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You Look Marvelous!

4/14/2015

7 Comments

 
   Well, I have been remiss, my friends.  I was so excited to get home, that I didn't do an update on how I'm doing.  Somehow, I guess you were supposed to just intuit my overall well-being.  Oops.  So I'm (finally) here to say...

I'm doing great!


     Just to bring you back up to speed, I had 6 weeks of concurrent radiation and chemotherapy down at MD Anderson in Houston. As is pretty standard for Stage III rectal cancer, the steps are as follows:
  1. 6 weeks of chemotherapy and radiation, completed 2/17/15,
  2. surgery to remove the tumor and cancerous lypmphnodes scheduled for 6-8 weeks after the chemoradiation,
  3. chemotherapy about 4-6 weeks after surgery lasting for 4-6 months.
     So now we're ready for Step 2-Surgery which is scheduled for 7am on April 24 and expected to last for 7-9 hours. Here, I'm going to split off, because I realize some of you don't want all the details. However, some of you do, so I'm letting you decide. If you want the whole enchilada, click here. Otherwise, keep reading and rejoin our little story down below.  

It's now safe to rejoin...

       I'm back to waiting now. Waiting for surgery on Friday, April 24 at 7am. I have to be down in Houston on Monday, April 20 for tests and consultations. I have 2 different surgery consults. The first is with the surgeon who heads my team. The second is with the robotics surgeon who will be operating too. You see, you CAN teach an old dog new tricks. According to Dr. RB (my team leader), they've been trying to get him to go robotic for years now and he said he's too old to start that now. There's no difference on long term survivability, he assured me. The surgery just as effective either conventionally or robotically. I think in his mind, that was the end of the discussion. I countered with the indisputable logic that if it's easier on the patient, then why the heck WOULDN'T you do it? I told him, "I'm going to bring you the best, healthiest patient I can possibly bring. What's the best you've got?" Score a direct hit, because we're going robotically. At least that's the plan. If they get in there and need to go conventionally, then they'll open me from breastbone to pubic bone and do the whole thing the traditional way. I should be awhile on the table, so I'll set up Joe to post something afterwards. Check in around 3 or 4 pm.
     We'll know afterwards how effective we were at beating TLB into submission, or if we at least left him with significant battle scars. What he suffered will determine which way the surgery goes (robotics or conventional) and if I'll be reconnected or permanently bypassed. Pray that I get hooked back up! This is where the shirt and matching head band come in.
Sidebar: Can we be frank?
     I was visiting with a good friend last week, and he mentioned that he and another mutual friend were talking.  One of them asked the other, "Did you read ALL the stuff?" which I'm guessing meant, "Dang. She leaves nothing to the imagination." I seriously had to think to myself, "I wonder what I said?" because in my mind, I've left a lot to the imagination.
     But they were right; I tend to be very frank. But that has a purpose. The unknown is scary, and there are enough unknowns on this journey. By laying out the facts, I am ripping the veil off the unknown so that I (and anyone else reading this) might feel a little less intimated or scared of rectal cancer or cancer in general. Knowledge is power, for me at least, and a good many others I suspect.
     So, it's all here. Well, most of it. And if just 1 person benefits, then I've accomplished something. But if I've skipped something, that's just me trying so show a modicum of consideration for those who might be uncomfortable with the whole, naked picture. However, if you're wondering about something, ASK. I will tell and will be happy to tell. No secrets, no embarrassment, no taboos, no fear.  Just ask.

Grrrrr....


     I have to say, this is the worst it's been, attitude-wise. Before, I had the job of lining things out - making decisions and figuring out with Joe what we were going to do. Done. Then I had my time down in Houston. Going in each day for a treatment, assorted Dr. appointments, taking my chemo and keeping up with all of that. I was doing concrete things to improve my chances of my best outcome and now those items are all complete. Now I'm just waiting to see what was accomplished, which feels like limbo. Looming large in front of me are events that will forever change my day-to-day life and every decision I make from here on out. Like having a child, but in a different, not entirely positive way. I find myself now in inexplainably bad moods, getting mad about things that normally wouldn't bother me and lashing out in ways that aren't deserved.
    The good thing about procrastinating on posting this (it's been "under construction" for weeks) is that as we've drawn closer to the date, the wait is almost over and my mood is much better. I am R-E-A-D-Y. Yesterday.
     I leave Sunday, April 19 for Houston.  Joe, Anna and Laura Cate arrive on the morning of April 23 along with my parents. Joe, the girls and my Dad will leave on Sunday, April 26. I'll be in the hospital in for 4-7 days then need to stay in Houston for 7 days after they kick me out. Mom and I will stay together at the Rotary House which is attached to MD Anderson and quite nice. We're sharing a room. Hopefully, Mom will not kill me after fetching for me in a hotel room for a week and we'll return together sometime around May 6 or 8.
     Until then, I continue to be the beneficiary of many kind words, prayers, gifts and love. I really and truly am doing well. I don't feel like anything is wrong, which is great, but kind of spooky in a way. I'm walking, running, working (well, what I think will pass for work and keep everyone off my back!), enjoying life and all of the normal stuff. THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH! Now, let's all work together to finish off TLB. To quote Inigo (reread earlier posts if you've forgotten), "Prepare to die."
7 Comments
Elaine Fallon
4/14/2015 07:36:25 pm

Great read Barb. You know I dig the medical stuff! You are always in our thoughts and the top of my cancer prayer list😜. I'll be watching for notifications! Love Ya!

Reply
Melissa Gier link
4/15/2015 12:48:58 am

Thanks for the update, Barb! I've continued to pray for you, and will keep doing so all the way thru this journey you're on. My young 20-something cousin is taking a similar path, although hers is not cancer. Not sure exactly what it is, but it involves multiple surgeries and a stoma and an ostomy. So it's interesting to learn from both of you.
May God make His face shine on you and bring you peace, strength and healing. And much laughter along the way! :)

Reply
Pamela Smith Bellaver
4/15/2015 01:34:45 am

Love the updates, even the more revealing ones. Now get down there and finish this fight!! Kick TLB's "ass", as the case may be. Prayers and love to you, your family and the staff at MD Anderson. xoxo

Reply
Becky Newell
4/15/2015 01:36:15 am

Well done, again, Barb. You're an inspiration. And frankness is absolutely what it's all about. Uncover the unknown and make it known. Atta girl! Hugs and prayers!

Reply
jessica peterson
4/15/2015 02:34:16 am

I've been wondering how you're doing and am glad to read *ALL* of the update. I think I'll cue up The Princess Bride on the 24th in honor of your surgery and the impending death of TLB. Sending all the good vibes and hugs your way!

Reply
DebbieLB link
4/18/2015 10:13:30 am

I find it interesting that TLB is referred to as a male. Whatever he is, let's just dump the sombitch! Leave him in Houston and come back to us happier and healthier and ready for celebratory cocktails!

Reply
Karen Ericson
4/18/2015 03:44:03 pm

Use the lanolin to help soften the radiated skin. I had radiation 3 years ago for Breast Cancer and was told to use more moisturizer. I also had an illiostomy and had it from late June until Mid February. They detach at the worst times. Anti sting glue is the best (3M Cavilon, Adapt by Hollitser) and use Use 1 piece not 2 piece bags (Holliste 88300) Use a tupperware clip on bottom, velcro sucks. Also sleep with bag resting on a puppy pad or baby changing pad. Good Luck, praying for you.

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    Barb Downey

    On Dec. 5, 2014, I was diagnosed with rectal cancer. And that's where we start. If you're here for the first time, you'll have to read from the bottom (no pun intended!) up. Go to Dec 2014 and scroll to the bottom of the page...

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Downey Ranch, Inc.
Joe Carpenter & Barb Downey
37929 Wabaunsee Rd.
Wamego, KS  66547

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