Chapter 12 -Part 1 of a 2-Part Procedure....SUCCESS!

(KW) When staying overnight in the hospital, we treat ourselves (i.e. myself) to a teensy bit of self care (purchased from WBENC certified Miss Spa of course!)

Happy to report that the outpatient-ish procedure was simple (at least on my part) and successful! They were able to remove one of the larger cancer tumors with the new, recently FDA approved machine and technology. There was a smaller spot they wanted to get, but after they investigated it on the ultrasound, felt it was too close to another vital organ so they decided not to "zap it".

But that's OK. The plan is to "scoop it out" because it's so small and near the surface when they go in for Part 2 of the larger, more invasive procedure. I am trusting in the doctors, myself, and God on this one!

Thank you for ALL the kind notes and messages. My husband and mother are staying here in Rochester, NY for a few more days. We're going to fake a holiday a bit early and have "Christmas in Rochester."

Merry Christmas to all of you and thanks for your continued prayers and good wishes!

Chapter 11 - Plot Twist!

(KW) December 4, 2023 - If you watched my vlog post last month in Chapter 10, you saw that plans were set for a "pump insertion" on December 5th at Memorial Sloan Kettering in NY.  Well, PLOT TWIST, I cancelled the procedure.  Why?  Well, I consulted with two additional surgeons after my last visit with MSK (surgeons with which I have consulted previously) and one of them offered an alternative surgical plan. 😷

Now, before you think I'm nutso, just know that I made this surgeon promise me that if this plan doesn't work (i.e. if it doesn't "clear" the cancer from my body), that the pump is still on the table as an option, down the line.

OK, that being said, the new plan is to travel to upstate NY (to another medical institution) on Dec. 12th for some pre-procedure paperwork and testing, then back up on Dec. 18th for the first part of the procedure (non-invasive, but they will still put me under anesthesia...i.e. best-nap-ever), and then provided all things go as planned, I will go back in late Jan/early Feb for the more invasive surgery, where they will go in and cut out any cancer that is remaining.

Until then, I probably will have to do a couple more rounds of chemo in between (ugh), but that's ok.  I REALLY, really like this surgeon's plan of attack.  This is definitely a situation where research had told me that even though the pump is effective, it often does more harm than good, and since I felt it was not in my best interest, I just HAD to search for an alternative plan. Be your own best advocate!

Again, research and referrals led me to this other surgeon.  I've watched countless webinars featuring him, and have read his research papers, and more importantly, have talked to quite a few of his other patients (rave reviews).  Plus, in every video consult I've had with him, he is just so warm and seems so genuinely vested in my cure...and that's kind of a mission critical trait for a surgeon to have, in my opinion. 😊

I will check back in after the Dec. 18th procedure and let everyone know how it went.  Until then, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to anyone and everyone who has been following along.  Thank you SO VERY MUCH for your prayers, good vibes and support over this past year.  I am truly grateful that all of you are in my life.