It has been a beautiful day here in Rochester, MN with mild temps and a sunny sky. But that's just the weather; it's been a good day on all fronts. I had an abdomen/pelvic MRI at 7am and a chest CT scan at 8:30 to start my day. Then I slept. The end of chemo cycle is when I experience the most fatigue, so after finishing my round on Monday and our constant busy schedule the last week, I needed to just crash. Luckily, Tim, Mom and Kathy were more than willing to take care of Arya.
We met with Dr. Banck around 4:30pm today, and the first thing she said was "the lesions are continuing to shrink". As has been the pattern with each visit, the lesions in my liver continue to shrink by approximately 33% with each 3 month interval between scans. The spinal lesions are still present, but again, they are smaller. At the last appointment, the scan only pictured one lesion, but this scan still shows two only smaller than previously shown. The nodule on/near my pancreas was not seen today on imaging. They referred to it as "unidentifiable". My chest CT was clear. The pulmonary nodule they had previously see was just that, a nodule of no significance.
As for where we go from here, Dr. Banck is largely letting me set the course. She leans toward going through with surgery; however, she is open to continuing the medications or seeking a radioablation treatment method. Downfalls of staying on the meds are long-term effects caused by exposure to chemo medications and eventual ineffectiveness of medications when used long-term. As for the spinal lesions, we may seek radiation therapy to my lumbar spine at L2 and L3. Radiation is more effective when treating solid bone.
Per my wishes, we decided to continue the medications until October at which time we will meet with Dr. Banck and the surgeon to reassess for surgery. We will also have this time to explore all of our treatment options more thoroughly. I am very open to doing surgery, but I would like to hold off until the colder months and make sure we are doing what is right for me medically and my family as a whole.
So yes, overall it was a beautiful day in Rochester. After the appointment, we had our usual celebratory supper. Each win deserves a celebration. We will be coming home tomorrow to continue on as usual. I will be busy prepping for my baby girl's first birthday bash.
Thank you all for the love and support. It is overwhelming knowing how many people are in our corner. I know in my heart that I am going to get better; there is no other option.
Love always-Jenny
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
Summer adventures and what is to come...
I should start off by saying that I am sitting with Tim in our hotel room in Rochester awaiting my blood draw appointment. Arya is down the hall with my mom and our friend Kathy. Tomorrow I will once again have imaging in the morning of my lungs and abdomen with a follow-up appointment with Dr. Banck scheduled at 3:45pm. I know we will review all testing and again discuss the surgical vs. non-surgical options. I'll write again tomorrow or Thursday to fill you all in on what we find out.
As for our little family, it has been a GREAT summer. I knew I would love being a mommy, but the love and fulfillment I feel because of our angel has made every day better than the next. It has been amazing watching her grow and learn new things. Our "baby" will be turning one in less than two weeks, and I am excited and sad all at the same time. Each phase has been amazing, but it's hard to think of her a toddler and no longer our little baby.
Like I said it has been a great summer filled with family. We made a trip to Illinois to see Tim's family, attend his cousin's wedding and meet individuals who supported us at our Glasford, Illinois benefit. It was wonderful. Tim's parents bought a second home in Fort Ransom, so we spent several weeks with them working on the property. We celebrated "being Kylstad" with over 100 of my closest Kylstad relatives at a reunion held on the family farm. It was great having Tim meet family members he hadn't had opportunity to meet, and hang out with family members that also supported us in benefit efforts. The fourth of July in Fort was once again a fun-filled weekend, including a parade, picnic, games, rodeo and my favorite, a trip to Storybook Land in Aberdeen, SD with my parents, sisters and the kiddos. Tim, Arya and I went to wedding last weekend for a wonderful young woman I met while caring for her sister. Her sister, a bridesmaid and one of the great joys I have had in my life, remembered me right away. It was a wonderful feeling.
This weekend, our little family of 3, took advantage of HAVING to come to Rochester by stopping in Minneapolis for the night for a mini family vacay. We spent 2 half days touring around the Mall of America. Arya loved the aquarium, seeing the kids at Nickleodeon Land and riding the carousel with her daddy.
Like I said we are now in Rochester. I will update you all on my status when we know something. Thank you for continuing to keep myself and all of us in your prayers while we are on this journey.
Love Jenny
As for our little family, it has been a GREAT summer. I knew I would love being a mommy, but the love and fulfillment I feel because of our angel has made every day better than the next. It has been amazing watching her grow and learn new things. Our "baby" will be turning one in less than two weeks, and I am excited and sad all at the same time. Each phase has been amazing, but it's hard to think of her a toddler and no longer our little baby.
Like I said it has been a great summer filled with family. We made a trip to Illinois to see Tim's family, attend his cousin's wedding and meet individuals who supported us at our Glasford, Illinois benefit. It was wonderful. Tim's parents bought a second home in Fort Ransom, so we spent several weeks with them working on the property. We celebrated "being Kylstad" with over 100 of my closest Kylstad relatives at a reunion held on the family farm. It was great having Tim meet family members he hadn't had opportunity to meet, and hang out with family members that also supported us in benefit efforts. The fourth of July in Fort was once again a fun-filled weekend, including a parade, picnic, games, rodeo and my favorite, a trip to Storybook Land in Aberdeen, SD with my parents, sisters and the kiddos. Tim, Arya and I went to wedding last weekend for a wonderful young woman I met while caring for her sister. Her sister, a bridesmaid and one of the great joys I have had in my life, remembered me right away. It was a wonderful feeling.
This weekend, our little family of 3, took advantage of HAVING to come to Rochester by stopping in Minneapolis for the night for a mini family vacay. We spent 2 half days touring around the Mall of America. Arya loved the aquarium, seeing the kids at Nickleodeon Land and riding the carousel with her daddy.
Like I said we are now in Rochester. I will update you all on my status when we know something. Thank you for continuing to keep myself and all of us in your prayers while we are on this journey.
Love Jenny
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