Making the most out of a not so ideal situation

Remember when Pooh visited Rabbit’s house and ate too much honey causing him to get stuck in the hole as he tried to leave?  That image of Pooh is an iconic one…it’s the one where his friends come to his rescue and keep him company until he gets thin again.  But there’s another side to this story…it’s not just about Pooh trying to get out.  It’s also about a frazzled Rabbit left with Pooh’s legs dangling in his living room.  While he was unhappy about what had occurred, he managed to make the most out of what was happening.

With humor and the right attitude, Rabbit managed to find the positive in a negative situation. 

As you know, on Monday of last week, I had a bone biopsy to determine if the lesion discovered on my pelvic bone during the PET scan was cancerous.  Friday my oncologist confirmed that it was cancer.  My cancer has spread to my bone.  It was hard to hear but honestly was something I had been preparing myself for and was better than hearing the biopsy was inconclusive, giving me a false sense of hope.

This upcoming week I visit the radiation oncologist and will prepare to begin radiation to my pelvic bone.  My medical team believes this will sterilize the cancerous area.  This procedure combined with my new hormone blocking medication will hopefully contain additional recurrence of cancer for a long time to come.

So today here we are…working on acceptance and putting everything in perspective.   Just a few weeks ago I believed I was cancer free, working toward that 5 year mark of true survivorship.  Instead I am now faced with the harsh reality that I have stage IV cancer.   I NEVER thought this would happen and now like Rabbit must maintain a positive attitude and find this positive.  Don’t get me wrong, it’s hard. 

I cry. 

I worry. 

I question.

I fight.

I hope.

I dream.

I laugh.

I pray.

However, I don’t plan to be stuck in this rabbit hole for long, I plan to LIVE and plan to continue enjoying the amazing life I have.  It won’t always be easy but will always be my goal. 

It was Pooh's friends in the Hundred Acre Wood who offered him companionship and encouragement as he waited to get thin enough to fit through the hole.   I, too, will need that same friendship and encouragement to get out of the tough spot I'm in.   I particularly ask that you continue to pray for me and help me accept the reality that I may never be cancer free.  

Thanks for being there for me.   I am forever grateful.  --Christina

Braver. Stronger. Smarter..I hope

Since I finished my chemo and radiation treatments in 2015,  I have lived under the motto that "No news is good news".  Therefore, the blog has been pretty dormant.  My health has been good and I have been living life as a survivor... BRAVER...STRONGER...SMARTER. 

Things got stirred up a bit recently when the doctors recommended a preventative hysterectomy.  That procedure went well and I feel amazing considering I just had a major surgery a few weeks ago.  However, the days leading to that procedure were a whirlwind with visits to a few different doctors and several scans...PET, ultrasound and then a follow up MRI.  Today I headed to see my oncologist to review the results of those scans and unfortunately we did not get the news we had hoped for...

The PET scan revealed a spot in my pelvic bone which MAY or MAY NOT be cancerous.  Take a minute to breath...I know I needed to.  It was a surreal moment.  Was I really being told that I might have cancer again?  This can't be happening!  Emotions take over and it's hard to focus when you hear "bad" news but once the initial shock wears off, you are faced with the decision as to how you will handle it.  I needed a nudge from my husband and oncologist but the decision to FIGHT was the obvious choice.  So what next?

On Monday there will be a bone biopsy to help identify if the bone lesion I have is cancerous, which based on the activity they have seen they suspect is the case.   This will be followed by a visit to my Radiation Oncologist and potentially 3 weeks of radiation therapy focused specifically on this one area.  The hope is the radiation will "kill" whatever activity is in that lesion and keep this area isolated.

There are quite a few what-ifs but those are what I'm focused on.  My doctor is optimistic so how can I not be?    He said this is not the news we wanted but is ready to treat this aggressively.  I learned early in my cancer diagnosis that I have to have complete faith in my medical team and I know without a doubt that Dr. Hemphill is in this fight with me. 

So here we are ready to move forward but I know I can't do it alone.  I ask that you pray for me.  Pray for health and healing as well as peace, grace and courage to face the challenges ahead.  Please also pray for my family.  Having to tell them bad news again is not something I ever wanted to do.


In 2014 we tackled the Evil Lump and now in 2016 we take on the Woozles.  Let's do this!

Leaving you with the quote that has become the motto I live by...

“If ever there is tomorrow when we're not together... there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we're apart... I'll always be with you.”