Hi friends and followers!  
The summer is blazing onward and here we are in the month of August. 

 

This July, after 20 years of living in Nashville, TN, my son chose to pack up and move to Tulsa.  What a sweet blessing to have him near during my journey with cancer.  My daughter and 4 grandchildren traveled all the way from Alexandria, VA to also visit during the month of July.  What a sweet, precious gift and blessing to me to have them all together in one place!! 

 

I’m continuing my peptide therapy and have just started round 4.  I’m faithfully taking my many anticancer supplements and meds. with an increase dosage in one of the meds.  Along with that I do intermittent fasting, infrared sauna therapy, remaining faithful to my renal (kidney) and cancer diets, exercise and am soon to be starting hyperbaric O2 therapy (HBOT).   
Per some lab results, my doctor suggested that I get an at home sleep study test to check for sleep apnea issues. 

Through all these therapies, supplements and meds. my renal labs are remaining stable in stage 4.  That’s a real blessing and praise for me! 

My recent tumor marker lab tests were within acceptable range with the exception of one which was elevated to 735.0.  The acceptable range for that one is 0 - 96.9.  This was the first time having these markers done so I now have a baseline for a repeat of labs in 6 weeks.

 

I continue to move forward keeping active in life and diligently working at keeping my focus and trust in Jesus.  Daily prayer, praise and surrender to God’s Will is a GREAT reminder that He who does not slumber nor sleep is ALWAYS in full control and continually working for my good.    Romans 8:28 

To pick back up from update #7 on my kidney journey… I was now on a renal diet which consisted of foods low in protein, sodium, potassium and phosphorous.   I continually tweaked my diet the more research I did.  I took this diet very seriously because my “why” was not just wanting to see my 2 children grow into adulthood but I also wanted to be available for their needs through their growing years.  

I saw my nephrologist (kidney doctor) yearly and maintained the discipline of my diet and benefited from my renal numbers remaining stable.  However, as one ages so do the kidneys as do other organs, and so it’s normal for decline to happen, especially if the organ is already weakened by disease or injury.  My kidneys did decline but only by 12 points in a 17 year period. 

 

So, speaking from experience, HEALTHY FOOD CHOICES REALLY MATTER and can have a positive effect on one’s health!!  Discipline is a DAILY CHOICE, and although it IS NOT easy or fun, there is great REWARD awaiting!!    My two children have grown well into adulthood and I also have the incredible blessing of knowing and loving 4 grandchildren.  

Find and choose your “why” and then STAY TRUE to it! 

 

I always want people to know that I first give credit to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for directing and helping me to stay faithful to my “why” and therefore my renal diet which is now ongoing at 26 years. 

 

Moving on… in late 2015 my PCP decided to change my thyroid medication.   Over a 3 month period, in response to labs, she increased the dosage 3 times.  In late January of 2016 I made a visit to the ER because of a very irregular heart beat.  Fortunately there was no pain or shortness of breath.  I was instantly diagnosed with AFib.  At first they tried converting my heart back to a regular sinus rhythm with medication but when that did not work they decided to use cardioversion.  That’s where they administer electric shock in order to restore the heart back to a normal sinus rhythm.  Thankfully my heart responded well.   I was given the name of a cardiologist and encouraged to make an appointment and was sent home.  

My first visit resulted in me starting a cardiac med. 

Two weeks later I had another episode of AFib.  Another trip to the ER and another cardioversion corrected the arrhythmia (irregular heart rhythm).    My second visit to the cardiologist resulted in a few diagnostic procedures, an additional heart med and the wearing of a Holter monitor for 10 days.  
He stated that the reason for the AFib was because my thyroid level was too high.   I saw my endocrinologist soon after and he too said that my thyroid numbers were way too high and caused the AFib. 
He adjusted my thyroid medication and I’ve been doing well since.
 

I do continue to visit my cardiologist every 6 mons. because with chronic kidney disease comes cardiovascular disease.
 

Because of the 2 episodes of AFib my kidneys took a hit and I dropped into stage 4 of renal disease. 
I continue to see my nephrologist every 6 months now.  Since 2016  my kidneys continue to remain stable in mid stage 4.  I am faithful to remain on my renal diet and in May of 2023 added a cancer diet.
 

Regarding my diagnosis of carcinosarcoma, I was not given any assurance that chemo would be completely effective at stopping this type of cancer but I was given the assurance that chemo would kill my kidneys.  The oncologist assured me though that I could at least fall back on dialysis, for the rest of my life.  

After much prayer and seeking the Lord for peace and wisdom regarding direction, I chose to keep my kidneys and the quality of my life which enables me to serve the Lord for as long as His chosen date and time permits.   

So far I have surpassed the first time frame of life given to me and now I’m in the middle of the second time frame choosing to be grateful for and trusting Him with my days!! 

THANK YOU for taking the time to journey with me through my story.   

I am MOST GRATEFUL for the many of you who have contributed and continue to contribute by prayer and or through financial giving.  Both enable me to continue on with courage, strength, perseverance and discipline in my daily journey. 

 

I will update next after I get my PET scan in September. 

 

Blessings to all, 

Lorrie