Steve had a CT scan and an MRI today. He will get the results tomorrow. We goofed off last night and today after his scans. It's a strange life we live. We could be given the worse news ever tomorrow, or we could continue to live our lives with Steve NED (no evidence of disease). The longer Steve is NED, the "easier" scans seem to be.....the less "scanxiety" there seems to be. But, there really is no "tricking" ourselves. We know that just because things have been going well doesn't mean they will continue in that direction. It's a fine balance between optimism, realism and fantasy land. But, until we are given other news, we choose optimism. We are optimistic that the scans will come back ok and Steve will continue to be NED, but in reality we know that things can change in the blink of an eye. Melanoma is so very aggressive. So, we have to live in reality as well.
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| Being goofy..... |
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| Being goofy...... |
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| Being goofy..... |
Honestly, we have been thinking so little about Steve and thinking of so many around us. In February we mourned the one year loss of our sweet friend, Jennifer. My friends Melissa and Sylvia both lost their spouses within the last few weeks. And, most recently, my friend Kara had surgery on a bleeding brain tumor. It's been a tough, tough last few weeks in the melanoma community and honestly, that's where our minds have been.
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| We miss you, Jenn!! |
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| Get well, Kara!!!! |
Not only does Steve get scan results tomorrow, but we also say "goodbye" to his doctor, Dr. Kevin Kim. Steve has been with Dr. Kim since 2012 (when he was diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma). Dr. Kim and his staff have been amazing. Dr. Kim is moving to California to practice there. There will be many, many, many tears shed tomorrow!!! Regardless of Steve's scan results, tomorrow is going to be a VERY, VERY hard day for us both. Dr. Kim has been so very patient with me over the last two years. He lets me ask as many questions as I would like. (Even when the questions don't necessarily pertain to our situation, he let's me play the "what if" game.) Steve was given
6-9 months to live when diagnosed. Dr. Kim and his treatment recommendations have Steve with us today (NED at that!!) 26 months after diagnoses. Dr. Kim will be missed tremendously.
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| We will miss Dr. Kim more than words can express!!!! |
Steve has an ultrasound and 3 Dr. appointments scheduled tomorrow. I will update just as soon as we get results! Thank you all for all of your support, prayers, thoughts, messages, texts, calls, etc. We love you all! <3 <3 <3
Praying for NED!
ReplyDeleteLove you!
DeleteHoping for the best possible news! Can't wait to hear.
ReplyDeleteThank you for helping other understand the dangers of the sun. Oddly enough I was diagnosed in February 2012, and have been doing the Cancer Dance ever since. 6 surgeries, 1 re-occurrence later, I am living the 'new normal', of scan after scan. I swear sometimes its all I do. lol Keep the faith, keep doing what you do and I am sure you will beat this beast.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth :)
You are an amazing woman, wife and mother. I hope that life gives you and your family the good health that all of you deserve.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!
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