WELCOME 2013 !

I am ready to start the new year with going back to the gym. After 5 mos of physical therapy, I feel strong enough to try and keep it going by myself. I had a great Physical Therapist, Sarah, and she got me to stretch out my right leg and work on the muscles so that I can almost straighten it like my left one. This is no small feat after limping and keeping it bent for about a year and a half before my surgery. Look out, Kennedy gym, here I come!

One more time...

I'm having surgery to fix my meniscus, that's ortho talk for my screwed up knee that I can't straighten anymore. I took that motorcycle class in April of 2011, and by golly, the last day I laid the sucker down, knee, elbow, shoulder on the pavement. But, I passed the course! It was an empowering experience, but now I pay the price. Seems like I take two steps forward, one back. It was worth it, really. My next hobby won't be as dangerous. I bought a Glock 17, 9mm pistol, passed the safety test and now will take it to target practice. That's better, huh? More to follow. Time for surgery!

June is busting out all over!

I am post Avastin treatment # 9 and feeling pretty darn good. My CA125 blood test, the marker for ovarian cancer, is at 12 and that is very good considering it was 34 when I was re-diagnosed in May 2011.  I have been on "maintenance" treatment since Dec. of 2011.  With the help and generosity of Genentech, the maker of Avastin, I plan on staying in remission and on this drug indefinitely. My side effects are minimal compared to chemo, and I am in Dr. Palchak's care which makes me feel solid and confident. Right now I am going to take my doggies Rylee, and Tinkerbell for a walk in the sunshine. Carpe Diem!

I am grateful for this special time in my life. I have just returned from Paris, (I love to say that!) and have a blank slate to work from. With all the planning over, I now revel in the memories. The 306 photos are being collaged, titled, and tweaked. I am in the City of Lights all over again! What a joy to have been there! Merci beacoup, Paris!

Goodbye to 2011

I felt compelled to update my blogs before the new year. There is much to reflect on from 2011. I am now on a "maintenance" drug, Avastin, and have little side effects compared to Taxol. My hair is growing back, I have a lot more energy (had the 3 boys over playing Kick the Can recently. They had never heard of this game before. I think it will be the new one for the coming year when they come over to visit. I need to work on finding more large hiding places!
We are up to 363 days and counting. I wish I could say it was a good year, but it wasn't in so many ways. Having said that, I remain optimistic the remaining 2 days will be absolutely marvelous! (knock on wood, as my Mother would say, not that she was superstitious.)

Yes, it is a Good Day to Live!

I have been doing chemo for 7 mos. now, and my doc says I will only have one more because the complete response.  Yippee! Take that, you cancer devil!  I will be on Avastin for the remainder of the year and all of next year. This is the drug I helped put on the market with my clinical trial participation. Genentec (the maker of Avastin) is generously donating the drug for me as my own insurance company, Anthem Blue Cross, would not pay for it. Sometimes drug companies get a bad rep, but I think its all about the insurance gurus calling the shots. Anyway, I am very close to being cancer-free and that makes me happy!

killing the beast

Hey! My first scan since my re-diagnosis and the beast is shrinking. Even though I have developed an allergy to one of the drugs and won't be able to tolerate it, the tumors are still retreating into nothingness. My side effects are much easier to manage, however the one that kills my hair follicles is working overtime! Oh well, hair is so overrated anyway. I have a great shape head and not afraid to show it off. One week out of 4 I feel slightly shitty, but watch out for the other 3. I am still gardening, quilting, walking, and shopping for my boys for school. Life is good!