I had my appt. with my oncologist last Friday. He described my condition as "stable." Not what I really wanted to hear.....the tumors are about the same and no new ones have developed. I am back on chemo- 2 more weeks on, off a week, 3 more weeks, then ?.... On Thur. Denise and I are going to see my dr. at Rush who I saw last in April. I just want to make sure they are not missing anything or maybe there is a new drug out there with less side effects. Being tired, nauseous and lathargic were my major issues this weekend and today.
I was fortunate that I got to see my friend Kim from AZ for a couple hours this Sunday. She and George, her husband, came in to see George's mom and family. It is so hard to say goodbye after I see her. She is the one who started this blog and made all the wristbands. If you haven't gotten a wristband- they are going fast and I only have a few left. If I fail to give you one, I apologize! I have chemo brain and the papers to prove it....
Keep on prayin'
xoxo,
HTFM
Monday, August 30, 2010
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Semi-Normal Week
That's right- a semi normal week- and I have been doing so much I haven't had time to blog!!
Today Denise and I went to see the Tall Ships at Navy Pier. We had a wonderful boat ride on one of the largest ships "The Windy." It was an absolute beautiful day- it almost made me cry.
Tomorrow I get the results of the Cat Scan and the MRI I had done. So far, I have had 18 chemo appointments. It would be a miracle if the tumors had totally disappeared- but I know this is not possible. I feel like I will have to continue with chemo for a while longer. The neuropathy in my feet has worsened a little, but I don't have it in my hands, yet. I will post the results on the blog- if I can understand what the dr. says. Sometimes he talks in a roundabout way..... and doesn't answer the questions I have. There may be no real answers- as what I am going through is so individualized.
xoxo,
HTFM
Today Denise and I went to see the Tall Ships at Navy Pier. We had a wonderful boat ride on one of the largest ships "The Windy." It was an absolute beautiful day- it almost made me cry.
Tomorrow I get the results of the Cat Scan and the MRI I had done. So far, I have had 18 chemo appointments. It would be a miracle if the tumors had totally disappeared- but I know this is not possible. I feel like I will have to continue with chemo for a while longer. The neuropathy in my feet has worsened a little, but I don't have it in my hands, yet. I will post the results on the blog- if I can understand what the dr. says. Sometimes he talks in a roundabout way..... and doesn't answer the questions I have. There may be no real answers- as what I am going through is so individualized.
xoxo,
HTFM
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Looking forward to no Chemo
Thanks right- I am off chemo this week. On Friday I have a CAT scan, Monday I have an MRI, Fri. the 27th I see my doctor for the results and then Sept. 2nd I have an appointment at Rush with Dr. Lincoln.
There has been some news discussion about the drug Avastin that I am on every other treatment. The FDA may take away its approval as they feel the drug does not have enough proof that the benefits outweigh the side effects and costs. . Should this happen- the ins. companies won't cover it and this drug costs about $100,000/year. This drug does cause me to have alot of nose bleeds, but the premise is that the drug shuts off blood supply to the tumors. We shall see.
I am having quite a bit of neuropathy in my feet and some in my calves. This is a side effect of the Taxol that I am on. It is also the drug that causes hair loss- but shrinks the tumors. I have been a little unsteady on my feet at times- esp. if I have been on my feet all day. The dr. needs to monitor this as the neuropathy can become permanent. Anyone know any cures for neuropathy? . My friend Karen sent some peppermint lotion and moisturizing footies. I will try this tonight. My little friend Shea made me a pink, purple, and white braided band to use as a bracelet- maybe I can use it as a ankle bracelet and all the love she put in to it will help my tired dogs....
Tyler starts High School next Wed. My Baby!!!!! He has had double football practices- yet loves going. I have lucked out a little as the other Mom prefers to drive the mornings at 6:45 am- when she can in our carpool. I think I have to get up early Th and Fr. I am so not ready to get up at 5:45 when he starts school. I love to sleep in and Mollie Jo is starting to like it, too!
Keep shaking those rosary beads, bang the gong, pray to the east- whatever ya got- for good results on my tests.
xoxo,
HTFM
There has been some news discussion about the drug Avastin that I am on every other treatment. The FDA may take away its approval as they feel the drug does not have enough proof that the benefits outweigh the side effects and costs. . Should this happen- the ins. companies won't cover it and this drug costs about $100,000/year. This drug does cause me to have alot of nose bleeds, but the premise is that the drug shuts off blood supply to the tumors. We shall see.
I am having quite a bit of neuropathy in my feet and some in my calves. This is a side effect of the Taxol that I am on. It is also the drug that causes hair loss- but shrinks the tumors. I have been a little unsteady on my feet at times- esp. if I have been on my feet all day. The dr. needs to monitor this as the neuropathy can become permanent. Anyone know any cures for neuropathy? . My friend Karen sent some peppermint lotion and moisturizing footies. I will try this tonight. My little friend Shea made me a pink, purple, and white braided band to use as a bracelet- maybe I can use it as a ankle bracelet and all the love she put in to it will help my tired dogs....
Tyler starts High School next Wed. My Baby!!!!! He has had double football practices- yet loves going. I have lucked out a little as the other Mom prefers to drive the mornings at 6:45 am- when she can in our carpool. I think I have to get up early Th and Fr. I am so not ready to get up at 5:45 when he starts school. I love to sleep in and Mollie Jo is starting to like it, too!
Keep shaking those rosary beads, bang the gong, pray to the east- whatever ya got- for good results on my tests.
xoxo,
HTFM
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Feelin' All Righty
When I just have 3 days of feeling ok- I tend to get in as much as I can and I tend to over do it. Wasn't too exciting- Polish Cleaning Day- me being Polish and the one cleaning...
Yesterday a former student invited me and 2 other COD people out to lunch. I have worked with her for 3 years and it is hard to say goodby! It was really nice to have a student buy me lunch!
Thanks to Lisa C. for a delicious meal on Monday. I can't believe that there are still people out there who make homemade pies- including the crust! Lisa made these wonderful chicken enchiladas, homemade salsa and this incredible chocolate pie.
the pie was hard to hide from the boys as the pie needed to be refrigerated. However, I did hide the pink m and m's that Tia and Shea brought over- yep- PINK M & M's!!!! Tia aslo brought over her homemade chicken soup (also good for the soul)great bread and cookies I couldn't hide- but did divide so everyone gets their fair share. Shea made me the sweetest pink, purple and white braided bracelet- I am all set with my M & M's for Friday- chemo factory day.
Miss Molly Jo is still a pickle and still has not decided that she wants to be potty trained. Yes- she is so aware of what to do and almost makes a game out of going potty inside at times. We have our last session of puppy kindergarten tomorrow, a couple weeks off then we graduate to continuing puppy class.
Tomorrow Jean-Marie and I are going to visit resale shops to get ideas for her shop. She is still negotiating on a store and is hopeful things will work out. Unfortunately- many store assoc. don't allow resale shops in their strip mall or center. So please keep saving things you normally would give to Goodwill or AmVets for her shop. Remember- 100% of the profits after expenses- will go to charity.
My baby started hs football today- 90+ degrees - 2 practices then lifting. He hasn't passed out yet- but I am hoping he goes to bed early. Enough of this sleeping until 11 stuff!
Keep the prayers and + thoughts coming.
xoxo, HTFM
Yesterday a former student invited me and 2 other COD people out to lunch. I have worked with her for 3 years and it is hard to say goodby! It was really nice to have a student buy me lunch!
Thanks to Lisa C. for a delicious meal on Monday. I can't believe that there are still people out there who make homemade pies- including the crust! Lisa made these wonderful chicken enchiladas, homemade salsa and this incredible chocolate pie.
the pie was hard to hide from the boys as the pie needed to be refrigerated. However, I did hide the pink m and m's that Tia and Shea brought over- yep- PINK M & M's!!!! Tia aslo brought over her homemade chicken soup (also good for the soul)great bread and cookies I couldn't hide- but did divide so everyone gets their fair share. Shea made me the sweetest pink, purple and white braided bracelet- I am all set with my M & M's for Friday- chemo factory day.
Miss Molly Jo is still a pickle and still has not decided that she wants to be potty trained. Yes- she is so aware of what to do and almost makes a game out of going potty inside at times. We have our last session of puppy kindergarten tomorrow, a couple weeks off then we graduate to continuing puppy class.
Tomorrow Jean-Marie and I are going to visit resale shops to get ideas for her shop. She is still negotiating on a store and is hopeful things will work out. Unfortunately- many store assoc. don't allow resale shops in their strip mall or center. So please keep saving things you normally would give to Goodwill or AmVets for her shop. Remember- 100% of the profits after expenses- will go to charity.
My baby started hs football today- 90+ degrees - 2 practices then lifting. He hasn't passed out yet- but I am hoping he goes to bed early. Enough of this sleeping until 11 stuff!
Keep the prayers and + thoughts coming.
xoxo, HTFM
Sunday, August 8, 2010
got a buzz on...
That's right- you read it correctly! I decided I was NOT going to go through what I did last Sunday....so I started in right away with the "happy" drugs and the pain killers this am. So, I am doing much better than last Sunday- not weepy, not as tired, not suicidal and less pain- but it will probably catch up with me tomorrow. I kinda am jumpy and got the hoo-hoo going on, hopefully this blogy thing will make sense.
Had treatment #17 on Friday. I was thankful that Sharon could go with me. She had a goodie bag of treats and a trashy magazine- we were set to go. As usual, I fell asleep and don't remember getting home then slept it off for a few hours. I am just in a fog after getting all of the pre-treatment drugs and the Taxol aslo makes me sleepy.
Don't know if I mentioned it, but Jenn brought over a fabulous meal last Monday- Italian beef with peppers and cheese, cheesy potatoes and this jello fruit salald that we just devoured. Having friends cook once in awhile really has been helpful- esp. on Mondays when I am so tired.
Gotta go- tough to type with the jitters and a broken nail!
xoxo,
HTFM
Had treatment #17 on Friday. I was thankful that Sharon could go with me. She had a goodie bag of treats and a trashy magazine- we were set to go. As usual, I fell asleep and don't remember getting home then slept it off for a few hours. I am just in a fog after getting all of the pre-treatment drugs and the Taxol aslo makes me sleepy.
Don't know if I mentioned it, but Jenn brought over a fabulous meal last Monday- Italian beef with peppers and cheese, cheesy potatoes and this jello fruit salald that we just devoured. Having friends cook once in awhile really has been helpful- esp. on Mondays when I am so tired.
Gotta go- tough to type with the jitters and a broken nail!
xoxo,
HTFM
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