June 2014

She Beat Cancer Again!

Written June 7th @ 7:00pm

We left early Thursday morning. Crystal and I chatted about life on the ride to Mayo. About half way up we decided to practice our routines in our head as we drove, so the music was turned up. We did miss our turn to Rochester which made us laugh.

Driving to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN from Fairfax, IA is actually a very nice drive. It’s easy and seems to go by fast or maybe it’s because your mind is preoccupied with so many thoughts that could be life changing. We are so blessed that it takes less than three and half hours to get to this miracle place.

Crystal had some appointments that afternoon. However, the Ultrasound Appointment took a lot longer than we expected. As Crystal lay on the bed I stayed close by, rubbing her legs. Ultrasounds don’t hurt. However, when they are looking for something and struggling to find it, they sure have to push down hard, which Crystal thought her ribs would break. Laying on her side, taking deep breaths for the radiologists I watched her eyes. They would blink and then stare off…I wondered what she was thinking.

But then I found myself watching the radiologists. He was blonde, funny, personable and polite. He kept going over the same spots on her trying to get the best image of what they are looking for. He got up, at least three times and went over to the computer that had her liver image from the MRI.

Everything looks the same to me, so honestly I couldn’t make anything out. However, I started getting a sick feeling. I started thinking what if there are more? What if her liver is full? See the technology they have today is amazing. It is unbelievable what they can do yet the bottom line is sometimes MRI’s, Ultrasounds, Scans don’t show everything so really you never know. So you think you are here for one tumor but what if…the tears rolled down my face. Then I am here with Crystal alone. Rod, Gage and the rest of the family are coming later. We preach to think positive, focus on the future, to be hopeful and to enjoy life no matter what cards you are dealt. Just writing all of that can be exhausting, now try living it. And then if they give us bad news, I have a feeling I will not handle it, she needs other support and mine will not cut it this time. Then I realize I am worrying about stuff that has not even happened. I take a deep breath.

After a good 35 minutes, the radiologist left to get the doctor.

In walks a young doctor, with a big smile. He is energetic and intrigued with Crystal’s Story. He immediately begins explaining that he is concerned with a something that he sees in the image with the MRI and is determined to find it in this Ultrasound. We learn that he is thinking they are three. And actually it is three things they have seen in the MRI the last visit we were at Mayo so really they are not new ones.

Crystal and I listened to the doctor’s visit back and forth about her almost like we were not in the room. Crystal’s words were, “Mom, Dr. Kurup is like a kid in a candy store right now with my liver.” She was so right which actually made me happy and positive that he was going to get them all.

We left that appointment confident that she was going to beat it but I must say it was a long few hours.

With that news we decided to do something different on this visit, in Rochester they had an event called Thursdays on First. There were crafts, food, music…it was a party. We then took a long walk in Soldier’s Field Park. It was beautiful and peaceful. I loved the memorial, “Let us not forget these veterans for they have shown the world that freedom is never free”. It was touching and then thinking back to April 2013 she would have never been able to walk around like this before that surgery. I was thankful that she could for this one. To me it meant she was going into this fight much stronger than last time. I was hopeful.

Friday morning is here. We read our devotionals. Her family is here. She can feel the love and support from so many. Social Media has been wonderful for our family. We could feel the love and we knew we could reach out to many of you. It sure helps you feel not so alone. We are blessed.

Crystal was the second Liver Ablation for the day so she was really at a waiting period until they were ready to get her.

We had to be at the hospital to get her ready by 8am. Getting her all ready for her procedure even the nurses were taken back by her file. They asked questions in a surprise tone. The one nurse said that makes me want to cry. It is shocking what she had lived through, it does make you cry. Anyway she didn’t go back into the surgery room until almost 12pm. This Liver Ablation was to take approximately four to six hours. She was done in less than two! Yep, your prayers worked again. God listened to you all. It truly is a blessing.

They ended up doing two Ablations in the Liver and the other one they spent a good 45 minutes on and even brought in another doctor to take a look. They feel that it possibly it could be a Birth Mark in the Liver. We feel very good about this news, actually better than ever.

What does God have in store for Crystal, for my family? For all of you that have been touched by her life’s journey? I really wish I could have some answers to some of that but I guess we will all learn that later.

How is Crystal today…she is sore, has a little pain, nauseous at times, walks slowly but all with a smile.  Her next step…Check up after her procedure with her family doctor after her antibiotics are done, call her oncology doctor and Mayo in 3 months.

As we are driving home from Rochester in the rain…I write and reflect. Someday I may have to show you the post I almost made during that depressing few days before this procedure we just did. But for now I am happy and ready to live life again.

To the ones that have lost their fight to Cancer, you are not forgotten. I bet Heaven is beautiful and you are running around pain free, smiling at your loved one below as you are now their guardian angel. To the ones that are fighting it for the rest of their lives and the loved ones who are beside them…I give you ((Hugs)).

God Bless