Finished with chemo!

I've been so busy lately with the leak in my house and putting things back together once the contractors were done repairing everything, and painting, etc that I haven't had the time to post my most recent happy news- I'm done with chemo!! Yeah!

Can't believe it will already be 2 weeks ago tomorrow I had my last one. I was yucky sick with this last one too, probably because I didn't rest like before- I was just so motivated to get my house repainted inside and start enjoying a *clean* house again that I pushed through it. I definintely used my anti-nausea meds to keep me going but I fininshed. I figured I could either be sick in bed or sick painting so I chose painting- it's so much more rewarding. Now I can rest and enjoy the fruits of my labor. That may be weird thinking to some of you but that's how I do things- I push hard to get my project or whatever I need to do done then I take time to rest. And now I am.

I had my mom here to help me through it all as well. She came out for my last treatment and doctors appointments and just flew home today. I really enjoyed having her around for the end of all this cancer drama. She has been so supportive of me, as have so many of my other family members and friends. While she was here she took care of so much, helped me clean, spoiled us a little and helped entertain my very active toddler while I painted- thanks mom!!

Another shout out goes to my dear husband Ammon. He has seen me through it all remaining positive that I would make it when I was crying that I wouldn't. He gave me a blessing at the beginning of all of this (before I went to the emergency room where I first heard the word 'cancer') that has given us both assurance that I would make it through. He has been by my side at treatments or at home watching our baby so I could go. He worked hard at his job which provides the precious insurance to cover my very expensive surgeries and treatments. He shaved his head for me and remains bald everyday when I can at least wear a wig or hat. He's not demanding and understands when I feel run down and can't do it all. He loves me- scars, bald head and all- and I love him so much more for it.

So, back to chemo. Well, the good news is I'm done. Y-E-A-H, no more awful chemical taste in my mouth, no more nausea and hopefully my hair will grow back soon. But the all-important question of whether I am cancer-free is still quite ambiguous. My CA-125 is still elevated out of the normal range. That was shocking and very disappointing to hear. My doctor said the real mystery is why my level stopped decreasing; it just plateaued. She was concerned what that could mean so she sent me for a CT scan. What she was looking for was any thickening around my organs meaning the cancer could have spread to them or to any new sites. Luckily, there was nothing to be alarmed over from the scan. Phew!

My doc thinks the elevated CA-125 level could mean inflammation such as from endometriosis, which I was found to have at my last surgery (I didn't know this so she gave me a copy of my operative report to read). In talking to my mom and Ammon later we queried how I could have endometriosis if I don't have a uterus anymore?? The next day when I was seen for my chemo the doc answered my question by stating that endometriosis can be found anywhere in the body. It's been found on fingernails, eyes and other places in the body- weird huh? So, my elevated level is explained by endometriosis- yeah for endometriosis! How many of you that suffer with this condition could actually cheer to have it?...but for me, it's a blessing. It's benign.

The docs will just need to keep monitoring my levels. Maybe since I presented abnormally from the beginning, this slightly elevated level is normal for me (or it truly is just endometriosis). I have another doctors appointment in a month to check me again. If there's still a concern, my doc said she may want to do another laproscopic surgery to take a peak inside to rule out any other cancer concerns.

In the meantime, I am celebrating my end-of-chemo victory!