How can one possibly express all the gratitude we feel for so much love that was shown to us as we left Japan. It surprised, amazed and humbled us. The people we worked with and came to know in Japan were so easy to love. They were so good to us and we loved every minute with each of them. The Bairds opened their home in order for us to say goodbye to these wonderful people one last time, and it was an experience we will always cherish. We love Japan. We love the people we came to know from Japan. We love our missionaries and we love the Bairds. We are deeply blessed by each of you. Thank you, always, for who you are and all of your kindness to us.
We got home on April 8 and saw our wonderful doctor on April 9. Everything looked good and surgery was scheduled for May 8. I felt good except for a cold I caught on the plane ride home, and we stayed busy enjoying family and getting settled back in as much as possible.
I went into surgery on May 8 with a positive attitude and little fear. If you don't like to read details of illness, just skip a few paragraphs. Most women who have this surgery are out of recovery after about an hour, and some of them go home the same evening as surgery. My recovery took 5 hours, and I was able to go home the next evening. I had two really difficult days, partly because I didn't manage the pain well and tried to go without pain medication. That was dumb, but it was my first surgery and I thought I could do it. But on the 4th day I developed a fever and we were told to go to emergency. They kept me for 24 hours. The fever went down, they re-hydrated me, and couldn't find a problem so sent me home. I don't remember when, but a few days later, we noticed that my right leg was swollen. Another trip to ER, with the fear that I had deep vein thrombosis. But instead, it was an abscess resting on a vein, cutting off the flow of blood. I had a staff infection.
We later learned that my cancer had spread almost throughout the entire uterus. But it was still contained. However, there was also another kind of cancer there, clear cell adino carcinoma, more aggressive and dangerous. It is always associated with infection. They don't know if the infection comes first, or the cancer, but they are always together. That had been contained, too, until the doctor went in and disrupted things. That was the cause of the abscess in my abdomen. I was about 5 days in the hospital fighting that with strong antibiotics. It was a hard time, and there were other side effects that I struggled with. But finally I was able to come home. I was so very glad to be home.
Since then, it has been mostly forward steps, with only a few steps back, but each day usually seems better. Last week in my appointment with the doctor, he said he felt I would be ready to start chemotherapy this week. If my blood work comes back OK, I will begin tomorrow, June 4. Today, I sadly went and purchased a wig. I also need to get a hat or two to keep on my head. Hair will start falling out on day 18. I will have six rounds of chemo, three weeks apart. That will be completed on about Oct. 1. The doctor doesn't know yet if I will need radiation therapy.
I am beginning to learn some of the massive information I will need to know for this process. At times it seems overwhelming, but then I adjust and we move forward. I haven't felt very social, but have been deeply grateful to have been able to go to Sacrament Meeting last week and take the Sacrament, and to attend all three meetings yesterday. It was a spiritual and emotional boost I needed. So many people have been so kind and loving, and I have received some wonderful advice and support. So many women have been through this, and I know I can do it. Sometimes it seems to me that I am slow to adjust, but I am doing my best.
So it doesn't seem to me that details of chemotherapy are a very happy thing to write about in a blog. And I sure if you want to know more about it, there are some wonderful blogs out there, written by brave and inspiring women. I think I will call this the end with regard to my cancer story.
Thank you to so many wonderful readers who have seemed to enjoy reading about our wonderful adventures in Japan. It was a time we will always cherish, and your feedback and expressions of love made it all the more fun for us. Hopefully there will come a day when I can do another blog about another mission.
Love to you all,
Ilene and Lee
