Happy Testing Phase

Aug 19

We’re back from vacation.

And I have a PET scan tomorrow.  (A PET scan is a whole-body scan that detects cancer.)

And that’s what you call a jarring jump back to reality.  I’m switching gears.  And yet, not really.  I love my life on vacation, but I also love my everyday regular life.  Cancer appointments have become part of my regular life, and I try to embrace them with joy too.  It doesn’t work for me to be all “Yippie, skippie, look at me on my amazing vacation” and all “Woe is me, look at me going to scary cancer appointments.”  I’m either a happy person, or not.  I’m joyful, or not.  It’s not a switch that goes on and off.   I didn’t choose to be a cancer patient, but now I have to choice to be a happy cancer patient or a grouchy cancer patient.  Just like I can be happy mom or grouchy mom.  Circumstances come and go.  So, I refuse to let cancer take the happy out of my life.

I was happy to be on vacation, and now I’m happy to be back in getting-rid-of-cancer mode.  I’ve got quite the itinerary coming up, and I would really appreciate your prayers:

-PET Scan: Last time I had a PET scan, it detected anomalies in my breast, lymph nodes, spine, and liver.  Miraculously (thank you Jesus), further tests found no cancer in my spine or in my liver.  I believe God healed these spots.  Dr. Wonderful will be watching these areas closely on this PET scan.  *I won’t get the results until the end of the week, so, stalkers, prepare to wait.

-Cardiology: My last echocardiogram (heart test) showed decreased function of my heart.  Probably, this is caused by the drugs I am taking to kill the cancer.  Or, it was a test error/fluke.  Or, it is genetic.  We need to resolve the heart issue so that I can focus on the cancer issue.  So please pray that brand new cardiologist and my 33-year-old heart would get-with-the-cancer-killing-program already.  Pray that the next tests indicate that “Yippee, your heart is perfectly strong!  Recommence the cancer-killing drugs immediately!”

-Surgery:  Coming up on August 30th.  Pre-op bloodwork and testing will be this week.  Pray that I will be an ideal surgical candidate.  Pray for Dr. Awesome.  Pray for all the cancer cells (if any) to be confined to the surgical site.  Pray for my family as they adjust.

And, pray for the rest of my life.  I need to whip my house into shape so that all systems are go for when Brad and SuperGramma take over when I have surgery.   Maren starts kindergarten, and we’re going shoe shopping.  Greta will fling food around the kitchen three times a day while I try to direct some of the healthy bits into her mouth.  These things matter to me.  I’m a regular mom in the midst of all this cancer fighting.  I’m a happy mom.

13 comments

  1. Denise O'Mara /

    Big Hugs, and many prayers for Pet scan. The hardest part is lying so still. I wish you serenity while all the tests are being completed.
    Much love to Super Mom.
    Neecie

  2. Jen, I’m sending you BIG LOVE for good news from your tests. Today I am in beautiful Montenegro and tonight we are doing our Hot Pink Glass Show. I’ll be wearing a hat! I miss you and I really wish I was there to help. love you.

  3. Kim Rourke /

    Love, “I refuse to let cancer take the happy out of my life!” Bring on the happy!

  4. Karen /

    Praying, Praying, Praying for you. There is an Anderson Street in my neighborhood and I usually pass it several times a day. Everytime I see it, I say a prayer for you and your family!

  5. Bonniebj /

    Welcome back Jen , I think I carry the sounds and sight of the ocean in my heart always – like Living Water for me. We’ll definitely be praying this week for the tests and encouraging outcomes. The Lord is your strength, your encouragement, your port in the battle. love you, Bonnie

  6. Jen, attitude has so much to do with a successful outcome. You are doing this very well. Up your fluids the last week before surgery and continue exercising. No aspirin or blood thinners (yes I could have been a doctor giving healthful advice but pretty freaked at the whole blood thing). Fly through this next leg of your journey. Surgery is a piece of cake…we sleep through it…the docs and nurses do the hard part. Enjoy school shopping (the right shoes are EVERYTHING)!!! You and your family are in my prayers. You go girl!

  7. Marsha Vonderwish /

    Keeping you in my prayers. You have a wonderful attitude and like your Mom, will do this cancer thing well!

  8. Praying for this week’s medical steps, for very happy mom days ahead, and for peace in your journey…

  9. Prayers, Peace & Happy Happy Happy Times 🙂

  10. suenitz /

    Hi Jen! Welcome home My love and prayers for lots of good news this week. Please let me know if I can be of any help. I am here for you. Christ is carrying you through this.

  11. You have such a good attitude! You serve as an awesome example to all of your followers. I’ll be praying for good test results, and God’s will through it all. Blessings to you and your family.

  12. Dave Schreier /

    Praying, praying, praying!

  13. Haven’t stopped praying. I made prayer beads back in March and your ribbon simply says, “Jen, Brad, Maren, Greta.”