Cody Updates by Mom

April 3rd, 2016, I am 2 years cancer free.  Wow, that feels really good saying that!!  I beat “advanced stage two, invasive lobular carcinoma” and with that, I win the ultimate scrabble game against cancer.  Double word score with that one!

So, how are things?  Things are going great!  I saw Dr. McCormack (my oncologist, a.k.a. Doogie) on Friday.  It was a fantastic visit.  He doesn’t want to see me for another year.  Yay!  It’s like a graduation being moved from 6 month visits to yearly!  He said that I am very healthy.  All my numbers look good, my blood work is good an no sign of anything coming back!  I will continue to take the Tamoxifen for the next 3+ years and then we will decide if I will take it for another five years or go to something else.  I have options but don’t have to think about it right now.  I have an eye appointment coming up soon.  The chemotherapy that I had will, at some point, cause me to have cataracts.  I have had some minor vision changes so it is a good time to be checked.  I may also just be getting old.  Who knows?

My hair is growing really well.  It is down to my shoulders and VERY curly.  I have decided that since my hair is truly only a couple years old that it has to be a toddler.  It could be older if you take into account the fact that it may age different so maybe a teenager is more appropriate.  Either way, it doesn’t always listen to me and doesn’t always behave but I still love it because it is part of me.

The stomach-less stuff is going well too.  I haven’t had to go to Mayo for anything in quite a while.  I am eating pretty normal now and can manage through my days without issue.  I have the random, eat too much sugar or too fast, but I can usually manage even with the small problems.  My weight has stabilized as well.  Which is really good because I need my credit cards to stabilize too and not buying new clothes will help!!  I continue to see an Endocrinologist for my nutrition.  It is important to me to stay in front on any potential issues.  Calcium is a big one as both the cancer and the stomach removal affect my ability to absorb the right amounts.  My initial bone scan came back normal which is great.  My blood work however has been inconsistent so calcium remains on the list to watch.  I am taking my B12 shots weekly now and that has been keeping those numbers in the right spot.

I am living life, as normal, which is something that felt like it was so far away!  The kids are doing fantastic.  Phil is in New Jersey, working and livin life.  Alex is graduating from college in May and will be home with us for a while as she determines what she is going to do next.  Cody is graduating in June and has been accepted to the mechanical engineering program at UW Stout.  He continues to be active with robotics and is in the middle of the season now.  We are having the grad party on June 11th from 3-8ish.  Stop by if you can.  Jim and I are remodeling our bathroom which is A LOT of work.  It is good that we are able to work together pretty well and it is getting closer to done every week.  Life, normal life, there truly is nothing better.

My brother went through getting a stent for his eating issues after surgery.  He has it out now and is doing well.  As long as he is able to eat he doesn’t have to go back down to Mayo.  That is fantastic news as well.  I think there will be a “fatten Roger up” food pilgrimage coming in the future.  Dr. Kendrick said that they should name a street after us by the clinic with all the problems we have had.  I think I may be sending him a personalized street sign in the future.

There are many others in my life that continue to be within their storms.  Please know that you are not alone as you weather the storm and face the wind and rain.

Tomorrow, I am bringing pink cupcakes to work to share with some of those that rode along on this crazy journey I have had over the last couple years.  Thank you for being my support system.  I would not be here without it!!

Caring Bridge Comments

Joan Axdal, Prayer Chain, All Saints Lutheran Church, Cottage Grove|Aug 5, 2016 8:18am
This is such GOOD news. Thanks for sharing it.