I went to the Oncologist yesterday and received some good results. Most of my cancer sites are shrinking a little after only six weeks on the mystery drug. The testing must be going well. I do have some side effects (what drug doesn't have those). For instance the "blisters" on the bottom of my feet are not from wearing the wrong shoes, they are from the drug as well as the constant sore throat. I'm certainly willing to put up with that as long as my results are so good. Most of the staff that work with me at the Oncologist's office congratulated me on my wonderful results.
Later that day, when I was back home, my childhood friend who lives in Tucson came to visit me with her wonderful cousin and his wife. She and her cousin by marriage had a fantastic trip to Africa and would go back in a heartbeat they loved it that much. It was so wonderful to see them and catch up on everything.
Charlie is at my mother's house. He's keeping her so active that she sleeps through the night, a first for her. He'll soon have to travel home to start his new teaching jobs. Beau, his partner, is in Phoenix right now and we're having breakfast with him before his flight back to DC. It'll be so great to see him since it's been some months since he traveled here.
Don is still enjoying the good life on the island and starting to feel the first signs of fall coming to the island. We in AZ are just hoping for a temperature below 100 degrees but we have another month to wait for that.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Thursday, August 19, 2010
I'm Back...
Since I started the cancer drug trial I've had some (what I call) severe side effects. I even considered dropping out of the panel but then my sons made me realize that I shouldn't be too hasty. It's not like there's another cancer drug available to fit my needs. And I'm having a CT Scan on Tuesday which should tell us if the drug is working on me. They said then I could make a better decision. It's always easier to come up with all that logic when you aren't the ones having those severe side effects. Gary just mentioned yesterday that it's up to me to find a solution to the side effect symptoms and the Oncologist's job to do the cancer.
Back to a week before this conversation I was at the new gym excited about doing my first two cycle (spinning) classes in 6 years. I did one class on Tuesday and one on Thursday. By the weekend by feet had large dollar size blisters on the bottom although not with any liquid I could see. The thing is I could hardly walk and when I did walk it was like a snail. What had I done? I spoke to one of the cycle intructors who told me you have to wear stiff soles to do cycling or cross trainers. I had worn a running shoe which can fold itself in half. I was heartbroken because I knew my trip to Colorado was coming up and the importance of feet in the golf swing.
Dennis arrived in Colorado first from Minnesota and met me at the Denver airport. Since we arrived at the motel in Lakewood (very nice) at late afternoon we spent the rest of the evening just getting settled. The next day we met Bert & Karen (who have a home here in AZ and also in Colorado) at one of the golf courses they enjoy. It was so beautiful that we were ohhhing and ahhing throughout the round. Then we followed them to their beautiful home and they prepared a delicious lunch with lots of conversation and laughter. It was a wonderful day and it was so heartwarming for me to see our friends. We stayed in Colorado Springs that night at the Doubletree.
On Monday we had a morning tee time at the Broadmoor of which I had great memories. We golfed the East course that day, the Mountain course the next day and had an upgraded room for 2 nights loving every minute. It was exactly the getaway I needed and even though I was only able to golf some holes it did its magic and revived my spirit.
We met some lovely people who we were lucky to have in our foursome. It's easy to see how you can start a lifetime friendship with a few things in common and some great conversation. Dennis and I were both thinking that it would be great to do this once a year, and he said it out loud first. We'll spend the year researching where to go next.
Now we're back home feeling much better about staying in the cancer drug trial and having resolved a few of those awful side effects but also resolved to take myself out of town when the 4 walls start closing in. The mini vacation just picked me up and helped me see things differently.
Our son, Charlie, and his partner, Beau, are visiting Don on Washington Island for a week and have some unusual good weather suitable for swimming in Lake Michigan. They've been hiking and having their vacation fun. I guess we're all getting a pick me up after some unusual hot weather all over the country.
Back to a week before this conversation I was at the new gym excited about doing my first two cycle (spinning) classes in 6 years. I did one class on Tuesday and one on Thursday. By the weekend by feet had large dollar size blisters on the bottom although not with any liquid I could see. The thing is I could hardly walk and when I did walk it was like a snail. What had I done? I spoke to one of the cycle intructors who told me you have to wear stiff soles to do cycling or cross trainers. I had worn a running shoe which can fold itself in half. I was heartbroken because I knew my trip to Colorado was coming up and the importance of feet in the golf swing.
Dennis arrived in Colorado first from Minnesota and met me at the Denver airport. Since we arrived at the motel in Lakewood (very nice) at late afternoon we spent the rest of the evening just getting settled. The next day we met Bert & Karen (who have a home here in AZ and also in Colorado) at one of the golf courses they enjoy. It was so beautiful that we were ohhhing and ahhing throughout the round. Then we followed them to their beautiful home and they prepared a delicious lunch with lots of conversation and laughter. It was a wonderful day and it was so heartwarming for me to see our friends. We stayed in Colorado Springs that night at the Doubletree.
On Monday we had a morning tee time at the Broadmoor of which I had great memories. We golfed the East course that day, the Mountain course the next day and had an upgraded room for 2 nights loving every minute. It was exactly the getaway I needed and even though I was only able to golf some holes it did its magic and revived my spirit.
We met some lovely people who we were lucky to have in our foursome. It's easy to see how you can start a lifetime friendship with a few things in common and some great conversation. Dennis and I were both thinking that it would be great to do this once a year, and he said it out loud first. We'll spend the year researching where to go next.
Now we're back home feeling much better about staying in the cancer drug trial and having resolved a few of those awful side effects but also resolved to take myself out of town when the 4 walls start closing in. The mini vacation just picked me up and helped me see things differently.
Our son, Charlie, and his partner, Beau, are visiting Don on Washington Island for a week and have some unusual good weather suitable for swimming in Lake Michigan. They've been hiking and having their vacation fun. I guess we're all getting a pick me up after some unusual hot weather all over the country.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Two Week Checkup
Dennis arrived Thursday in the wee hours of the night. He was scheduled to be in Phoenix by 10:30 p.m. but with a 2 hour delay it became 12:30 a.m. I had asked Gary to ride to the airport with me and it's a good thing because I wouldn't have been comfortable driving that late. I'm sure it wasn't a picnic for Dennis either.
Thursday we treated the grand kids to a G movie called Ramona and Beezus but except for Sophie we didn't enjoy it. Ben was very good because he didn't fuss about being bored. He wriggled a lot in his seat trying to find a spot to nap I think. After the movie we went to P.F.Chang for dinner and the kids were very good and ate their dinners.
Friday I had my two week checkup. I was surprised that the only test I had was a blood test and had fasted to be able to take my pill there. My handler gave me my calendar so now I can see what days I'll be tested in the office. It doesn't say what day I'll have a CT scan but it does say when someone from the doctor's office will call to schedule one. In the evening we went to dinner with Gary, Diane, Sophie and Ben.
I have a couple minor side effects from the pills but all in all I feel good. I still have nausea most days but it's unpredictable when I'll wake up with it. I wonder if this is a result of having radiation on my esophagus. The cough is much better and I'm staying off sugar hoping it goes away completely.
This week I'll start working out in the new Fitness Center halfway to Gary's house. They offer cycling and many different classes mornings and evenings so there won't be any reason to miss a day of working out. I'm excited about trying some new classes although I'll stay with the Weight Training classes on Fridays at our fitness center when I don't have a checkup.
Thursday we treated the grand kids to a G movie called Ramona and Beezus but except for Sophie we didn't enjoy it. Ben was very good because he didn't fuss about being bored. He wriggled a lot in his seat trying to find a spot to nap I think. After the movie we went to P.F.Chang for dinner and the kids were very good and ate their dinners.
Friday I had my two week checkup. I was surprised that the only test I had was a blood test and had fasted to be able to take my pill there. My handler gave me my calendar so now I can see what days I'll be tested in the office. It doesn't say what day I'll have a CT scan but it does say when someone from the doctor's office will call to schedule one. In the evening we went to dinner with Gary, Diane, Sophie and Ben.
I have a couple minor side effects from the pills but all in all I feel good. I still have nausea most days but it's unpredictable when I'll wake up with it. I wonder if this is a result of having radiation on my esophagus. The cough is much better and I'm staying off sugar hoping it goes away completely.
This week I'll start working out in the new Fitness Center halfway to Gary's house. They offer cycling and many different classes mornings and evenings so there won't be any reason to miss a day of working out. I'm excited about trying some new classes although I'll stay with the Weight Training classes on Fridays at our fitness center when I don't have a checkup.
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