Weekend Update

Ahhh March, you've arrived to mixed emotions. I'm thrilled that we're getting closer and closer to spring, yet this ruthless winter is proving it still has tricks up it's sleeves. The latest: parking restrictions in St. Paul and Minneapolis. Before we bought our house, we lived in a tiny little shoebox of an apartment in Uptown and I remember dealing with parking restrictions then, but it's been four years and we've grown pretty accustomed to parking right outside our house. Not anymore, at least, not until the ban is lifted (I've heard April 1?).

In back injury news, I had an MRI earlier this afternoon and expect the radiologist's summary to arrive to Dr. Howe by EOD Monday. Hopefully it'll be earlier than that and hopefully he'll call me right away when it arrives. I keep getting asked if I'm feeling better and I don't know what to say. Yes? The fact that I have to question it though, makes me feel like the answer should be a no. I'll have stints, where I'll get super involved in work or an episode of Breaking Bad, and forget about the pain, and then the moment I stand up and start moving around again, it hurts. I've run three times since Monday, and although it's excruciating, I can't help but wonder if it's maybe, just maybe, helping a little bit? Then I wonder if it's all in my head? All I know is that I've been having this pain for five weeks now, and I'm more than ready for it to be better!

I mentioned it a few weeks ago, but I hit my goal of having my design website online by the end of February! You can be among the first to check it out at www.schobercreative.com, and feel free to pass it on to your friends/family! The portfolio tab is kind of a jumbled mess right now but I'll eventually get around to organizing it a little better. Baby steps :)

Anyway, enjoy!

I'm OK!

I totally meant to update immediately after my appointment on Friday, but the Schober's were in town and you know how it is when they're here - we stay busy nonstop! Anyway, the appointment with Dr. Howe went really well - he's not concerned that my pain is related to cancer at all. We talked about the side effects I've been having fromTamoxifen (all normal) and reviewed the blood work we took right before my appointment (hemoglobin levels are on the rise = very good). He didn't want to rush into an MRI and asked that I wait it out until the 24th before scheduling an appointment. After yesterday's chiropractor appointment, I'm not sure I'll be able to wait that long though. It feels like my muscles are in a super squeeze and are throbbing - basically a constant charley horse. I'm going to wait until Thursday and if things aren't improving, I'll try to get in.

I'm anxious for this pain to go away so I can get back to my gym routine - I'm going nuts not doing anything! I'll keep you updated!

MRI Results

​MRI Scan from this morning is CLEAR!  No other areas of concern in either breast OR in my armpits.  I'm going to totally kick cancer's ass.  Gone, done.  Watch it. SO relieved!

Feeling Slightly Normal

​I told a few more people about my situation today.  I swear, the more I talk about it the better I feel.  It doesn’t change what’s happening inside of me (the cancer part) but mentally it’s such a relief to have others bear the weight with me (sorry friends and family!).

Talking with Deb helps so much - she's open and willing to share her experiences and helps me understand what I can expect for the surgery and my recovery.  She's given me a better understanding of the limitations I'll have when I get home from the hospital, and although I'm not looking forward to them, I think knowing what to expect will prepare me mentally/emotionally.

After our long day yesterday (we went to Rock the Garden and then an after show at 1st Ave) I was exhausted.  I slept for eight and a half glorious uninterrupted hours, woke up and went for a run, showered, made a quick Target stop and made my way to Faribault.  Sounds pretty much like any other day huh​?  ​I refuse to let cancer disrupt my life.

Jason and I at top; Missy (a great friend from high school) and I at the bottom left,
and then Joelle (a great friend from college) at the bottom right.

I had a very successful talk with my dad, who I was super nervous to talk to about it all.  His mother passed away from colon cancer when he was a little boy and I think all he knows of cancer is that people don’t survive it.  Until me, muahahaha!  He was encouraging and positive and asked questions and seemed to be doing ok.  Of course that didn’t stop me from calling Adam on my way back to St. Paul to have him check in with Dad in the next day or so.  Everyone needs to be checked on once in awhile. 

Waking up early for the MRI tomorrow morning to see if there are any additional hot spots in my breasts/armpits.  Hoping to get a little more information about my schedule of appointments in the next week too.  Let’s get surgery on the books please!!