An update on my journey through cancer.

The surgery on February 21st was a success. They did a complete hysterectomy as well as removed my appendix and stomach wall. 13 1/4 inch cut right up my belly to under my breast bone, 28 staples. The staples were removed on March 10th. The OBGYN Oncologist is positive she got all the cancer in this area removed. I am Grateful it's over, the surgery and recovery was a complete nightmare for me, I had a terrible reaction to pain medicine and have gotten through with just Tylenol and Ibuprofen. My cancer marker number was 98 at surgery (way down from the original 401).

Yesterday I went to the cancer clinic and they did more blood work. My latest cancer number is 17.

I will see my Oncologist on March 18th to schedule the next three rounds of chemo.

I will have a PET/CT Scan done the 19th at Beacon in Granger, Indiana to see where I'm still lighting up with cancer and meet a new specialist.

We know that 2 of my lymph nodes (one in my neck and one in the top of my shoulder, opposite sides) had cancer and lit up at the last PET/CT Scan so we need to see where it is now.

We are just past the middle of this treatment; 3 rounds of chemo, surgery and 3 more rounds of chemo. The OBGYN Oncologist stated my chemo treatment will continue every 21 days even after these initial 3 rounds. My understanding is that the three rounds will have all four of the chemo medicines and the ones after that will only have two of the chemo medicines and be considered as preventative maintenance.

I'm trying really hard to stay positive and in a good frame of mind, but there are times it's a very real struggle. I'm exhausted and tired and feel like I'm losing touch with life. I don't have the energy to do the things that motivate my daily life. I've run out of things to occupy my mind and energy and find myself just sitting at the table for hours feeling lost.

The financial situation is finally wearing on me more than I want to admit. I applied for Social Security but haven't received any information yet. I'm grateful to be getting SNAP benefits so I can get the protein drinks and food I need to help me through this. I've exhausted any and all funds I had and the bills are coming in. Honestly, I'm scared and that's not a comfortable place for me at all. Up until now, I was pretty confident that I was fearless, I'm learning differently.

I am so thankful to those who are with me through this. The cards, the lunch and dinner dates, the gifts left on my stoop (the front door), the meals that are cooked and delivered to my door, the prayers from so many and the hugs in the walkway at the store, the gas cards and financial donations. All these things fill my heart and have kept me going.

I have a couple more weeks to recover from surgery and build my strength back up. I'll be concentrating on putting together a yard sale to raise funds to carry me through.

I appreciate you ALL for being here with me, praying for me and filling my heart with love. This is hard, the hardest thing I've ever had to do, but I'm truly Blessed