ll do chemo round 13. Three left after today. I’d love to say that I’m so totally in control of everything and kicking cancer’s butt however this week I just didn’t feel that way. In fact this week I felt frankly pissed off. Monday I did aContinue reading “A Hard Week – Round 13”
What’s Next After Chemo?
October 13, 2023 I learned a bunch this week. On Monday I had an ultrasound and there was no cancer masses they could see! Great news! A little lymphedema but that was no surprise. Now I did learn from the Radiologist this morning while it is good news, all that’s telling us is there isContinue reading “What’s Next After Chemo?”
My Journey 