In our first post, when we first found out what was going on, I mentioned that there maybe would have to be some chemo that was done. The reason for this is that once you get the molar pregnancy out, there is still a possibility where there are still some cells in there that are multiplying and spreading which pretty much means you now have cancer. So after my procedure they told me that they were going to check my HCG levels weekly to make sure they were going down. If they ever plateaued or went up then we would know that there was still something in there that needed to be taken care of and this is where the chemo would take place.
My HCG levels started going down drastically in the beginning. The day of the procedure they were around 500,000. A few days later they were 44,000 and then the weeks after that they were as follows, 11,000 10,000, 11450. So when I saw that they only dropped from 11,000 to 10,000 both Mike and I were a little worried, but they said that they at least dropped so that was ok and they wanted me to get my blood drawn the next week to see if they would drop or not. Well as you can see they actually went up that next week. I am able to see all my labs that are drawn online before the Drs office even calls me which is great, but I was looking every 15 mins that day to see if they had dropped. When I saw the results I kind of felt like, "Of course they would go up, this is how my life is right now, one bad thing after the other". It sucked knowing I was going to have to do chemo and I felt like this process was just going to be even longer and was going to be drug out.
Later that day my OB called and pretty much said my levels have gone up, that he had already talked to Dr Soisson (the GYN oncologist) I would be seeing him soon and I will also be having a CT scan tomorrow to see if the cells have spread at all. I was kind of in shock at how quickly everything was going to be moving, but at the same time I was SO grateful they were being efficient and getting things taken care of. The next day I got my CT scan and the day after I was in seeing Dr Soisson.
The visit with Dr. Soisson went so well! We really like him. He is kind of a scatter brain but its because his brain is literally going 100 mph. You can tell he is very smart. He walked in the room and said "Amy I finally get to meet you, Ive heard all about you for so long". This is true! When we found out about the situation going on Dr. Soisson was contacted and I was supposed to meet with him the day of my procedure. So he was informed the whole time of my situation. When he heard my levels went up he told my OB he was not surprised because of how long the Mole was in there and how big it was he was not surprised that my HCG levels went up. He went over everything with us and told us what needed to happen. He first told us that the cells have not spread outside of my uterus which is really great news! He then told us that I would need to be started on chemo right away. The Chemo that they will be giving me is called methotrexate. This medication is very mild. I will not get sick from it or lose my hair. The only thing that could really happen is that my hair can start to thin. He said that what I have is called Gestational trophoblastic disease. This "disease" is very treatable, like pretty much 100% treatable. My chances of this happening again have gone up to a 1% chance, where before the chances of this happening was a .001% chance. So you know...the chance is low but it is still higher than it was.
I then received my first round of the chemo medication. They are administering the medication via injection. So I get to get a great big shot in my bum for the next 8 weeks. So I got one shot and have 7 more to go! And I have felt great and fine and have had no symptoms from the chemo. One thing that we were told and also why I felt like things were just going to be drug out, is if I had to do the chemo then we would have to wait a year after my levels hit 0 to start trying to get pregnant again. A year really doesn't seem that long especially when your looking at your whole life, but a year just waiting to try and have another baby felt like torture to me and it really just felt like a really long time. Dr Soisson informed us that when my levels hit 0 they will need to stay at zero for 3 months and then we can start trying to get pregnant again. This was probably the best news for us. He says that the whole waiting a year thing was old research and old news, that all we need to do was wait 3 months. Things are finally starting to look up and we are feeling really optimistic and positive about the future.
This whole experience has been rough to be honest. It has been a learning and growing experience for sure. There are days that are harder then others. Days where I miss our little guy in my belly. But there are more good days then bad. Both of us are reminded every single day that it is all going to be OK. The number of times we have felt our little guys spirit with us is uncountable. I KNOW he is with us and surrounds us everyday and I know that we will see him again. I know that we have a Heavenly Father who loves us and really wants what is best for us. It will always be OK. It will always work out! I have never been so grateful for my faith. I do not know how people get through trials without our heavenly father. The only way we are making it through and doing so well is by many, many prayers the support of our friends and family and having each other. Trials really just suck, but they have to happen. We have to grow and we have to learn. We may never understand why this had to happen to us, but we know it had to and we know it will all be OK. It doesn't make it easy but it makes it bearable. One of my favorite quotes that my mother in law shared with us by Joseph B Wirthlin is,
"The Lord compensates the faithful for every loss. That which is taken away from those who love the Lord will be added unto them in His own way. While it may not come at the time we desire, the faithful will know that every tear today will eventually be returned a hundredfold with tears of rejoicing and gratitude."
I believe this very much! I know that God is good and has a reason for everything. He never leaves our side and will always bless us more than we can ever imagine!
This is all that is going on right now! We are just healing from all that has happened and trying to stay positive. Just waiting for these levels to drop! We are grateful for all of you! We are so grateful for the many kind words and the many prayers in our behalf. Thank you so much!! We love you!
Mike & Amy
Later that day my OB called and pretty much said my levels have gone up, that he had already talked to Dr Soisson (the GYN oncologist) I would be seeing him soon and I will also be having a CT scan tomorrow to see if the cells have spread at all. I was kind of in shock at how quickly everything was going to be moving, but at the same time I was SO grateful they were being efficient and getting things taken care of. The next day I got my CT scan and the day after I was in seeing Dr Soisson.
The visit with Dr. Soisson went so well! We really like him. He is kind of a scatter brain but its because his brain is literally going 100 mph. You can tell he is very smart. He walked in the room and said "Amy I finally get to meet you, Ive heard all about you for so long". This is true! When we found out about the situation going on Dr. Soisson was contacted and I was supposed to meet with him the day of my procedure. So he was informed the whole time of my situation. When he heard my levels went up he told my OB he was not surprised because of how long the Mole was in there and how big it was he was not surprised that my HCG levels went up. He went over everything with us and told us what needed to happen. He first told us that the cells have not spread outside of my uterus which is really great news! He then told us that I would need to be started on chemo right away. The Chemo that they will be giving me is called methotrexate. This medication is very mild. I will not get sick from it or lose my hair. The only thing that could really happen is that my hair can start to thin. He said that what I have is called Gestational trophoblastic disease. This "disease" is very treatable, like pretty much 100% treatable. My chances of this happening again have gone up to a 1% chance, where before the chances of this happening was a .001% chance. So you know...the chance is low but it is still higher than it was.
I then received my first round of the chemo medication. They are administering the medication via injection. So I get to get a great big shot in my bum for the next 8 weeks. So I got one shot and have 7 more to go! And I have felt great and fine and have had no symptoms from the chemo. One thing that we were told and also why I felt like things were just going to be drug out, is if I had to do the chemo then we would have to wait a year after my levels hit 0 to start trying to get pregnant again. A year really doesn't seem that long especially when your looking at your whole life, but a year just waiting to try and have another baby felt like torture to me and it really just felt like a really long time. Dr Soisson informed us that when my levels hit 0 they will need to stay at zero for 3 months and then we can start trying to get pregnant again. This was probably the best news for us. He says that the whole waiting a year thing was old research and old news, that all we need to do was wait 3 months. Things are finally starting to look up and we are feeling really optimistic and positive about the future.
This whole experience has been rough to be honest. It has been a learning and growing experience for sure. There are days that are harder then others. Days where I miss our little guy in my belly. But there are more good days then bad. Both of us are reminded every single day that it is all going to be OK. The number of times we have felt our little guys spirit with us is uncountable. I KNOW he is with us and surrounds us everyday and I know that we will see him again. I know that we have a Heavenly Father who loves us and really wants what is best for us. It will always be OK. It will always work out! I have never been so grateful for my faith. I do not know how people get through trials without our heavenly father. The only way we are making it through and doing so well is by many, many prayers the support of our friends and family and having each other. Trials really just suck, but they have to happen. We have to grow and we have to learn. We may never understand why this had to happen to us, but we know it had to and we know it will all be OK. It doesn't make it easy but it makes it bearable. One of my favorite quotes that my mother in law shared with us by Joseph B Wirthlin is,
"The Lord compensates the faithful for every loss. That which is taken away from those who love the Lord will be added unto them in His own way. While it may not come at the time we desire, the faithful will know that every tear today will eventually be returned a hundredfold with tears of rejoicing and gratitude."
I believe this very much! I know that God is good and has a reason for everything. He never leaves our side and will always bless us more than we can ever imagine!
This is all that is going on right now! We are just healing from all that has happened and trying to stay positive. Just waiting for these levels to drop! We are grateful for all of you! We are so grateful for the many kind words and the many prayers in our behalf. Thank you so much!! We love you!
Mike & Amy
