"Oh, that's what you mean by exhaustion! "

Well, it has been a while since updating the status here on the blog.  Things have been moving along pretty well.  We were all thrilled that the genetic testing came back negative, and happy to have things be "normal".  My energy level has been pretty good, and I have been able to keep up with life pretty well.  I go to have radiation everyday.  The people are really nice, but it is a depressing sort of place to be...especially when people are returning because of a recurrance.  I try not to dwell on that too much, and just assume that this will be my one ride on the cancer roller coaster. 

Well, everything WAS going really well.  The nurses and doctor all told me when I started this process that week three is where things really hit as far as the exhaustion and side effects are concerned.  Wow, they know their stuff!  I feel like I have been hit by a BIG TRUCK.  Before I was tired, now I know what they really mean by exhaustion.  It is almost like every muscle in my body is completely used up.  It takes great effort just to keep my eyes open.  Yesterday I was only awake about 7 hours total during the day.    I guess now is the time to re-assess and start accepting the help that has been offered all along.   Glenn and I talked last night about this.  Really things have been going so well, a couple months of being tired and not being able to do everything I want to isn't the end of the world.  We are just going to have to prioritize and maybe lower our standards a bit  :)

So, just a fair warning...it looks like I am going to be a slug for at least the next month.

Anyone out their just LOVE to plan birthday parties?  The things we worry about most as moms...it isn't all of the major responsibilities that a mother takes care of that bug me...it is that I have two really darling little girls that have waited all year for THEIR day...and I don't seem to have the energy to make it magical for them.  We  will make do, I am sure.

Thanks to all of you for your love and support along the way!

Tondalea

Big Sigh of Relief!

Okay, today was FINALLY the day to get the genetic mutation test results back.  I tested NEGATIVE for the BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutation.  There is still another test that we could do, but we are debating this because it is expensive ($800) and it only finds about 1% of  people that test negative, and then changes that status to positive. 

This means we don't have to decide about the double mastectomy and hysterectomy!  Yeah.  Tomorrow is the beginning of radiation.  6-7 weeks.  The two biggest side effects are a nasty sunburn on the affected area, and exhaustion.  I have no delusions that it is going to be a walk in the park, but I am so glad not to be facing multiple surgeries and recovery from all of them.  Now to get my head back on straight and get organized!

I can't believe how stressful this was, to be waiting for potentially generations of bad news, not just for me.  I feel like I can walk taller and straighter now. 

The real task ahead is to figure out how are we going to manage Glenn's first summer working from home, me doing radiation/being tired, and the kids home all day every day.  Hmmm, maybe I could rent a cruise director or something to keep the kids busy.  It is nice to know that Lydia can drive herself to most of the stuff she has going on, and maybe even help deliver the younger kids to camp, etc.

Thanks for your prayers and good thoughts everyone!

Tondalea