Great Early Christmas Present!

Yesterday I finally was given the best early Christmas Present - I am officially Cancer Free!!!.  After two longs months of waiting after having my last scan which was at the beginning of October and might I add a bit devastating having to wait patiently for two long whole months I was once again relieved to hear that there is no evidence of disease NED in my world.  I feel on top of the world today and am pleased to say that instead of going back in six months for a scan and check up I can go back in a year.

HURRAY!!!

Now just some interesting finding that came out of the latest scan the lymph nodes around the liver are still enlarged but it is not because of the surgery or cancer related but it could be because I have a chronic Liver disease - fatty liver well so what I have a fatty butt too lol  When the doctor asked me if I was a heavy drinker I laughed and told him I am usually cut off after one drink.  All kidding aside I must exercise more, watch my diet and a watch my alcohol intake.  Well this is kind of hard when I go down to Punta Cana those Majestic slushy drinks, the Sambuca just seem to appear before me and of course I can't be rude and not drink them.   I am also going to make an appointment to see my physician to see if anything else is going on because my mom has been battling Primary Billary Cirrhois for years and no this was not caused by alcohol abuse it is in fact a auto immune disease.

Wishing everyone good health and happiness especially during this Christmas season.
Hugs

All clear again!

On May 13th had a cat scan and the results today May 14th were great!  Melanie and Charlotte my good luck charms went with me for my follow up visit with Dr. Kapoor this afternoon.  I am so happy to report that there is NED (no evidence of disease).  All is clear!  The lymph nodes around the liver are still a little enlarged but in Dr. Kapoor says I a not to worry, so I will do my best not too!  I have way much to much to live for!  Next scan September until then much health and happiness to you.

My One Year Anniversary

Today marks my one year anniversary of being Cancer free!!!  I am not sure where the year has gone and I am so glad I am able to write this posting because I know of two fellow kidney cancer warriors who lost their courageous battle this year:(
Things that I am so grateful for…
Having the best surgeon take care of me last year so that I can still be here to enjoy life with my family and friends especially our new grand daughter – Charlotte.
Having the most loving and caring husband-Doug who stood by me through this cancer and having the compassion to make a doctor's appointment to have me signed out of work so that I could properly heal.
Having my children who remind me everyday of how much they love me and remind me that I am not going anywhere because I have too much nagging to do.
Having my blood pressure remain on the low side because most often persons who loose a kidney suffer from high blood pressure.
Having met some great folks from Kidney Cancer Canada who have supported me and I in return have supported them.
I have been able to scratch an item off my bucket list…the slingshot at Canada’s Wonderland.  I think that I would however like to take it for another spin.   
Having two wonderful, strong, courageous role models my Grandma Abbott (who battled cancer) and my Mom (who has lived with Primary Biliary Cirrohis - liver disease for the past 16 years).  They have taught me how to face and battle this dreadful disease.
Things that I have learnt this year…
To stop and take care of myself once in a while because the world around me does not stop just because I do.   (I still think it might)
Humor is still my best friend and without it I really don’t know how I would have coped through this cancer scare. 
It is ok to lose your super woman powers because you can always find a new super woman cape to wear.
I love being a Grandma!!! This new role is truly one the most amazing experience I have ever had especially having the privilege of witnessing the birth of Charlotte.
Melanie is a wonderful new mom and that Charlotte is a very lucky little girl. 
Alex can cope and survive just fine while he is away going at school and that I truly miss him when he is not home.
One should never try to mop the floors after only two weeks after surgery that dam bucket might fall over spilling water everywhere which takes forever to clean up. 
I have a great group of friends especially the girls who I paint with every week we all had a rough year and I know that without this night it would have been an even more difficult year with out all of you. 
Things that I would I would like to do this year…
Just Enjoy Life!
Enjoy celebrating Doug’s and my 25^th Wedding anniversary in October.  We will be going to Disney World to start the celebration by going back to our honeymoon spot and no Doug I am not wearing the Tinker Bell costume lol  We wanted to celebrate our 25^th by doing a Mediterranean cruise but with the unrest over in that area we will do smaller trips and enjoying them just as much.
Last but not least try to not get scanxiety before my May Cat scan and Doctor’s appt to find out the result of the scan.  Sometimes this is easier said than done.  

Wishing all readers of my blog much health and happiness.
Hugs

The Cape is on and I am back

Well after the last time I had wrote I wasn't ever sure that I would or could say that I feel better than ever!  I have found my super woman powers and although they are definitely not what they used to be, I do possess them once again.  I just realized as I sit here writing that I am holding and cuddling my new super power source - Charlotte.  Family and friends don't worry I am not gonna wear those silly tight ass super hero costumes because then I would just look plain silly and would embarrass my family greatly, wait a minute I do love to embarrass them.
 My three month hiatus from work was exactly what I needed even though I hate to admit that Doug was right. lol  He really did me a favour by taking me to the doctors to get some much needed time off.   These three months gave me time for me which may sound selfish but it was my saving grace.  I hated work, I was miserable and I definitely was not me. I was able to spend time with Doug that I needed to because without him I would not have made it emotionally through this last cancer scare.  I spent a lot of time with Melanie before our beautiful grand daughter Charlotte was born.  I was given an extra special gift from Melanie and Brendon when they asked me to be in the labor room with them.  I thought the experience of giving birth to our two children was awesome I can't describe how truly blessed I was to watch our daughter give birth to her first child.   I have been able to spend a lot of time with Charlotte that I would not have been able to had I been working and for this I will be forever grateful.
Tomorrow I go back to work.  How do I feel?  Anxious, two weeks ago I was ready to go back but today I am not sure probably just the thought of getting up early and having to face that cold dark morning is turning me off.   I wonder if work would mind if I went in an hour late.  lol   I must say at least I don't have to get into a cold car, once again Doug saved me by having  a car starter put in my car last year.


Wishing everyone a healthy year
Hugs
Denise