The Latest

Hey all...

This second go round of chemotherapy hasn't been too bad, although I have started losing my hair and have had some mild neuropathy in my feet. After getting out of the hospital May 15th I spent the next 8 days on drugs and in bed. I slept a lot and ate a lot...that's about it. No nausea to speak of, no throwing up, no head in the toilet. Life is good! or maybe it's just good drugs. Either way, it wasn't too bad. My scalp hurts and is very tender so I had my head shaved into a burr this morning rather than smooth bald. What little is left will fall out in the next week or so. I tell everyone I look like Demi Moore in GI Jane (well, okay maybe not quite). On Friday Brad and I are driving to Colorado for a few days. I am looking forward to lying on the sofa in the mountains and doing a little fly fishing. I have also been working a few hours each day. It's good for me to get out of the house and it makes me feel useful.

My next treatment is scheduled for June 11th. I expect it will be the same routine as this time. Eight days of drugs and sleep, followed by feeling better each day after. Brad and I are doing well...enjoying each day and spending good, quality time with each other. Give us a call or stop by some time. We'd love to hear from you or see you.

Dear Friends & Family

Hope this latest blog finds everyone happy and well. I know it has been a while, but here's the latest...

Brad and I had a wonderful time in Florida. We did absolutely nothing but put our feet in the sand, bask in the sun, and spend time with our great friends, Rhonda, Tracy, Rita, and Larry. The week I returned home I had another Pet Scan...which indicated no cancer was present! This was the best news I could hope for. My oncologist and I have however decided on three additional rounds of chemotherapy (she calls it "icing on the cake") just in case there are any cancer cells hiding, waiting to pounce on me again. My two year prognosis is looking better. At two years, she says we'll ask for five. I'll take whatever I can get!

In any case I start the first round of chemotherapy tomorrow (Monday). This time I will be in-patient at Presby for a day and a half. I should get out some time on Tuesday afternoon if all goes well. I will have 21 days between chemo rounds. The chemo will be more extensive this time and the first drug, Taxol, takes 24 hours...it's injected very slowly. The second drug, Cisplatin, takes a few hours. These are the same drugs I had before just in heavier doses.

I have visited Dr. Li...an MD trained Chinese Medicine doctor. He used acupuncture on me and gave me some pills to take to boost my immune system. I liked him a lot and will see him every two weeks. I am also using some mind over matter techniques to make sure my head is in the right place and leading me toward recovery. Weekly massages help too.

I promise to keep my friends and family updated more frequently...it has been, as you can imagine, a difficult and challenging time the last few months. All in all I am feeling very well. I have felt especially good (almost normal) the past couple of weeks. It has been wonderful! In fact I spent time at the office last week and hope that I can do more of that over the next few months. My plan is to remain on medical leave until the 2nd week of August, but work as much as can between now and then. We'll see how that goes.

Thanks to all of you who continue to send me cards, call, stop by, bring us food, etc. You are truly an amazing and wonderful group of folks. Thank you for caring so much about me.

April 21

Hi all...just a quick update. I've been feeling better the past few days, which is good. I was getting a little discouraged. I have left the house every day to do something, even if just for 30 minutes, and that's been good. Today Brad and I worked in the backyard. I planted 6 flats of flowers. The yard is shaping up nicely. Brad and I both enjoy spending time out there. Friday I got on my bike for the first time since January. It felt good to be riding again although my behind was very sore. I only road 5 miles but that was my goal. I was actually surprised I could do the 5. I'm eating well and trying to gain 7 pounds over the next few weeks. I think it is certainly doable. I also hope to be able to ride 20 miles at a time within the next month. Not really much else going on. I do see my oncologist Monday and we will develop the next plan of action. Thanks again to everyone for the cards and emails. They mean a lot to me. Sheila

Update

Sorry for so long between posts. I finished radiation and chemotherapy treatments then had to go in the hospital. Seems my blood count was low and I was in need of hydration and fluids. I've been home several days now and am feeling better. I cannot wait until I feel "normal" again. I'm looking forward to eating and not wondering how the food will react in my stomach. I am also looking forward to drinking and enjoying a glass of wine...something that I haven't been able to do in several months. I am also ready to start entertaining again...something I have greatly missed.

I have a doctor's appointment in two weeks and so will find out about the next steps in the treatment process. I understand I may have the option for more chemo, but don't know for sure yet that is what I want to do. I will probably choose to have a pet scan then see if anything shows up.

Brad and I are headed to Florida (St. George's Island) in a couple of weeks. I am looking forward to walking on the beach and eating seafood.

That's the story for now. I'll report more when I know more.

Round Five

Well, 5 chemo sessions down and 1 to go! I really can not complain...all in all in hasn't been bad. The nausea has been well managed with drugs and the only side effect that's bothered me much has been the diahrea. I did not lose any weight last week and am holding steady. My plan is to return to work half-time the 2nd week of May and hopefully full-time by the 1st of June. My bike is in the basement on the spinner so I plan to get back on (starting today) and spin for 10 minutes each day. A friend has signed me up for a Diabetes ride on June 23rd. Sixty-two miles. Guess I'd better get busy riding! Also, we have a trip planned at the end of April to St. George's island (off Florida). Can't wait to put my toes in some warm sand.





There seems to be so much lately in the news about cancer. I admire Elizabeth Edwards and her decision to not let cancer dictate how she lives her life. She also said she was focusing less on how much time she has left and more on how she's living the time she has. An important lesson for every one of us.

This photo was taken at my Ph.D. graduation party in January...it was an extraordinary night.

1B1 B Gone T-Shirt Party Pics

I've posted a photo album from the pictures Rhonda took at the 1B1 B Gone T shirt Party last Friday evening. Here's the url: http://picasaweb.google.com/scrow595/1B1GoneTShirtParty. Email me if you have any trouble accessing the site. The pictures turned out great. Thanks Rhonda!

Counting Down

This past week marked the midpoint for my chemotherapy and radiation sessions. My white blood cell count is still in the low-normal range so we are good to go for Monday. Instead of one more treatment I am looking at the remainder of sessions as one less treatment. Sort of the is the glass half full or half empty analogy. I remind myself often that my current situation is time limited and that before long I will be back at work and back on my bike riding to the Rooster Cafe in Jones.

Many thanks to everyone who came to the house Friday evening wearing their 1B1 B Gone t-shirts. I think there were about 55 people. Unbelievable! Your show of support and love is far beyond anything I could have ever imagined and beyond anything I deserve. Your positive thoughts and prayers have had a significant impact on my outlook and have greatly influenced my recovery process from the surgery as well as the cancer treatments.