SolandMonica.com

I can’t believe that today is my last day of treatment.  It is overwhelming just thinking about it.  I am so excited to be finished, that I even went out and bought a new dress for a dinner celebration tonight.  We will be having a party soon!  I wanted to wait until I knew for sure it was the final treatment.  Details will be posted in the next few days!

Along with the excitement that I feel, there is fear.  Today is the day we stop taking action and that really frightens me.  So far, in the whole process we have been very proactive and now comes a time of waiting and trusting.  I think it’s harder to feel like I’m doing nothing in this battle.  I know that I’ve done everything I could to fight this, but the fear still lingers in the back of my mind, and I think it always will.  BUT… there’s a part of me that says, “Maybe, just maybe, this battle is over!” 

Thank you all so much for the support you’ve given to me and the encouragement and prayers you all sent my way.  God Hears!  You will NEVER understand how much each and every one of you have impacted my life and lifted my spirits.  You carried me through some very dark times, and for that I am extremely grateful!  You have provided for my family with meals, babysitting, gift cards, fun times, and gifts of money.  We were able to fly my family out because of you – and that meant the world!  Thank you to those of you who know and have supported my parents and sisters.  I know they are so grateful for you! 

The first part of my journey is coming to a close, but the journey is not over.  Please pray for clean scans over the next two years.  Angiosarcoma is said to have an 80% chance of recurrence in the first two years; however, if it doesn’t come back in those first two years, it’s never coming back.  Pray that I’m in the 20%!  Please pray also for emotional healing.  I began seeing a counselor and am hoping to grieve many losses in my life because of this battle.  Sadness overcomes me, and by nature, I’m not a sad person.  Finally, please pray for decisions that need to be made regarding my job situation for next year.  I will be returning back to the classroom, but I just haven’t decided which postition I want to apply for within the district, yet.  It’s a big decision, and I hate deciding on anything!  🙂

That’s all for now, I love you and will keep you updated.

Monica

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Well I have completed my 7 weeks, 33 radiation treatments, as of today which equals somewhere around 6,000 units of radiation.  My skin has been holding up, but it is pretty bad. The doctor said that the burn is somewhere between a 2nd and 3rd degree burn. I keep putting on the lotions, gels and soaps hoping that I can make it to the end and not have any permanent skin effects; it’s beginning to peel.  Another thing that the doctor said was that I will have 3 more treatments to the area around the scar. Because of the original size of the tumor, 11 cm, the doctor wants to give it all he can; somewhere around 6,600 units of radiation.  I am willing to give it everything that I can, but I am really looking forward to being done, too! I’ll do the three extra days if I know that it’s giving me the best chance that it will never come back!  So instead of being done today, like I’d hoped and planned, I’ll be done next Thursday.

Have a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend!

I love you all.

Monica

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Hello Everyone,

I have a great friend who is doing the Susan G. Komen 3-day walk in San Francisco. She has named her team after me and has set a goal to raise $10,000. It quite an ambitious and admirable goal, and I’d like to do anything I can to help her.

Please consider joining her by supporting her in her walk. The following is from her website:

“Here I am again, preparing mind, body and checkbook for another 60 mile walk for breast cancer awareness. If you are visiting my site, you must be somewhat aware of what has brought me to this place. I wish my passion could come from a place less personal than my one, but sometimes it takes the unexpected to motivate us.
“Back in 2006, I wrote about our mother’s best friend Nancy Rach, who fought and lost her battle with breast cancer and how her struggles inspired me to take the first steps of a very long journey. I am sad to say that this year, 2007, has brought breast cancer close to home again as our good family friend, Monica Rodriguez, was diagnosed with a very aggressive form of breast cancer at only age 31. My sister and I debated about walking again this year, but after Monica was diagnosed we knew we had to do it. I am happy to say that Monica is doing well in her treatments and, God willing, she will be cancer free by the time we actually do this walk. For now, we begin the training, fundraising and spreading of information to eradicate breast cancer as a fear for women and men alike.
“So, I ask that you please support me as I take another amazing journey in the fight against breast cancer! The Breast Cancer 3-Day is a 60-mile walk over the course of three days. Net proceeds benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure and National Philanthropic Trust, funding important breast cancer research, education, screening, and treatment.
“For those who have fought and won or fought and lost, thank you for your support.”

Here is the link to her website if you are interested in reading her blog, donating to the cause, or finding out more about Monica’s Mamo Mamas. Please take the time to donate what you can. Breast cancer has affected so many and will continue to do so until there is a cure!

http://08.the3day.org/goto/monicasmamomamas

Thank you and I’ll keep you updated as to her progress.

You go, Sheri!

Love,

Monica

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Here’s the bottom line: I met with two doctors today and both seem to think that it is a temporary side effect of the radiation. 

Here are the details: I was able to get in to see my primary physican at 2:00, and she wrote out an order for x-rays of my whole arm just to make sure it is nothing having to do with the bones.  I met with a radiologist at 4:00 after my radtiation appointment (I see one every Monday), and he said go ahead with the x-rays, but he thinks the swelling will get better once radiation is over in three weeks.  He said that I just need to watch what I do with this arm…lifting Kai, carrying bags on my shoulder and such.  

So tomorrow I go for x-rays in the mid-morning (no time is set) and will wait for a call saying everything is fine.  It’s just that every little pain or new “issue” gets me all worked up and worried.

Thank you for continued prayer and I’ll let you know what the x-rays show.  (Hopefully nothing!)

Monica

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In the past few days, my hand has been hurting when I wake up in the morning and now seems a little bit swollen.  My arm might be swollen too, but it shows up best on my hand.  I am going to call the doctor in the morning and try to get in to see her tomorrow.  Please pray that it is nothing serious and that it will go away on its own.  I fear it might be lymphedema or another angiosarcoma, as it is more common in the extremities.  Hopefully it is nothing to worry about.

Thanks for your prayers,

Monica

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