Friends, I just want to say a great big thank you for your prayers and words of encouragement. It helps so much more than I can even begin to explain. You are as important in this process as my care team and I am so glad that I have you along on this journey with me. Alright, onward to the results.
This past Friday I met with a new oncologist, Dr. Erickson, and her team at the University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center for a second opinion. From beginning to end, the process was very different than my first go around with my other oncologist. I felt like I was really listened to, and I also felt like every question or concern I had was directly addressed. Dr. Erickson did a biopsy that day so that they could get an accurate picture of where the cancer is at right now seven months after my diagnosis. She also ordered an MRI, which I had on Wednesday, with the results being sent to the U of M.
Sidenote: From here on out, I'm not going to mention the other place because I don't want to be that person that talks garbage about a place on the interwebs. It wasn't a good fit for me. It might be an excellent fit for other people, it just wasn't a good fit for me. I harbor no ill will towards them, and you shouldn't either. Shalom. Moving on.
Today Dr. Erickson called with the results of the biopsy. The cancer hasn't grown and it hasn't regressed. It is still exactly the same size as it was seven months ago so the IUD has done a good job of controlling the symptoms, but little else. The thought when it was placed was that the IUD would stop the growth and potentially the growth would regress. None of this has happened. Again, it's not a slam to the other place. Sometimes these treatments work and sometimes they don't. In my case, it worked for the symptoms, but not the disease itself. It's individual to the body of the person. We are still waiting on the MRI results, but I think it will be the same story with that as well.
So the next conversation we will be having is about surgery. Dr. Erickson wants to schedule my surgery before the year mark, which is October 31. She also mentioned that she would be willing to talk about doing it sooner, so I am going to see if we can schedule the surgery for August. That conversation will happen in the next day or two.
All in all, progress is being made. Praise GOD! I have a lot of peace about this, you guys. God has really held me and given me strength through all of this. I am sorry if this has been information overload in the last few days. I know it can get old hearing the same thing from me all of the time. How can I be praying for you, friends? It can't always be about me. What's going on with you? :)
As I have updates, I will post them. Feel free to ask questions, drop me a line, etc. I will be at camp this summer and I love mail! My address there will be:
Lori Olivier
60402 Elbow Lake Rd.
Finlayson, MN 55735
Have a great evening, dear ones!
