CT's and MRI's Oh My!

Yesterday I had a CT scan and two MRI's. That's a whole lot of imaging for one day. I was afraid I might be glowing in the dark afterwards!! Here we are on our way:

I was so happy to get the results the very next day. Sometimes they take sooooo long to get results to you. I couldn't wait to share the results so I ended up doing a Facebook Live video. I thought I'd share it here even though I'm an emotional mess!

So very happy! And so blessed!! Thank you all for your prayers through this all! It's going to be a great weekend!!

xoxo

Check Your Colon

I'm sharing this text message with permission from one of my besties from high school. I've actually kept a list of the people that have told me they went and got a colonoscopy because of me. This text made me cry.

This is one of the main reasons I share my story. If it can help one person get detected early, it's worth it. The surgeon told me my tumor has likely been slow growing for 5-10 years. (Hello? That's when I was 35 or 40!) And how lucky am I that I've spent the past year and a half working on my health so I can fight this disease. I've read that colorectal cancer prevalence at an earlier age is increasing drastically. The screening age should be much earlier than 50. So don't forget to check your colon! Oh how I wish I had done it sooner! 14 people have told me so far that they have scheduled a colonoscopy because of hearing my story. Who else?! I continue to be amazed by God's hand in this.

Have a great day and thanks for visiting!

xoxo

Ring the Bell - Radiation DONE!

Ahhhhhhh! I did it! I'm all finished with radiation!! Tears! Last chemo pills will be with dinner! In a couple of weeks the side effects should subside and I'll feel more like myself again. My Radiation Oncologist and his staff were amazing!

I had to give the techs a little gift - silly socks to remember me by and hand sanitizer because they had to touch my butt. They had a good laugh over that! My crafty friends will appreciate my handmade tags:

When I finished my last treatment, the staff all lined up in the hallway and I got to ring the bell! I had no idea there was a bell to ring! I walked past that thing 25 times - how did I never notice it before?! Oh and I had my handsome chauffeur again today which was awesome. 

I'll have another scan in January to hopefully show this ugly thing has shrunk down to nothing. Now I have 8-12 weeks of rest and recovery before surgery. I'm going to enjoy this next phase and try not to worry about what's to come. God's got this.

Thank you again to all of my prayer warriors. Your prayers and sweet messages help get me through!

Oh happy day!!

xoxo

The Radiation Table

I had a handsome chauffeur to radiation today. I had to start taking some pain meds so figured maybe I shouldn't be operating a motorize vehicle - safety first, lol. They let my son come back and see the radiation machine. So of course I had to take a picture. Only two more times on that thing! Woot!!

When I first found out I needed radiation I wanted to know what this thing looked like beforehand. So maybe someone will stumble upon this little blog and find some comfort in it. The actual treatment is quick and painless. I lay on there and the amazing radiation techs get me all lined up (by my bum tattoos - yep, haven't mentioned that to y'all!) Once that's done I lie there for maybe 4-5 minutes. On my stomach, with my naked bum in the air, with a full bladder (to push my healthy colon out of the way to prevent a future bowel obstruction) trying not to move at all. That's it! The machine rotates, makes some noise and does it's thing. I just lay there repeating, "By His stripes I am healed", over and over in my head. I know God's got this!

Ok one more picture:

My other son was out and about and texted me this photo! How funny is that? Someone had a fists up for Cori decal on their car!! Crazy! People are awesome!

Have a great day!

xoxo

Faith > Fear

Ahh I survived my first three days of cheomoradiation!! I'm not going to lie, I was scared to take that first dose of the chemo pills. I stared at them for awhile. But you know what, I'm not going to let fear get the better of me! My faith is way bigger than my fear!

So three treatments, down, 22 more to go. The countdown is on!! Luckily, cute shirts and socks make it easier...

Thank you for the sweet messages and prayers! Have a great weekend! 💙👊🏼

Day 1 of Chemoradiation

Treatment begins today. I woke up an hour and a half before my alarm feeling so distraught and overwhelmed. But then I was led to just the right scripture and devotion that I needed. I know God has prepared me for this battle. I've spent the last year and a half working on me - my health, my relationships, personal development and mindset, and most importantly, my faith. God has put people in my life to support me. New friendships have been made and old ones have been rekindled. I joined a Bible study with some incredible, prayerful women. Friends and strangers are gathered in prayer, some of which for the first time. God has led us down the path for finding physicians and treatment that I need. My boys are loved and prayer for. My hubby has some amazing friends that have helped him through. I am closer to God and my husband than ever before. And for all of that, I will be forever grateful.

After meeting with two surgeons, two radiation oncologists, and one oncologist, I feel confident in who we've chosen to provide care. (And I've learned a whole lot about the importance of being your own best advocate). I'll be at one hospital to see my oncologist, another to receive radiation treatments, and then in Ohio for surgery. (Gotta keep it interesting...) I've received lots of questions and it's so hard to answer all of the messages so here's the scoop...
• I feel great. I've never felt bad. And I do have a family history of cancer. The surgeon said it's probably been slow growing for 5-10 years. What caused me to get a colonoscopy was blood in my stool. (TMI but I've probably had a least 50 people pm me and ask so there ya go...) The GI doc said once you begin having symptoms, it's usually too late. So, go get a colonoscopy! It's easy peasy. You'll wake up and have no idea what happened. ha!
• I began chemo pills (with breakfast and dinner) today. This is not the chemo through a port. Just pills. I'm told I won't lose my hair. So you don't need to stare at my head and try and figure out if it's my hair or a wig - lol. (I've received that question a lot too - and trust me, oh how I wish losing my hair was my biggest concern). There's a chance I might do the heavy duty chemo after surgery but we're crossing that bridge when we get to it. My hairdresser and I have a wig picked out in case that time comes. God has blessed me with a lot of things but I don't think a pretty, symmetrically shaped head is one of them. I will continue the pill for 5.5 weeks along with radiation.
• My first radiation treatment is this afternoon. It only takes 15 minutes per treatment. I'll go daily Monday-Friday for 25 treatments. Because of the location of the tumor the side effects will be pretty crummy. I'm told that the side effects won't start until about 1.5-2 weeks in and then they will continue for a couple of weeks after treatment ends. This is what I'm dreading. This is what wakes me up at night lately. But I have prayed, I have researched, I have talked to people that been through it, and have spoken with several physicians. And it begins today. I met with my new radiation doc Monday and told him about someone whose tumor disappeared after radiation and Xeloda (chemo pill). He said that happens in about 15% of patients. I immediately responded, ok, here's to being that 15%. It didn't occur to me until later that night, that 15% really isn't the best of odds. lol. But, my initial gut response was I'll be in that 15% so let's go! I believe in the power of prayer and God's healing hands so I'm ready.
• I am doing as much naturally and holistically as I can. I've eaten clean, exercised, taken supplements and used essential oils. I have the ok to continue my vitamins and probiotics during treatment. And I'm really trying not to worry about the fact that in a few weeks, I might only be able to tolerate toast... I mean... It is what it is.
•After treatment ends, I will rest and recuperate for 8-10 weeks before surgery. I'm not sure what will happen after that. And to be honest, I have to take on day at a time or I'll go insane. So right now I'm focusing on getting through this treatment and pray that it will kill every cancer cell in my body.
• I put this all out there because I believe strongly in the power of prayer. I believe in God's healing hand. I draw strength from scripture but also from my friends and family. And I'm told that I've inspired others in their faith along my journey. (who knew?!) yes, I've already seen miracles happen. Yes, I'm a very positive person by nature. And yes, this has been tough on myself, my family and my friends. But this is part of my story. I have no idea why I've found myself on this little detour at this point in my life. But I chose to embrace it and find the good in it all. Thank you to everyone that has done that alongside me.
• Specific prayer requests for my prayer warriors:
*Pray that the chemoradiation kills the cancer cells and shrinks that tumor down to nothing
*Pray that I can tolerate side effects, that they are minimal, and that I don't have any long term/permanent side effects from treatment
*Pray that my blood work will remain normal during treatment and more specifically that my white blood cell count stays normal
*Pray for comfort and peace for Eddie and the boys - especially if I become a horrible, grumpy person in the weeks to come. lol
*Pray for God's complete and total healing of this cancer
*Pray for the doctors providing my care
•And please know that I pray constantly that God blesses each of you that say a prayer for me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
xoxo

#Godsgothis #letsgetthispartystarted #fistsupforcori #bringit #bubbyecancer

A Little Update...

I've had some friends ask for updates and specific prayer requests. (Thank you) Eddie and I went to Ohio for an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic. We felt like we should get a second opinion before chemoradiation treatment is supposed to begin. With the help of some good friends, we were able to get in there quickly. We absolutely loved the surgeon. He specializes in the type of surgery I'll need, made us feel very comfortable and had the best bedside manners. He feels confident that he can do the surgery I need. They discussed my case at the tumor board and they weren't thrilled with the quality of the scans done at home to determine whether or not there was lymph node involvement. So I actually made a second trip up there with my mom to get another MRI done. (Which by the way, I'm not a fan of). I never really thought I was claustrophobic until I had my arms strapped to my sides, ear plugs in, and shoved in a teeny, tiny tube for 52 minutes....

So the day after I was told they found a mass, I began writing in this journal. Every day since, I've filled it with Bible verses and things I'm grateful for. I'm determined to find good in each day despite this storm I've found myself in. I know there will be rough days where reading through this will give me strength. This morning I was able to write that I'm grateful that the repeat MRI showed no lymph node involvement! I know there's a chance this could change once they're removed during surgery but today, I'm praising Him for that good news!! Thank you to all of my prayer warriors. And if you don't keep a gratitude journal, I recommend it!

So one day after an appointment, I took a picture of this sign and decided to rename the building... what do you think?!

Oh and one more thing to share... Look what my sweet cousin did! She sent me this card and book along with the t-shirts and wrist bands she's selling on our behalf. How sweet is that?!

Thank you for your continued prayers. We're praying for discernment and guidance as we navigate through treatment and surgery options. Praying that God leads us on the path for complete and total healing for a long and healthy life. 

xoxo

Hitting the Trails

Ahhhh, how I love the great outdoors! I am fortunate to live very close to a mountain with some awesome trails. I've been walking here for awhile and have all kinds of different routes mapped out. It's so peaceful, so calming and a great workout! And the days I hit these trails, I always meet my Fitbit quota for the day!  Today, I was lucky to have this handsome hiking partner with me. And we stopped for a #fistsup selfie. ;)

It's easy to look back on my life and wonder if I could've prevented this cancer diagnosis. My grandma had colon cancer. But she was diagnosed at 74 - not 45! She fought it and passed just about 4 months ago at 95 (not from cancer). So I know if she beat it so can I! I think about all of the times over the years that I didn't exercise consistently, ate processed food, was addicted to sugar and diet sodas, the countless nights I didn't get enough sleep, and the times I would let stress get the better of me. I wish I could go back and change all of that. It's a little embarrassing considering I have my Master's degree in Nutrition! But, life happens. And it's so easy as a mom to put yourself on the back burner and take care of everyone except yourself. (But come on, look at that handsome dude above that I have to show for it....) I'm grateful to be here now and plan to continue my healthy lifestyle. 

I'm thrilled to get the go ahead from my doctors to continue exercising and taking my Plexus supplements. So grateful that last spring I decided to really focus on my health again. My hope is that I can continue to inspire others along their health journey, their faith journey, and in life. I know I plan on cherishing every moment I have!

Happy trails!

God's Thumbprint

I'm back again with more scripture that I've been circling and some good news! Today, I left the Cancer Center humming at the thought that I might only have stage 3 colorectal cancer! Crazy, right?

The MRI's confirmed what the PET scan showed. No cancer in liver, lung or bone!! It did show a lesion on my liver that they're calling a "vessel anomaly." I'm calling it God's thumbprint! it showed a "slightly predominant lymph node" so that can't rule out involvement there just yet. But praying that it's just a reactive lymph node and not indicative of disease. (I stole those terms from my surgeon friend). They won't know for sure about the lymph nodes until after surgery. But, this is still much better than we thought this time last week. I have an appointment with the surgeon tomorrow and radiation therapy on Tuesday to better determine the next steps. But, it looks like we might be back to the chemo pill and radiation for 5-6 weeks, rest for 6-8 weeks and then surgery. God is so good. Praising his healing hand that it is not stage 4! Stage 2 or 3?? Easy Peasy. We've got this.

#Godisgood #ialwaysdidlikerollercoasters #fistsup #bringit #prayerwarriors  #grateful

#fistsupforcori

So apparently we've started a revolution and a hashtag! It all started with that first photo I took to send to my mom the morning we were waiting for my biopsy results. I ended up posting it on Facebook when I shared our news. Then two of my besties on my Plexus team made a video on our team page saying "fists up for Cori" and the rest is history. I wanted to scrapbook some of the photos and posts. The support means more then I can ever put into words. And my hope is if I'm having a rough day, I can look back on these to lift up my spirits. I hope to do this with the sweet texts, cards and gifts I've received as well.

You all encourage me and make me smile in this new season of live. Thank you!! Here's to another week of tests and doctor appointments!

xoxo

Glowing from my PET Scan

Here we are, off to my PET scan. Fists Up. Lipstick on at 6 am - I am so my grandma's granddaughter...

And this was the first text I see after I finished my scan. A sweet friend that works at the boys' school sent it to me. Tears. So glad she sent this to me. 

This just warms my heart. :)

This Bible verse. It's never resonated with me more than it has this last week. The number of friends, family and people that I've never even met that have come together in prayer for me and my family is amazing. It is blessing me more than I can put into words. Eddie and I got tot he imaging center about 7 am this morning. After I was injected with the radioactive sugar stuff, I had to sit quietly in a room my myself (under a nice heated blanket) for 45 minutes. And then the scans and machine took about 20-25 minutes. That was a great opportunity for a lot of prayer time. Do you know what I saw when I closed my eyes? I saw Jesus standing in the first room with me. And then during the scan, I saw Jesus with his hands on the PET scan machine. Vividly. After the test, I had so many messages that people were praying for me. I just cannot describe it all. It's been a roller coaster of emotions for sure but the love and support has been constant. And I will be forever grateful.

So, we did get the PET scan results this afternoon. The surgeon said that the original spot on my colon lit up which indicates cancer cells. But the liver, bone and lungs DID NOT! He said he thought for sure the liver would light up after seeing the CT scan results and really cannot explain why it did not. (Um, I have an idea). He said this was definitely good news but we're not out of the woods yet. There's still a chance the cancer has reached the lymph nodes and spread to these organs. We are moving forward with the rectal ultrasound tomorrow (Happy Birthday to me) and now he wants to do an MRI of the abdomen and pelvis to take a closer look at the liver and spine. But, based on the PET scan, it is possible those are benign lesions. We are rejoicing that this little bit of good news today is God's healing hand at work. The ultrasound is at 1:30. We appreciate and are humbled by your continued prayers.

#fistsup #ibelieveinmiracles #bringit# powerofprayer #blessed #lovemyprayerwarriors

Happy Birthday - You Have Cancer

On August 29th, I had my first colonoscopy done. I was having some issues and with a family history of colon cancer, I figured I better get it checked out. My sweet mom took me to have my procedure done as my hubby was working out of town. I will never forget hearing those words as soon as I woke up after the procedure. "We found a mass." I will also never forget looking over at my mom and the seeing the look on her face. Deep down I had a feeling it was cancer. But I put on a brave face while we waited and waited for the results.

The photo above is one I sent to my mom, dad and high school pff's this morning along with the text: "Ready for whatever God brings my way." Waiting for the biopsy results from the colonoscopy was not easy. It was a long holiday weekend and that didn't help matters. My hubby stayed home today in case we got the results. Unfortunately, they were not what we had hoped. Together, we made the decision to share this news and our journey. So we are calling all of our prayer warriors. Yep, 10 days before my 46th birthday I'm told that I have colorectal cancer. We don't know what stage or anything else yet but asking for BIG prayers. Whatever these next tests show us, we are armed and ready. We have a mighty God who will fight for us, family and friends that love us, an amazing Plexus team that has my back, and the mindset to face the fight and beat this.

Let's do this!