To everyone who has been following my story, I’m sorry it has been so long since you have heard from me.  Also, this will more than likely be my final update.  

Recovery after my surgery went pretty well.  It didn’t take long to get use to being home and not having to get up and go to work everyday which wasn't good!!   My incision from surgery healed really well and actually looks really good.  My surgeon, Dr. Clark did a amazing job.  This is what’s been going on around here since then.  Late January they (the doctors at Mayo) decided they wanted me to do radiation.  The reason is because tommy didn't come out in one piece when he was evicted.  Tommy kept leaving pieces of his luggage around so they had to take him and his belongings out piece by piece!  The doctors were concerned that if any pieces (cells) were still in there that they would put up shop somewhere else along my spinal cord.  Originally, at the beginning of these radiation discussions, these Doctors wanted me to be at Mayo for the treatment.  Mayo Clinic has a special kind of radiation that is more pinpoint and this type of radiation is not done in ND.  Having this type of radiation would mean 6 weeks of living in Rochester and having radiation 5 days a week.  After a lot of phone calls with doctors and weeks of doctors discussing my case there was a change of plans. Just 5 days prior to me going down to Mayo the doctors decided they were going to do normal radiation, which is offered in Minot and Bismarck.  Good News!  Right away I got on the phone and setup appointments at both the Minot and Bismarck Cancer Centers to see what my options would be. I mean You heal better at home right!?!.    I met with a radiation oncologist here in Minot, her name is Dr. Zimmerman and she is a traveling oncologist with over 30yrs experience.   I spent over a hour talking with Dr Zimmerman and I will tell you this, I learned more about Tommy in 10 minutes with her than the whole time at Mayo. Dr. Zimmerman explained everything in terms that were so much easier to understand and made sense.  She told me how radiation was going to go and everything that went with it, especially what side effects I could possibly have.  So the choice was very clear,  if I can be home every night and have a amazing doctor here then lets get it done!!!  I should say, the Oncology doctor in Bismarck was very good also, but home was the answer for me.  

So, Feb 12th I started my first treatment.  I was expecting the treatment to take at least a hour but NOPE, I was wrong.  From the time I change to the time I go back to the changing room is 10 minutes!!!  If I would have went to Mayo I would have had to get a job to pay for a place to rent and I would have been so bored!!   Anyway, here we are just about the end of week FIVE I have one more week left!!  Monday thru Friday I go in and get a daily does of radiation the weekends are my recoup time.  Knock on wood I have not really had any side effects other than a little more tired, but not bad. Dr Zimmerman said that the way the have me aligned they are missing all the important stuff that I don't want to get radiated (not ready to wear adult diapers yet).  So  I am very happy with my therapy and the way it has all been going!  I can tell you without a doubt, I still don't have super powers.  I’m kinda bummed about that part but hey one more week left for it to happen!! 

Since will be my last post (unless that SOB Tommy escaped the land mine field of radiation) Tommy is permanently evicted from my spinal cord!!  I have some people to thank: First my parents and siblings for helping me every way they can. They have been supportive every way possible so thank you for everything. Second, all of you reading this! The prayers, text messages, phone calls, gifts and anyone who sent or donated money (every single cent went to my MRI bill from January) seriously from the bottom of my heart “THANK YOU SO MUCH  FOR EVERYTHING”!! Third, my employer.  I have had my fair share of jobs and employers and I will say “this place is the best” they have been supportive the whole time!  They have told me from day one get better and come back when you are ready but health is #1 and I had a job when I went back just 4 weeks ago, so thank you BPI. 

ONCE AGAIN, THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR EVERYTHING I REALLY MEAN IT.

Schmaltzy signing off!!!