Over the last few days some things have changed in scheduling my first round of treatments & associated tests. After talking to my doctors we have collectively decided it would be best to go now to visit my dad in Oklahoma before I start chemo. Dad is almost 87 and on hospice due to his failing health. Although Marla, Char & I are sure Dad will outlive us all, I want to make sure I get to visit him within the next 6 months which would not be possible during my treatments, so I must make the trip right now.
Char, Karen & I will visit Dad and Hansen Farm for a quick trip Thursday, Feb 1st and return Sunday, Feb 4th. The port-a-cath interview has been re-scheduled for Monday Feb 5th and surgery for the cath insertion is now scheduled for Wednesday, Feb 7th. I will have to assume chemo treatments will begin sometime soon after the week of the 12th.
I did have my Echo last Friday, the 19th and an MRI yesterday on the 22nd and will get the results from both tests this Friday, the 26th. My fingers are crossed. :) for positive results. We are also still waiting for Dr. Chang, the UCSF Oncologist who specializes in brain cancer to schedule an appointment with me. She's at the "top" and has been hard to pin down!
I'm looking forward to seeing Dad & the Hansens, but not the "travel". Oh well, we do what we must for our loved ones.
I hope this blog finds you & yours in good health & good spirits and you are enjoying the New Year!
Take care and as I am keep HOPE, FAITH and BELIEF in your life!
Love to all,
Kelly
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Quick Update
Hello everyone - How was your week? I know this is the quickest "BLOG" update, however I haven't wanted to bore you with too many details until I knew more of the facts. Some of my friends have been very "persuasive" and want more information quicker, so I'll keep it coming but don't blame me if you start to nod off from boredom, my lids are already getting very heavy......
Looks like my tests are starting this week, with an Echo (ultra sound of the heart), on Friday, MRI on the 23rd, and insertion of the port-a-cath on the 26th. Basically I will be set for chemo once all this "stuff" is behind, or should I say, "inside" me?!? I am looking forward to moving FORWARD and getting the first treatment over so that I know what to expect over the next several months. Of course, I will keep you all posted.
Also, I wanted to let you know that when you post to this Blog it does NOT assign your e-mail address so I can not reply back to you individually. Several of you have requested I reply or that you reply to my personal e-mail. You can contact me at kcsewart@yahoo.com and if you want me to reply to you please email me or send your address in the blog. Thanks!
David & I are going to try to have pictures taken at the house with the animals over the next few weeks before I lose my hair. It should be quite a time wrangling the dog, bird, cats, and David together for a family photo. I have a feeling there will only be 2 in the picture - me & KC! Wish us luck - I think I'm going to need it, along with PATIENCE, and a lot of treats. (Maybe a Starbucks for David!)
Again, thanks for your interest and I'll let you know how next week goes.
My love to all,
Kelly
Looks like my tests are starting this week, with an Echo (ultra sound of the heart), on Friday, MRI on the 23rd, and insertion of the port-a-cath on the 26th. Basically I will be set for chemo once all this "stuff" is behind, or should I say, "inside" me?!? I am looking forward to moving FORWARD and getting the first treatment over so that I know what to expect over the next several months. Of course, I will keep you all posted.
Also, I wanted to let you know that when you post to this Blog it does NOT assign your e-mail address so I can not reply back to you individually. Several of you have requested I reply or that you reply to my personal e-mail. You can contact me at kcsewart@yahoo.com and if you want me to reply to you please email me or send your address in the blog. Thanks!
David & I are going to try to have pictures taken at the house with the animals over the next few weeks before I lose my hair. It should be quite a time wrangling the dog, bird, cats, and David together for a family photo. I have a feeling there will only be 2 in the picture - me & KC! Wish us luck - I think I'm going to need it, along with PATIENCE, and a lot of treats. (Maybe a Starbucks for David!)
Again, thanks for your interest and I'll let you know how next week goes.
My love to all,
Kelly
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Happy 2007!
It's going to be a good year! Because we have HOPE, FAITH and BELIEF.
David & I went to the doctors yesterday to review the results of the Pet Scan. The good news is the tumors have not grown since the last scan in October (yea!) and in fact I am feeling much better since the end of radiation treatment on th 22nd of Dec. The next plan of attack for the critters that continue to ravage my body is a battery of tests to make sure I am up for chemo. It will start with doctors at the Univ of SF to insure all the pieces of the puzzle (brain, hip, spine, etc) are being pieced together accurately. Looks like once they are insured I am "healthy" enough I will start a program of four days in the hospital of intense chemo, bet hey it is a private room with a promised view! The drugs will make a patient sick, however, if hospitalized, the doc says they can ususally keep this maintained. I will have the first two treaments approximately four weeks apart from each other followed by a scan to check status. There will be an additional two treatments scheduled, dates dependent on the scan results.
Yes, I will lose my hair. Now, if you you think I am going to be Melissa Ethridge, bald & beautiful as she was, WRONG! I will be the girl wearing wigs, cute hats, and motorcycle doo rags. And, like Farah Fawcett hiding out from the paparazi, I will probably just be staying close to home for the next year while my cue ball head tries to regrow some new hair!
A quick shout out to everyone who has sent resonse to the blog, cards, & letters. I have truly been touched by each & everyone of you. Unfortunately my health has kept me back from personally contacting you - but please know it means very much that you are thinking of me, as I am of you. Thanks to my friends from the past - I am touched. My family has overwhelmed me. All of my friends that have become my family over the years. I love you all. THANK YOU.
Side Note - Of course as you know David had a little cancer late last year (beningn) so last week he needed to folllow up by falling in the street and chipping his right ankle! Fortunately they only put him in a blow up cast and is able to drive since I am not. We are quite the gimpy couple. He told me on the way home from our "double doctor" appointments" we were preparing for old age!! David has a way with words - most of the time, not good :)
Again, thanks to everyone for your kindness during this period. I am strong mentally (most of the time) and will win the battle thanks to your prayers, my strong HOPE, and our belief in in the LORD.
My love to everyone,
Kelly
David & I went to the doctors yesterday to review the results of the Pet Scan. The good news is the tumors have not grown since the last scan in October (yea!) and in fact I am feeling much better since the end of radiation treatment on th 22nd of Dec. The next plan of attack for the critters that continue to ravage my body is a battery of tests to make sure I am up for chemo. It will start with doctors at the Univ of SF to insure all the pieces of the puzzle (brain, hip, spine, etc) are being pieced together accurately. Looks like once they are insured I am "healthy" enough I will start a program of four days in the hospital of intense chemo, bet hey it is a private room with a promised view! The drugs will make a patient sick, however, if hospitalized, the doc says they can ususally keep this maintained. I will have the first two treaments approximately four weeks apart from each other followed by a scan to check status. There will be an additional two treatments scheduled, dates dependent on the scan results.
Yes, I will lose my hair. Now, if you you think I am going to be Melissa Ethridge, bald & beautiful as she was, WRONG! I will be the girl wearing wigs, cute hats, and motorcycle doo rags. And, like Farah Fawcett hiding out from the paparazi, I will probably just be staying close to home for the next year while my cue ball head tries to regrow some new hair!
A quick shout out to everyone who has sent resonse to the blog, cards, & letters. I have truly been touched by each & everyone of you. Unfortunately my health has kept me back from personally contacting you - but please know it means very much that you are thinking of me, as I am of you. Thanks to my friends from the past - I am touched. My family has overwhelmed me. All of my friends that have become my family over the years. I love you all. THANK YOU.
Side Note - Of course as you know David had a little cancer late last year (beningn) so last week he needed to folllow up by falling in the street and chipping his right ankle! Fortunately they only put him in a blow up cast and is able to drive since I am not. We are quite the gimpy couple. He told me on the way home from our "double doctor" appointments" we were preparing for old age!! David has a way with words - most of the time, not good :)
Again, thanks to everyone for your kindness during this period. I am strong mentally (most of the time) and will win the battle thanks to your prayers, my strong HOPE, and our belief in in the LORD.
My love to everyone,
Kelly
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