Journal entry by Elizabeth Bennhoff —
Hello world - let's catch up on some things that have been going on
Mid October, I went to my post-chemo oncology appointment. They took blood to test for tumor markers. A few days later, my results came back higher than they should have. The follow up test for that is typically a PET scan. HOWEVER - my insurance would not approve a PET scan. My oncologist submitted many appeals, and after 3 weeks, the insurance approved multiple CT scans as a compromise. I had the CT scans on November 8th. The scans were clear. If there is any cancer recurrence, it is so early that it cannot be seen on a scan at this time. I will be having a bone scan on November 29th to look for any cancer cells that may have landed in my bones. Right now, we aren't too worried, and this is a situation that will be monitored closely for the rest of my life. (statistically - I have a 17% chance of cancer recurrence) Overall - this is good news.
I began radiation therapy on October 29th. I go for treatments 5 mornings a week. I will be having 28 treatments total.
I reached the halfway point with treatment on Friday November 16th. So far the side effects are nothing compared to what I've been through. I will try to do an entire post dedicated to my radiation treatments. Each treatment is another step towards my cancer free life.
My hair is growing back, my energy is returning, and my taste buds are starting to return to normal. Best thing - the early menopause symptoms have subsided since ending chemo.
Perhaps the biggest news -
After 11 years together, Bob and I will be separating as a couple, and we will begin divorce proceedings in the next few months. Marriage and life are hard, and the issues that are prompting our separation go back long before my cancer diagnosis. We are parting amicably. Neither of us wants to ruin a decade of love with drama and pointing blame. I have loved Bob for 1/3 of my life, and that love doesn't go away overnight. We have plans to remain friends. For now, we are both living in our house in La Veta, but Bob will be moving back to the Denver area the first week of 2019. I will remain living in La Veta. For now, we'd appreciate privacy as we figure out our new lives as individuals.
Love,
E
Mid October, I went to my post-chemo oncology appointment. They took blood to test for tumor markers. A few days later, my results came back higher than they should have. The follow up test for that is typically a PET scan. HOWEVER - my insurance would not approve a PET scan. My oncologist submitted many appeals, and after 3 weeks, the insurance approved multiple CT scans as a compromise. I had the CT scans on November 8th. The scans were clear. If there is any cancer recurrence, it is so early that it cannot be seen on a scan at this time. I will be having a bone scan on November 29th to look for any cancer cells that may have landed in my bones. Right now, we aren't too worried, and this is a situation that will be monitored closely for the rest of my life. (statistically - I have a 17% chance of cancer recurrence) Overall - this is good news.
I began radiation therapy on October 29th. I go for treatments 5 mornings a week. I will be having 28 treatments total.
I reached the halfway point with treatment on Friday November 16th. So far the side effects are nothing compared to what I've been through. I will try to do an entire post dedicated to my radiation treatments. Each treatment is another step towards my cancer free life.
My hair is growing back, my energy is returning, and my taste buds are starting to return to normal. Best thing - the early menopause symptoms have subsided since ending chemo.
Perhaps the biggest news -
After 11 years together, Bob and I will be separating as a couple, and we will begin divorce proceedings in the next few months. Marriage and life are hard, and the issues that are prompting our separation go back long before my cancer diagnosis. We are parting amicably. Neither of us wants to ruin a decade of love with drama and pointing blame. I have loved Bob for 1/3 of my life, and that love doesn't go away overnight. We have plans to remain friends. For now, we are both living in our house in La Veta, but Bob will be moving back to the Denver area the first week of 2019. I will remain living in La Veta. For now, we'd appreciate privacy as we figure out our new lives as individuals.
Love,
E
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