It’s been forever since I made a post here.  A lot has changed.  Jason and I are getting ready to celebrate our one year anniversary in Tampa, FL.  Two months ago we decided to leave the pollen and ragweed covered suburbs of the midwest and move to downtown Tampa.  We found new job opportunities that are both extremely challenging and rewarding.  The weather is beautiful and we are focusing on our health more than ever.

I went today for my eight year cancer check up. My remission date is actually May 19th but my appointments are usually scheduled in either February or March.

I started the day off with a CT scan of the neck, chest, abdomen and pelvis. I was also participating in a research study where they were testing a new contrast that you drink. It was surprisingly much better than the white chalky type used years ago last time I had to drink it. Additionally, I am super impressed with the new CT equipment. A complete scan like this would have taken over an hour years ago and I was done in 5-10 minutes. It took longer to drink the contrast and get hooked up to the IV dye (for which I had to be pre-medicated with prednisone since it gave me hives once). The CT scan revealed no recurrence of Hodgkin’s Disease which is GREAT! It did find a 3mm node on my right lobe (lung) that they will check again next year. My oncologist is not worried as she said it could have been between “cuts” meaning where they actually slice and dice the images on the CT films. So we are going to have another low dose CT of that area again next year.

Had the blood work and didn’t hear anything about that. I assume they will call if they need anything. They got me in one stick which is always a plus. However the vein blew up really big under my skin and I have a really pretty bruise.

The mammogram was again a hassle because I’m so young. I don’t know why my doctor can’t send down permanent orders saying it’s okay for me to get one once a year. This took an additional 15 minutes and then the wait time was pretty long after I got changed so I took a little nap. The actual test was not as painful as I had remembered it being the first time. I will get the results in 14 days.

We are also going to do a digital breast MRI as the American Cancer Society and (now approved by the FDA) are recommending that digital MRIs be done for females who were treated with high-dose radiation for Hodgkin’s Disease when they were 15-35 years old. So I fit that profile exactly. We are going to wait until I get the mammogram report to schedule that.

So a great day! Jason spent the whole day with me and while we waiting for blood work we got to decorate some tiles that are going on a wall in the Siteman Cancer Center. I put the Relay For Life logo on mine.

I had the privilege to be on News Channel 5 KSDK this afternoon and be interviewed about my diagnosis and the trivia night we are having on Saturday. Click on the Press and Media link to the right to view the interview.

See our wedding album online!!! http://www.chriscroy.com/myalbum/Amanda-and-Jason-wedding/index.html

The wedding was fantastic!  Absolutely perfect!  View our online album at Chris Croy’s website http://www.chriscroy.com/myalbum/Amanda-and-Jason-wedding/index.html

Also if you are interested in learning more about the vendors we used go to http://duggerwedding.weddingannouncer.com/

Wow…I am so very honored to be part of the Hero of Hope program for the American Cancer Society High Plains division.  I was in Dallas this weekend attending the Relay Summit and additional training for Heroes of Hope.  I was able to get to know our class of 2008 Heroes better, and might I say we are an amazing group of cancer survivors.  I am truly humbled to be part of this group.  Be sure to check out the Hero of Hope and Why Support ACS links I just added last night during my 8 hour DFW airport stay. New photos have been added as well. 

I have been traveling quite a bit lately.  I went to Miami for a meeting two weeks ago, Alaska for a trade show last week and then drove to Mississippi for my second bridal shower in my fiance’s home town.  This weekend I will be traveling to Dallas for the ACS Division Relay Summit.  They will have a nice ceremony to honor all the High Plains Division Heros of Hope.