Catching up

Ive had a busy week so far. Running here and there. Getting out is nice, but battling the heat isnt. Im very delicate temp wise. (Thank you chemo) so I can get very sick very quick. Keeping that in mind I've been out and about. Carrying cold water, an umbrella, cool clothing, and knowing when to get my butt inside. I love summer, but cant take the heat this year.

I managed to suck it up and get some shopping done. After loosing 40+ lbs, I was forced to get some new clothes. Ilitterally had my pants fall off the other day. So glad it didnt happen in public. Thought I could make em work but nope! Haha. I guess my problems could always be worse.

So, how do I feel daily? I take it hourly. Mornings arnt great and neither is dinner. Both are when I take chemo. Basically lunch is the only good meal for me. If I get too hot I puke. Overall the key is to take it slow.

Thank you for all your prayers. My family is eternally greatful.

Happy birthday to me.....

So yeah, its officially my birthday. 29 years old. Officially closer to 30 than 20. Its honestly hard to wrap my head around. Not the age, as much as what it means. I was originally put on hospice, and told I would be lucky to see christmas. The likely good of seeing my birthday was just not gonna happen, but here I am. Wrapping my head around it is hard.

Today I spent with my little family. We went on a walk, went to the pool, and then took a long nap. For me thats all I could ask for. (Well that and a vanilla dr pepper). I was supposed to go to dinner, but over did myself this morning.  Heck I rarely do dinner. Chemo doesnt agree with food. So we cancelled childcare and reservations to hang at home with my hubby and a movie. We will reschedule another time.

At the end of the day I'm perfectly happy. Yeah, I will likely puke before my night is over, but it doesnt matter. Im here and I wasnt projected to be. So I am happy with my quiet night at home with my boys.

Doc update

I've had a pretty good week so far. My stomach has behaved, and energy level has been pretty good. I get tired easily, and don't tolerate heat well. If I get too hot I puke. (it's a lovely response).

I had a doc check up today. My blood levels look good. I'm tolerating the chemo well. I was approved to continue the chemo with another check up in 2 weeks. At the 2 week app we will schedule new scans. We need to see if it's working. The scans will tell all.

So now we wait and try to rest.

Family (warning…may be sappy)

I don't know what its like to not have an extended family. Aunt so and so, cousin whomever… I am blessed to have a huge support network of family. Today we got together for a long overdue family reunion. I believe we counted a total of 45 people. Seems like it was just yesterday that we were either having christmas or easter meals at the church. Here we all were probably almost 20 years later with a bunch of new members. All the kids had little new families of their own. Me included.

I am  blessed to have such a family network. As I watched the kids play, I realized that this is likely the last time we are all together. We are all getting older, our lives more expanded. Calling everyone home for a meal/ get together is more and more challenging. I try to think of what if we wait another 20 years? I guess my point is, I need to remember what I have now. Spend more time with the people I do have in my life. In another 20 years some of us won't be here. We need to celebrate the family (whomever we call family) while we have these precious years.

The #1 question asked of me is "do you have family close by?" Im proud to say "yes, yes I do."

Bikes, Friends, Family, and a Cause

What a weekend! This weekend was "Summer fun Run!"

The turn out was great! Had the weather not been questionable I bet more people would have attended. That said, a couple of riders from the 'Faith Riders' group took a fall. 2 Motorcycles went down. Luckily, no one was injured.

I unfortunately didn't get to attend the event. Friday we (hubby, me and little man) loaded up and drove to Joses. I made it to the parking lot before I got sick. We had to turn around and go back home. :( It was the end of my first week back on full chemo. Ive had issues all week. I had really hoped to be able to see everyone at the event, but no such luck.

Thank you to all that came out and showed support. We cannot express how much your support is appreciated. Here is the "Riders of Cassie". Thank you all for braving the weather.

Doctor/ Test results.

So Friday I had my endoscopy. The good news is they got me on a new medicine that has helped resolve all my tummy issues!! YAY! The bad news? They found a dime sized tumor in my stomach lining. They are 99.9% sure its melanoma. They biopsied the tumor to make 100% sure. But lets face it. Its Melanoma. They've described my melanoma tumors in the past as a very bright purple. Might as well be a flashing neon sign screaming 'MELANOMA HERE! YEP MELANOMA'! Ha.

A new drug helped me feel normal all weekend! Im so happy that finally I had a good weekend. Come to find out when they take out portions of your colon it causes "short gut syndrome". What does that boil down to? Same amount of digestive juices (bile etc) and not the same amount of intestine and colon to absorb it all. They gave me a prescription and BAM. I was fine the next day. All issues solved. Im so glad.

On another note, I started back on my chemo drugs. Im feeling pretty good right now. I started with a half dose, and go to a full dose tomorrow. One part sucks….I think my hair is falling out again. YAY me. To be fair I look like a middle aged balding guy now. It never quite filled in after radiation. I have bald spots. I usually wear a wig, but Im seriously thinking about shaving it. Hey, might as well start over. I thought it would fill in, and its not. Now its getting worse. May as well embrace the fake hair and have fun with it!!! Maybe a pink or purple wig is in my future. :)

So now what? Well we meet with a nurse in 2 weeks to check my blood. This has to be done when you're taking toxic meds daily. In 4 weeks I meet again with the doctor. At that time we will schedule a new round of testing to see whats growing or not growing. So there you have it. Everything I know about what is going on. :)