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Ver Beek Blog

Our young family battling stage IV breast cancer one day at a time
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Almost Done!

posted by:
Lindy

I can hardly believe I’m almost done with all cancer treatments!  Thank God!  I will have my last radiation treatment on Friday.  I am so happy, so relieved and so excited.  I should celebrate.  Hmmmm…what to do.

I saw Dr. Edlund today (radiation oncologist) and he said my skin reaction is appropriate and that I shouldn’t have any problems from here.  Since Tuesdays are the day I see the doctor, they gave me discharge instructions.  I couldn’t believe I was being discharged.  Another surreal feeling.  The good news is that the fatigue should last for only two weeks after my last radiation treatment.  I can’t wait to have full energy back.  Maybe I’ll run a marathon or something…

Dusty and I went to Chicago to meet with Dr. Song (reconstructive plastic surgeon) yesterday.  I was presented with three options here in Holland – implants, lat flap and TRAM flap.  Plastic surgeons don’t like the idea of doing just implants when skin has been radiated because the results won’t look good.  The other two options take my muscles and I wasn’t happy about that.  Dr. Song performs the DIEP flap which we thought was newer, but upon talking with his nurse they’ve been doing it for 16 years!  I felt like a hill billy asking about that new fangled operation where they use electronical gadgets to reconnect my blood vessels.  I’m glad we made the small trip because Dr. Song gave me more options than I thought possible.  All of which don’t include taking muscles.  His final recommendation is probably what I’ll go with, but there is one other option that I want to look into as well.  The surgery can’t happen for six more months.  I have time to think about it.

So that’s it in a nutshell.  I could write a small novel about my reconstructive options, but I’ll spare you. 

Have a great day! 

23 Responses to “Almost Done!”

  1. Livvy Zimmerman says:

    Hi Lindy
    Just got caught up on your blog for the first time in a few weeks. Wow – almost done – YAY!!! That’s awesome. And I’m glad to hear your hair is growing back! Sounds like things are going well… oh, and happy belated birthday, too. Thank you for the reminder to never take even the smallest things for granted. You are so right. Eyelashes. I never even think about those… except that I’d like more of them. But today I am thankful for the ones I have. Blessings to you and Dusty and the kiddos.
    Livvy

  2. Holly says:

    Praise God from whom all blessings flow!!! 🙂

    I’m doing the 5th/3rd 10k run in the spring…you are welcome to join me….I am very slow….I started running last fall for a friend of mine….I ran the Race for the cure in support of her….and now I hear she’s just about done with treatments….you should meet her….she’s really cool, and strong, and has an amazing story to tell. I’m inspired to keep running because she inspired me to do so. You could run because you can! 🙂

  3. Holly says:

    and just think – no sports bra! bonus!! 🙂

  4. Jana Ver Beek says:

    Yippee!!! A long time ago either you or Dusty said this was going to be a marathon and not a sprint…..do you see the finish line??!! Praise God for guiding you through to the end. “Discharge papers” that’s just awesome!!!!!

  5. Jana Ver Beek says:

    Oh, yea….if you want someone to watch the kids on Friday or Saturday night so you can go out and celebrate, let me know. 🙂

  6. Amy Harper says:

    So happy that you are almost done with treatment!!! Doing a happy dance for you!

  7. Stacy Wiersma says:

    How wonderful is that!! I’m so happy that everything has gone so well for you (all of you). We will continue to pray the you will be at ease with whatever reconstructive option you go with.
    Now you will be able to enjoy a nice little break over the summer with your family!!
    PARTY!!!

  8. Michelle C says:

    Wow! you are almost there! Good luck with the reconstruction. So thankful you found other options besides those presented in Holland. Blessings to you and your family.

  9. Jenifer says:

    Lindy –

    When you get this message it should be on the final day of your treatments – I am so proud of you and all you have gone through with a mostly postive attitude:) You are amazing!!! Congrats on being Cancer FREE!!!! Wishing you the best in 2010. Love You – Jen

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