Bob and I returned from a wonderful vacation at Yellowstone National Park and the Mount Rushmore area at the beginning of July (sure glad we went when we did!!). On our first day back I started having some chest pains and ended up at the dr. a couple of days later. The doctor thought I might have blood clots in my lungs (from the long truck ride across the states, then exerting energy cleaning the travel trailer when we got home) so he sent me for a CT scan to check it out. As it turned out I didn't have blood clots but they did find a suspicious spot on my right lung.
We've recently found that the rumor mill is alive and well so we thought we'd create a place where our friends and family can go and see what's really going on with this journey. So, here it is.......
In a nutshell, as soon as we heard about the spot on my lung Bob called a good friend, Dr. Dale Brannon (a radiologist in OKC) and Dale has been a Godsend to us - thank you Dale! Dale has paved the way for my testing (which started with a PET scan) and an appointment with my oncologist, Dr. Abby Bova.
Through several different kinds of scans and a biopsy of my left adrenal gland we were informed on July 28 that I do have cancer. It is called adenocarcinoma and it seems to have originated in my lung. Strange, for a non-smoker. They did say that I am one of a very small percentage of "young white women" who have never smoked and get lung cancer. The cancer is also on my adrenal glands and there are a few spots on my brain.
The first course of treatment will be the Gamma Knife Radiation I'll be having on Thursday, August 19 at Mercy Health Center in OKC. This is a form of radiation (no knife involved) and will just take the morning or so. The radiation will pin-point only the spots they have found on my brain - it is NOT whole brain radiation. The neuro-surgeon said they will do another brain MRI about 4-8 weeks after the radiation to see how we did. Gone with the spots, we hope!!!
The next course of treatment will start a few weeks after the radiation - that will be chemotherapy. We don't have any details on the chemo yet, guess that will be coming sometime soon.
Meanwhile, Bob and I are doing our best to keep up with our daily lives and keep a positive attitude about this little bump in the road. It was quite a shock at first and is still very scary. But, we have a very loving and supportive family and tons of great friends who are rallying around us.
We welcome your comments - we'd love to hear from you. We have received so many nice cards in the mail and have them hanging in our dining room - thank you for your loving thoughts and prayers!!!
More updates as we have them...............
17 comments:
I love you Mom. You are so strong, and this will only be a speed bump! You will be vibrant and healthy in just a matter of time!
Good Luck Allison. If attitude is everything you will beat this thing.
Thank you for making time to keep this site up to date. I can't stand giving or receiving wrong information. You are one of the strongest ladies I know & the kind of person that will turn a negative into a positive just to show everyone it can be done:) Teresa Smith
Thanks for this website Allison and Bob! I cannot imagine what a difficult time you are having but just know that you are loved! You both are strong and can make it through this together. LOVE YOU!
Hey Allison, I love wearing the orange bracelet. I think about you throughout the day...at home and at school!
Hey Allison, You are such a strong and positive person that I know you are going to be well in just a matter of time. You are on SOooooo Many prayers list and I too love wearing your orange bracelet because when people ask me about it that just opens up another person or group of people praying for you. Love you and enjoy our lunch and trip times together. You are just a fun person to hang out with. barb C.
Hey, its me again and not sure what I just did on my comment post but it shows anonymous said instead of Barbara said so I need to figure out what I did but I did not want to be Anonymous. LOL So FYI its me Barb not anonymous.
Wanting you to know that if I can help anyway I will do so. You are a strong beautiful person and this will just be a small bump in your road! Thinking of you always!
Thank you for the blog! This is a great idea for using technology to stay in touch. I, too, love wearing the orange bracelet. Thank you for including us in your journey.
You are the best sister I ever had! I love you and am thinking of you often. Don't forget to relax and let people help you. You have so many friends and relatives who want to help you and show their love. Thanks for the blog. Love you, Stacie
Blog is great idea-thanks. Our prayers are with you.
Hey Allison! Praying for you daily and knowing God will heal you and use you as a testimony for others. You are strong and determined and are loved by so many. Love and prayers to you and your beautiful family~
Hey Allison - thanks for creating this blog. Love your attitude and fighting spirit! Thinking and praying for you.
Love ya! Alyson (the other Chi O Alyson!)
Hey (Chi O) big sis, you and your family are in my prayers. I have been through cancer with several close friends, and I know it is scary, but God is in control. He is so big and I am praying you can rest in his arms and feel his strength. You have an incredible, strong spirit. Just hold onto that and press on to the goal. Thanks for sharing this blog. Love and prayers, Paula
Allison, I don't believe we met, but I was in the pledge class behind Stacie. I will hold you and your family in my prayers and pray that the "surgery"/radiation will be successful. You seem to have a terrific attitude. Hang in there, Chi O sister!
Allison,
I wish I was still in Ponca City so I could be more of a support to you and Bob. I miss our weekly Wednesday lunches! You have been through so much and I admire your strength and resiliency. I believe your faith and the great medical team that you have assembled will get you through this difficult situation with positive results. You are in my prayers dear friend!
Cathy
Bummer...I would have liked to see you get something done today. But the new plan will just have to work!!! Marilyn
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