The word Cancer is always a tough thing to hear

Cancer is always a tough thing to hear isn’t it? I hoped I would never have to hear that word. If you have followed me over the years, you may remember when I shared about my brother that passed away from colon cancer at 48. This disease called cancer is the word that everyone everywhere never wants to hear. Well my sweet friends I have decided to share the type of cancer that has been going on in my life recently.

Subungual Melanoma Cancer

I recently was diagnosed with a rare cancer in my pinky finger. It is melanoma but it is called subungual nail cancer. it is a fast growing cancer and one you may not have heard of. I certainly had not.

It can begin as a stripe on your fingernail. I had what looked like dark pigmentation right at the tip of finger and thought that was weird but didn’t give it much thought. I had this for years.

Then I got fake nails this last year and I noticed a darker area right under the tip of the nail. I thought it was a wart. I tried home remedies from soaking my nail in hydrogen peroxide for 10 minutes a day, wearing duct tape over the area, wart remover stuff and natural oils.

It wasn’t going away.

Going to the Dermatologist

After I took off my fake nails I noticed a darkening area over my nail. I thought it was just bruised after taking off the nails. Luckily we had an appointment to see our dermatologist within a few weeks. The minute he looked at my finger he just went hmmm.

I knew what that meant.

I immediately asked is this cancer? He said, “I don’t know but we need to do a biopsy”.

The Doctor did and sure enough it came back melanoma. He said, “I am sorry for the bad news” then he told me a little about the cancer and that I would need to see a cancer surgeon.

Scary Type of Cancer

As I studied about this type of melanoma I became really scared and thought this can’t be happening.

Who ever heard of finger cancer?!

The dermatologist immediately sent a request to Huntsman cancer Institute. About 2 weeks later we met with an oncologist surgeon who told me that he might have to amputate my finger.

Really?

The whole finger?

But if that is what has to be done then I guess that is what we have to do. He said first we need to do a ultrasound to see if you lymph nodes look suspicious. Luckily they got me in that same day.

Great news no suspicious looking lymph nodes.

I thought hurray I am in the clear….. well, not exactly…. but still a wonderful miracle!

More Tests For Cancer

My next test will be the day before my surgery. They call it a Lymphoscintigraphy. It is is a nuclear medicine imaging technique that uses radiotracers to map the lymphatic system. It is used to evaluate malignancies like breast cancer and melanoma. They will shoot the dye into my finger, then it will go throughout my lymph system to see if my lymph nodes show cancer. If there is a sign of cancer in the lymph nodes they will remove them during the amputation surgery and dissect them to see if cancer has spread.

If it has, then we will need more testing to see if it is in my lungs or brain.

I will most likely have to do immunotherapy for a year every 6 weeks. It is not as hard on you as chemotherapy which is another sweet miracle.

Staying Hopeful

Other great pieces of news besides a good result from the ultrasound is that from the original small biopsy it is not very deep and hasn’t gone past the epidermis. That is really good news and a miracle!

I was emailing with my surgeons nurse back and forth about the amputation because what I have read is that they don’t take the whole finger as much any more. The nurse checked with surgeon and he said, “at this point they are planning on only taking the tip to the first knuckle”!

That is another miracle!

Trusting the Lord Jesus Christ

Throughout this journey everyone has been so kind and loving towards me. So many have kept me in their prayers and that means so much to me. At first I was absolutely freaking out and depressed but then I chose to rely on the Lord Jesus Christ and trust in His plan. I have felt peaceful, calm and willing to trust even when I don’t know the whole outcome.

Photo: The church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

So many sweet and tender miracles have taken place and I am overwhelmed with how much the Lord hears and answers our prayers. I cannot deny the power of prayer and reading scriptures. The only way I know how to communicate with Heavenly Father is to pray and they way He communicates back to me is through the Holy Ghost. It could be something I read in the scriptures, a still small voice whispering to me, talking with family and friends and something said really calms me.

He is there and wants to help me feel peace.

Doubt Not Fear Not

Here is the perfect way to express what faith is from The church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints–

Having faith in Jesus Christ means relying completely on Him—trusting in His infinite power, intelligence, and love. It includes believing His teachings. It means believing that even though we do not understand all things, He does. Because He has experienced all our pains, afflictions, and infirmities, He knows how to help us rise above our daily difficulties.⁴ He has “overcome the world”⁵ and prepared the way for us to receive eternal life. He is always ready to help us as we remember His plea: “Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.”

Continuing on this Cancer journey

Physically I feel great! I am continuing to stay active, we walk around the lake, bike ride and swim. Spending time with the family is always a pleasure and of course blogging. It keeps my mind busy and I love to share all the fun things going on here at the Kottage. I am not in any pain nor do I have any symptoms of having cancer. I feel so blessed.

As I continue on this cancer journey I will do my best to keep you updated. I am planning on continuing to provide all kinds of inspiring things here on Karins Kottage. Whether it is a yummy recipe, fashion tips for us gals over 50 (really over 60), decorating ideas, holiday party ideas, travel adventures and of course tablescapes.

After my surgery on Oct 16th we will see how I do without the tip of my pinky finger. Typing will take me a bit longer but hey I should get a 10% discount on manicures haha. My friends and family are keeping me laughing with funny ideas.

A farewell to my pinky party, One of my son in laws wants me to keep the finger tip for Halloween in jar with formaldehyde (No thanks) Some want to get me a plastic witch finger or a long plastic fingernail tip to put over my missing tip.

One friend just brought me best cookies….green witch finger cookies! So funny and fun!

Well my friends onward and upward taking each day at a time. Thank you for your love, thoughts and prayers on my behalf it means the world to me.

Hugs, Karin 🙂