Tonya Anderson It's all about attitude

So it all began with some vague back pain after moving this spring. Stretching, chiropractors, message, and drugs just didn't seem to help.  I finally.....being the nurse I am, went to urgent care at the beginning of August.  At that time I was diagnosed with a possible muscle tear and a spot was noted on my chest X-ray. Since my main concern was back pain, the spot was of secondary significance to me.  I continued to take it easy to see if the muscle pain would improve but it only escalated.  I had started a post masters program at Vanderbilt in August and was in Nashville at school when the pain finally got the better of me and I drove home for further evaluation.


I had an MRI that showed severe metastatic disease in my thoracic spine with compression fractures at T3 and T5, as well as a mass in my right lung.  The backstory is that I was treated for stage 1 anal cancer 2 years ago with chemo/radiation.  It's uncertain yet whether this is metastatic from the anal cancer or yet a new cancer. Pathology will tell the tale.


Friday I underwent T1-T8 fusion with laminectomies at T3,4,5 to debulk the tumor and make room for more effective radiation. In about 3 weeks I'll get a 10 episode course of radiation to my spine to try to slow the progression.


I'm surrounded by my sons and 6 pack of sisters and being well cared for. Pain is very tolerable. I'm hoping to go home from the hospital tomorrow. My faith is strong and I know God is holding my hand every step of the way.


Thank you all in advance for your blessings and prayers.


Love to all,
Tonya