CTCA Visit July 2012

Once again here I am at my favorite hospital. Wendy & Patti came out with me this time and they have been so supportive!! My first appointment was at 5:15am. Really? Well, we made it on time with a few minutes to spare. Since I was having a CT scan I couldn't eat. The techs here are very understanding of my need for coffee!! They got me in and out of there in 10 minutes!! I'm sure they have seen me without coffee before, otherwise why would they be so efficient? Haha....really this is just the way this hospital works. I Love Them!! I had about 2 hours before I could see my doctor. So, yes we went shopping. We found the cutest little boutique. Cute cute clothes, purses, belts, shoes.......and yes we came out of the store with a sack. Back to the hospital for my doctors report. She told me that the cancer markers had gone up just a little but she expected that. All other blood levels were doing what she expected too. The CT scan was good and showed the cancer activity but it was unchanged from the last scan. All in all, I had a good report!! My Healer is still answering our prayers!! Thank you Lord for that!! We left the hospital and went to the hotel to eat lunch and then went to the outlet mall right across the street. If you haven't gone shopping with Wendy and Patti, I'm telling you you should! They are a blast and when they get focused on finding something, don't get in their way!! We had lots of fun and I thank them for spending their time bringing me here and for making me laugh. Love you both! I usually come out every three months but she wants to see me in one month for a PET scan. Thanks to everyone for your support and prayers!!! Love you!!

CTCA in March 2012

Bring on the spring weather!!! It was beautiful and no need for a coat. Yeah!! As I was packing for this trip I really felt like I had mixed emotions about the results of the tests I was having. It had been three months since my last scans so it was time again for a Pet scan, CT scan and MRI. When I make my appointments of course I want to be the first one because I can't eat or drink before these tests. So my day started at 6am and I was done by 10am. These people know how to get you in and out of there. I love it!! And yes I did get grouchy because I was sooo hungry! :o) Robbin drove fast to the restaurant (thanks Robbin) and I scarfed down a waffle. One thing I like to do after these scans is walk off all the chemicals they put in my body. Ok I can't walk them off but I can at least help get them through my body. Otherwise, I get sick and my body just feels heavy. So we went shopping. One favorite thing that we love to eat is the Kringles at the Danish Pastry Kitchen. So we had them pack up some to bring home. We then went to the Brat Stop to get cheese and cheese curds. The next morning were my appointments with the doctor for all the results. We got there at 8:45am and didn't have to wait long. As we waited for the doctor to come in, you could just feel the tense air in the room. Robbin and I both were so concerned and had lots of anxiety going into this. My doctor comes in and tells us that the MRI showed no abnormal masses and the pet scan and ct scan has no significant increase in metabolic activity!!! The comparisons showed a decrease in growth rate of the tumors. The tumors have not moved to any other areas and are still contained in the bones. Robbin and I had tears of joy. We both felt so relieved and once again our God has answered prayers! There is a God who is my healer! He is always here for me in times of trouble and when times are good. This is proof!! God is good!!! Prayers from all my supporters are felt and answered once again. Thank you for all of this!! I got a shot of xgeva also. The doctor said since it had been two months since my last shot, it could cause some bone pain. I will contact my doctor here to ask if she can give me this xgeva shot. That means I don't go back to CTCA for 3 months. Wow, I may feel lost! hahaha

January 18, 2012 at CTCA

It seems like a long time since I've been to see my doctors. I really like that!! lol When I arrived at the hospital, I checked in, gave them some blood and waited for the doctor. I have been feeling so well and didn't think she would give me bad news. And she didn't! She did tell me my cancer markers are going up from 86 to 198. One thing is that she expected that as it is part of starting on tamoxifen and it takes time for it to start working. She wants me to continue on my schedule and return in March to see how the markers are doing then. She also gave me a shot of Xgeva. This is the bone healer medication. If the markers are still going up she wants to put me on another hormone along with the tamoxifen...like femara. This would be great with me. That means no chemo!!! It's time again for CT & PT scans which will show how the cancer is growing. I have been feeling so well and really don't want to start back on chemo. My life is getting back to normal, well as normal as I can get it, and Robbin and I want to enjoy some travel while we can. We also are moving and I want to create a comfortable home in town. It's exciting for us and we really need a new start this year. So continue to pray for us! As we move and get settled in a new home, I will continue to feel well, get more energy and not have as much pain.

When we arrived tuesday night our good friends meet us for dinner. Sandy & Jeff, thanks a ton! It was so good to see you and to know you are here if we ever need anything while away from home. Thank You!! The burgers at the Chancery are always the best! I crave them!! The weather here is soooo cold. Yesterday the high was 17 with 65% humidity and 10 mph winds!! Burr!!!!! We will be leaving just in time. They are expecting a snow storm this weekend. And we are supposed to be in the 50's at home!!

God Bless You All.

November 2011

Wow....I've had a great "chemo vacation". I was able to get some strength back and travel to Punta Cana for the most beautiful wedding I've ever seen! After we got back, I rested for a couple of days then headed to CTCA for a PT scan and CT scan monday the 21st. Those scans are not the easiest tests on me but very important so I relax and do some one on one with God. Great time and it goes by much faster. This time my blood tests and scans were a little nerve racking. I really did feel like the results were going to be good. My body has been building strength and my energy levels are slowing coming back so I thought the cancer was not growing fast and my doctor may just keep me off of chemo. Well, some of the prayer was answered!! My cancer markers are up a little which the pet scan showed. The scan showed increased activity involving the manubrium (shoulder) which I can feel more than any other lesions and the sternum (Center chest bone). Also the left sacral wing (hip). My doctor does want me to go on tamoxifine for two months and she also gave me a shot of XGeva. I put a link to the side if you are interested in look at either of these treatments. Neither one is a chemotherapy!! I was very relieved and feel like I can start to recover even more from the chemo that knocked me down so bad. You just can't imagine the relief I feel......going on tamoxifine is a hugh down grade from chemo!! I was on this drug for five years, the first time I had breast cancer, 1999. My doctor is sure I won't have any side effects since I didn't in 1999. My plan is to feel well and do some traveling. I love beaches!! Who doesn't!! The serenity I get there is more healing than anything else I have tried. Sorry Robbin! $$$$ LOL Anyway, I so appreciate all the thoughts and prayers and know that I am very thankful for all of you!! Happy Thanksgiving to all!!

September 2011 at CTCA

I've been back to CTCA twice since I last updated you. Those two visits were the best I've ever had. 4 weeks ago I had my chemo and bone healer. At that time my cancer markers had dropped 26 points!!! Wow that was so good to hear!! Every time I get back from a treatment I think I just can't go through another treatment. I was sick for a few days. Seems like the more chemo I have the sicker I get! Still last for at least 4 days and 4 more days to get my strength back up. After hearing the good news of how my markers had dropped I forgot all about the times I get sick!! It's all worth it and really I know that it is just a long process when I can't get up and do the things that are important to me. It has taught me patients and has slowed me down a bit.

Last week I went back....the nurse hooked up my port and all I could think about was....they won't need to do this!!! I was so ready for a "chemo vacation"!! So she took blood to be sent off and then the wait was on. About 2 hours later I saw the doctor. Guess what my first question was? The answer was YES!!!! I was so happy and praised God for all the prayers I have been receiving and knew that He had answered them. The doctor did want to give me some more bone healer since I don't go back until November 18th!! At that time I will have a PT scan and a CT scan. The doctor will then tell me if I can continue on my "chemo vacation".....so keep those prayers coming in. God has been so good to me and I know that I have a purpose on this earth. Someday He will reveal it to me. So my life right know is healing myself from the chemo. I start an exercise class in a couple of weeks which will help my muscles gain some strength that the chemo has taken away and I have lost a lot of structure. I don't think I have ever looked forward to starting an exercise program! LOL

I will blog again after my appointment in November. As most of you know we are getting ready for a wedding in Punta Cuna, Dominican Republic. Patti and Rob will be married 11-11-11. There is lots of planning and we are looking forward to having a reception here in January also. Thank you for praying and keeping my spirits high. With that and Gods healing hands I am ready to face another year!! God Bless You All!!!

Chemo & Zomeda Treatment-August 11, 2011

I am so glad this treatment is over!! And it wasn't as bad as I thought it might be. Patti, Rob, Robbin and I headed to Chicago August 9th with some things on our agenda. Wednesday we spent all day in Chicago walking lots and doing some real important shopping. You'll have to ask Patti about that!! It was so much fun and we found a new pizza restaurant Pizano's. You must go if you are around one of his restaurants. The next day we got to the hospital for my treatments early in the morning. My blood tests all showed that the markers are still going down. The day we got back home, I wasn't doing to bad. I did find strength to get my emails. It sure didn't last long though. The next day I was flat on my back and ended up staying there until wednesday(today). My muscles and bones were so sore and I couldn't even do much without getting dizzy and having major hot flashing! Yuk! Each day gives me more strength and less pain. Once again I have to say that all the aches and pains I'm going through are worth it. As God is my healer, I find strength in Him everyday. This is a very difficult treatment to go through and without my faith, it couldn't be done!!! Robbin is the best!! He continues to do laundry, clean, cook, and support everything I do. Thank You Robbin!! I thank all of you also for the support, thoughts, and prayers.

CTCA July 18th-20th 2011

July in Chicago is very hot and muggy. When you get warnings for heat index values, you better not go outside. On July 20th Chicago had a record high of 100 with heat index values of 110!!! And we had to be there!?! It was very uncomfortable!! This trip I took one of my BFFs Sherry Winters. She was a great caregiver and kept me on track with my time schedules. We really enjoyed one evening when a friend (my travel agent from CTCA) brought over several quilts for us to looks at. She needed help deciding what should be done with them. Some were finished, some where tops only. It was so much fun to see these quilts that were very old and to hear her stories of where they came from and who made them. Thanks Sherry and Anne for all the fun!! Thank you to Sherry for all the support you always give me. Love you lots!!

This treatment time I had a CT and PT scan the day before my chemo treatment. Both scans went well as I fasted for both which isn't very easy for me to do. I love my coffee first thing in the morning! After finishing, we went back to the hotel and I took a 2.5 hour nap. I've never done that before so this must have wiped me out. The next day we headed to the hospital for a scheduled day. First off was a massage....that was good! Then was the appointment with the nurse, doctor, homeopathic doctor, and nutritionist. My doctor gave me the results from the CT and PT scans...both tests showed significate decrease in cancer activity throughout most regions of my body which means the chemo that I am on is working against my type of cancer. I will have two more treatments then will be off of chemo until the cancer activity starts to increase again. It could be 6 weeks or 6 months. We just don't know. This is the best news I have heard in a long time!!!! After all the suffering from the radiation, TPN drips, and 2 different chemos I have discovered that it is worth all of it!! As I look forward to the next two treatments I can only thank my God who is my healer!!! Without the prayers and support from you that God sees and hears, I just couldn't do all this. My next appointment is August 11th. At that time I will receive the chemo and zomada. My doctor wants this to be given every 3 months. After my final treatment I will return only for scans and blood tests. This will probably be every 2-3 months. That will be so nice! I can concentrate on some things around the house and with my beautiful husband who is always here for everything I need. Thank you Robbin!! With all the support and love from all of you, this is all worth doing. I still believe that I have a purpose on this earth and am always working to find out what that purpose is. Keep the prayers coming in and always know you all are always in our prayers. Thanks to all!!