Hey there everyone :) I hope you are all enjoying the snow day as much as we are!
Lots of big things have been happening so I thought maybe some of you would like a little update...
So
let's start with the medical junk because that's the least fun.
Remember that odd sore spot on my tongue? I saw both my plastic surgeon
and my oncologist, turns out I had a blocked salivary duct, most likely
from a stitch or scar tissue, and it is slowly healing. I had my latest
MRI last week and follow up with my oncologist yesterday. All good news
:) I'm officially still cancer free and after my upcoming pet scan this
summer I will only need scans twice a year instead of four. My
oncologist feels that I my scans have been clear and consistent enough
that he would like to stop doing them as often, not only because they
are not necessary, but also because the less radiation I'm exposed to
the better. We discussed my current pain issues and the impact they are
having on my return to work and social activities. He believes that I am
still very early in my recovery and I will continue to experience
positive changes over the next few years. Next week I see pain
management, and after that no more serious appointments until my PET
scan in July! Woohoo 😊👍🏻!
As I shared in my last post, I started
back to work at Good Shepherd per diem on the 20th of February. The
hours have been slow to build to allow my energy levels to adjust and
keep my pain and jaw fatigue under control, all with the goal of
hopefully going part time in late spring/early summer some time. So far
all of my experiences have been positive despite the big learning curve
of entering a new rehab world and managing the curve balls thrown by my
body. All of my coworkers have been so welcoming and beyond helpful, I'm
so lucky and thankful that I have them to get me through these tough
few months of adjustment.
Other than that things have been quiet
(Knock on wood 😊). Owen and I have slowly begun some wedding planning
which is both exciting and overwhelming at times. Our little family is
just looking forward to moving forward toward bigger and better things
that don't involve the "cancer" word!
Thank you all again for
following my journey and for sending prayers/positive thoughts every
step of the way. It has always been felt and so appreciated!
Lots of love,
Devin 💪🏻
