Here is the deal...

First, I am sorry that I did not update yesterday. During the day I caught up with one of my friends, the kids swam in the pool and had a great time! We then had a delicious dinner and I ran off to get a much needed massage! Then, I had a girls night!! I watched Twilight with two girlfriends! We were reliving our teen years! It felt good to have time to socialize. I have been on the go since school got out, first a class, then a visit from my mom, my sister Mary and her kids, then a trip home to Brockport for Mama K's birthday party, then back here for the tests! Whew, I feel like summer is finally here, not just in terms of the weather but things are finally slowing down! Soon, I'll be sitting up my classroom! ugh!!!!

I guess I was sort of avoiding a full update because I wanted the news to be different. When I found out I could have an octreotide scan I was excited because it was supposed to show if the cancer had spread anywhere else in my body. I was excited because I wanted to be told that it had not spread and that they knew that for sure because the scan was proof. One of the most frustrating things about all of this has been the fact that I had been going to the doctor for 5 years trying to figure out what was wrong with me. Now that I know, I want to know what the carcinoid is doing inside me, where it is at all times. The scan was supposed to do that for me.

Well, no one ever told me that the scan does not work for all people. The injection I had was supposed to bond with the cancer cells in my body but that didn't happen. We already knew from when I had my surgery that I have 6 tumors on my liver. The CT scan I had on Friday confirmed that. Those tumors did not show up on the octreotide scan therefore they know that the scan did not work for me.

The CT scan showed that the 6 tumors have not grown in size. That is good news because it means that the treatments are working for me. I will continue to go to Dana Farber every month for blood tests. This is one way my oncologist will monitor my progress. Currently my cancer markers have gone down which means the cancer is "sleeping" and my liver function is now back to normal! I will also continue to get a shot each month as well as a CT scan every six months to keep an eye on those tumors.

I think that covers all my new medical news. I am doing my best to stay positive and I think I am doing a good job. I can go a whole day without thinking the word cancer. It wasn't so long ago that that word popped into my head every five minutes. I have too much to live for to let it get me. I do get down sometimes, which I know is normal. However, I have so many wonderful, positive and uplifting people in my life to turn to in those times. I am so blessed! Thank you, thank you everyone everything! The positive thoughts, the prayers, the listening ears, the checking in, the time, the calls, the e-mails, reading the blog, the shoulder to cry on, the company, the laughs, the hugs, the cards, the notes-the list of gifts I am thankful for goes on and on! So many people have been there for me in so many different ways. I am so grateful and it all means the world to me. I just really want everyone to know. Much love, Theresa

Just a quick update...

...
It's Kurt's birthday and we are going to spend some family time reading some bedtime stories to Kaeli, therefore I am going to be quick. I will give more details tomorrow.

There is no new news to report. The tumors that were on my liver are still there. The good news is that they have not grown, which means my treatment is working. So I am very happy about that.

Sorry to be so quick, but I'll be back tomorrow!

Thanks for all the prayers, positive notes and support! xxoo Theresa

It has been so long!

Wow! It is almost August! I can't believe that I have not updated since May! Life got crazy once I went back to work.

I spent last Thursday and Friday at Dana Farber for my octreotide scan. I was injected with a radioactive isotope and had a 2 hour scan on Thursday and then had to go back on Friday for a 2 and a half hour scan as well as a CT scan. It was very tiring! The worst part however, was that I couldn't snuggle with Kaeli for 2 days, that was really hard!

Tomorrow is Kurt's birthday and the day I find out the results of the scan. I have an appointment with my oncologist at 1:00. I really believe that I will be getting good news! Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers! And send me tons of positive energy!

I will let you know the results tomorrow! xxoo Theresa

Just a Little Update

Hi!! It has been too long! Now that I am back to work, I have not made the time to write. I am trying to balance everything! :-) I miss writing and I miss getting little notes from everyone who reads.

Work has been good, I am tired by Friday though. However, most other teachers are as well! I have been trying to go to bed early and take care of myself.

I saw my oncologist last Thursday. He said that he is really happy with how I am doing. He wants to plan my octriotide scan for June or July. I am feeling better everyday. Sure, I have my ups and downs, but by far, most of my days are really good.

I have not been checking my e-mail or Facebook, just like I have not been writing. I just didn't want anyone to worry. I am just trying to sleep more and spend more time with Kurt and Kaeli. Once summer is here, I will be back on a more regular basis! Let me know how you are! Also let me know if you'd like me to keep writing!

Please continue to keep me in your thoughts and prayers. It's what gets me through and keeps me positive through this whole thing! Lots of love!!!!! Theresa Be Happy!!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday Theresa!

Today is Theresa's birthday so I'm hijacking the blog for a second to wish her a very happy, healthy, and non-gassy birthday! We love you and can't wait to see you in a few weeks!

Love,

Dan, Jenny, and Mia

I'm back to work!

Hi! I hope everyone had a Happy Easter! We spent the day with Kurt's grandparents. Kaeli had a blast searching for Easter eggs in great grandma's backyard. Uncle Eric was a little jealous that her eggs had one and five dollar bills inside. When he was little, his only had quarters! Kaeli is putting it all in her savings account!

Today was my first day back to work. To be honest, I was a little nervous beforehand. I didn't really know how I'd feel. However, the day went really well. The kids were awesome!! They were so cooperative and worked so well! They have really grown up a lot in the past four months! They are more independent and such good readers! I am so proud of them! The only problem I had was that my pants kept falling down! I need to get a belt! :-)

By lunchtime, I was feeling like I had never been away. Funny how easy it was to get right back into it. I wasn't really that tired either. I want the rest of the week to be just as good, so I am headed to bed! I just wanted to give a quick update!

I will be seeing my surgeon, Dr. Swanson on Wednesday after work. He wanted to follow up after my little detour into the hospital 2 weeks ago. Then on April 30Th I will be seeing my oncologist. He said we'd set up the octreotide scan at that appointment.

Please pray that I continue to be healthy, happy and strong. I know I have said this many times before, but I feel I must continue to let everyone know how much all your thoughts, prayers and support mean to me. I have been surprisingly upbeat and mentally strong (physically too) through this whole experience. I know that it is all the prayers, thoughts and support that keep me going! So thank you, thank you, thank you! I am so blessed!

Kaeli is waving her book in my face, time to go! Happy Spring! Be happy! Theresa

Just a quick note...

I am feeling much better! I have had a lot of sleep in the past few days and my intestines are getting back to what they were before last week! Not like they were before my surgery, but back to what I guess my new normal is!

I have been talking about gas and poop so much, hoping that they wouldn't always be such a huge part of my day, then I have this bowel obstruction. My doctor said as long as I am passing gas and pooping, I know that my intestines are not twisted. So what I once wished would go away, I'm now wishing for it to stay! So sorry if you are around me and I'm having a stinky day! (Sorry 1st grade rhymes, couldn't resist!)

I had to put my return to work off another week. So I will be returning to school and my kids on April 13-which happens to be the anniversary of my car fire-oh my goodness I just realized that. But that was on Friday the 13Th, so I should be good! :-) Not a superstitious girl anyway.

Kaeli and I had a mommy daughter day. She had her 5 year doctor visit. She is a tall one, the doctor said she is off the charts!!! She had to get a shot and was not happy about that. But we went out to dinner and she seemed to forget about it. Thank God because on the way to the restaurant she said in a very upset voice, "I do not like shots, I did not want a shot!!" at least 100 times!

Time to get some more rest! Thank you for all your prayers and for all the positive energy you all have flowing my way-it is keeping me happy and sane during this unpredictable time in my life!

Happy Spring!!! Lots of Love, Theresa