Sitting around healing...

Just thought it was time to give you an update. I have felt a lot like I got hit by a very big truck! I think I’ve just about figured out the right balance between pain and drugs. That was the hardest for me because I really dislike taking drugs of any kind, but they were my friend for a while there! I am still at my daughter’s house in Dallas and will have to stay here for at least another couple of weeks to get clearance from my surgeon. The surgery went really well. The doctor was absolutely brilliant! She managed to do the surgery with the smallest possible incisions so I can still keep my fantasy about wearing my bikini in the Bahamas ! :J

We got the final report from the surgery. The tumor was 15 cm and had spread through the colon wall. There was cancer confirmed in one of the 17 lymph nodes that were tested - which means that it is early stage 3 cancer and will require chemo treatments.


It was a little disappointing to find out that the cancer had spread into the lymph nodes – we were really all hoping I could avoid chemo…. But looks like I will have to follow up, hopefully at MD Anderson. I think the hardest thing for me with that is that I had to watch my dad battle cancer for 6 years. Of course, they have made a lot of progress since then, so I’ll try not to completely panic until I’ve actually talked to an oncologist.

I really do believe that “all things work together for good for them that love God”.. so I’m looking for the blessings! It is certainly an opportunity to take inventory and focus my energy. I have to remember that my life completely changed for the better after the house fire and I sincerely believe that God can turn negatives into positives! I figure there should be some REALLY good positives from this one! I've already started working on some of my songs and hope to finally finish a new cd!

Anyway, I'm not very good at all the details, but the quick overview - I'm doing much better. I still sleep most of the day, but have managed to drop my pain meds from every 8 min. to once every 10-12 hours, so i am gradually regaining some clarity of thought. I am on a low fiber- low residue diet.... which means I can eat all the things that i never ate before and none of the things that I was eating. Just to illustrate, it's referred to as the "twinkie diet"... :-) I can't eat raw fruits, veggies or nuts... just white bread, white rice, ice cream, pasta... you get the picture. Not a very good diet for the bikini

There really shouldn't be much to report for the next few weeks. I have a check up scheduled with the surgeon on the 14th, and hope to confirm an appointment with the oncologist sometime towards the end of the month. I am feeling a lot stronger and am checking both work and personal emails daily now - so I'd love to hear from you!

I want to especially thank Mary for her healing wisdom and guidance; Sondra, Eagle and Jeena for the herbs and prayers; and all of you who sent me the wonderful words of encouragement and beautiful cards. Of course, my deepest gratitude to my beautiful daughters and grandson, who have actually made this journey a fun adventure! I am so blessed.
Much love and gratitude,
Sia