The good news: my appetite is back! For the first time in several months I have been interested in eating again. This tells me (although this thought is not supported by any actual science, mind you) that my liver must be doing better, as I have always assumed that the appetite loss was associated with decreased liver function.
The bad news: also back are four of the fifteen pounds I have lost since my diagnosis. Just goes to show that nothing is ever purely good or purely bad, right? I guess if I had to pick I'd rather be on the chubby side with a healthy liver than skinny with a cancerous one, so all is probably right with the world.
Now all I need is my self-perceptions of healing to be proven out with a scan. Another month and we'll know something for sure. I can't wait!
While I wait, I wanted to ask those of you who are praying for me to also pray for my friend Dawn who was diagnosed with breast cancer the day before I was. We did not know eachother well when we both embarked on this journey but we are becoming good friends quickly due to shared circumstances.
Dawn is only a few years older than me and has six children. She homeschools (which is how I met her, through the Catholic homeschooling group). She had a localized lump which they have already removed with a masectomy, and she began chemo yesterday to take care of any free floating cancerous cells that may have escaped.
The irony of the situation is that although, on paper, her diagnosis and prognosis is far better than mine, her treatment will likely be worse. Her cancer is not HER2 positive so she cannot take advantage of T-DM1 or even Herceptin. Instead, she will be receiving the standard chemo drugs that will likely cause her to feel quite ill and lose her hair.
She is very much in my thoughts and prayers right now so I thought I'd share a little about her since you are all such amazing prayer warriors. She could use some of that amazing support, so please remember her especially this week as she adjusts to her treatment.
Thanks, and Happy New Year! I have a feeling 2010 is going to be a really special year.
5 comments:
Prayers for you both! A friend of mine has colon cancer and I have been taking her to make treatment plans. While at the clinic, I had my yearly mammogram, which showed breast cancer. A week later, she had her mammo, which showed cancer, also. We,too, were not close friends before, but now are ''bosom'' buddies.
Oh, yes, prayers for both you!
your ability to help those in need and pray for others around you is inspiring. If it is the same Dawn on the St. Gerard's list she is already in our nightly prayers. If not, I will add her name to it. Thinking of you and knowing that 2010 is going to be an awesome year!
Dear Suzanne,
You and Dawn will be in our prayers everyday! Glad you are feeling up to eating and hopefully somewhat normal? Tell the family we said "HELLO" and we miss you all.
Waiting, isnt it a hard thing sometimes? As I will try to remember one day at a time. Hang in there. Good news will come.
Love Always, your friend Sarah McCormick
Suz:
Jay, the kids, and you continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.
-Miriam
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