Tampa Update

We are back from Tampa and have been for several days…I just haven’t been able to get my thoughts on my keyboard because I’ve had distractions.  I just saw a post on Facebook that referenced how mothers struggle to get things done because when they start a task, it gets interrupted by “Mommy, I have to go to the bathroom,” and then you refocus by finding something that needs putting away.  Then when that is put away, you remember that you haven’t sent that email that you were supposed to, and then you try to remember what you started doing in the first place when you hear, “Mommy, I want a snack.”  I’m not complaining, being a mother is the best job I’ve ever had, but it definitely makes being productive a challenge!

2 distractions this week:  1- I hosted a wedding shower for my sweet friend who is getting married next month, so I was a busy little bee getting items prepared and stitched and printed in order to host a happy little wedding shower!  2- I have been trying to find the sniper that has been hiding in our house trying to take us down one-by-one with the illness that all of America is avoiding but seems to have.  Unfortunately, all of us got sniped except Mike was the one that got away.  We have all bounced back except Baker is still fighting something that is now a nibble vs. a chomp.

Tampa gave us a mixed bag of results, and we are trying to focus on the good, but if I’m not careful I can mentally slip into the “holy crap, what now” zone.  First off, the sniper sniped me last Monday, so flying Tuesday and appointments on Wednesday meant I was walking around Moffitt with a facemask.  I should have bought one ahead of time, so I could have monogrammed it or something cute because it conflicted with my athleisure apparel.  So there I was, prancing around the Moffitt Cancer Center looking like an ill patient…never the goal.  I had lab work, then my CT scan then off to my appointment to see my PA.  Basically, there are 3 areas of concern (THREE?!  Umm…that was not the plan).  1- my blood counts are low.  They were low in December, which made sense considering I had just come off of radiation…now they should be up since I have not been on treatment since November.  Hmm…crap.  What do I do to get my numbers up?  I need to just live and breathe and try to continue doing what I’m doing.  Eat right, exercise, stay hydrated, etc.  They are going to check my blood work again in 3 weeks in hopes they have come up, if not then we will try again in another 3 weeks.  If my levels don’t improve soon then a bone marrow biopsy will be ordered.  This is what sounds scary to me.  I don’t want to have a (another) biopsy, but I sure as heck don’t want anything to be wrong with my blood!  I don’t want to open that can of worms.  That was the first concern…concern number 2- my spleen is enlarged.  Of course it is, because why in the world did I think I could have a normal report?!  This issue could be due to the fact that I’m not feeling well, and as I kick it and start to feel better it may make my spleen go back to normal size.  Fingers crossed!  The third concern is there are lesions on my liver (again).  This could be what it was last time in April, which was nothing to be concerned about but my liver enzymes seem to be off, which they have been for awhile, so it could still be nothing.  An MRI of my liver needs to be scheduled, but it sounds like they are more concerned about getting the bone marrow biopsy scheduled first.

Good news…is there any?!…Yes.  I think.  I’m pretty sure, yes.  I’m getting to take at least another month or so off of treatment, so that is definitely nice.  I’m still getting to go on all the trips I have planned over the next 2 months…bachelorette party, cheer conference, fitness certification, friend’s wedding…it looks like I can do it all since early April is more than likely when I would have to start investigating other options if they’re necessary.  I also got to speak to a pain management doctor, and if my blood levels improve then I am eligible for a nerve block to help my pain.  This is clearly good news too since being in pain is no fun, but overall my pain has been better lately which is helping my energy and comfort!

Okay, folks, that’s about it.  I’m going to keep going and try to get and keep my family healthy.  I’m going to try and magically get my blood levels to improve in the process.  If you need me, you can find me at BodyPlex in BodyFlow or Yoga since I want to get back to my regular attendance there.  It still gives me pain relief and some mental relief too.  I’m still trucking- it’s going to take a lot to slow me down or take me out!