Good Day Everyone!

It's been several months since I've updated my CaringBridge account, and it is time to do so.  The school year closed out without incident, and I reveled being back.  I do so enjoy my job!  As soon as all the transcripts were updated (mid-June), Andy and I joined his brother Chris, wife Maria, and friends David and Debbie on a fishing trip to Canada.  It was SO relaxing, and we all enjoyed ourselves.  (I will try to get some pictures posted in the gallery soon.)

Because our school is under construction, we were kicked out the last day of school and cannot return until the end of August, so I've been working from home.  I could get used to sleeping in until 15 minutes before I start!!  Saving SO much $$ on gas, too!  (I normally spend 1.5 hours on the road going to and from work.)

In mid-July, my sister Pam hosted the Larson family reunion at Lakeside Park in Fond du Lac.   It was so wonderful to see my aunts Mary and Martha, and my awesome cousins that I hadn't seen for a long time, plus nieces and nephews!  We had representation from the east coast and the west coast!  Lots of wonderful memories!

More memories to come, as Andy and I will be joining his mother and siblings in upper Michigan for some fun times.  When we leave there, we will be heading to the Apostle Islands to spend our anniversary hanging out with my cousins.  Looking forward to it!

While in Canada, I noticed some signs that made me think something was wrong medically.  I had an appointment set up with my oncologist upon my return, so I brought it up to him.  He ordered a CT scan, which was due anyway.  The CT scan showed that my mid- and upper abdomen areas were clear where the HIPEC surgery was performed, which was good news.  However, it also showed 3 small pulmonary (lung) nodules - too small to do anything about at this point.  We will watch them to see if they grow, The CT scan did not show anything pertaining to my lower abdomen, which is where I was thinking something was wrong.  A biopsy of the area came back as tumor on my cervix.  All 3 specimens from the biopsy showed it was my original cancer (Goblet Cell Adenocarcinoma of the Appendix), as opposed to cervical cancer.  Cervical cancer would have been better news.  Sigh.

I will be consulting with specialists in radiation and surgery to get information to determine which method would be the best option to pursue.   Surgery would take me out of commission for another 7-8 weeks and my doc said it would be difficult given my scar tissue from previous surgeries.  I really don't want to go through that again!  However, my cervix could then be removed, and they would have a visual to see if any other tumors were in the area, so I will consult with them and get the information.

Radiation, on the other hand, will either kill the tumor or get it under control.   I will likely do radiation, as I can do that while still working.  

Unfortunately, my oncologist fears that this is the tip of the iceberg.  He said he could be wrong, but in his experience, this type of aggressive cancer will show up again and again.  Plus, he is very concerned about the 3 pulmonary nodules.  Well, I guess my thoughts are we can't spend effort on worrying about the future, because we don't know for sure what will happen.  We will have to cross that bridge when (and if) we come to it and deal with each fire as they come.  I will be here until God decides I shouldn't be, and not a moment longer.  I'm okay with that and I "offer it up."  Jesus, I trust in You.

Love you all,

Sheryl