GOOD NEWS.....and a tiny concern!!

Hello Dear Friends and Family,

I'm sorry for the long time between updates.....I'm in touch with most everyone through my personal emails....but know there are some that check my blog on occasion. I really had planned to try to express my "thanks" and sign off my blog with my good news.....but.....

First the GOOD NEWS!! In Aug. this year my twin sister, Linda, called and said her husband's niece asked if they had tried a "tens unit" for the pain? Long story short.....we tried it and PTL it has helped A LOT!!! I have not had any "hard drugs" since the day I first used it! Sooooo incredible how much better I can function and feel!! In case you don't know about a "tens".... it is a small battery pack you hook on your waistband. It has 4 electrodes that stick on my back. It sends an electric current to the 4 patches. You can adjust the current up... or down... depending on the pain level. A guest at the resort this summer, who is a "pain" Doc....says the simple explanation.....the pain travels to my spinal column and the tens unit shuts the door before it reaches my brain and says "ouch"!! I don't care how it works....just thankful!! I know that not everyone finds relief from chronic pain with them....but give it a try if you face each day filled with pain!!!

Now for the tiny concern and why I didn't close the story yet! July 2007 I had a PET CT scan trying to find a reason for the new intense pain in my back. PTL the test showed no new cancer.... or reason for the pain.....but found a couple of lymph glands in my lungs that were enlarged. They suggested another check in 6 months to see if there was any change. Someone had suggested that almost ALL folks who live in the Midwest have histopalmosa (sp). I hated putting the radio active "stuff" in my body and didn't repeat the test. In May when I saw my oncologist he asked, "Where is the new PET CT report?" He wasn't happy I hadn't repeated the test and I told him I'd think about it! He suggested doing ONE more and if there wasn't any change....forget about it!! Well I thought about it and didn't want to do it.......but a little nagging thought wouldn't go away.....so the end of Sept. ....when the new report came back the lymph glands had doubled along with various other ones had increased in size. Oooops!

The good news Oct. 8th.... when I saw the oncologist again.....the blood markers had not changed. He assured me that what every was happening.... it was NOT related to the breast cancer. He wanted to set my up with a "lung Dr." in Denver....but I couldn't get in until end of Nov.!! We closed the resort last Sunday (Oct. 19th) and we are now in Il.

I do have an appointment with a pulmonary doc Dec. 15th in Texas when we get down there! The oncologist in Denver of course isn't sure....but says it might be sarcoidosis...which isn't cancer and doesn't seem to serious...or maybe lymphoma. I'm voting for the sarcoidosis....I think!!

I'll be back online a few days after my appointment in Tx. I do have peace about this....especially when the blood report came back. Thanks for your love and support through these days....there truly aren't enough "special words" to describe the feelings we have felt on this journey because of you.... and God's hand on our lives!

I don't know what tomorrow holds....none of us do.....but I pray you know..... along with me.... that we DO know who holds it!!!

Loving Him and EACH of YOU,
Donna