Monday, Monday

My dad has a cyst on his pancreas. He is having a PET scan Monday at 9:00 am to see if there is cancer in his body. They may also perform a biopsy of the pancreas (not Monday).
My mom has a "suspicious" colon. She is having a colonoscopy Monday at 9:00 am to see what is going on.
My dad is driving himself, and I am driving my mom, because she will be sedated for her procedure.
Please pray for our family. I am a little overwhelmed with both of these things happening at the same time, and still working through this lymphedema issue. Please pray for good news for each of my parents!
Thanks,
Jan
BTW, Emily's D-Group leader's mom has been diagnosed with invasive lobular mammary carcinoma - my same initial diagnosis - and I will be speaking with her this weekend. I am asking God to give me wisdom to say to her what I should say, and to be a good listener, too.
Thanks,
Jan

Dad is Having Some Tests

My dad is having some tests tomorrow, Wednesday, January 28th. He is experiencing pain in his abdomen and he has lost about 10 pounds. Please pray for peace for us all, especially Dad, and for good test results. I will post results when we know them.
He is also undergoing the therapy to shock his swallow reflex back into action. He gets treatment 3x a week for 5 weeks, and hopefully he will be able to drink clear liquids again.
I am excited about my new therapist. We communicate very well, and she understands what is going on that causes my pain. The massage is heavenly, and I feel so good afterwards. I have ordered compression, not medical garments, but Spanx (less expensive and not so "medical"), that compress me from my chest all the way down to my thighs, so that the lymph fluid flows past the lymph nodes at the groin and keeps them from being overloaded. I will have to adjust to the extra layer of clothing. It sounds great right now, but summer will be a different matter. I will be in the lightest weight clothing I can find! I like the water therapy, but I hope the weather warms up soon, so the the pool won't be so cold. My main instructor is Pam, and she is very good.
On a lighter note, Sarah, Emily, Bryan, his mom, Jean, Katie's friend, Whitney, and I all went up to Anderson last Saturday to watch Katie dance at half-time of the basketball game. She looked great. We all went to dinner and visited with Katie in her room before heading home. I had a great time - I always do when the family is all together.
Jan

Getting Some Answers!

I have found a new lymphedema specialist. She has trained in Germany, among other locations, and she is supposed to be the best in Louisville. Her name is Candy. She examined me and told me exactly what was going on in my lymph system and why I was having pain. I cried, because she was the first healthcare professional who "got it" concerning my chest and trunk pain. She told me no guarantees, but she thought she could help me feel better than I do now. I will have several massage sessions in order to move the lymphatic fluid away from where it is congested. She already taught me a couple of massage techniques that have had amazing results in a short amount of time. I will need compression for my entire trunk, and she will help me measure for that. I will continue therapy in the pool, although I found out that I cannot go into the warmer pool because my arm swells. The other pool is VERY cold, but I feel great after a therapy session. I did learn some info that scared me. Candy is very concerned that lymphedema may develop in my good arm because of the swelling in the trunk. I will do everything I can to keep this from happening. I can no longer have blood pressure or needlesticks, IVs, etc. in either arm. My legs have to be used instead. I will need to wear compression on the left arm to travel or to do housecleaning or any other type of physical work. I cannot lift more than 15 lbs. I need to keep my arm clear of cuts, scratches, etc. and I must avoid the heat, which I already do.
I have to admit I had a good cry when I learned this. I think it will take me a few days to adjust to this new information and be able to move on. My days now are filling with massage therapy at the PTs, water therapy, and home massage. Along with Bible Study and maintaining my home, I am staying busy. I am determined to do the best I can to reverse the swellling in my trunk and to keep my left arm normal. Please pray that I will continue to have the perseverance and strength to fight this, and that I will accept the situation with a good spirit.
Thanks,
Jan

Update

Since my initial surgery, I have had some swelling in my trunk, but I was told that it would eventually go away. I have talked with several women who had swelling for a couple of years or more before they returned to "normal". My swelling has gotten increasingly worse over the last couple of months. As I felt better and began to do things around the house, I noticed more swelling and pain. I have been researching this online and speaking with other BC survivors in a support group, and I believe that I am dealing with truncal lymphedema. As is the case with my arm, there is no cure. It is different from my arm in that it is very painful, and that it cannot be wrapped to reduce the swelling. I will be discussing this with my oncologist at my next appointment, and I am looking at treatment options. I need to address chronic pain management. I have ordered a compression garment and I plan to pursue massage therapy. The best treatment, according to those who have truncal lymphedema, is to be in the water daily, because the water acts as a natural compressor and helps the lymphatic fluids to move. I am going to join BHE's wellness center - they have aqua fitness for BC survivors 3x a week, and I could go and repeat the exercises on my own the other days. I have been busy with family over the holidays, but I want to get very aggressive in working to reduce the swelling. Please pray for wisdom as I seek various treatments - there is not much awareness of this condition, even in the medical community. Please pray also for healing. I still believe that God can take this from me if it is His will. I am struggling with the idea that I am not returning to normal. I thought it would be surgery, chemo, radiation, and back to my life, but I am finding that my life will be different as a result of lymphedema: limited ability to lift much weight, avoiding heat and sun, managing swelling, etc. Learning to live with a chronic condition takes an adjustment not only of my daily schedule and activities, but also of my mindset. Please pray that I will develop a positive attitude about so many adjustments in my life.
My dad is going to have the treatment that may enable him to swallow clear liquids. I will keep you posted.
Katie left today for her spring semester, so I am going to be getting back into a normal daily routine. I am excited to start Bible study tomorrow evening. I am co-leading with a good friend, Sheri Hamilton, and I think it will be a great semester. I am also speaking this weekend at a homeschool convention, and giving a talk to a small group of moms later in the month. In addition, I have been approached by a homeschooling publication to do some free-lance writing for them. I am glad to feel that I am contributing to society again, even in small ways.
I hope your new year is going well! Thanks as always for prayers.
Jan

I Am a Great Aunt!

My niece, Jessica Murphy Guthrie, gave birth to Kennedie Grace Guthrie on January 6th at 11:40 pm. Kennedie weighs 6 lbs. 13 oz. and she is 19 1/2 inches long. Mom, Dad and baby are doing well! Hopefully I will have some pictures soon.
Jan