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!

I had a special visitor recently. My sister, Judy, took the train from Albuquerque to our little city. It was a long ride, but she said it was interesting. It was wonderful having her here for a week while I was recuperating from surgery. There's nothing like family to cheer me up! Thank you, sissy, for being here for me! I love you Mucho!

The Present

The most beautiful sunsets have been hovering over our fair city lately. The sun's rays at the end of the day have been colored by the clouds in the most heavenly fashion.

Happy Birthday to me!

I got the best belated birthday present.  My CT scan and bloodwork shows me free of the
"Big C."  I am into my third year of remission and holding strong!  Watch out Paris, here I come!  Tommy and I are planning our trip sometime in March of this year. How exciting is that? There will be more details to follow. It is a Good Day to Live!

Happy New Year!

I'm the first one to admit 2010 was a crap year, but this new one will be a whole different story. My remission continues. I marked my 2yr anniv. on Dec. 21, the day of my surgery. Chemo is just a zx**# memory, and my shoulder surgery and 6 wks of physical therapy as well.  Currently I am working with small weights to increase my strength. I really like my physical therapist, Shelly. She pushes me to my limits.
I look forward to an active, transforming year with NO surgeries on the agenda!

Still in remission!

Yes, I am still in remission and that feels great! Now, if the rest of my body would just cooperate...
Shoulder surgery to repair a rotator cuff tear and remove some broken calcification is scheduled for Nov. 9th. I decided to have it taken care of once and for all. Dr. Fow is my ortho-doc and I really like him.
 Pre-op is done and now I just wait and try to catch up on house stuff I won't be able to do after the procedure. At least it is my left arm, so I should be able to write. No e-mailing for a while, though.
I am optimistic about the future when I am healed and flying off to Paris!  2011 is the year to make that dream come true. Bon Chance!

I'm OK, you're OK!

I have to say, being in remission is the greatest feeling in the world. I also have to say that I am not immune to other "getting older" ailments, but compared to the "Big C" everything pales in comparison.
I had a problem with my aging left shoulder recently, not C related whatsoever, so it isn't noteworthy, but it was really painful. Calcified tendonitis, was the diagnosis and it seemed like the pain was neverending. No movement possible and even though on pain pills, still hurt to move it even inches in any direction. I had one helluva time getting into see a physician, much less an orthopedic specialist. I now believe what they are saying about a shortage of doctors.
A solid week later, I received a shot of cortisone and felt like it was a miracle cure. I know it is temporary, but I needed some relief. Now surgery is on the table sometime before the end of the year. Ho hum...at least I'm not having chemo!

Kudos to Dr. Palchak

I was asked to help get my doc on the map. He is the only oncologist that is presenting clinical trials for cancer patients in our small community. Most people think they have to go to a big city or medical center to be considered for a study. Consequently, most of these people will not get the most current treatments for their type of cancer.  So, I agreed to do a commercial for him. It is on KSBY different times of the day. There is also a website  http://centralcoastoncology.com/   so check it out.
Meanwhile, I had my port-a-cath removed on Friday. I feel more "normal" than ever! 

My last cycle

I can't believe it, but this Thursday I had my 22nd and last cycle of therapy. Bridgett brought me some balloons and a muffin and coffee from Starbucks. When we got to the office the staff gave me a sweet card and some flowers and a huge piece of chocolate cake. What a great send off!

On May 7th I will have a CT scan and will have one every 3 mos. for the next year. I am glad to be monitored so closely. Being in this study has been a godsend. I love my doctor and the fact that he has taken his time and put in extra effort to find new therapies for ovarian cancer. I am blessed.

Good News!

My blood test, the CA125, showed a good number, lower by 21pts. Hooray! Also, the last three CT scans have been re-read by a new pair of radiologist's eyes and he concurs with the reports that show nothing out of the ordinary. In other words, I am still considered to be cancer-free.

Another good thing has come to my attention about my current therapy. I have been on the actual study drug, Avastin, for the entire time. Even when I was undergoing chemotherapy. The GOG
(Gynological Oncology Group) that is sponsoring the study sent me a formal letter stating my part in the study substantiates that this regimen was statistically significant in terms of survival without evidence of cancer growth. I feel honored to be able to be such a big part in finding a cure for ovarian cancer. Genentech is the company providing the Avastin. I will receive two more cycles ending mid April. Celebration is right around the corner!

My Truth

Yes, I'm a little anxious. It's been a long two weeks. I have been trying to stay in the day while waiting for the blood test to be done and read. My doc e-mailed me some news. I have been on the Avastin (clinical study drug) for the entire time. Not a placebo. And, results show patients on it have a lower rate of relapse. The truth is, I feel really good and no matter what the results of the blood test are, I'm alive right now and the fact that I put my feet on the floor and got out of bed this morning is a testament to that. Carpe Diem!

Study in progress

My participation in the Clinical Trial for Avastin/Bevacizamab is still in progress. Every 3 wks I receive either a placebo or the real drug. Personally, I am quite sure I am on the real deal. One of the side effects, raised blood pressure, is present and I have never had that problem. It is relatively minor, no big deals here. I just stopped taking Ibuprophen, cut out salt, and have been practicing more meditation. All easy things to change. I haven't missed the pill or the salt and the silent time I find for myself more regularly is something we all should try to do.
Some stressers and impossible to omit. Particularly the worry factor I get right after a CT scan, blood draw, or some such test. So far the CT's are cooperating, show no sign of the beast, and my bloodwork has been only slightly below avg. One little bump on my last visit to the doc. was an elevated CA125 level, but he says that is not significant in the broader sense. Nevertheless, I will be having an additional one done in 2wks to see if that goes any higher. Always something, but at least the study I am on requires I have these done every 6 wks. Nothing is going to get away from their watchful eye. Now time to play with my Yo-Yo's!

A clean slate

Been a while since I posted. The Christmas season had me chasing my tail. Never caught it. But, I had fun trying! Usually this holiday leaves a lot to be desired for me, but in spite of myself I managed to get caught up in the spirit of things. Even to the point of listening to the music at home. The old carols still catch in my throat, reminders of days gone and loved ones. But, on the whole, I desired what everyone does this time of year, the magic.
My physical self is mending from one heck of a 2009. Anyone that's had chemo can tell you their body is just not quite the same after getting it. I thought I would be different, but there are tell-tale signs. Numbness in my fingertips, bruising, fatigue, no stamina. But, I am free of the beast, so says two CT scans in a row, and my annual exam in Dec. with my gynie guy Dr. Safarik. He said my Georgia O'keefe looks fine! And he doesn't want to see me until the end of my clinical study drug in April. Aside from a slightly elevated BP, and higher than avg. cholesterol, I'm in good shape. This year I plan on trying water aerobics for exercise and my doggies appreciate our new daily walking regime. Life is pretty good right now for me. I plan on keeping it that way. Til next time...

good news!

My most recent CT scan shows the beast has taken a hike. That is two scans in a row with "unremarkable" in the radiologist report. I like being unremarkable. Gives me a sense of common. Does that also mean I have common sense? Probably not. I'll settle for being average. So, I'm still in the clinical trial, going every 3 weeks for Avastin/bevacizamab. Feeling pretty good these days, aside from being tired from all the busy-ness of the season. I am ever so grateful for my blessed grandchildren who rock my world and keep me tuckered out. They are my earthly angels for sure.