Wednesday, June 18, 2008

30 Days and Counting

It seems like we count down to everything in life, when the work day will be over, when the weekend will come, when school is out, when vacation will start and when the next race will be. My current situation is no different. Right now I am counting the days until my radiation is over.

I am supposed to go through 30 days of radiation. We drive back and forth 5 days a week. After 4 days of treatments I was called into the doctors office. As I sat in the office I wondered why I was having this unexpected visit with my radiation and sarcoma doctor. After commenting on how healthy I was looking, Dr. Nakakura went on to tell me I had another tumor growing. It was growing from the area of the nerve that had been cut out. It was indeed a new tumor, but most likely from left over microscopic cells. We knew this might happen since the doctors were unable to take a margin around the original tumor. So now my radiation days have been cut a few days short. I am not sure if that is a good thing or not!

This new tumor is already the size of a baseball at 8.3cm. It is growing up my sacral nerve near my spine. It is growing fingers which are trying to grab onto my sacral bone (the tailbone.) Luckily it cannot grow into the bone because it is a nerve tumor.

The plan is to continue with radiation in hopes that it shrinks. I am tentatively scheduled for surgery on July 14th or sometime that week. It all depends on the schedule of the new doctor they have to bring in to help remove the tumor. A neuro-spinal surgeon has now joined the team because the tumor is so close to my spine. When they remove this ornery little bugger they will hit me with a really high dose of radiation and hope that is enough. I guess we will see.

For the last two weeks, Xterra went to Alabama and Richmond. Normally I would have been there fighting for the win. Now I am in a fight for my life.

Other than all of that things are good. Physical therapy is going great. I have two great physical therapists that have been working me hard to get my legs firing. I am lifting weights 2-3 times a week and swimming at least 4 times a week. For the most part I feel pretty good. It is nice to be doing something. My arms and core and quickly getting back into shape. My legs or should I say leg on the other hand is still the same.

The other day at the gym I met a guy who competes in the Paralympics for the U.S. in the hand cycle. It was nice to sit and chat with him and hear him encourage me not to give up.

Everyday I wake up and venture out into the world I have a smile on my face. I know things will be ok. I know God is watching over me and giving me the strength needed to fight hard. I am not about to let this thing beat me. I am not about to give up. I still have too many things to do, too many places to visit and I feel I am destined to do something great!

Before I forget, Courtney and I are putting together all the info needed for the Extreme Makeover, Home Edition Nominee form. We have all the pictures of our house and will be downloading them soon. We really appreciate all of those who have already sent in nominations and those who have asked for more info. We are so blessed to have all of you for support.

Please continue to pray for the healing of my left leg and foot. Please also pray for my newest challenge of another tumor. Please pray for my doctors and their healing hands and that this time they get it ALL!

10 days down, 20 to go!

Powered By God,

Jamie

3 comments:

SimplyStu said...

Jamie - I will continue to pray for your healing! Thanks again for taking time to keep us all updated.

Anonymous said...

Hey you!!!

You have been on my mind so much lately I was in search of your website and I found this blog! I was so excited and then I read all that you are going through. It breaks my heart! I am so sorry for all of this and more so for not keeping in better touch!

I left you a message with all my info. but again Jamie I understand that you have so much going on.

You are one of the strongest people I know and such a fighter, you will get through this.

You are in our thoughts and prayers!

Love, Amy and Steve

Anonymous said...

Hi Jamie!

Its been so good to see you at the pool this week! The first time I saw you out there I got goosebumps and smiled ear to ear, it's clear that God is taking care of you! Don't give up! I think of you and Courtney often and the battle you are facing. You are in my daily prayers! Just keep swimming :)

Katie Caudill