Cutting off the Wristband...

Tomorrow is a big day for me...We are as a family (Nathan, Parents & Brothers) along with 2 close friends...cutting of the Vanessa's Journey wristband (you can read about them here). When I was first diagnosed friends of ours had them made and family, friends and even people we didn't know personally but knew one of our family members or friends wore them to not only show support for my fight but also to remember to pray for healing. Now that I am cancer free (still cant believe I get to say that...wow so BLESSED) its time to cut them off. We cant wear them forever and there is no better time than now to take them off. I'll probably cry...Im still super emotional when it comes to this stuff. The cancer is gone and now the bracelets will be too. Thank you to everyone who wore one. It meant so much to have the support. Knowing that I wasnt in this fight alone and knowing I was being prayed for was amazing and means more than you'll ever know. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you from the bottom of my heart <3

***I will still wear my livestrong bracelet everyday. I support the people who are in the fight, won their fight or so sadly lost their battle***

checking in

Just wanted to say hi and to let everyone know we're doing great :) I did have a oncology appointment with a new oncologist last Thursday. He's in my provider/insurance group and since everything is great my insurance rather him follow me instead of the doctor at City of Hope. I know I've talked about different insurance issues on here with switching doctors and authorizations and I feel like it makes it seem our insurance is difficult or not good and that just isnt the case at all. We are extremely blessed to have awesome, amazing, wonderful health insurance. I dont take this for granted at all. I am so so so blessed for this. With having 4 surgeries, a 2 night hospital stay, countless tests, over 2 dozen doctors appointments and 37 radiation treatments in the last 9 months we'd be in medical debt forever if it wasn't for our insurance. Hubby works at a hospital and that is who we have our insurance through. I'm very thankful for them and the great coverage they provide for their employees.  Anyway, I saw that doctor and his role right now is basically to order the scans. Im hoping thats all his role will ever be.  So I already have the chest CT scan scheduled for September. I see him in 3 months (June) just so he can take a look at my wrist and then I see the Radiation Oncologist in July so he could also look at my wrist to check for any changes from the radiation. I guess it can take awhile for all the effects of radiation to show. But life is good and I feel so very blessed!

{Last weekend we attended a gala for Nathan work it was fun to dress up...Felt like Prom}

We're taking our travel trailer out camping this weekend. It should be a good time...its just the two of us...well and our dog, Jack. Have a blessed weekend!

Where do I go from here?

Now that my first PET/CT scan post radiation was good what's next?
I start physical therapy for my left wrist/hand tomorrow morning. When I had the surgery to have the tumor removed it was a complete reconstruction of my wrist.  Now that radiation is over Im able to go to therapy to gain full moment of my wrist and fingers. The physical therapy will also help to break up scar tissue that maybe forming due to the radiation especially since I was given the maximum amount.  I guess scar tissue likes to form on the tendons.  So tomorrow I'll know how many times a week and for how long I'll be doing the physical therapy.
As for future scans....
I am not scheduled to have my next scan for 6 months. Too much radiation to the body during the scans as well as the radioactive sugar can be harmful on the body it can even cause a cancer called lymphoma....No thank you! So since my last scan was good we're waiting 6 months and not the original plan of every 3 months like we had thought.
Medi-Port Scar
This is really frustrating for me. I have an inch long scar on my upper left chest where my mediport was placed. The scar now has a keloid over it which makes it look really gross and its painful and really itchy. I talked to my primary care doctor about it yesterday and he said to give it 6 more months to heal and if it still looks like that to come in and he'll give it cortisone shots and if that doesn't work he'll refer me to a plastic surgeon to get  it taken care of. Don't get me wrong Im so thankful I didn't have to have chemo after all, and Id take this scar for no reason over having chemo but it still is frustrating to have this scar especially with the keloid that will be so visible with tanks tops, bathing suits and even some regular shirts. I guess its part of my battle wounds! haha!

I think thats it for now but since a post with no pictures is super boring here is a picture of Nathan & I Saturday before the Ducks vs Kings at Staples Center (thats where the Kings play).  We wore our Ducks gear proud there and even beat them in Overtime :)

twenty.eight.

My sweet sweet hubby 

turns 28 today!!!!

Nathan is the most caring, compassionate and hardworking husband I know.  I hope he has a wonderful day because he most definitely deserves it.  He is my biggest supporter....I don't know where I'd be right now without him. God blessed me with an amazing man and Im so blessed to call him my husband. I love you so much baby! Have an amazing day!!!

One Week Later....

and I still cant believe it. Im still in awe of the Lords grace and the perfect scan results. It feels so good to not worry every second about the results. Its nice to be able to sleep a little better at night :) Im so excited about the Lords plan for my life and for that of Nathan & I.  I am so blessed!

I Cant Believe its Been 5 years....

It has been five years today since my Uncle Chris passed away in a car accident at the age of 47. Im happy to know he's with Jesus in heaven forever.

I think back to that morning five years ago....I was sitting in class and had a million missed calls from my Dad. I excused myself from class because I knew something was for sure wrong...I called him back and that's when I found out. I was over 1700 miles away  at school and all I wanted to do was be with my family. Luckily, Nathan & I were flying home that afternoon for spring break. But I remember the sadness I felt not only my own feelings but especially those of my Aunt Marla and the rest of my family. He passed away around the same time Nathan and I got married & I was so looking forward to the relationship they would have because they both loved to hunt and are such outdoorsman type guys! The one time they met that was all they talked about. We all couldnt wait until we moved back to California. When my Uncle Jonathan passed away a week and a half ago it brought me back to this day. There is so much sadness and heartache when you lose a family member who means so much to everyone.  But I know they are in a way better place than we are!  
My prayers and thoughts are with my Aunt and the rest of our family today!

I love you Uncle Chris!

Few More Beach Pictures

I am so very blessed...

There will be more to come from this cancer free girl soon :)...

but until then...

Here are more pictures from the beach....