One Year Metastasis Free!

It's almost foolish how long it's been since I last updated this blog.  Almost at the point of no return - if I don't do it now, I'm apt to just forget all about it and let the blog drift into oblivion.  But here I am, (over)sharing the events of our lives once again.  Thanks for tuning in!

I guess I have reasons for being awol since April.  In April I applied to Acadia University in Wolfville, NS (my alma mater) and was accepted into a graduate program offered online.  I have been working on a few courses, and we're toying with the idea of me continuing the program to get my Masters degree in Education, likely specializing in curriculum studies or administration.  We'll see if that happens.  I can only work on the courses for as long as I'm still on medical leave as I have NO desire to mix teaching full time and graduate work.  I know others do it, but (insert whiney voice here) I don't want to. 

So I started two courses in the spring, and finished one before the end of June.  The deadline for the other course was Oct 1st and I managed to get half of it done before summer hit.  Surely I could muster up the motivation to get course work done during the beautiful summer months, right?  You know, I was tired.  Call it treatment fatigue, or call it "I'm the mommy of two pre-schoolers", but I was tired and in my quiet time, REALLY wanted to zone out rather than grow my brain.  During the spring, I had two days a week when the boys went to their day home that I could devote to school work.  When those days disappeared over the summer, I really struggled to get the work done.  It didn't help that around this time I learned I would not be returning to work in September, so my motivation to get it done before my big trip home zipped down the toilet.  The boys and I were booked to fly to NS to spend a month with my parents and to celebrate my grandfather's 100th birthday.  I knew as soon as I booked that trip that I would NOT be meeting the original deadline for course #2.  Jon and I agreed that I could ask for an extension and when I returned from NS and the boys went back to the day home twice a week, I could use those days again to finish the course.  I've been home a month and I am working at a good pace.  Will be done with lots of time to spare.  I realize that I've missed writing assignments.  I enjoy writing and aside from being a tad wordy (REALLY?), I can quite easily throw together some thoughts and make them sound coherent and purposeful.  I'm glad we decided to do this - it gives me something of my own to work on during the quiet days.  Having intellectual and educational goals never hurt anyone, right?  Plus, it's something I can do to enhance my abilities as an effective teacher without having to leave the comfort and convenience of my home.  (Those of you who know me and my side effects know how very important this is!)

Since graduating in 1999 in the two-degree program, I have been operating at a 5.875 (years of education) level.  Even if they had told me that ahead of time, I would not have had room in my last two years of university to squeeze in another course as I was already scrunching 6 years worth of program into 5 years, and I spent my first year or two fooling around in courses that really didn't interest me.  But this way, with these two courses I can upgrade to 6 years of education, which is the max (unless I get my Masters) so I should be able to see a salary increase when I do return to work.

Enough about school.  My trip home was perfect - a great balance of time spent with lots of family and time spent with just Mom and Dad.  I wanted that quiet time.  Because my children will grow up away from my parents, it is very important to me that they have time together one-on-one to help establish a relationship and forge memories that will last a lifetime or more (got my camera!).  The boys played and visited with Grammie and Grampie on their own, and then when their Chapman and Morris cousins were around, more fun was had.  I was happy to be able to spend time with family and friends too.  I just love going home, and this trip allowed me to see my first Maritime Autumn since 1998. 

On the trip, William started to talk.  He went from no words to 5-word sentences in a week.  Crazy boy.  But I love listening to him.  "Mommy, boo tup, pwease.  Momas."  (Mommy, may I please have the blue Thomas cup?)  Owen procedes to take in something new each day, whether it be a phrase, a game, a song, a word (oops - gotta watch my mouth), or even an attitude.  I never know what he's going to say.  Lots of randomness with this boy!  (Aw, Mommy.  Don't cry.  I wuv you.  I really do wuv you.  Now don't you give me any attitude.)

As far as treatment goes, we are still plugging along.  I have a 3-hour infusion of ipilimumab (renamed Yervoy since becoming FDA- approved for stage IV this past spring) every 12 weeks.  I am fortunate to be able to drive 50 minutes to get to a world-class medical facility that specializes in cancer care, treatment, and research.  My treatment "weeks" consist of a CT scan of the abdomen and pelvic region, then a few days later I have a physical, bloodwork, and results from those in a consult.  The day after that I go in for my treatment, and that is sometimes followed by specialist appointments such as glaucoma specialists, gastro-intestinal specialists, and my melanoma specialist.  Typically when treatment comes around, I am heading into the city 4 or 5 times within 7 days.  I don't mind the drive at all, and if I'm feeling up to it, I can stop and shop a bit before or after an appointment.  Can a mother of young children really complain about nice quiet car rides and a wee bit of shopping sans children?  I think not. 

I was due to have treatment in October but my side-effects have been a bit more troublesome since August, so instead, my infusion for this round was cancelled and instead I'll be seeing yet another specialist on Monday to make sure there are no problems going on as a result.  My next treatment week will be the first full week in January. 

I was just realizing last night that it was November 9th - one year from the day of my first surgery, where they did what's called a wide-local excision and a sentinel lymph node biopsy.  My excellent surgeon was able to do the excision without doing a skin graft (like my melanoma specialist had expected) and as a result, the scar is amazing.  It could be like a large crater, but it just looks like a 6 inch train track running down my arm.  This time last year I was concerned about the results of the biopsy, and we were worried about lymphodoema in my left arm.  Oh the exercises!  They hurt.  Several times a day Jon made sure I was working to bring my arm up over my head.  I just remember thinking it felt like I was holding a tonne of bricks when I tried to get higher than my head.  As a result, though, I have had no lymphodoema trouble thus far and my mobility is pretty much back to normal.

One year later, and I've had 6 scans and a few scares, but so far no recurrence.  The stats were 60-70% chance of recurrence within 3-5 years based on the depth of my melanoma and the fact that it was ulcerated, and we are one year in with no sign.  I know, I know... God doesn't work in numbers.  It's not a CHANCE that it might recur - it either will or it will not.  We have spent a great deal of time praying that it does not, obviously.  But I will admit that Jon and I have both become a little too comfortable with my progress and I don't want to rely on another scare to bring us to our knees again.  Get on your knees, Tricia.  Thank God for your life.  For your family, your husband, and your beautiful boys.  For your job security and benefits and quality medical attention.  For your friends.  For your freedom.  Amen.