The One With Treatment Changes

Happy Spring! When I last caught up with you in February, I updated you on the fabulous news that my scans showed no active disease! I have been riding high since I received that wonderful news. However, it hasn't been without medication drama, and my body has not been cooperating. The plan was to stay on the immunotherapy and chemotherapy pill. The colitis I had been battling worsened, and it forced my oncologist to pause the immunotherapy and start heavy-dose steroids to treat the side effects. The symptoms did not improve until I took a break from the chemotherapy. We are unsure which medication is causing all my side effects, but they have become harmful. I have paused all medication until I see a gastroenterologist. I am now in a holding pattern until mid-May. How do I feel about that? Terrified, pissed, impatient, worried, frustrated and feelings I haven't even thought of yet. Terrified that the cancer will return while I'm not on any treatment. Pissed that I went through hell to get to this point and couldn't even enjoy it for a week. Impatient because I want to see the gastro Dr yesterday so I can get these issues resolved and get back on treatment. Worried that the cancer treatment has caused these new gastro issues to be permanent. Frustrated because I wish everything would go smoothly for once. All those feelings, but still grateful because at least for now my scans don't show active disease. I will try to be as patient as possible while waiting for answers. At least I have plenty keeping me busy at the moment!

It is almost May, which means we are mere weeks away from Jackson's Graduation! Everyone keeps asking me how I am doing and how I am handling it. I am actually doing great! I assumed it was because I fought SO hard to make sure I was here to watch him graduate. First words out of my mouth upon my diagnosis were "I have a son to raise". I promised to fight because I wanted so desperately to see him walk across that stage. To me, I'm not thinking about the sad part of this event, but the triumph of it. I made it! I've been through hell and back, but there isn't anything I wouldn't do for that boy of mine. I know he is growing older and starting to distance himself, but I hope he knows there is nothing I wouldn't go through just to spend another minute with him. The reason I haven't fallen apart yet? I have learned while battling cancer that you can't focus on the negatives, just the positives. I have stayed in the moment while enjoying celebrating him at Senior Nights for soccer, basketball and golf, Senior Homecoming and Prom, making his Senior Poster, planning his Grad Party, all senior events, all his last firsts and most importantly, his college acceptances. I will have plenty of time to fall apart after graduation when I start gathering college items and planning for his 8-hour move to Florida......... Check back with me after May 23rd because I may need some support.

One last thing before I let you go, we made it to London in March! It was the most magical trip! It went better than I could have ever expected. Memories were made that I will forever cherish. England felt like home, and I cannot wait to go back! Speaking of travel and making memories, please remember that I am still a travel agent and could desperately use some clients (I have college to pay for! lol). I can book any Disney, Universal, cruises, resorts, hotels, excursions, etc. Contact me at: cort@magicaladventurestravel.com

P.S. Please keep Jackson in your thoughts and prayers as he completes finals, his last solo flight and final check ride, registers for his classes and graduates! I will also take all your thoughts, prayers, wishes, etc. to get healthy and stay healthy.....and survive my only child going away to college.

Love,

Cort

Pics from England