What's been going on

July has been a roller coaster month at the Boggs' house. Some good, some great, some not so good, and some just downright horrible. We've all pulled through now, and are moving ahead at a steady, but more cautious pace.

I had a pet scan on July 10. The weeks leading up to this scan were filled with a certainty that it would be bad news. I have heard from the beginning of this ordeal that most stage IV colon cancers rarely make it to 2 years, and if there will be a recurrence, it will be within the first 24 months. I was diagnosed, with surgery on June 21, 2007--that must make me a prime target.

I have to admit, I went into a dark place. I just knew I was done for! To make matters worse, the scan was on Friday, and I wasn't able to read the report until Tues. The waiting is nothing short of torture. I felt better after I had the scan report in my hands and saw the results. I also made a quick visit to Dr. Meriwether's office (he's my GP), and we did a little med re-shuffle.

I had an appointment with my new oncologist on Wednesday. For those of you who are keeping count he's #4, in 2 years. I think I must hold a record for going through oncologists! Dr. Syed is fresh out of residency. He's young, and enthusiastic, and I do not see him again until December!!!! Six months! I will not need any scans, blood work, or cancer center visits for six whole months. I never dreamed I would ever hear the words: "I'll want to see you in December, I think we can safely go to a six month schedule."

One of the benefits of a fresh new doctor, is fresh, new (for me) treatments for the side effects that accumulated with chemo. I've had lingering stiffness and numbness in my hands especially my right hand. This has made work at the shop almost impossible. If I do a full day there, the next day I'm not able to make a fist or use my right hand at all. Dr. Syed has prescribed a pill, that should help with that. I would cross my fingers at this point, but I wouldn't be able to straighten them out. Maybe by next week we'll know if they are working!

To celebrate Lenice and Jack's 40th, (yes 40th!) anniversary, we all met up in Natchez for a long weekend. It was very laid-back. We toured some of the houses there, took carriage rides, did a little shopping, and had fabulous meals. A lot of my time was spent on the balcony watching the barges on the Mississippi. The weather was perfect, and it was a really nice change of scenery.

I made a quick trip into Dallas this weekend for the Texas State Florist Association's convention. It used to be an annual trip for Sarah and me. I haven't been able to attend since 2006. It was so good to be "back in the water". I'm inspired and motivated now to start doing the things the old me used to enjoy so much.