Cody Updates by Mom

Well, I made it a week.  Ugh.  I am back to not being able to eat much of the solid foods.  It was not unexpected as the following is a direct quote from Michelle’s write up from my last dilation procedure.  “I have also spoken with Dr. Kendrick who agrees that we should just go ahead and schedule her next dilation as she is likely to stricture back down since they were not able to dilate much more today.”  After ending up having to throw up in a fast food bathroom this morning and at work during lunch I had had quite enough of all of this.

My original appointment for my next procedure was set for next Friday the 10th.  I called and talked with Michelle today and let her know that I am quickly heading back to being on just liquids.  I was concerned as being on a liquid only diet until the 10th would be hard and I would lose a significant amount of weight.  She agreed.  Within an hour she had performed her magic and I am now scheduled to have my next dilation procedure this Thursday morning.  They had actually asked for me to be scheduled this week for the procedure but somehow during the process of getting it scheduled it was set up for the end of next week.  That was a bit too long to wait.  So I am headed back to Mayo this week.  I am so thankful that they respond so quickly to these issues.  It helps me to feel more comfortable with how they are managing my care.

Michelle said that the people in the recovery room will have the initial results and will give me some direction on eating.  Michelle will call me Friday with the results and the plan to go forward.  I will then see her and Sheila on the 13th for follow up.

It is going to be a busy week/weekend though.  Wednesday I start the day with getting Cody to school early for a test he is missing on Thursday.  Wednesday night we have band practice.  Then Thursday through Saturday Cody is at the U of M for the robotics tournament.  I have to have him at the school each day by seven a.m. to ride up to the U.  Thursday I have my appointment.  Friday we have my “1 year cancer free” gig up in Otsego at the Igloo.  If any of you are not too busy stop out.  Music starts at 7:00 and our band will hit the stage around 9:00.  Saturday we will spend the day at the U for the robotics tournament and see if our team can qualify for the national tourney next month.  They have already qualified for the state tournament so we will be having one more weekend of competition at the U of M sometime in May.  I cannot be more proud!  Lastly on Sunday we are working on some initial plans to have an Easter dinner out with Jim’s mom and family.  Still haven’t worked out really any of the details for that yet.  All I know is, I am not cooking or cleaning my house to be presentable for company.  No matter what, each and everything is going to happen no matter how many pain killers or other remedies this girl has to take!  Nothing has been able to win against my sheer will and desire to do the things that are important to me and this will be no different!

On a good note, we saw Dr. Mann this morning and everything is healing pretty well.  He said that the pain on my left side is more due to the fact that I had six and a half weeks of radiation there.  He said that it is likely bruised on the inside and wants me now to switch from ice to heat.  I am off of the restrictions of wearing my breast cancer bra (actually any bra for that matter) and also sleeping upright.  I am happy to be back in my bed and not the chair even though the chair has been a life saver!  I will see him again in three weeks to ensure the swelling on the left is going down.  If not, he mentioned that it is fixable it will just mean another surgery.  He did say that “we were getting a little ahead of ourselves though.”  Trust me, its way more funny if you had been there.  He’s got an odd personality but I like him as a doc.

My brother spent the beginning of this week at Mayo for tests and I am hopeful that they all come back negative.  I am taking my mom down to Mayo next week to meet with Sheila and discuss testing and next steps.  Nothing else really new to report on those fronts.

So, onto my liquid diet.  At least I am getting my veggies with tomato juice.  Ok, it’s more like a tomato mix.  Well, there’s some Worcestershire in there.  Oh, and a bit of pickle juice.  I guess I did put some chili lime salt around the cup.  I managed to get a bit of vodka in there too.  I know, its a Bloody Mary but hey they said liquid, not boring!  I did have my Ensure drink and some of my enchilada soup stuff I make.  At least I don’t have to do this for ten days only two.  Yay!

Caring Bridge Comments

Julie Halloff|Apr 1, 2015 8:00am
“Nothing has been able to win against my sheer will and desire to do the things that are important to me and this will be no different!” Mel, this sentence shows just how much of a warrior you are and who will win! YOU! Best of luck and blessings with all you have coming up in the next few days! ☺