Well....at least it's not "rip-roaring" cancer

The bad news is...the cancer is back. The good news is it's not "rip-roaring" cancer according to Dr. Prystas. I had my CA-125 blood test done last week in preparation for a 4-month follow-up with the surgeon. I'd been having some stomach aches & shortness of breath for the couple of weeks leading up to this appointment, but I was hoping that it was just the anxiety leading up to the appointment. Unfortunately, Dr. Dodson told us that my numbers had gone fromo 67 to over 1300--obviously something was going on. I had a CT scan two days ago that showed no tumors--yea!--that means no surgery. All my vital organs appear to be normal, but I do have fluid in my chest cavity & abdomen again (darn!) and there are several enlarged lymph nodes in my abdomen & pelvis. Soooo...according to Dr. Prystas, there are definitely signs of cancer, but it's not "rip-roaring" cancer. It sounds like I'll be doing another few rounds of chemo again. I go see Dr. Prystas next Tuesday to hear what the game plan will be. Because it's only been 6 months since my last chemo treatment, they can't use the same drugs. She'll have to figure out what new medications to use, & she's going to try again to have my insurance company pay for a new drug that hasn't been FDA approved for ovarian cancer, but is showing some promise. It's been a little rough this past week--I've shed a few tears--but it's going to be all right. I've known this was extremely likely to happen, I was just hoping it wouldn't be quite so soon.
Last night, our Stake Relief Society held a special meeting & had Sister Virginia Pearce speak to us. I think she was there just for me--it was wonderful! She spoke about living "abundantly" & that is what my goal is--to live my life abundantly as long as I can. When we were heading down to S.L. to the Dr.'s last week, Kali & I were texting about how it had been a year to the day since my diagnosis. I wrote something about it being a wild year, and Kali responded: "Yeah, it's been quite a year...but Mom, it's been a YEAR!" That put everything into perspective for me. A year ago I could never imagine still being here to see & experience another beautiful fall day. We have had so many wonderful experiences this past year as a family--especially these past 6 months. I have been blessed so abundantly, & have felt the love of the Lord in my life more this past year than at any other time. I am once again feeling the prayers of many of you who have known of my circumstances this past week, & I am grateful! Love always, Kim