Round Two - Let's Get to REMISSION!

After my minor set-back I am scheduled for the next five days of treatment starting this coming Monday, (3/26-30). For my benefit, my doctor has convinced me to do the treatment in the hospital so I can be watched more carefully 24/7 to ensure I do not get another infection.

Char is coming to spend Monday-Wednesday with me until Thursday, when Theresa and Karen will come for the rest of the weekend. Of course David will be in out of the hospital the whole time, as always. I figure the girls are coming just so I don’t try to escape to Starbucks again or give the Nurses and Aids too much grief. Seriously, it is so great to have David, my sisters & friends at this time – they are my rocks.

BTW – in the midst of all this, David decides to “do the right thing” and rescued a dog. So now we have a new addition, Mr. Buster Brown, a short legged Bassett Hound, just like the dog from the advertisement! His legs are about 6” from the ground and his ears are bigger than anything I’ve ever seen! He’s not pot potty trained and doesn’t have very good manners, but its David’s first rescue (YAHOO – welcome to the Casas/Walter family.) I am very proud of David who walks the boys daily, had a house built for them, and spends at least 1-2 hours “playing” with the dogs. He’s a great dad. Also, Jack, the Labradoodle absolutely loves Mr. Brown. So, I suppose now with three cats, two dogs and a talking African Grey Parrot, the family is complete. Please David, no more animals – at least for awhile.

Thanks again for all your support – especially the PRAYERS that are getting me through this challenge. I know I keep saying this, but it truly is my family & friends and your love that keep me strong.

I send my very best to you and your families.

Love always,
Kelly

A Slight Delay

Here is the latest from the Pittner/Sewart Camp. Unfortunately I had a “mild” set back after the first day of chemo. Evidently one of the potential side effects of the types of chemo I am taking is burning of the bladder and, yes, I got a very mild case. Of course, my doctor said in 23 years not one of his patients has ever had this, but guess who the lucky charm is? Kind of like my benign meningioma that had less than 1% chance to metastasize? Marla says we should take tottery tickets and rub them on my head and we could probably win BIG BUCKS! Of course I’ll have to charge a small service fee like the liquor stores to the grand prize winner! :)Anyway, I ended up in the hospital for one day for observation and to run fluids through my system for 48 hours and was home by mid afternoon Wednesday, feeling fine.

Marla & Char came to visit on the 8th to make sure I was behaving, and Andrew drove up over the weekend to drive Aunt Char home, because as we all know by now – she won’t fly! I had an MRI on Monday, the 12th and the doctor said they do not see any change from the scan on 1/22 which is good news. The MRI is only a scan of the brain and does not reflect other parts of the body. They will not scan the whole body until after the second round of chemo, which at this time has been detained for about three more weeks. I have an appointment with my local Oncologist this Tuesday,3/22, to review everything; he’ll also discuss his consultation with Dr. Chang from UCSF with me at that time.

I am anxious to get to round two of chemo, however, I understand the doctors are being cautious with this chemo as it is one of the most toxic available and they are concerned about potential side effects. The good news is all my vitals are really strong! When I went for day one of the second round of chemo, all my counts were – “GREAT”. I am anxious to meet my REMISSION goals and get my medical stuff behind me for this year (to say the least). As they say “patience is a virtue” and I am trying to be very virtuous!

Marla left this morning to return back to Oklahoma. We had a nice visit this trip and look forward to her return in the summer with her girls, Liz (17) and Miranda (9) for vacation.

Thanks again for checking in on me, I appreciate every prayer, thought, card, e-mail, etc. It absolutely feels incredible to know how many people are walking with me as I face this challenge and how each of you have touched my life in some way. Thank you for being there, my family & friends - I love you!

Happy St. Patrick’s Day to everyone – Be Safe and don’t drink & drive on Green Beer or whatever is your holiday pleasure! HAVE FUN!

Love, kisses & my prayers to you & your families,
Kelly

Don't Call me Brittany.....

Another busy week here on the central coast of California. Sunday, 2/25, I started to lose my hair. Since I was told it would clump out over a period of time, I decided to make the transition quick and have David shave my head on Monday. As many of you know, he shaves his head weekly, and I must give him credit, he did a pretty good job, considering the circumstances. I do however have one question? I have been a redhead for about 15+ years, prior to that I was a blonde for about 20 years, but where are these BLACK roots coming from? Theresa just keeps wondering what my hair is going to look like when it grows back – that makes two of us! On Thursday I also attended a “Look Good, Feel Good” course sponsored by the American Cancer Society that essentially shows women in chemo what face care products to wear and fits you for wigs. David had dropped me off at the cancer center as a short-headed read head and when he picked me up I was a Blonde (which he had never seen!). Moral of the story – next time you see me – you won’t know what color, length, style, with/without hat I’ll be wearing. I’ve had to make bald an accessory!

I met with the Oncologist on Tuesday to review the next round of chemo treatments. After a small struggle with the Doc to have the treatments as an outpatient, and with the total support of the Oncology Nurse, we were able to convince him of an acceptable in-home schedule vs. a five day hospital stay.

I will start my second round of chemo this coming week for five days – March 5th thru 9th. I go to the clinic everyday from 8:30-12:00 and then return home where I will be on a home IV for the next five days, 24/7. The good news is I only need to spend a few hours a day at the clinic and I get to sleep at home! I also had an echo (stress test of the heart) today to ensure the last round of chemo was not affecting my heart since that is one of the possible side effects. I have not heard from the doctor’s office to make any changes to my treatment, and the tech told me he did not see any differences, so I think we are full steam ahead for Monday…….

Wednesday, 2/28, was the five year anniversary of mom’s passing – we still miss her dearly. Dad has good and bad days. The upside is that he is not in any pain, the down side is he doesn’t live in reality but I guess that’s okay at almost 87 yrs – we’re just glad he doesn’t suffer. Of course, Marla is a SAINT. Her family does a great job too.

Thanks AGAIN to everyone who continue to send their PRAYERS, cards, and letters of encouragement as this is why I am going to make my goal to remission! I love each of you and send my heartfelt appreciation.

God Bless to you and your families,
Kelly