Yesterday was a busy, long day. My day started off with x-rays and a follow-up visit with Dr. Brogan (surgeon). He is pleased with my progress and says that the hardware in my left leg is straight, not stressed or trying to break, and the screws are not backing out. I asked him the likelihood of this happening now or in the future and he said that if it were going to happen, it probably would have already unless I get really careless and do something I shouldn't such as jumping off or down from something, etc. So, no bounce houses or rock climbing for me. 😉 Although the main body of the fibula that was used to reconstruct the part of my tibia that was removed has not really shown signs of significant calcification yet, the ends of the fibula that were pushed up into the tibia are. Yesterday's x-rays showed calcification and the fibula starting to conform to the tibia. It was good to see this progress although mentally I would have liked to have seen the main body of the fibula show signs of getting thicker but, hopefully, I can overcome this in my mind. Dr. Brogan also said that as soon as my body and leg strength is ready, I can lose any walking aide such as my walker and wheelchair. So, now it's a matter of working on strength training and walking with confidence. As I've said all along, all I want for Christmas is to walk on my own two feet. Well, that's 11 days away and I just might make it! 🤞

Next up was a CT scan of my chest, abdomen, and pelvis. Remember, the next part of the body this type of bone cancer I had in my leg attacks the lungs which is the reason for the chest CT and since I'm also recovering from kidney cancer, CTs of my abdomen and pelvis will also be part of my normal CT cycle. In preparation for my CT scan, blood work was also taken which revealed an elevated creatinine level. Although a bit worrisome, my creatinine level will be more elevated than the norm since I now only have one kidney. We think we have determined my new, higher, baseline but, even so, it's a bit elevated, so I need to work on this such as more water intake which I have been really bad at since my surgeries. I was so good at my water intake before my surgeries; always drinking more than 64 oz. a day! 💧💧💧💧💧💧💧💧

After the CT, it was over to radiology for more x-rays of my legs; this time a bit more detailed with taking several different angles and views. (I'm sure I was glowing 👽after all the imaging from yesterday!) These were in preparation for my follow-up visit with my oncologist, Dr. O'Keefe, which was next. Dr. O'Keefe was also pleased with how everything is going and said my CTs looked good and there are no areas of concern. He said at the next visit, a CT of my legs will also be taken which I was happy to hear since that is where one of my cancers was discovered.

Both Drs. Brogan and O'Keefe said they would like to see me again in six months at which time we will go through everything I went through yesterday all over again!

As always, I cannot thank each of you enough for your continued prayers and support during this long and trying process. It has been quite a year to say the least, but I am definitely towards the end of this journey. Now it's just a matter of getting stronger both physically and mentally but I have faith in God and your love and support that I will get there soon. As the holidays are upon us, I wish each of you a very Merry Christmas. Please take the time not only this holiday season but every day to be with the ones in your lives in one way or another either by prayer, reaching out by phone, sending a brief text, visiting in person, or some other way that is in your heart and be sure to tell them you love them. Here's to a hopeful 2024.

Much love and peace to all of you. Merry Christmas.

Lisa

“Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.”     ---Romans 15:13