It was a LONG Five Days.....

…….that turned into Six! But I am home, and thanks to Char who spent Monday thru Wednesday with me, and Theresa & Karen who spent Thursday thru Saturday with me, WE did it! It was definitely a Team effort. Of course, David came too, but the girls were “living” the confinement to the 5th Floor - Cabin Fever is not pretty after about Day 3 with this girlfriend! I got home at 9:30PM Saturday night and have never been happier to see my house, animals, bed, etc.! Other than that, everything went fine. I got the Nulestra shot on Monday to control the white blood cell counts, which to-date have been right in line with what they should be.

I am now scheduled for a Pet Scan (PT) on the 19th and will get the results on the 23rd. My understanding is the chemo is working its magic over the next few weeks and the PT will show the current results. The Dr. will then recommend the next form of treatment based on those scans, ie additional radiation, surgery, next round of chemo, etc.

But I think I have it better than Marla right now and the demands of Mr. CFC! Dad has “reincarnated’ and back to his demands. She keeps me in daily giggles with her Daddy stories (I’m just wondering if I should report her to the Old Folks Agency when she tells me she drugged him because he was being so bad!?!) I miss arguing with Dad about his car keys, taking him to the casino and “needing to talk right now” but yes, I have passed the baton for now. Marla & I had a recent idea to send Dad to the valley with Sister Char! Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha! Sorry, I lost my head for a minute!!

Life at the Sewart Zoo has been good. We are trying to teach Bailey Bird to say “Thank you Jesus” which is the Sewart House Mantra. Bailey is still a baby and her vocabulary limited, but we’ll get there! I figure, everyday we open our eyes in the morning we should say “Thank You Jesus!” cuz it’s a good day! It is so fun being around this talking bird and listening to her talk. Marla also has an African Grey she is training – we have a good time comparing “bird” notes! Dogs & Cats are also doing good, Gwen.

Also, before I close I wanted to respond to my good friend Nicole who I love dearly. You are the cutest city girlfriend I have ever had! Roosters crow – chickens lay eggs, any questions? (Nicole wrote on the blog 3/31….the chickens! I remember the first time I went to your parents house for our work Christmas party and I spent the night there and was awoken by the darn chickens because someone forgot to put the blanket over them or whatever it was to keep them from waking at the crack of dawn. Or was it roosters?!)

And BTW – that was a GREAT party hosted at the Casas house! Those were FUN times in Fullerton!

And so I leave my friends and family until the next update after the 23rd. My very best to you and your families. I think of you all often, and as I am in your Prayers, you are in mine.

Sending my love,
Kelly

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

It's GREAT to be Home!

Hello my friends! It's Sunday afternoon and David & I are waiting for the arrival of my lovely sister, Char, on the 6:30PM "train" so I thought I would update the blog in the mean time. (Yes, crazy Char takes a 7 hr train trip vs 1 hr flight as she does not like to fly - she must really love me - as I do her!)

Where do I start? As you know Theresa was here to hold my hand in the hospital and much more but I'll leave out some of the details, and she was TERRIFIC! She took care of me as if she was my personal nurse - she is my hero, but after being best friends for 37 years I think everyone knows that! Of course, we didn't go without getting into some mischief. We were so bored we went to the gift shop and got yelled at for being on a cell phone and then went to the Starbucks (yes, it's in the hospital) and were reprimanded because they will not serve patients and I was not supposed to be off my floor. Theresa then proceeded to tell them the other drink & pastry was for another person or they would not sell it to her for me - we got a good laugh later as we shuffled back to my room. It made me think of our first job together at KFC at age 15 1/2 and the initial, accidental, commotion we stirred when we tried to make our first batch of mashed potatoes - it was straight out of and I Love Lucy episode. BTW - this was all on day 1.

As far as the treatments themselves, it's just a long and boring day. Unfortunately the kind of chemo I am receiving is very intense and therefore there are several pre-meds & post-mosts and therefore it takes about 12 hours for the entire process. It doesn't hurt because I was on an IV through the port-a-cath for the entire 5 days, however, as many of you know, being in the hospital is not very fun - yes, I wanted to go home. Theresa & I took our daily walks, played cards, read, talked and made the very best of our stay at the "Hospital Hotel". The good news is I was released on Friday night at about 9:00PM. I slept like a baby that night - there is nothing like sleeping in your own bed.

As you might know, chemo kills cancer cells, but it also attacks a persons good cells. So today I had to go for an injection that will help to keep my white blood count up. So far I have had limited nausea (knock on wood) and am taking a pill to help calm my tummy. The injection I received today can cause flu like symptons for a few days which would start over the next day or two, however Char & I have plans therefore I do not & will not have time for the flu!

The doctor is talking about my next round of treatment in 3 weeks - which would be around the week of March 12th for another 5 days. I told him I am ready but have requested this treatment on an outpatient basis. Basically I will go to the chemo clinic first thing in the morning and stay all day for treatment, returning daily Monday thru Friday. They will be long days, but I will get to go home at night. I feel good about this decision and will confirm with the doc at my next appt.

Other than that, I am anxious to get back to regular life. David has been incredible through this entire journey. He has been my daily caregiver, which I know is not an easy job. I have tried to maintain some sense of "regular" when we are at home and continue to cook, which I love to do, laundry (ugh), and regular house stuff. I just can't wait to get back to work at Aaron's as I was enjoying our business - and as most of you know, I just love to work. David & I have been together for 6+ years, got engaged in Nov 2005, and are looking forward to our nuptials as soon as I can get it scheduled. :)

Thanks to everyone who responded to my last update. You touched my heart and brought tears to my eyes. I know in my heart I am being healed by the power of YOUR support that has included so many prayers. To be in your prayer groups has overwhelmed me and I want to thank you again. I don't want to say this experience has changed me, however, I continue to evolve especially with my relationship with God. I will continue to learn and grow through this experience.

I hope each of you & your families are enjoying month two of 2007. Until the next update I send my love to you and your families.

Love,
Kelly

5 Day Treatment Scheduled (2/12-2/16)

Thought I'd take a quick moment to update yesterday's visit with Dr. Chang, @ UCSF. Overall the meeting confirmed that the other Neuro Oncologists were planning the right treatment, however, I now feel more comfortable after talking with Dr. Chang as she has seen the "whole" picture (from my brain tumor to the metastasized tumors).

In conjunction with my local oncologist, they have a final chemo treatment plan, which unfortunately increased the number of days in the hospital from 4 to 5. I will enter on Monday 2/12 and go home on either Friday or Saturday depending on what time they actually start the chemo Monday. Evidently there is a shot I must receive after the final treatment, 4-8 hours at the end, that will determination my release time. My fingers are crossed for Friday!

As I said, I'm looking forward to Therese at the hospital Monday thru Thursday. There's a Starbucks in the facility and we are hoping for daily Chai Tea's & our Soap Opera's (I recently got re-hooked on All My Children after xx amount of years!) Also, Char has decided to come to visit me the following Sunday since I am told, if you are going to get sick, it usually occurs 3+ days after you return from the hospital. Since Char's stomach is about as weak as mine (very) I thought that was very sweet - last time I was sick she just kept trying to do my hair and put make-up on me! Everyone has there place, her's is making sure you look good. She's great.

I'm not sure if I will have Internet access from the hospital, or when I will be up to the next update, but know that I am thinking about all of you and THANKING you for your PRAYERS and thoughts that get me this daily routine.

Love to you and your families,
Kelly

Getting Ready for Treatment......

Hello my friends and how was your day today?

As most of you know Char, Karen & I spent the weekend with my dad. Sadly his health is on a daily decline and at this point he can no longer walk and does not make much sense when he talks. However as Marla says, he is a fighter, and he wakes up everyday saying he feels fine! It was a physically challenging trip for me as the tumor in my left hip and the edema, which causes numbness on my right side, make it hard to walk. With all that said, although a very emotional trip, it was more than worthwhile to get see my dad and Oklahoma family.

The first day back from OK I had/have appointments getting me ready for the chemo treatments that are scheduled for this coming Monday-Thursday (2/12-2/15). Monday I had the Port-a-Cath interview, Tuesday I met with the Chemo Nurse to review the treatment plan and what to expect and today I had the Port-a-Cath Surgery. They inserted a port, about the size of a half dollar on my right side upper chest. You are wide awake during this "procedure", however they are kind enough to throw you some Percoset! Of course, what they do is numb the site, but you still feel the pressure as they are making the incisions/insertions, etc. To keep myself distracted, I talked to the doctor the WHOLE time. I quized him on almost everything, schooling, family, the whole thing - he probably wished I was sedated! Right now I am really sore on my right side which, according to the doctor should subside over the next few days.

My next appointment is this Friday, 2/9 at UCSF, with the Chief Neuro Oncologist, Dr. Chang, who I have been trying to get to see since early December. This is an important appointment because she specializes in malignant meningnoma's. The outcome on Friday will determine the final chemo treatment for Monday. (There are 100's of types of chemo's and at this point Dr. Chang could still make changes to the treatment plan based upon her review).

Theresa is flying in on Sunday and planning to stay in the hospital with me for the four days of chemo - we're ready to start the program!!! Of course Therese tell's me she is coming armed with a bunch of "projects" like knitting, etc., - sounds like work to me! David will also be there but can't spend the night as the Sewart farm (Jack the lovable Labradoodle, Bailey the African Grey Bird, & Bud, Mick and KC the Cats) all must be tended to daily.

Thanks again for checking in and I will update the blog after my appointment on Friday!

Hope you and your families are doing well. God Bless.

Love to all,
Kelly