Love For Lydia

In July of 2015, I was diagnosed with Stage 4 colorectal cancer and because of the astronomic costs in the States, we chose a trusted clinic in MX for the surgery to remove the tumor. The first attempt was unsuccessful, they closed me back up, did several weeks of radiation, chemo, and healing. In Oct 2015 through a very traumatic surgery, they were able to scrape the somewhat loosened tumor from the tailbone, remove my rectum, and do a successful colostomy. I then went through 5 months of chemo, learning how to adjust to life with the colostomy, and how to cope with the after effects of surgery, it took a very long time to totally heal and never quite stopped being painful to sit, especially for long periods. In March of 2016, the Dr pronounced me cancer free, and I was so happy to return to "normal life" taking care of my 5 girls at home, and being Mimi to our sons family, the treasures of my heart. I began follow up care with my dr in OH, who also dialogues with my dr in MX, making sure we stayed on top of everything. Fall of 2016, I began having pain which the Drs presumed was scar tissue in the sacrum, but did an MRI to be sure. All tests were clear but the pain was gradually getting worse and I figured this would be the way I would live life, and would just endure the pain.

I was scheduled for hernia repair March 4, 2017, and once again we did blood tests and MRI to be sure all was clear... this time the MRI showed a mass in my sacrum and all Drs combined felt it best for me to return to my first surgeon and oncologist  further testing. It took 2 weeks of testing and discussing amongst Drs just how to get a biopsy of the tumor because of it being in a tricky spot, finally we did a Pet Scan, and received the difficult news there are two tumors, malignant and aggressive, the one on the spine causing degeneration already. We got a second opinion at a world renown cancer center, and March 22, 2017 I will begin radiation and rigorous treatment to keep the tumors from growing or spreading, also the radiation should eradicate most pain.

This all has been very difficult for our family to process, having gone through the fight once already and feeling like God had healed, now to have the cancer come back attacking with a vengeance, we hold on to His promise never to leave us or forsake us. It is very hard to be gone from home, not being able to love on my 3 grandbabies or lay on my girls' bed laughing and talking with them, and I'm grateful my husband is self employed so he can go back and forth, and thankful for the times family and friends can visit! I long to be at home again soon, taking care of my family, and learning yet another new normal.