On Monday, June 18th, I will start Round 4 of chemo. It is supposed to be 5 days in the hospital, 24/7, however, past experience has set my expectations at being in the hospital at least six days. I am keeping my fingers crossed that I will be home sometime Saturday night.
If you read Marla’s “comments”, you know that she and two of her girls (Liz & Miranda) are coming to visit in the month of July. I am hoping I can convince my doctor to minimum appointments this month and really have July as a vacation month to entertain, visit with friends & family and tour all the central California sites; from Big Sur, to driving through the Red Woods. When I told David I was taking the month of July “off” as vacation, he said I had been on vacation since I have not been going into the store to work. I quickly informed him the last nine months were no vacation – hahahahaha! Besides, I work all the time as a consultant to him – we all know that behind every good man there is a better woman. Anyway, point being I am hoping for as much of a non-medical month as possible, we’ll have to wait and see…….
Today is packing for the hospital – I told David I felt like Paris Hilton going to lock down for a week! I shouldn’t complain, at least I only have 5-6 days in the “cell!” and we are always looking forward to the positive results from the treatment.
I am sending my best to each of you and your families – Have a great 4th of July. As I said in a previous blog, the place to be on the 4th is Cayucos. If you can make it, we'll see you on the streets of Cayucos by the Sea!!
Love,
Kelly
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Monday, June 11, 2007
The Results from UCSF – June 8th
Finally, some good news from UCSF! This Friday, June 8th, David & I met with Dr. Susan Chang and one of her associates. After reviewing my Brain MRI from December to the most current scan of 5/1/07 the doctors believe the tumor has shrunk, therefore we should proceed forward with Round 4 of Chemo. In addition, Dr. Chang would like a full scan (to review the brain, hip, lung, & spine) and a few weeks after this treatment, if all is going well, they would like to add a 5th Round of treatment. The bad news is more Chemo – the good news would be, if they want Round 5, the Chemo is working.
The other piece of good news is that the doctors say I can start being weaned off the steroids (hip hip hooray!) and trying to reduce some of this 25 additional lbs I have added to my frame! Unfortunately, every time I have chemo I have to start the steroids again and the weaning process will start over. Welcome back Puffer Fish!!
At this point I am just waiting for the shingles to clear up which we are hoping will be within the next few weeks before I can start Round 4. I am also still being monitored weekly for the blood clots in my legs which are controlled by meds and will not defer any treatment. I hope I will have Round 4 finished before the Fourth of July as we are planning to head to Cayucos for the parade and town celebration!
So, as you might imagine, David & I were very excited about the news on Friday, and think we are headed in the right direction! David even took me to a nice lunch on the Wharf after my appointment and then wheeled me around in my wheelchair to see the baby Sea Lions! It was a Good Day!
Of course I know I have God to thank and most of my friends and families prayers to help through this challenge. Thank you AGAIN for your thoughts and keeping me close to you. Right now I still have some limitations with my walking and I have not driven for 7+ months, however once my overall health starts to get better, I will start to work with the physical therapist – my first goal being to walk without a cane, and being able to ride on the back of the Harley again by the end of summer!
I also look forward to getting back into physical and mental shape over the next several months, reducing the amount of medical appoints I have had, and being able to see and or talk to many of my friends/family that it has been difficult to connect with because of some limitations.
Hope all is well with you and your families. Have a safe, FUN, and happy 4th of July! If anyone is around the coast – there is a great Parade and celebration in Cayucos and there will be plenty of us to entertain each other!!
Love,
Kelly
Cell# 714-329-4895
Home# 831-449-3776
The other piece of good news is that the doctors say I can start being weaned off the steroids (hip hip hooray!) and trying to reduce some of this 25 additional lbs I have added to my frame! Unfortunately, every time I have chemo I have to start the steroids again and the weaning process will start over. Welcome back Puffer Fish!!
At this point I am just waiting for the shingles to clear up which we are hoping will be within the next few weeks before I can start Round 4. I am also still being monitored weekly for the blood clots in my legs which are controlled by meds and will not defer any treatment. I hope I will have Round 4 finished before the Fourth of July as we are planning to head to Cayucos for the parade and town celebration!
So, as you might imagine, David & I were very excited about the news on Friday, and think we are headed in the right direction! David even took me to a nice lunch on the Wharf after my appointment and then wheeled me around in my wheelchair to see the baby Sea Lions! It was a Good Day!
Of course I know I have God to thank and most of my friends and families prayers to help through this challenge. Thank you AGAIN for your thoughts and keeping me close to you. Right now I still have some limitations with my walking and I have not driven for 7+ months, however once my overall health starts to get better, I will start to work with the physical therapist – my first goal being to walk without a cane, and being able to ride on the back of the Harley again by the end of summer!
I also look forward to getting back into physical and mental shape over the next several months, reducing the amount of medical appoints I have had, and being able to see and or talk to many of my friends/family that it has been difficult to connect with because of some limitations.
Hope all is well with you and your families. Have a safe, FUN, and happy 4th of July! If anyone is around the coast – there is a great Parade and celebration in Cayucos and there will be plenty of us to entertain each other!!
Love,
Kelly
Cell# 714-329-4895
Home# 831-449-3776
Sunday, June 3, 2007
It’s a Good thing I Love My sister so Much!
Marla, Marla, Marla, yes I love your witty writing, however when the “victim” is moi, it doesn’t seem quite as funny. Hahahahahaha! I believe I asked my lovely sister to update my Blog (see her comments posted 5/25/07) since our internet service was down for awhile thanks to country living in Prunetucky! Truth is that everything Ms. Marla wrote is “write on”, she said it with humor, and still got her points across – the best part of her penmanship is that I laughed, and yet by the time I was done reading the final lines she had me in tears. Thanks Marla, for keeping everyone updated on my medical condition, SIZE 9 (UGH!), and my recent addiction to Ben & Jerry’s! Of course, I am sure it is the STEROIDS, as my doctor has assured me that once I am weaned from them I will no longer look like a, as David affectionately calls me, “Puffer Fish”. Although this challenge is UGLY, David’s honesty keeps me laughing and with a positive attitude.
Now for the current update.
A quick recap; I was in the hospital for my 3rd round of Chemo 5/8-5/13 and was then extended an additional 2 days in the hospital when diagnosed with blood clots in my left leg. Of course, I was going absolutely STIR CRAZY and just wanted to go home, so after 8 days in the hospital, 24/7 IV hook-up, and constant nagging to let me recover at home (feet up until the blood thinner kicks in & the swelling in my once ankles, now cankles is gone) the doc released me. I did have to have a Nurse come to my house for the next 4 days to administer daily stomach injections for the clots, which David insisted he could actually do – I, however, rejected his kind offer. On day one with the Visiting Nurse, I complained that my right arm was bothering me. She told me it was in my head and that the legions on my chest were a reaction from the tape they had used in the hospital, and it was nothing serious. A week later, my Oncologist sent me to the Regional Wound Center, and I was diagnosed with Shingles. BTW – I should have known I could not trust the Visiting Nurse when she told me she might not be able to draw my blood because her eyes were bad, and she thought I was lying about my weight! It went downhill from there when she asked me to hold the tube as it filled with my blood. I could go on, but I think you get the Visiting Nurse Saga……
I am now scheduled for an appointment with Dr. Susan Chang @ UCSF on June 8th to review status. David & I anticipate, based on past experience, she will review the prior two MRI’s and scans and then tell us to proceed forward with Round 4 of Chemo which has already been advised by my local Oncologist and my Neurology team from Hoag/Newport. In the mean time, the doctors and I agree we do not want to start Round 4 until the Shingles are physically “clear” which should be mid to late June. Of course, I am anxious to complete this round, start the steroid weaning process (weight reduction), re-growth of my hair (oh, how I’ll miss my wigs, NOT!), and start getting back to NORMAL. Whatever Normal is, David & I are so ready!
On a more personal note, Marla and Bob are bringing Liz & Miranda to California for a month to do the tourist thing. They are driving out with their RV and will be stay at a local campground. We are excited to take the girls to the Aquarium, Cannery Row, driving the coast, San Fran, etc., all the sites Mom took us to on our annual vacation. One of the highlights this summer will be the 4th of July in Cayucos, as Amy (John’s wife) & new baby, Hannah Kelly are coming to visit, as well as, Molly (Matt’s wife) & children. My best friends, Theresa & Karen will be here also, so the 4th, God willing, is going to be filled family and friends and I am sure lots of LOVE, FAITH & HOPE for the rest of the year. Also if you could, keep Matt in your daily prayers, as he has been deployed back to Iraq. We are praying for his safe return, scheduled currently for December, 2007.
On a final update, the picture I recently sent out, although not great, was just to prove that I have not always been a “Puffer Fish”, I just had to trump Marla’s Blog report
Stay safe & sane during the upcoming Holidays – once again I send my Love to you & your families.
Love always,
The Puffer Fish
Now for the current update.
A quick recap; I was in the hospital for my 3rd round of Chemo 5/8-5/13 and was then extended an additional 2 days in the hospital when diagnosed with blood clots in my left leg. Of course, I was going absolutely STIR CRAZY and just wanted to go home, so after 8 days in the hospital, 24/7 IV hook-up, and constant nagging to let me recover at home (feet up until the blood thinner kicks in & the swelling in my once ankles, now cankles is gone) the doc released me. I did have to have a Nurse come to my house for the next 4 days to administer daily stomach injections for the clots, which David insisted he could actually do – I, however, rejected his kind offer. On day one with the Visiting Nurse, I complained that my right arm was bothering me. She told me it was in my head and that the legions on my chest were a reaction from the tape they had used in the hospital, and it was nothing serious. A week later, my Oncologist sent me to the Regional Wound Center, and I was diagnosed with Shingles. BTW – I should have known I could not trust the Visiting Nurse when she told me she might not be able to draw my blood because her eyes were bad, and she thought I was lying about my weight! It went downhill from there when she asked me to hold the tube as it filled with my blood. I could go on, but I think you get the Visiting Nurse Saga……
I am now scheduled for an appointment with Dr. Susan Chang @ UCSF on June 8th to review status. David & I anticipate, based on past experience, she will review the prior two MRI’s and scans and then tell us to proceed forward with Round 4 of Chemo which has already been advised by my local Oncologist and my Neurology team from Hoag/Newport. In the mean time, the doctors and I agree we do not want to start Round 4 until the Shingles are physically “clear” which should be mid to late June. Of course, I am anxious to complete this round, start the steroid weaning process (weight reduction), re-growth of my hair (oh, how I’ll miss my wigs, NOT!), and start getting back to NORMAL. Whatever Normal is, David & I are so ready!
On a more personal note, Marla and Bob are bringing Liz & Miranda to California for a month to do the tourist thing. They are driving out with their RV and will be stay at a local campground. We are excited to take the girls to the Aquarium, Cannery Row, driving the coast, San Fran, etc., all the sites Mom took us to on our annual vacation. One of the highlights this summer will be the 4th of July in Cayucos, as Amy (John’s wife) & new baby, Hannah Kelly are coming to visit, as well as, Molly (Matt’s wife) & children. My best friends, Theresa & Karen will be here also, so the 4th, God willing, is going to be filled family and friends and I am sure lots of LOVE, FAITH & HOPE for the rest of the year. Also if you could, keep Matt in your daily prayers, as he has been deployed back to Iraq. We are praying for his safe return, scheduled currently for December, 2007.
On a final update, the picture I recently sent out, although not great, was just to prove that I have not always been a “Puffer Fish”, I just had to trump Marla’s Blog report
Stay safe & sane during the upcoming Holidays – once again I send my Love to you & your families.
Love always,
The Puffer Fish
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
