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

Surprising turn of events

Beautiful valentine flowers from my sweetie!

Once again I was all ready to get the surgery date on the calendar after meeting with the surgeon this morning but no. He is very happy with the work the chemo is doing on the tumor and he wants me to have a fourth round. So he must know what he is talking about. People come to see him from all over the world. We are scheduled for round 4 on March 5th, follow-up tests on March 27 and another meeting with the surgeon on March 31st. There goes another month. At least it feels like something is being accomplished and therefore I can go another round.

Much Love, Kate

Mid-week hump

I am definitely feeling better. I had a 25 min. walk on the treadmill this morning. I was thrilled to be back walking one day earlier than the last round of chemo. I'm still finding it necessary to rest in the afternoon but that is no surprise. My appetite is back for the most part and now I just want to have my energy back. Every day it improves.

I continue to be touched and amazed at all the people who are praying for me or sending positive energy. I am getting cards and greetings from people who I didn't think knew I was sick. I guess we do live in a small town. I am most grateful and cheered by all the love and kindness. Thank you.
Much love, Kate

Monday night check in

The chemo truck arrived in earnest today, but so far the hit has been moderate. Could I feel better? Yes. Will I feel better? Yes.

Thanks for all the lovely messsages, they really help the time pass. Keep them coming. Much love, Kate

Round Three

DONE! Pretty uneventful day at the chemo spa. I got really sleepy and had a bit of a nap. Rich brought me some lunch and Susan popped in for a visit. I read a bit, emailed a bit, ate a bit, and napped a bit, so the day was gone before it knew it. I think I was done by 4:15. Only 6 hours and 45 minutes. A new, shorter record.

We had a good visit with the oncologist this morning. He answered many of our questions. He said the tumor was responding to the chemo, not block buster results but also not growing. He said the tumor was not as active and had gotten a little smaller so both of those were positive.

So now I just have to get through the next few days of side effects and then I will see the surgeon on Feb. 24 for a follow-up visit to determine if it is time for surgery. Never a dull moment.

I could really use your prayers, good thoughts and positive energy as I head into the next few days. If you get a chance post a comment on the blog or send me an email.
Thank you and much love, Kate