Wednesday, March 28, 2007

“The Hillbillies” Are Up, But “The Girls” Are Going Down

Tisha made it through her first round of chemo. She spent most of the day at the chemo center doing blood work, meeting with the oncologist, waiting, and getting chemo. And so far she feels fine – no sickness. She met a nurse who was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was 28 and is cancer free at 34.
They found another surprise today. Her “Hillbillies” are up. They aren’t really called hillbillies but the scientific name is too hard to remember and it sounds like hillbilly, so in true Metisha spirit, we are calling them hillbillies. The hillbillies are some count in her blood that indicates her liver is not filtering properly. The nurse said it can be related to a liver disorder. So now she has another “photo shoot” (ultra sound) scheduled for Friday to determine why the hillbillies are up. Yes, we are now referring to cat scans, MRIs, ultrasounds, etc, as photo shoots. Metisha has been scheduled for a lot of photo shoots so we decided her organs must photograph beautifully!
Tisha was supposed to receive three different types of chemo; two to attack the breast cancer and one specifically for the liver cancer spot. But the oncologist decided to not give her the liver chemo because of the hillbillies. If the high hillbillies are due to a liver disorder, the third type of could be more dangerous to her liver so the oncologist may have to choose a different type of chemo. He also decided to wait three weeks between chemo treatments.
The oncologist told Metisha it is time for “the girls” to go down for a while. The girls are her ovaries. Her cancer is strongly feed by hormones, so they will give her a shot tomorrow and then every three months to shut down her ovaries. In other words, the shot will put her in a temporary state of menopause. When I talked with Tisha today, she just laughed and said, “so now I’ll be bald and growing a beard!”
Once again we’ve been assured that God led Metisha to the right doctors. She had more people tell her today that her surgeon is the best breast cancer surgeon and her oncologist was nothing but upbeat and positive. He also told her he has been in contact with leading liver cancer doctors and they have discussed her case and agreed on the chemo plan. And all the nurses today were upbeat and positive and tried to make the chemo process as comfortable as possible. They even told her she can order in pizza during her treatments! We know God has put Metisha in His best healing hands and we know God will heal her!

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

"You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, "I lived through this. I can take the next thing that comes along." You must do the things you think you cannot do!

Eleanor Roosevelt

Thinking of you!
Jill (Kliewer) McGraw

Sue Dippel Diel said...

Hello Metisha!
I just heard about the challenges you are facing at this time, and I just want you to know that I will be praying for you and Mark. After reading this blog, it is wonderful to see your sense of humor shining through and your incredible strength of character. What an inspiration you are to all of us!
When you were in my classes at NWOSU, I remember you as the girl with lots of talent, determination, and a beautiful smile. It sounds like you are still that same delightful person.
A very wise man once told me that we should never view a bad situation as a problem but view it as a challenge. A challenge is something that you can meet head-on and defeat! It looks like you are doing exactly that!
You go, girl! I will always be cheering you on!

Dr. Sue Diel
Professor of Education
Friends University
Wichita, Kansas

Keli said...

I am thinking of you. You can beat this. Your in my prayers.
Keli

Anonymous said...

HEY GIRL!,

i just received word of your challenges you are facing right now. I will be keeping you in my thoughts as you attack this head on just like everything that is put before you.

Regardless if it was on the court or off at NWOSU, you always had a smile and great sense of humor. i see that it is still there. Keep fighting and i will pray for you.

marlena elliott (johnson)

Anonymous said...

She sounds wonderful. I'm so happy to know her...well, know her on the big internet world LOL I'm sending her an email now. But you and this blog will be an encouragement to many people as she goes through this. Her spirit is strong, she's going to be just fine! Praying for her!

Anonymous said...

Hi Metisha!
That cancer is fighting a losing battle as far as I am concerned. I have seen and experienced your fighting spirit after enduring more than my fair share of beatings on the basketball court from you. Your strength and spirit is a wonderful testimony to all who know you!

You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Be encouraged that the Lord will never forsake one of His children. He will always be right there with you carrying you through the challenges.

Fight on my friend, you have a gym full of fans cheering you on.

Peace to you,
Stephanie Liebl