Okay,
so I know it has been a while since I posted an update, but no news is good
news right? Compared to this past year, the past few weeks have been downright
boring when it comes to the whole cancer thing. After my big pet scan day, I had
a few things go on medically. I met with Dr. Weinstein about my official pet
scan results and to discuss the surgery I have been begging for since February.
He was happy with my scan results with one exception. I had some nodules on my
lungs that are indicative of pneumonia or possible aspiration, meaning some of
my food may be “going down the wrong pipe.” I have to follow up with a
pulmonologist at the end of this month to further explore what may be going on.
I brought up the possibility of having my surgery and was met with quite a bit
of resistance at first. He is concerned that by getting surgery, my scan in
November will be more complicated to read and felt that it is “premature.”
Those of you that know me know that I am a typical redhead, stubborn and
outspoken. I didn't take to the word premature well because of how long and
difficult this journey has been, as well as because I was told I could have it
if my second pet scan was good. Needless to say he and I had a discussion
regarding my function and the limitations I currently have. Thank God I am an
OT and was able to convey that I have a life and a job to return to and this
surgery can help me take the necessary steps to do that. Waiting another year,
which is what he would like, is just not an option in my eyes. In the end, I
won the stubborn battle and was given permission to schedule surgery at my one
year mark! Believe it or not, August 4th marks one year cancer free
for me!! Until he said it, that thought hadn't even crossed my mind, but I am
so grateful that it is almost here and that I am celebrating it with a surgery
that I actually want :).
I
saw my plastic surgeon Dr. Cannady in mid June with lots of questions and hopes
weighing on us. He is extremely pleased with the function I have maintain and
recovered considering how drastic my tumor removal and radiation were. He told
me that after my initial surgery, he never believed that further reconstruction
would be an option because of how much tissue was removed. However, now he is
pleasantly surprised and feels that he can give me a bit more function and comfort
with a revision. My surgery is officially scheduled for August 2nd!
At that time, he will release my tethered tongue, remove a little scar tissue
caused by radiation, reinforce the floor of my mouth with a synthetic graft,
and fix the area of my incision on my neck where I had the infection back in
September. All of that, and I get to go home the same day! It doesn't get much
better than that! Holy cow am I excited! He is hopeful this will solve some of
the problems I have been having but was clear that more revisions may be needed
in the future after I hit my two year mark.
I
have been on hiatus from physical therapy because I ran out of visits, but
thanks to my wonderful PT, I have a great home program so I am as strong as I
can be going into surgery. My visits have replenished so I will have plenty to
get prepared to go back to work after I heal from surgery. I have also been
working with my Haiti team again which has been wonderful. We have been
preparing for a physical therapist from Cap Haitian to come to the Lehigh
Valley to learn more techniques so he can further improve the already awesome
care they provide. He arrived successfully today and it will be a busy two
weeks to make sure his US experience is full of new, positive and educational
opportunities. It was amazing to learn from him that many of my friends in
Haiti have been praying for me throughout this journey, I am so grateful to
have this connection and to be so generously thought of by people who have so
many other burdens to bare. Aside from the stupid cancer thing, I am one lucky
girl for the support system I have around me.
On
a super happy note, the Bermuda vacation that Owen and I had to cancel last
summer finally became a reality. Of course we couldn't go to Bermuda just yet,
but we had an awesome week away together in Myrtle Beach, SC! It was a long
drive, but time well spent together and a great way to just forget about the
trials of real life and enjoy the beauty of the beach and the many exciting
things to do!
One
last thing I want to let everyone know about involves a part of the path I
think I am suppose to follow going forward. The local chapter for The Oral
Cancer Foundation is having a benefit walk in the fall to support the massive
need of furthering research for curing this debilitating and disfiguring
disease. The walk is on Sunday October 9th at Coca Cola Park in
Allentown. I have registered a team, Devin Strong, which you can sign up with
when you register for the walk. If you are unable to join us, you can still
support the cause through donating to the foundation through my Captain’s Page
and helping us meet our goal! I hope many of you are able to come and support
our team and this awesome foundation! I know many people are touched by cancer,
but not nearly as many are aware of how severely oral cancer impacts the lives
of those they touch, and like many other types, it certainly does not
discriminate. So please please please come out and help spread some much needed
awareness!!
Here
is the link for my fundraising page…
I
thank you all again for your prayers, generosity, love, and encouragement over
this past year. The journey is far from over, but we are finally off to a
positive…in between? Haha.
Lots
of love,
Devin
