sdcarlson89

Dear all my friends and family,
I just wanted to let you know that I contacted the hope lodge in unless you were going for treatments as on an outpatient basis They will not let you stay at the Hope Lodge In Manhattan, Since I am going for a surgery they would not let us stay there. If there’s anyone who is going for some sort of treatment that’s an outpatient basis they will let you stay there though.
God bless everyone of you and thank you so much for all your great encouragement and All the love that you show it warms my heart every time I Log in. And yes I’m going to put on those pink studded gloves and I’m to go in there fighting like a champion!!!!
Love,

Darla

To all my cc friends and family,

I finally got the phone call from Dr. Kato, and my surgery consultation and pre-operative testing will all be done on March 1st. They have blocked off Monday March 4th and Tuesday March 5th for the surgergy date.

When I got the phone call I was on the way to get my chemo in traverse City. I cried tears of joy because now it is completely real. I couldn’t stop crying, I think I cried all the way from Manistee to Traverse City which
is an hour. I just feel as if God has blessed us with a miracle.

More good news…. I also got good results on the cat scan. The largest tumor which started out at 9 cm. has shrunken down to 5 cm.

Thank you so much for all your wonderful words of encouragement and for the words of advice and web sites. We are still trying to plan the trip and put things in place yet. ACS is trying to set us up with Flights of Mercy Medical. We just have to figure out our lodging and transportation in the city.

Thank you so much again!!
God Bless you all!!!!

Love,

Darla

Pam,

I do agree with you about surgery right now not being the best option. I just want to find a Dr. that can say, yes Darla there are other options and I am willing to help direct your care. I know that Dr. Zalupski is on board with my Oncologist right now, and that is very encouraging.

I am just hoping that if I find another Dr. who will say lets discuss other options that may be available. I am also praying for Lauren and for her cancer to continue to shrink so she can be considered for re-section or possibly transplant. She is so young and beautiful!!!

I will keep you posted on what I find out. I am also concerned about expenses of travelling, I am not sure how we are going to be able to afford it.

Thanks for everything,

Darla

Cathy,

Thankyou so much for your words of encouragement. I do not have anything against Dr. Chapman or the Barnes Hospital. Unfortunately I just don’t meet their criteria for transplant. I plan to keep searching though, I am certain that there is a specialist that will be able to help me.

I am just used to seeing my Dr. or oncologist and not having to seek other opinions. The list of Specialists is vast and very scarey to me because it is reaching out into the “unknown”. I like what Marion said about putting on the boxing gloves, I feel that she is completely right and this is a big fight and I am ready to get in the ring!!!

I will let you know how the conversation goes with Dr. Kato and Dr. Javie also

Thanks again !!!

Darla

Lainy,

Well Ijust got the call I was fearing. Barnes Hospital said that I do not qualify for liver transplant. I am going to try to find another cancer center that will at least consider me. She siad that because I have a tumor that is technically not in the liver ( the largest tumor on othe main bile duct) so that is another reason why I don’t qualify there. I also am only able to have one tumor and they said I can’t have transplantation after chemo.

Wow, I went from a very excited lady to very depressed and scared again so quickly. I know that God has a plan for me I just wish I knew what it was.

Any advice now would be greatly appreciated. This roller coaster ride is frustrating.

Thanks again,
Darla

Pam,
You are such a sweet and thoughtful person. I appreciate all your advice. I know that we need to act quickly and that was why I was getting nervous. I am so happy though, that I will be seeing a Specialist soon in Missouri. I dion’t even know if this is my answer to prayer or not, but at least somehting more is happening!!

How is Lauren doing? I sure hope she is feeling well, and enjoying her life too. Lately I have been in a depression state and just feel like I drag myself to work, and home and I have no motivation to do anything. I see my Oncologist on Friday for chemo, I may ask her if she has somthing that will help me with pain and sleeping so I can sleep better at night. My mind races every night and I go over everything in my mind over and over.

God Bless you and Lauren,
thank you for everything,
Darla

Dear Pam,
Thank you so much for your words of encouragement. You are right, Dr. Zalupski was wonderful. My father, husband and one of my daughters came to my appointment today and were all pleased with the caring and compassion he showed all of us, even when we had many questions. This was a second opinion/ consultation as to treatment options. Right now I guess we just need to see the tumors continue to shrink with the chemo.

Your daughter is so sweet and we are friends on Facebook. I am so happy that I met her and other cc patients who have so much in common. I sure hope Lauren does well, it would have been wonderful to meet her in person. I will come back to u of m one day in the future. I guess they don’t do transplants though.

You are right about feeling down and needing to bring yourself back up. I try to stay as positive a I can, but sometimes just get mad. Once again though, I know that God is in control.

Thank you, God bless you and Lauren too !