When it rains.....

It's been a while, again.
But in that time, the fog of the Adriamycin/Cytoxan has lifted. I have some lingering  side effects and apparently those can come and go for up to a year, but they are mild and manageable. I feel a little bit more like myself. The Amber I used to be.

Much as happened (as has been typical) since my last post so here goes....

Since the Cancer that likes to grow in my body is fed, in part, by Estrogen and Progesterone  (made naturally in women), one of the goals in getting to my new normal is figuring out the best way to keep my body from producing those hormones.

Option 1 includes fairly frequent injections of pellets of Zolodex that suppress the function of my ovaries and another daily oral medication that suppresses the several other ways a woman's body manufactures those hormones. (more about that some other time)

Option 2 includes a partial or complete hysterectomy and the daily pill mentioned above to suppress the extra ways my body would normally produce estrogen and progesterone.

Since I am younger than many diagnosed, the standard of care can look different since injections for 10-15 years vs 3-5 for an older person kinda stink. If menopause was naturally just a few years away for me, my plan may have fewer options but also be less invasive.

My oncologist supports either option so he sent me to see Dr. Chapman, KU gynecologist with a specialty in oncology.

Here's where the story gets interesting.
During my visit, upon physical exam, she feels a mass.

What? You felt a what? Seriously! Am I being Punk'd??????

The next step was same day blood work to check my CA 125 levels. CA 125 is a marker in your blood. It can be elevated by liver inflammation, endometriosis  (which I don't have), or other benign inflammation,  but with a corresponding mass upon pelvic exam, elevated CA 125 means malignant cancer is present in 90% of cases. Normal CA 125 levels are 35 or less.

My CA 125 level is 161.

CA 125 levels also tend to respond to chemotherapy going DOWN in response.
Two rounds of really gnarly chemo later and my level is STILL 161? What on earth was it before the chemo? 500? 1000?

So.
Ultrasound is set for tomorrow.
I am not afraid.

I am PRAYING; like.... crazy praying that I am inside the percentage of women for whom all of this means absolutely nothing and there is no link to Cancer.

I am also prepared for the other potential truth. And I know a God who will see me through it, if that's the case.

And I'm really not afraid. My Father is the Perfect Spotless Lamb of God; God sent as a baby to save the world. But He is also the Lord of Heavens armies and The Lion of the Tribe of Judah; He is also the One who conquered death, Hell and the grave so that I can live a life of victory.

And I will. Live.
A life of victory.
https://youtu.be/5iuUFf4LOOE

Until next time......