Lots of phone calls

     Today I was able to talk to my gynecologist, hematologist, and my Surgeon. I am set up for the ultrasound on my ovaries where they found a growth last year in July for early September and my appointment for mid-September with my gynecologist.

    They are getting the scans from my Gastroenterologist. My Hematologist is reviewing the paperwork and has set me up with the best Oncologist they have, they will be calling tomorrow with my appointments. My Surgeon had more information but still not all of it, she wants it all from day one but has come up with a plan where I am going to see the Surgeons from Albany Med as they have the resources I will need after the operation no matter what they run into.

    She said I will have 24/7 nurses and doctors on hand until after I am out of the woods. I am just a complicated case they need to pay close attention to. I now know where my cancer is but not how far along I am other than the cancer is still in the wall of my colon so we need to get it out soon. The Cancer is on my right side below my gall bladder. They may have to take my whole large intestine but I will update you as we know more. Thank you to everyone who has been calling, texting, and most importantly praying.

Saw the Surgeon on Friday

     I have been meaning to update everyone it's just been hard. Thursday Night my Dr. called with the biopsy results. I have Cancer in my Colon and they aren't a 100% they got it all. Friday I had my appointment with my Surgeon and that was just a mess. She didn't have any of the information she should have had and the Cancer really changes things up.

    Where she thought we could wait has turned into we have to do this so she needed the updated Scans etc to be able to let me know what their office could do if anything. More or less she said operating on me is very dangerous and it could shorten my lifespan considerably if I were to even make it through. Not what I wanted to hear but will listen to what she has to say on Monday.

Of course, I am going to get a second opinion because I just can't go into an operation with someone who is already doubting what they are capable of. On a good note, I was able to leave a message with my Hematologists office as she is also an Oncologist. They left a message that they will call on Monday as well. Please keep my children, my husband, and myself in your prayers.

5:16 8-19-2021

The call wasn't really that long and I am not quite sure when it started but once I heard it my eyes went right to the clock on my phone like I could freeze time in place. See I have been sick lately although, I guess you can say I have been sick all of my life with one thing or another.

I had a double procedure on 8/17/2021  that was more than what they had expected to find. They removed pieces and resected me, then sent the pieces off to be tested. 

I thought I wouldn't hear anything till I saw the Surgeon. on Friday but Thursday night at around five in the evening the call came in. It was the Dr. I know a Dr. doesn't call unless it is something, but not that late, good news can always wait. I have had these calls before up to 10:30 pm. 

This time it would be the word I thought I would never hear. The C word, The Big C,  CANCER, they found cancer and they aren't sure they got it all because they had to cut it out of me in little pieces. 

The first thing we did was call our children and branch out from there. Today after two more calls I will be posting on my social media. There are just too many people to contact with the news. Social Media is quicker besides telling everyone the same thing over and over just tires me out more than I already am. 

Of course, almost everyone so far is asking how I am taking it, and how is my husband, and the kids. Well, I don't know we are still processing it. My husband went to bed early, I can't sleep, and the kids are being supportive. 

People ask what the next steps are. Well, the Surgeon tomorrow and then a call to oncology for an appointment to see just what those next steps will be. Of course, I have to call my Primary Doctor as well as my Gynecologist. You see they found a growth on my left ovary right before Covid-19 changed up everything, that they had been watching. Since they will be going in for the Cancer they might do that too.

I suppose I am writing here for myself more than for my readers but hey who knows, something I might say might save someone's life. 

Some people asked did I know? or did I think something was up. When has something not been up with my health? The answer is yes. Even when I am not having Diverticulitis pain I feel something in my stomach which is actually my intestines. It feels like something is eating me alive, gnawing at my insides. It took a while for it happening to say anything to my husband, he even ordered a pregnancy test hoping I was just pregnant. When it came back negative that is when he started to really worry.

Then in June, I had blood tests. I saw the results. It showed my bone marrow had kicked in and my red and white cell counts were all in the wrong places. I am not dumb. I was just hoping it was the infections I kept getting over and over and that the numbers would get better. So did I have an idea I sure did.

My appointments were already set so things couldn't go any quicker. I was supposed to have my procedure back in 2018, but between Dr.'s retiring, cases being shifted, busy schedules with kids, and then Covid-19 we kept putting things off, there is always tomorrow (Isn't that what we tell ourselves?). Last year things began to get worse with infection after infection which is what put my procedures further out finally after being infection free for 8 weeks I had my procedures. So here I am. 

How I am feeling and a few funnies

     My throat is feeling better today, but just in case I am only eating a soft food diet for a few days to give those metal tabs in my esophagus and colon a bit more time to heal before hitting it with the hard food.

    I thought someone might want to hear about the funny things I remember saying while they were doing my surgery. " You Guys are Awesome" "Excuse Me" (I must have burped or let some gas out) "Look at all of the pretty shapes" (I must have woken up a bit and saw the screens) " That is trippy" (All I remember is swirling colors like tye dye) "Weee" (I think this is when they spun me around to do my other procedure)

Home resting

 I am home in a bit of discomfort but resting. God moved in the situation. Thankfully the Dr. who was there was able to finish if he hadn’t been there they wouldn’t have been able to. He is the one called when something like what was in me is found. They didn’t see it on the scans. I have special surgical clips working with my bleeding medication to keep me from bleeding while I heal.

This is not over yet they sent my biopsies and removals to pathology stat to have them tested. I have damage in both my esophagus and colon as well as what they call a torturous sigmoid. The biggest removal was precancerous 100% but it could also be cancerous which is why they have the stat testing on it.

While in there the Dr. had to cut and resection different parts of me together. I see the other surgeon on Friday, my gastroenterologist in two weeks, and have to go through this all again in 3 months depending on the pathology report. Keep me and my family in your prayers, please.

All ready for my procedures

 I wanted to be more clear about my operation/procedures tomorrow. I am having a colonoscopy and endoscopy. They want to rule out cancer, as well as check things to make sure they have a clear picture to know just how much of my colon will need to be removed. I see a Surgeon on Friday to talk about my Sigmoid removal to hopefully get rid of the diverticulitis. This is something they found back when they did my emergency appendectomy back in 2018, it has just taken time, compounded diagnosis, and then finally infection on top of infection to get the doctors all on the same page. It has just become dangerous to my life for this to continue so it is time to take care of things. Please keep me in your thoughts as you go about your day tomorrow.

National Geographic Kids Shark-tastic Prize Pack Giveaway!

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Welcome to the National Geographic Kids Shark-tastic Prize Pack Giveaway! 

Hosted by MarksvilleandMe

Co-hosted by Reviews by Dennis

Sponsored by National Geographic Kids Books

This giveaway is part of our 2021 Back to School Gift Guide – Stop by to see all the giveaways and great products.

Below is a list of all the bloggers involved in the gift guide.

A Nation of Moms, A Rain of Thought, Deliciously Savvy, Giveaway Gator Home Jobs by Mom, Jessica Inspired by Faith, MarksvilleandMe, Michigan Saving and More, My Silly Little Gang, Tales From A Southern Mom, The Stuff of Success, This Frugal Family

One winner will recieve this 6 Book Collection from National Geographic Kids with an ARV of 71.00.

Check out my reviews here.

Check out this video featuring National Geographic Explorer Brian Skerry photographing Tiger Sharks. 

A little about the collection.

The Ultimate Book of Sharks (ages 9-12, hardcover, $19.99) by internationally acclaimed marine photographer and National Geographic Explorer Brian Skerry is an underwater adventure like no other.  With exclusive photographs and personal insight from Skerry, this book takes the reader below the surface and into the minds of these spectacular predators.  Beyond the feared fins and terrifying teeth, readers will learn what its like to swim with these amazing fish, how they live, what they eat, their superhero-like senses and better understand why these graceful, confident, perfectly sculpted predators are also vulnerable animals that we need to protect.  

NG Kids Sharks Sticker Activity Book  (ages 4-8, paperback, $6.99) Rule the ocean in this activity book from National Geographic Kids that features over 1,000 stickers! This boredom busting activity book is packed with mazes, spelling and pattern games, drawing activities, shark facts, and more. Shark-crazy kids are sure to love these pages loaded with fun, learning as they go.

Little Kids First Big Book of the Ocean (ages 4-8, hardcover, $14.95 ) - An adorable animal reference that includes the sea's high-interest animals, such as dolphins, sharks, sea otters, and penguins, and introduces kids to some of its lesser-known creatures. More than 100 charming animal photos illustrate the profiles, with facts about the creatures' sizes, diets, homes, and more. This book will quickly become a favorite at storytime, bedtime, and any other time.

Extreme Ocean: Amazing Animals, High-Tech Gear, Record-Breaking Depths and Much More by National Geographic Explorer Sylvia A. Earle (ages 8-12, paperback, $12.99)  An action-packed combination of science and adventure, famed National Geographic Explorer Sylvia Earle leads readers on an in-depth tour of life beneath the waves. Come face-to-face with whales and sharks, learn about the newest and most hi-tech ocean gear and gadgets, experiment with hands-on activities, and join Earle as she recounts her most daring dives. Packed with fascinating tidbits, animal profiles, and up-to-date science, each chapter combines stunning photography with fun, accessible text. Perfect for curious kids, ocean lovers, young explorers, and the classroom. Extreme Ocean reveals the mystery, majesty, danger, and — above all --the importance of our ocean.

So Cool! Sharks (ages 3-7, hardcover, $6.99 ) - Sharks are among the world's top predators, but that's just ONE reason why they are SO COOL. So who wouldn't want to hang out with them to learn more! These books blend awesome animal photos with silly quips and info that will delight young readers and animal enthusiasts. For example, kids can catch the hunting habits of a great white shark while learning that its true nature is as chill as a frozen fish stick. This is the perfect little reader to get their brain buzzing and keep them laughing during their downtime.  

Weird But True!: Ocean (ages 8-12, paperback, $8.99) Dive into these fishy facts: Did you know that the prehistoric shark, megalodon, had jaws so big that it could swallow a car? Or that goats, pigs, dogs, cats, and even an alpaca have all learned how to surf? And if that's not weird enough for you, one man even rowed solo across the Pacific Ocean for 312 days!  In this book filled with 300 facts and pictures, you'll glimpse the ocean's weirdest wildlife, uncover shocking shipwrecks, and meet sensational seafarers, from pirates and sailors to ground-breaking marine scientists. Perfect for ocean enthusiasts and trivia-loving landlubbers alike!

 Open To US entrants and must be 18+ to enter

Giveaway Dates ~ 8/2 12:00AM EST through 9/1 11:59PM EST

MarksvilleandMe would like to wish all those who enter

Good Luck!a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: This giveaway/sweepstakes is in no way endorsed, affiliated, or associated with Facebook, Twitter or any other Social Media Networking Site. This Giveaway is valid to continental United States residents only, Entrants must be 18+ years of age to enter. This giveaway event will end at 12:00 AM (EST) 8/31/21. The winner will have 48 hours to email their information back to marksvilleandme@gmail.com or a new winner will be drawn, you may want to put this email address as safe as it could go to spam. The giveaway is not valid where prohibited! By entering you are authorizing us to collect the information on the form below, this information is used only to contact the winner! No purchase necessary, Void where prohibited by law, and the number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Winners are chosen randomly by the RaffleCopter Tools program. The sponsors are each responsible for shipping of the above prizes. No blog associated with this contests are responsible for prize fulfillment. If you would like to be a sponsor in a giveaway like this please email Pamela Marks at marksvilleandme@gmail.com. If you take an entry you must stay following for the entire contest or you will be disqualified.