This has definitely been a roller coaster of a week.  The good news is that my shingles was a very mild case and was thankfully never painful, just a small patch that was itchy but is now almost gone.  I attribute this to having had the vaccine and the quick use of anti viral medication.  I would definitely encourage anyone who has not gotten the vaccine to do that as soon as possible as shingles apparently can be extremely painful.  I sure am thankful that was not the case for me.
Now the bad news.  I had a PET scan Friday morning (May 10th) and the results were not good.  There were several places that lit up with activity, which indicates the return of cancer in those spots. It looks like I have another battle ahead.  Again, I have to let myself process the news, grieve and then brush myself off, pick up the gloves and go back in the ring.  Fortunately I don't feel alone in this fight.  My team is vast and I am so fortunate!  My heart hurts for those who don't have this support and I truly thank everyone for all the support I have received.  YOU make me able to go forward.  
Everyone's cancer is different and I am trying to research and talk with everyone I can to determine the best course of action for me. It is a daunting task and Brian is a huge help keeping this all organized.  Sometimes my head is just spinning from all the information.  We certainly have learned a lot.
Dr Vanderkwaak is an amazing physician but he is not a magician and has only so many hours in a day to try to help all of his patients so Brian and I do research and bring suggestions to him for his input.  I am also very fortunate to have many friends in the medical field who have been great resources.  It is a scary, emotional road and again my heart goes out to those who are not as fortunate.  I honestly don't know how they do it.  I am hoping that whatever I learn can be of benefit to others.
I have decided that chemotherapy is not something I am interested in doing again.  Great strides are being made in cancer treatment and I am willing to try something else- preferably immunotherapy.  I have an appointment at Mayo Clinic in Florida on Friday,  May 17th, and should be able to gain enough information to make a final decision and get started on something in the next few weeks.
In the meantime, my time will be spent with family and friends as that is what feeds my soul and makes me happy. I will be hiking, traveling and kissing my grandson while taking on the cancer and hopefully giving it the knock out punch.

I hope everyone has enjoyed this perfect weather on Mother's Day.  I have also attached an amazing picture of the Aurora Borealis from our deck on Friday night. What a sight!
xoxoxo
Susan