Cristal's Update

I know...it's been a while, but I'm back to give you a glimpse of hope, something that was gift wrapped from God, the universe, the sun, all the light that collectively, we possess.

Flashback several weeks ago. Every time we've received good news, it usually followed with the words, but, however, also, as well, just things that have taken away from good news. It's been one step forward, three steps sideways. Remember how I kept mentioning in my updates that Cristal would feel numbness or have strange symptoms after the surgery? Well after seeing just about every other doctor, we landed in the neurologist's office.

When Cristal had an MRI of her brain to make sure that her triple negative cancer didn't travel there, they found something else so we were referred to a neurologist by Cristal's oncologist. They realized that her brain wasn't evenly distributing her spinal fluid. There are these four ventricles, there like these pockets that drain spinal fluid into one another. Well the third ventricle seems to be pinching off. The first ventricle was unusually bigger. It's a condition called Hydrocephalus. It can be serious and corrected with surgery followed by more surgeries later on. After careful consideration, the doctor communicated that it seemed Cristal's brain had compensated for this issue. So he hypothesized that she was born with this condition.  Since they don't have any other MRI's to compare, he will subject her to another scan in three months, but he was sure she wouldn't need a shunt put in.

So back to the present...

Cristal's oncologist said that she's CANCER FREE!!!!! Yes, I said it, cancer free without additional news although she is still undergoing radiation. She's had six weeks of treatment and probably about ten more days to go. She's just started her boost treatments which is a higher concentration of radiation to problem areas. Her skin is really dark purple and red. She was fine for a while but she's really feeling the burning, swelling and itching associated with radiation. We still do lymphatic massage, range of motion exercises and we are tired, emotionally exhausted and exhilarated, nonetheless, we are thankful to God and Santa. We're having a kick ass Christmas aka Crismas!!! I am singing at the top of my lungs with the GLEE cast singing background. So we are almost at the finish line.

At the end of the year, I always reflect, almost with a slight regret that another year is ending and that I must let go and start over. Not this year! I am sprinting forward and I'm not looking back, at least not for another year. I don't want to feel what we've gone through. I just want to embrace this feeling, this high that there is life and love, and miracles bigger than you,than me than all of us.

I hope this Christmas gives you an extra something beautiful because no matter what you've been through, no matter how much you suffered, lost or gained there is change and room for pure goodness. I love you all. Thank you for caring and Happy Friggin' New Year!!!!

Love,
Amber

Now Back to wrapping presents. =)