I went to see my surgeons after getting another PET/CT scan on Thursday. Well, everyone I received incredibly awesome and shocking news! The Senior Surgeon told me that removing part or all of my lung would be incredibly risky at this point. That at this point the lung doesn't look like active disease. So, the major surgery is now been cancelled! Instead, they are going to do a bronchoscopy and Bronchoalveolar lavageon November 1. So,with that they will do some more biopsies and all. This is an OUTPATIENT procedure and I should not have to worry about recovering afterward. YAY! God is good. (All the time!) My parents and I sat there in shock as we were told this news. You have no idea how happy I am to not have to deal with all the chest tubes and tape again! Also my parents will not have to watch me suffer and my dad will not have to commute back and forth. SO Thankful! The surgeons plan for me to have regularly scheduled bronchoscopies. I will be seeing my magnificent oncologist Dr M soon. I believe, he plans for me to finish my cycle of chemo and possibly start my maintenance plan. Despite that, I still have some pain and am on oxygen all the time. My right lung will probably never be normal or function normally.
I can't fathom the awesome power of God. It blows my mind. I know that between the awesome power of God's healing and the prayers to him from everyone all over the world on my behalf has made has made all the difference. Resting on sweet Jesus has made all the difference! I AM loved!
And whether you like it or not he loves you too!
Love, K*
P.S. I designed this and my friend Jennifer made it pretty! November is Lung Cancer awareness month! Wear a white ribbon or pearls to show support.
So that's the score right now! They also believe that the tumor is in the top lobe of my right lung which is only kicking in 4% of the breathing work right now. Which is pretty awesome! Can I get an AMEN?
So, I have been out of the hospital for nine days. My next surgery is currently scheduled for November 1. This unfortunately means I can't make it to Nashville like i was hoping for the Lung cancer walk down there. Bummer! I was really looking forward to seeing my Nashy friends beautiful faces! I really miss you all BUNCHES!
I went to the Dr on Thursday. They originally wanted to do the next surgery this past Friday. Then, it was Monday and then Wednesday. While we were in the appt. my surgeon spoke to the Senior Surgeon (who I still haven't met.) My surgeon spoke to him while he was in the room with us. He then stepped out for a moment. We aren't really sure what all was said, suddenly he thought I needed more time to heal. As I had a rough time recovering from surgery. He also thought that I should have another PET Scan.
It was very odd. We were going a more conservative route. I felt MUCH better about this. Despite all the downsides, (missing seeing Nashville in Nov and possibly being super sore on my Nov 15th bday) I am ready to have this tumor out of me. They currently believe it to be a lil less that 2 centimeters big! Chemotherapy, the love, prayers and well Jesus have done immense healing. I still have plenty to go but I have made huge strides.
Speaking of strides, (nice segway,eh) I can't believe all the people from my workplace who have stepped out to walk to fund Lung Cancer Research. I am so touched! I feel so loved and supported by you. You all are amazing! If you would like to donate to their team, or join them you can by going HERE The walk in Nashy is Nov 5 in Centennial Park.
For those in the Los Angeles area, my Woobie, Kristin and her family are walking in Manhattan Beach, Ca. If you would like to walk or donate to the California Team KStar please go HERE
And finally the walk that is coming up quickly is for the American Lung Association here in Morgantown, WV. It is on October 22! If you would like to join me and my friends walking or donate, you can do that HERE
So enough pimping my cause. Here are some drawings I did some shrinky dinks of:
As I mentioned in my last blog I am having diagnostic surgery on Monday. I mentioned in my last blog that I would supply the hospital address. So, here is the address for UPMC Presbyterian: UPMC Presbyterian
200 Lothrop Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15213-2582
412-647-2345I will be there until Wednesday or Thursday. Also, there are a few walks for Lung Cancer/Disease going on around the US in which people are walking in my honor. (SO FLATTERED) If you would like to join in and walk/run or donate to one of these walks, here are the links:
Well, I went to Pittsburgh last Thursday for a consult with a world known lung surgeon. The results were..kinda shocking. They believe my staging is incorrect. They also mentioned that I was on the right chemo, after we told them my story. They were very adamant about getting in there as soon as possible to find out exactly what is going on in there. This is why we are pretty sure Dr Mo wanted us to see this guy.
I am going to see Dr Mo later this week, so I will let you know what he says about the report back from Pittsburgh. Anyhow, I wanted you all to know what all may be going on when I head to Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh. (I will try to get the address and phone number of the hospital in my next blog.)
Another bronchoscopy is being done. This is the initial procedure in which my lung cancer was originally found. They also will be making an incision in my lower neck to look in my wind pipe to see what all is going on there. They also will be going in some incisions on my right side to do some looking around. They will be doing plenty of biopsies and exploration along the way. They have also mentioned deflating my right lung and playing with it like Play-Doh. Oh, hold on they didn't say that...that's just how I pictured it. It should be interesting to see what comes of all this. I'm so glad to have proactive measures are being done. I'm especially interested to know what my rotten potato is doing in there.
The Dr said I would be in the Hospital 3 days. (Which kinda surprised me.) Looking kinda forward to a new bad @ss scar. We were very shocked when they said what all they would be doing. I was very glad they were doing it all in one swoop. Also glad that they wanted to explore my insides before making a decision of whether to remove the rotten potato.
This is the excitement in my life! Crazy huh? Well, I trust God will be watching over me through all this. After all I'm young (that's what everyone tells me :) THAT is so peaceful, powerful and there are times when the very thought brings a smile to my face and tears to my eyes.
So, have you just ever asked God, " What is going on in my life blows my mind. I feel like its totally out of control and have no idea what I can do next." Well I do, A LOT. When I find myself calling out I take a VERY deep cleansing breath. Then, I usually find myself praying," I trust you Jesus. I give this over to you. I know you want this burden far more than I do. Lord, please wash your cleansing peace over me. As only you can. My life is in your control. For in comfort brought by you I do not have to worry. I only have to breath. "
If you haven't tried, you should. It tends to be pretty amazing.
So, today was interesting. I didn't sleep very well between having chemo today and my Woobie, Kristin, ending her week long with my beautiful Niecee, Noey. I love that family! They mean a lot to me. I also got some balloons from a college friends. I love surprises!!
As we all know, I was really hoping to find out if I was definitely getting my lung removed today. Well, that is still unknown. Dr Mo wants me to consult with a surgeon here and a world known surgeon at my least favorite hospital. He spoke of possibly having an endoscopy to biopsy the lung lining to see if that is cancerous. Also definitely having an ultrasound of my lower abdomen. That is where I am now. A little frustrating, but it brings me peace knowing I am in his hands. I know that's all that I can do-TRUST and know God has the ultimate plan for me.
On a brighter side, chemo went quite quickly. My Power Port was very cooperative. That is always nice!
Well as I said, it's another Chemo day! Exciting, I know!!
I will also find out about the big IF!
What is the big IF?
IF I will have my rotten potato removed, or rather my right lung.
I can't recall if I mentioned it in early blogs, but in the early days they were not going to remove my lung. Over the summer, between it deflating and having fluid. Then, re-inflating and the fluid disappearing.
This is now a possibility. Scary, yet, this could rid me of the cancer. Scariest thinking about possibly being in a medical induced coma for a few days. Yes, i will probably be on maintenance medication the rest of my days. Possibly, also oxygen.
But alas, I am o.k. with that. I am ALIVE. Living my life to the best of my ability. Being thankful for all of YOU! My supporters! I am a SURVIVOR! No one can take that away from me! The blessings that have poured over me have been more than I could ever dream of. You, there reading, help so much. I hope you know how much I appreciate your love, thoughts and prayers!
As you all may know, today was the day of my needle aspiration. This entails using a needle guided by a CT scan to get some of the fluid that is in my right lung.
I was a lil anxious, but calm as I checked in to the hospital for this procedure. I checked in and didn't wait long before they came and took me to pre-op. I got ready and they did my bloodwork. My port gave them a lil trouble but they managed to do the blood work from it. The Physicians assistant came and told us all about the procedure. Shortly, after they came to get me for the procedure.
I got into the room and they tried to flush my port and had problems with it. We decided to just put in an IV. (This of course bummed me out.) The nurse prepped the meds to put me to sleep. I moved over to the CT Scanner where the procedure would take place. The Dr came in and said " Let's do the CT Scan first." They did the scan and the Dr came out. I looked up at her and she said, " There is no fluid to do the procedure. It's GONE!"
I was a little shocked. I took a deep breath and outloud said, "Thank you, Jesus!" Upon this discovery, they canceled the procedure. No fluid=no biopsy!
So now we wait to see what Dr Mo says. It was said if the fluid wasn't cancerous they would remove my lung. What if there is no fluid?
I must say I'm still a lil shock. Yet, not as I have trust in Him to take care of me.
Anyhow, that was my day. Again....Thank you Jesus, you are AMAZING!
