1. I was back at the Mayo for my quarterly scan and lab work in late Feb. Everything looked okay except for some new “spots” in my lungs. The oncologist guessed it’s more environmental and the vast population gets things like these from time to time but he couldn’t rule out that it’s the start of a metastasis spread so we watch and wait until June. One of my friends came with to take notes which I appreciate and I ended up unknowingly insulting her back tattoo and yet she still wants to be friends. I have the most loyal and consistently caring friends and family, even when I am cranky or reclusive for days. 

2. My boss (who is one of my favorite people I’ve ever worked with) got a huge promotion and we are all so excited for him. He’s leading the endoscopy/GI team at Medtronic which I’m clearly passionate about. Bummer news- I don’t get to follow him for multiple reasons. I’ve been in my feelings about it but trying to remain positive that things will work out the way they should. To have someone who truly cares and supports you through the toughest season of your life has been a gift I’m forever grateful for. I needed this environment and grace and it happened at the right time. Time to put my big girl pants on and move forward!

3. I’ll end it with this update. After the trauma of chemo, radiation and 2 surgeries, my body is still reeling. Having to figure out how to eat and when to notice that my body needs more/less fiber or when I should stay home vs go into work or have fun out with friends has been the next obstacle in this nightmare. After working in Pelvic Health, I am very comfortable with the awkwardness others feel about this topic and the real fears and solutions people with digestive issues are faced with. 

This past Sunday, I suddenly fell ill driving Anya home from soccer. I had to pull off the highway to deep breathe and dry heave. I made it home in agony and eventually begged Josh to bring me “anywhere”. I was screaming and snot crying the whole drive and ended up at St. John’s where the walls are paper thin but the nurses were top tier. I got to experience an NG tube placed into my nostril and down my esophagus to drain the liquid and help distribute a “GI challenge medication” to bust up the obstruction I had before they would consider surgery. 

The tube or my nasal tissue made sickening crackling noises as it went down and I puked several times which is “normal”. Then my nose started to bleed and I could feel my throat trying to expel this foreign object. Swallowing my saliva hurt and slight bumps made it painfully aware I had a garden hose running into my body. Even with the exhaustion and pain meds, I couldn’t sleep because my neighbor coughed and talked to him self 24/7. Along with his tv blaring and the hourly checks by nursing, hospitalists and surgeons, I was running on fumes. Eventually the medicine worked, I got to have a clear diet and then I got the NG tube out and returned home yesterday to finally nap.

💤Alyssa