Sorry there has been such a long break since my last update. A lot has been going on and I didn’t quite know how to put it all into words, so I really only shared the cancer results last time. Here is the rest of what’s happening in my world.
The Thursday after my last chemo on August 12, my father died. This was unexpected and sad news, and, as you would expect, threw everyone for a loop. We are still dealing with it all and will have a celebration of life on September 12. Reach out to me if you’d like details.
As you know from my last post, that following Monday, August 16, I was back at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa and was nervous but excited for my new scans and to meet their liver surgeon. This trip, my husband, Andy, was with me. A full day started with blood draws for lab work, followed by a CT scan of my chest, thorax, and lumbar. That afternoon we met their liver surgeon and then met with Dr. Xie, my medical oncologist at Moffitt. After this, we had to go back and order a disc with my scans to bring home to my doctors here in Jupiter. Here’s the part I didn’t share last time. While waiting for the disc to be burned, Dr Xie’s nurse, Gladys, came to find us and asked if we could come back upstairs. The radiologist’s report for the chest CT showed something. Andy and I were terrified that this might be more cancer. Dr Xie came in and much to our surprise, he informed us that I had COVID-related pneumonia and a blood clot in the lower left lobe of my lung. Seems weird to be relieved to just have COVID? Not excited to have a blood clot, but so much better than cancer! The doctor couldn’t believe I was sitting there asymptotic, feeling as good as I did, with these results.
Rewind, I bet you’re woridering if I had any symptoms? The answer is yes, but I was clueless that they were COVID. The previous Wednesday and Thursday, I had a stuffy nose/head and was sneezing. That’s it! Zero body aches, lethargy, fever, headache. None if it! So, the lesson here is if you or someone thinks they’re having an allergy attack or a summer cold, quarantine and get tested!!! (Sadly I did give it to my daughter, Tiffani, and her boyfriend, Trent).
Once home, I received a dose of the monoclonal antibodies to improve my chances of healing from COVID. This was a precaution since my immune system is altered from chemo. I did miss one chemo session while positive for COVID, but am fortunate to only have a one week delay and was able to resume chemo this past Wednesday on August 25.
As I’ve mentioned in other posts, one of the chemo drugs, oxaliplatin, causes cold-induced neuropathy. After learning a lot from support groups on Facebook, I arrived at this chemo session with a plan to “ice”! I brought two sets of frozen gel booties and gloves to wear starting ten minutes before until 20 minutes after the administration of this particular drug. I also chewed ice cubes to “ice” my throat. The nurses were mortified as this was the opposite of what they had been trained! They were certain the cold would cause a broncho spasm and block my airway. The head nurse tried to talk me out of it. She threatened to have the doctor who was covering that day sit with me the whole time to which I replied, “ok,” and that she could also sit with me. I had permission from my oncologist here and I was determined. (She did not sit with me, nor did the doc 🤷🏼♀️). I made it through with zero side effects from the “icing” and gleefully was able to drink cool beverages after! This was something not possible for easily a week or more after receiving oxaliplatin in the past. I was very happy! It worked!
So, that’s it for now. I’m one chemo down from the six total that the liver surgeon said I need before my next scan. Please keep praying for me. Pray the tumors shrink away from the veins in my liver. Pray that the tumor in my colon and tumors in my liver disappear completely! Pray that my lungs heal and my clot dissolves!
Pray that I can continue to manage the side effects from the chemo. I truly appreciate every prayer and kindness.
And as importantly, take care of yourself. Get your colonoscopy! Don’t wait!
Love,
Angela
Thinking of you often. Bea
You are continually in my prayer for healing.
Angela you are a warrior! We have a small army praying for you here in Wisconsin.
Stay strong. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. We think about you daily.
Angela, may God bless you always! I will keep you in my prayers and continue to follow your success in beating all this! ❤️
🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Many prayers for you, girl!! You are a true warrior and a gift to other people paddling down the same creek. Much love and stay strong….xoxo 😘 Stephanie
My phone alarm goes off everyday at 12 Pm and 8 Pm to Pray for you Angela. Now I’ll add all you said to my prayers for you. Covid had nothing on you ♥️…now to conquer cancer. My love My Friend
Awww Angela.. you are a very strong lady.. My prayers continue for you and thank you so much for all the updates.. I think about you often and I know in my heart you got this. You are a true warrior.
Ang, I am praying for you all the time! 💕
I am so sorry about your father’s passing Angela. My thoughts and prayers are always with you. If there’s anything I can do other than pray please reach out and let me know. God bless you, I’m so proud of you.
#FightLikeAGirl
Prayers sent and I will continue to pray. So sorry about the loss of your Dad. ❤️ May his memory be a blessing. Stay strong Ang. Sending butterfly 🦋 hugs to you.
Sending prayers for you and your health. I am so sorry to hear about your dad. Thank you for sharing your journey. Your so brave and strong God bless you and your family.
Angela, may God send blessings over you; may his angels continue to shine positive healing light on you. My prayers to you and your family, love and hope always!
Thank you soo much for sharing and keeping us all updated throughout your journey. I felt totally hopeless while you were Covid Quarantined and am soo relieved to be able to see you again ❤️
You are an amazing inspiration for everyone. You are in our hearts & prayers daily ❤️❤️🙏🙏🙏
You are such a fighter and full of spunk. You’ve always have been, atleast every time we’ve crossed paths. I will continue to pray for you Angela. You and your family 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
First let me say I admire your strength- I am praying for you for continued strength, but mostly for healing , I am praying for peace and comfort for you and your whole family regarding the loss of your Dad- Big hugs my friend. And ….
Yes Ang I got my colonoscopy and I’m due for another in a year and a half- but thanks for the reminder and ya all get your colonoscopies!!!!!
Hello Love,
I’m sorry to hear about the loss of your father and I’m praying for your continued strength. I’m here in Tampa and I’m at Moffitt often with my nephew. Please feel free to reach out.
Angela ,
You are in my thoughts and prayers and praying for this chemo round to keep shrinking the tumors and the ones in the liver. And covid and a blood clot on top of it! Shows you that your body and soul are strong to be able to fight off covid and have minor symptoms. I think you amazed the nurses with your ice chips ! You showed them . Keep putting one foot in front of the other and each day is a stepping stone . I’m so sorry that you are going thru the loss of your father. Big hug and continued prayers 💖💖Sara
Wow… So much happening to you and your family! I’m so sorry about your dad, Angela. 💔
I’m glad you are reaching out to “support” groups on FB. As a nurse, I would have probably freaked out with the ice gel packs too, but I am glad they worked! Still praying for you!! 🙏🏼😊🤞🏼
Keep fighting Queen!
Mom & I have you in our thoughts & prayers! ❤️❤️
Angela,
I am praying for you now.
Prayers Angela!!!! I will make an appt for my colonoscopy ASAP. Thanks for that❤️
Angela
I think about you so often. The cancer journey can be such a two edged sword …challenges / pain but also amazing things God teaches you and ways He shows His love to you. I’m praying for you and your family. Hugs and love to you. 💕
Praying for you my friend. You got this.
Continued Prayers Sweet friend!!! You are a warrior!!!!
Angela, I do believe my dear that the prayers are working. You indeed are the strongest woman I know. I’m so sorry for the loss if your Father. I recently lost my Mother so yes it’s hard. And then COVID. You are a warrior. I pray for you daily and will continue for you to return to normal health. I’m Jesus name.
Wow! All that and still smiling! So proud of how strong you are. Sending lots of love ❤️
Wow Angela!! I’m so sorry you’re going through this & I’m sorry about your fathers passing. I pray for your strength & positive outlook to get through this,
My deepest condolences on the passing of your Dad, our Girl Scout leader. Your strength amazes me. Please send me the details of the celebration of life. I have plans that day but not sure for how long. Stay strong. Sending up prayers.
You are always on my mind, friend. Love you!
Angela, I’m praying for you! God is faithful and you are a fighter! I love you and am believing for a supernatural, complete healing! xoxo Mary Beth
My best wishes for you, Angela. You’re strong!
Angela – your posts are both inspirational (kicking cancer’s a$$) and heartbreaking (dad passing suddenly- so sorry beyond words!).
I’m so proud of you for taking control of your treatment… The fact that you figured out what works for you send a strong message for every other fighter out there that they should do what works best for them… Even if that goes against recommendations of conventional “medicine”!!!
Thank you for being the warrior that you are, and please know that you are loved by so many!🥰
So very sorry to hear about your father. My sincere condolences to you and your family.
And what an update! It just keeps swirling and you continue to be strong and positive. You have always been a bad ass, but I must say YOU ARE AMAZING!