Monday, March 16, 2009

Getting Back to Normal

I can honestly say the life is finally getting back to normal....whatever that is. We celebrated Joel's birthday and took our annual trip to the beach to visit the Gutherie's. We had a wonderful time. We attempted to play on the beach but it was FREEZING!! We will for sure be taking Ella back this summer.
Joel and I made the decision last week that I would stop taking Tamoxifen (the medicine to prevent breast cancer recurrence). I was really have a rough time with the side effects. The best way I can explain it was the way I felt the week after I had Ella combined with what it must feel like to go through menopause. YUCK!! I cried all the time and was just mean. I felt happy on the inside but I couldn't show it. It was starting to effect all areas of my life. We had a 3 month check-up with my oncologist and expressed our concerns. He had me take a break from the med for 1 month to make sure it was the med that was causing the problem. Within 3-4 days I was my old self again. I had energy, I was laughing, and just felt better. We saw the oncologist again last Monday. I know you're probably thinking "But if it reduces your risk of cancer, Lisa, don't be stupid." That of course was my biggest concern. We talked percentages with the doc and he informed me that because of the surgery I chose and the treatments I had, Tamoxifen only reduces my risk of cancer recurrence by 2-3%. It's just now worth if for 2-3%. So, life really is back to normal. I don't think about cancer everyday and I just feel GOOD!!
Of course, it does make me nervous to think about cancer. I'm learning to let my faith guide me through. A close friend shared this scripture with me from Psalms 4:8 "I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety." Thank you to all who continue to pray for us. We appreciate it so much!