Almost unbelievable

Actually, I can't believe it. I went all winter long, compromised immune system and all, and didn't get sick once. But last Thursday, 1 week before my surgery, I started to get a sore throat. I thought maybe it was allergies. Friday it was worse. Clearly it wasn't allergies. Saturday it was worse and my voice was almost gone. Sunday, the sore throat was gone but I had a raging head cold. It's subsiding somewhat today but there is no doubt that I have a cold. My friend Ilene asked what Freud would say about this!

My primary care doc said they wouldn't cancel the surgery due to a cold...thank goodness. I'm not sure I could handle that!!!

Rich and I sat on a beach yesterday afternoon and let the sun do it's magic. It had to have helped the cold. It really helped the attitude.

Currently the surgery is scheduled for 7:30 on Thursday. We have to arrive by 5:30 am. Hope someone will be there to check us in! We will have to confirm the time on Wed. and will let you know if it changes.

Pre-op visit tomorrow and one more visit with Dr. Sugarbaker. We will also meet his chief fellow, John Danials, who will help with the surgery. He is also the doc that will take care of me post-surgery. He is suppose to be a gifted surgeon as well, according to one of his colleague fellows.

Countdown continues

A week from today I will be going in for my surgery. That sounds strange. It is the truth though and I'm trying to grasp it. My Mother used told me to not wish my life away, but in this instance I do wish that my surgery was today. Time seems to be moving very slowly all of a sudden. I don't recall time ever moving so slowly on vacation or when I was having fun.

I am thrilled at the thought of a sunny, warm weekend. I can't wait to take my walk with the sun beating down on me and melting all those frozen cells from the long winter.

It has been so good for me to be back at the gym. Some of those elusive muscles have started to show themselves again. I really appreciate Rich's encouragement to try to regain some strength before the surgery. I'm sure it will help my recovery. I'm off to the gym now.

Much love, Kate

Counting down

Two weeks to go before my surgery. I'm having occasional moments of nervousness followed by longer periods of calm. Thanks to my friend Amelia, I've been listening to a pre-surgery meditation that is very helpful, especially if I wake up in the night. (A frequent occurrence.)

As is my way, I have been thinking of positive things. For example, it is likely I'll be back home in three weeks. It may sound silly but it is a goal.

I'm walking a lot. I even had to tell my walking buddies to pick up the pace yesterday. I've also been having a lot of fun playing ping pong at Susan and Kyle's house. It sounds crazy but it really is a workout. Especially having to bend down and pick up the ball all the time! The gym has been helping me rediscover my former muscles. They are slowing coming around, but I'm not ready to hoist a sail yet.

Much love, Kate

Bummer

I got some disappointing news today. My surgery has been postponed until April 30th. Apparently Dr. Sugarbaker was called out of town the week of the 20th and he didn't ask my opinion about it. I would have told him what was more important. But as Rich said, "that's what happens when you have a rock star as your surgeon."

It will give me another week to build up my strength. I've started back to the gym this week and have discovered some muscles that haven't been used for awhile. I'm sure I will put that extra week to good use.

Much love, Kate

Moving Forward

We had a big day today at the Brigham. The best news is that the last 2 rounds of chemo really did their job. The tumor has basically shrunk in half. Yippie!!! And the glucose uptake has been signifcantly reduced.

The other big news is that we have a surgery date. Mark your calendars for Wed. April 22. I will let you know the time as we get closer. I would really appreciate all your good vibes, positive energy, prayers, etc on that day. It sounds like the surgery is plenty complicated and so I will likely be in the hospital for 7 to 10 days. They said they would bounce me as soon as I was ready.

I get to spend the next three weeks building up my red and white blood count, getting back some of my energy and walking.

Thanks to our friend Anne for the beautiful roses. Much love to all, Kate

Another test done

I just got home from another PET scan in Boston. Rather uneventful now that I've gotten used to them. We will see Dr. Sugarbaker on Tuesday and get the results. Hoping for a surgery date if that is the next event. Thanks for the beautiful spring flowers Susie. Much love, Kate

Brrrrrrrr

Happy Spring! It certainly doesn't feel like spring but they say it is. Temp is 36 with windchill at about 28. This is not spring in my book.

I'm beginning to feel better every day. It is shocking to me to be so fatigued. The last time I spoke to the oncologist he reminded me about our conversation on the first visit in which he described the chemo side affects. Number one side affect was fatigue. I start the day with gusto and then by about 1:30 I hit a wall. Then it's nap time!

One week from today I will have the next set of diagnostics. I'm not really looking forward to the MRI. It will be a good test to find out just how claustrophobic I am. The PET scan seems like old hat. We just keep hoping that the beast has shrunk.

Thanks to our friend Dick for the beautiful flowers. And thank you for the lovely meals this week. They are always appreciated. Much love, Kate

Ah, feeling better!

Just read the last blog entry...bit of a rant! I'm feeling a lot better the past two days. More energy and definitely a better outlook. I'm still easily tired but I'm not totally wiped out. Walked for a short time yesterday and hope to get out in the sunshine today for a little longer walk.

Thank you for all the great care and concern, wonderful meals, thoughtful cards, and beautiful flowers. It all makes me feel greatly loved and gives me the strength to stay positve and shrink the beast. Thank you Marion for the lovely flowers above. Much love, Kate

Slightly out of focus but nevertheless beautiful flowers from our friend Sue.

There is no doubt that the chemo is cumulative. I seem to not be bouncing back quite so quickly or easily this time around. Not that I really feel bad, I don't. I'm just really tired. I'm also a little impatient. I just realized it has only been a week since the last round of chemo. I'm wanting, expecting to be at the top of my game and that just doesn't happen at the end of the first week. I guess I'm a little impatient with the weather too. It is either warmer and raining or sunny and cold. I'm longing to be outside in the sunshine. Much love, Kate

Blessed

This round of the chemo truck has side-swiped me vs. the regular direct hit of the past. I was able to take a short walk yesterday in the beautiful weather and then we sat on the deck soaking up some sun. Heavenly! I'm feeling a little worse today but still thinking about going outside so that must be a good sign. Just a few more days and the worst will be over. Much love, Kate

Round # 4

I finished my day at the chemo spa in record time today. Just 6 hours. And the time flew by. Morellen came down from Boston to give me a ride and then hang out for a few hours. Unfortunately her car radiator started leaking and her car overheated as she drove down. She had to have her car towed to Hyannis to get the radiator replaced. This fits with the saying "No good deed goes unpunished." Thanks again Momo!
Then my friend Lisa came by and visited for awhile. And that was a lot of fun. We laughed a lot. Very cathartic.
At 3, Lisa went on her way and Tom and Angela came by. I had just about 20 minutes left of my drip and then they graciously gave me a ride home. Thanks to all.
I am pretty tired from all the activity and my voice is a little raspy from talking and laughing, but I'm in good spirits. Ready to see how this round plays out. Every time I think how rotten I feel, I'm going to remember how rotten the tumor must feel. That's the goal.
Much love, Kate

Biding my time

I feel a little like a student with a test hanging over their head. But I'm not sure what to study in preparation for the next round of chemo. I'm trying to enjoy this third week of the cycle when I feel pretty good.
I do think the cumulative effect of the chemo is catching up with me. I don't feel like I'm bouncing back quite so completely this time, which is disturbing. My energy is just not where I would like it to be. I suppose that is to be expected after three rounds.
I'll be in the chair all day on Thursday so feel free to send some entertaining email. Thanks, Kate