WAHOO - last chemo done!

Hi Everyone

Well, I thought I would do this blog!

Had chemo 6 today - last one!!

We left the house at 7 as it is snowing like crazy here - and has for the last 4 days (we have a white Christmas - stop snowing! - over 2 feet don't want anymore!) and wanted to make sure we got to the hospital and clinic on time - no problem, only took 30 minutes. So got my blood work done - I was the first patient. Then breakfast in the cafeteria and wait and wait. My chemo appt was for 9am and we meandered to the clinic at 8:30, hoping they would take me early - no such luck - took me late instead!

My chemo nurse was Phil - not quite as organized at the gals I have had - but nice nonetheless. He asked me how I had been feeling and how I was feeling today. I said ok, the usual aches and pains. He he said my white cell blood count was up (16.5) and he was concerned. He had to phone Dr. Johal (my oncologist is off this week) to see if it was ok to proceed with the chemo and it was. He said it was probably because of the steroids that are in the Docetaxel and in the Hydrocortisone. But we were out of there at a decent time!

I gave gifts to the chemo nurses I had previously - ornaments for their trees and they loved them. Got hugz from Donna - as she was the only one there.

I have a CT scan booked for Feb 3 to see how the tumours are doing and then see Dr. Pansegrau on Feb 13 (a Friday). And then we will go from there.

Brian and I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and hope that 2009 is a much better year health wise for me and that 2009 brings much luck and happiness to everyone!!

Hugz

Roni

- Last chemo!

Just to give an idea on the snow!

Last pre-chemo of 2008 & Baby News!!!

This past Friday, Mom and Brian went to go see Dr. Pansegrau for a check-up before her chemo. Everything went well and the chemo is scheduled for 9am on Christmas Eve. Mom will have to go in at 7:50am on Christmas Eve to go get her blood work done as well.

Dr. Pansegrau wants Mom to go back on the drug she was on prior to the cancer diagnosis. The drug is called Exemestane, and is an anti-hormonal drug. The Dr. will be booking another CT scan for the end of January and then Mom and Brian will be going to see him a week later to get the results from that. Basically at this point it is a wait and see kind of situation.

I know some people have asked why Mom has only done 6 chemo treatments and here is the reason. Cancer cells can build up immunity to the chemo drug and will in-turn stop working. Mom was on Docetaxel, which is one of the stronger chemo drugs out there and it does a number on the body, thus the reason for only 6 treatments. Mom is still having some swelling in her left leg and her face due to fluid retention-a side effect of the drug.

Some exciting family news now!!!

Mom and Brian have a new grand-daughter!!!!!

Ayla Helena-Mae was born on Dec 17 at 11:02pm. She weighed in at 7lbs 14oz and was 21” long. Leina, CW and big sister, Brooke, are all adjusting well to having a new baby in the house!!!! Big congratulations to them. Here are a couple pictures of Mom and Brian meeting her for the first time!!

We would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!!

Chemo 5 done and one to go!

Meghan is busy studying for exams, so I will do the blog today!!! One more to go!!!!!!


I got the results of the ultrasound that I had on my left leg before I left the room. Jane, my technician, said she could not see anything that was of concern. If she has seen anything that looked like I clot, she would have sent me immediately to emergency via gurney - so that was very good news.


I still have swelling - which is painful at times - in both of the legs now - though the left is worse than the right. This is fluid retention - another one of the lovely side effects. So keep the legs up when I can, and take the meds that I have.

I had Chemo 5 this morning - went fairly smoothly - except twit me - forgot how to take my meds - I am supposed to take two dexamethasone twice daily for three days.... well, I took 1 twice daily on Tuesday and 1 this morning - that is three, not six! When my chemo nurse, Lesley asked when I took my meds - I told her that I took 1 at three different times and then went crap! This could have stalled me having my chemo today! But she called the oncologist and I got the go ahead and was given the dexamethasone via IV, then the allergy preventatives -and eventually my docetaxal. So landed being at the chemo clinic for three hours! At least the others in my pod were a lot of fun!


I see Dr. Pansegrau on Dec 19. The blood work will be done an hour before the chemo on Dec 24 (great Xmas present, huh!). And that will be it - hopefully. I will have a CT scan in mid January to see how the tumours are shrinking and then will go from there. When we saw Dr. P on Monday, I asked how often I would have to come back for follow-ups. About every 4-6 weeks for blood work and there would be scans as well. We asked about further chemo or if chemo gets to the point where the cancer just ignores it. And he said yes, this can happen - so again we shall wait and see. If after the CT in January further chemo is needed then will go for it. If he thinks not, I may go and see an oncologist on the north shore who looks outside the box - my surgeons can refer me to him. But we shall take it one day at a time and see what the scan says.


Till then, I am going to enjoy December and the Christmas holidays with my family and close friends - this indeed will be a very special Christmas to both Brian and myself!


Ciao for now and if I don't get to write again, Merry Christmas everyone and a very Happy New Year!


Roni





Just between the anti-allergy drugs and the docetaxal






My chemo nurse Lesley

Pre-chemo # 5

Mom went in for her usual blood work and oncologist appointment this morning. Her blood counts all came back normal, which is always a good thing. She then went and saw Dr. Pansegrau, who is sending Mom for an ultrasound of her leg. Mom has been having some swelling and pain in her (left-I think) leg and the Dr just wants to make sure it isn't a clot or anything like that. So Mom should be going to get that done in the next couple of days, although with that happening, it does push her chemo date back a little bit. Will let you all know when that date is and how the ultrasound goes...

On a bit of a different note, Dr. Pansegrau told Mom that if all keeps going the way it has been, she could be back at work as early as March. Of course, this would be done slowly to make sure her body can handle it. Mom was pretty happy about that!!! :)

More to come later when we have dates set for the ultrasound and chemo.

Some Wisdom

I am in the midst of reading a dear friend's journal - it is astounding - but I found some words in it, that I am going to put here - give full credit to H. for them - they are perfect! There are days that I am home and the phone never rings. I have had people say they are coming by for a visit - and they don't show. My email inbox is just full of jokes (not that this is a bad thing).


To our friends:

1. We want to know that you care. Tell us, phone write us, hug us.

2. Cards and flowers are visible symbols of your caring. Cards especially are keepers. We relish them.

3. We are living with cancer, not dying from it. Treat us the same as you always did.

4. Don't be afraid to talk to us about the disease and the treatment. We're not. We will be honest. Honesty comes with the territory. Then, lets get past it and be ourselves.

5. Please don't drop by unannounced. By calling first,we will have the option as to whether or not we feel up to seeing you. We may have had a bad day or we may be dealing with a really serious matter and need to work through it. I may be tired.

6. If you have problems and want to talk about them, don't think that they are insignificant next to ours. We care about you too. We need to be helpful in order to be worthy of your friendship. There is no need to deny us the opportunity to demonstrate our love for you. It will make us feel good to help. It will also allow us to see that we are not the only people in the world with problems.

7. Listen to our cues. If we tell you that we don't want to talk about something, please stop.

8. We need lots of hugs and squeezes.

So, there it is.... I know this has been said before, but we really do miss people calling and coming to visit. I may have cancer, but I am still me and that is not going to change!

Roni and Brian

Something Fun!

As many of your know, it was my birthday on the 24th. Brian decided to take me out for dinner to the Saint St. Grill on Saturday - much to me grumbling, "but it's not my birthday". Oh well, we went and a wonderful dinner - and of course ate too much! And we had such a wonderful time!

I was too stuffed for dessert and Brian kept looking at his watch more than normal! So off we went and he said let's have a drink at the pub - we were to have gone to a movie after the drink.


When I got into the pub - Brian snuck to my left side so that I couldn't see people! But when I turned the corner, I saw my coo-worker Tina there - that is when he got smacked on the arm!

He and Meghan had arranged all of this! I was so totally blown away from the number of people who came out for me - on a rather cool night! I had my morning train friends (Wendy. Mike, Robin) my afternoon train gang (Lisa and Suzanne - and Gary whom I hadn't seen in months). Some earlier morning train friends (Stephen and Annette) - all complete with spouses (those that have them). All three of my kids were there plus my two special adopted kids, both of Brian's boys where there. A set of our neighbours, co-workers, my ex-hubby and his wife (Rick and Chantal) Colleen, Rae, Jasmin and Jorge and so many others, too many to mention!!


Suzanne and Lisa brought the cake - it was sooooooo yummy - and we are still eating it (it is for dessert, girls on Saturday - LOL).


I was totally amazed and loved by the showing of these very special people! You all did so well in keeping the secret - I was had big time!


There are a few pictures below to show the fun time had by all!! (f you want to see more and you are on Facebook, they are there under My 55th).

Thanks again to all of you who made this a special 55th birthday!

Roni




Me, jut prior to leaving the house for dinner



Shannon, Dwayne, Me and Sarah



Eleanor and Robin



Chantal


With Lindsay and Shannon

Shannon, Me, Lindsay and Corey in the background

Meghan and I

Brian and I at the restaurant

Round 4 of Chemo

Roni just chilling will the drugs go into the system!

Round 4 went well. But then they are always rather boring. IV in, drugs drip in, IV out and you go home!



This time Chantal came with me - so those of you who know what her and I can get up to - we had a lot of fun. Donna and Colleen, the chemo nurses had a blast with us. Donna actually flew out from behind a screen on her chair when I mentioned that Chantal was married to my ex-husband - lots of laughs and giggles over that one - her comment was I want to hear to that one. She got an edited version!!!

Chantal and Roni after the chemo session was done!

And this time, Donna actually posed for a picture - better than fuzzy ones! She doesn't like getting her pix taken she said because they were not great - well Chantal got a good one of her.

Donna and Roni after session done!

Then Chantal and I dropped by Brian's shop to say hi and go home - except I forgot it was Wednesday and he had his networking dinner. So, I went over for a nice visit with Chantal and Rick - with a wee drink and some lovely cheese - mmmmmmm.



Next blood work is Dec 1 and meeting with Dr. Pansegrau same day. Dec 3 is chemo number 5 - and that just leaves one move on Xmas Eve - #6 and then we are done! A CT scan will be done a couple of weeks after treatment 6 and then we will see how those tumours are shrinking!!!

Fantastic news!!!

Mom went in this morning to get her usual blood work done and then went and saw Dr. Pansegrau shortly after that. This is when Mom and Brian got the great news... Dr. Pansegrau got the results from Mom's CT Scan that she had done last week and it showed that the tumors are shrinking!!! Some have had SIGNIFICANT shrinkage-which is fantastic!! Mom's tumor markers are also down, which again is great!!

Dr. Pansegrau asked Mom if she has had any of the side effects from the chemo drug-to which Mom responded 'which one?' He told Mom and Brian that they are going to keep her on the same chemo drug and at the same level they have had since the second round (75% rather than 100%), as he figures if they put her back onto the 100% level she will end up back in the hospital again (the full dosage of Docetaxel basically wipes out the blood counts).

Mom will be having another CT Scan either just before or just after her 6th round of chemo to see if there has been any more shrinkage-at this point Dr. Pansegrau will determine if Mom needs to have more rounds of chemo. Finally some GREAT news!!!

Just me - to add my two cents worth to a "comment" that was made here - and has since been deleted.

I found it hurtful, nasty, offensive, distasteful and cruel. And it hurt me very much. I guess you get the point.

The person who left this message, did not have the guts to leave his/her name. So, showing what a coward they are.

I don't mind people writing and voicing an opinion - but not when it gets mean and nasty- then I draw the line.

Now, I am sure that there will be a good comment from Brian. But if you can't write anything nice, then don't write at all. This blog was written to inform people, to cry and laugh with people and to just stay up to date.

Roni

Pumpkin Patch

Mom, Ryan and I on the hayride down to the field



Mom and Ryan walking around


Ryan & I


Mom & Ryan with the pumpkins we picked


Ryan on the way back to go pay for our pumpkins

Well, this round of chemo seems to have hit Mom a lot harder than the other rounds have.

Mom has had a lot of muscle and joint pain, and it has moved into her wrists, elbows and lower limbs. So she has been taking a lot of trips into the hot tub. So she is going to talk to Dr. Pansegrau about getting something for this the next time around.

She has also had a lot of fatigue this time, so Mom has spent a lot of time sleeping. Mom has also had some nausea (thankfully no throwing up though) and another not so pleasant side effect. . . . Well you get the idea… thankfully they both seem to have disappeared.

Mom has been fighting a bit of a cold for the last couple weeks and it doesn’t seem to want to go away. She’s been taking some Cold-FX and getting lots of rest but nothing seems to be working. .Hopefully it will go soon. She has also had a bit of neuropathy in her fingers (tingling and/or numbness in her fingers). This is also a side effect from the chemo that she was told by other’s could happen.

Mom goes in for a CT scan on Nov. 4 at 9:30 to see if any of the tumors have shrunk. She will get the results on the 10, so I will update you all on that when it happens. Mom is also going to get a flu shot on Nov 10-this is free for her as it is a must for cancer patients and also because Brian is diabetic.

Mom, Ryan and I headed out to a pumpkin patch this past weekend to go pick out a couple pumpkins. We took a hayride down to the field and we all had a ton of fun walking around. We did get to the patch about 30 minutes before it opened so we thought we were going to have to sit and wait, however; we got invited into the barn to watch all the cows come in to eat. Ryan LOVED it and for the rest of the day, all I heard was “tows, tows, tows”. I will add some pictures from our adventure.

Mom also took a trip out to her office on Wednesday to go visit. She had a great visit with everyone and got some “goodies” (as Mom put it) from one of the girls.

Chemo Round 3

Well not much to report this time around... Everything went as planned and thankfully there were no reactions or anything like that. Mom had the same nurse she had during round one, Trish, who is fantastic!! Brian went to take a picture but the camera died, so no picture time around!!!!

Mom goes in to see Dr. Pansegrau on Nov. 10 for her blood work and all that fun stuff. If everything goes as planned she will be having round 4 on Nov 12.

Stay tuned for more updates!!!

Chemo's a Go!!

This is going to a quick update as I am in desperate need of sleep!!! :)

Mom went in for her blood work today, to check her blood counts and make sure they are all normal. Thankfully, they are exactly where they should be!!! She also went and saw Dr. Pansegrau as well, who told her everything is good!!! He sent her for a chest x-ray as Mom is starting to cough again and have shortness of breath. And as she put it the other day she's "starting to crackle again"... I'm not sure when the results from that will come back but I am assuming it will be soon.

Round 3 of chemo is a go for Wednesday morning. They are still going to be using the same drug as before (docetaxol), however; instead of waiting to see if there is going to be an allergic reaction, they are going to give Mom two doses of Benedryl as well as a hydrocortisone shot. Once they have done that, they will then start the docetaxol (same dosage as before 75%). We are hoping for no reactions this time!!!! :D

Sorry for the scare!!!!

Didn't mean to give everyone a scare! But, yes, I did go to the hospital - I spiked a fever and when I spoke with the cancer clinic, they said go into emergency. Which we did. I was masked right away and the sent to the isolation room in Pediatrics Emergency - with a fever of 39.2. For the most part if was ok - till the end when a few babies were just not happy little campers. They did blood cultures and took a ton of blood - well maybe not quite a ton...... We sat and waited - I lay on a very uncomfy gurney for about 2 hours give or take for a doctor to come back in and give the results. And I am cold, but you can't have a warm blanket because you have a fever, not quite sure on that one - but I did have my cancer quilt and it stayed with me! And we were happy with the results - my white blood count was just fine! And the rest of the blood work was fine as well. The doctor figures it had to do with the cold that I am fighting. But he said to follow up with Dr. P whom I am seeing on Monday. This doesn't mess up my chemo at all - wahooooo!!!!

Roni

Finally IT'S here!!!

First off, I wanted to apologize for not getting more updates on here lately... Our computer went of the fritz and I wasn't able to do much with it until it was fixed.

So after countless stores and "hours" of searching, Mom was finally able to find a pink wig... It got brought out on saturday night at our Thanksgiving dinner and well a couple other people decided to wear the wig...

Mom with the wig....

Then Brian decided to wear it...

Mom and Brian looking cute...

Then it was Matt (Brian's son) turn to wear it...

Update re eyeballs and other body parts!

Hi there

Yes, I still have my eyeballs!!!!

But the chemo has affected them as well. I saw the opthamologist this morning, very nice doctor, though he did keep us waiting for almost an hour. He checked my eyes, and then put those horrible drops in - you know the ones - that make your pupils HUGE and then you can't stand light for hours. Those drops! He said that my retinas were fine - they always want to check those. BUT - I have to stop wearing my contacts for two weeks - yech! There are some spots on the corneas and he wants them to be able to heal. These are caused by the chemo - it dries the eyes out. So, I have drops that I have to put in 4 times a day for the next two weeks as well. I go back and see the specialist on the 21st at 8:30 and hopefully he will let me put the contacts back in. Good thing I did have my spare glasses around or I would be in big trouble.

Other than that, I am healthy - no real side effects to speak of. My mouth is a bit sore, but I got medication for that, so no problems there! The joints were sore for about 24 hours, but the hot tub helps cure that and they are fine today. Go back and see the oncologist on the 20th and chemo on the 22nd.

They are going to do a CT scan a week prior to treatment four, to see if the chemo is working at all and the tumors are shrinking (they had damned well better - if they know what is good for them!). They will do another one two weeks after treatment six as well and then go from there.

Had a wonderful visit to my office on Monday - it was so nice seeing everyone again - and getting a wonderful surprise gift from them - it is being well spent, I can assure you - the 2005 Bordeaux's came out on Saturday and well, let's just say, I have plenty to last me for a while. Booking my spa day - the spa forgot to call me back this morning - Friday at 2:15pm - I can't wait..... 75 minutes of total relaxation!

That is about if for now...... readership seems to have fallen off of late - maybe Meghan and I need to make this a little more interesting. And we did have a tracker but it seems to have disappeared as well. Keep reading and post comments - they don't have to respond to the post - something funny, silly, sad..... I love to hear from people - and well, I don't hear from anyone..... I still do want phone calls - if I am tired, I will tell you - but I do get lonely. People say they will come by and then they don't and don't call or anything. I look forward to these visits - and when people don't show, it is very disappointing. And I do want people to visit!!!!

Hugz
Roni

Round 2 - More Exciting Than Round 1!!

Seems my blogger has been a little busy, so I am updating it as people have been asking lots of questions.

Met with Dr. P. on Tuesday after I had my blood work done. Asked me how I was feeling, any fever, how the lungs were doing. He liked the new hairstyle!! He is going to reduce dose of the Docetaxel to see if I tolerate it better. He has also referred me to one of the ophthalmologists for the eye problem that won't go away - goes from eye to eye. He wants to make sure nothing serious is happening.

Seems when we filled out the disability paperwork, we both put down wrong dates for last day worked – so that is getting changed and I will get an extra two weeks of disability benefits!!!!

Asked about alkaline water - he said regular tap water is fine - just maybe add lemon to help with the metallic taste. Also asked why the cancer came back, when told 0.1% of it coming back and being told 5 years cancer free. He said it is basically luck of the draw.

Chemo treatment 2 on Wednesday, was a little more exciting - chemo nurse was Donna and was a lot of fun. She asked what had happened after treatment 1 – and filled her in on the reactions and the week long hospital visit. Then she got the IV put in and got the Docetaxel - which this time I only got 75% of the power rather than 100%. Well, the first two and a half minutes were fine - then the allergic reactions started big time..... I told her I was feeling very light-headed - almost to the point where I thought I was going to pass out - and then both Donna and Brian looked at me - I was fire engine red in the face and head - she called for one of the other nurses Darlene and all of a sudden I am surrounded by a RN and a doctor. And then the really bad lower back pain started. And all during this, there are tears – think more from fear than anything else. They stopped the drug immediately. I got two injections via IV of Benadryl and then they gave me hydro-cortisone via IV and after that stopped they waited 10 minutes and the started the Docetaxel again. This also messed up the emotions - I looked over at the book shelf, and there was a Willow Tree statue that Shannon gave me when I got breast cancer 7 years ago - well the tears started.... Brian told me to breathe! Donna said this is quite common - the emotions for all over the map and to just let them out. This happened a few times during the day - when talking to Meghan in the restaurant and to Shannon on the phone. But we made it through and that is what is important.

Ryan and Gammie after the hair went

Donna putting the IV in

Trying to relax after the allergi reaction

Snip Snip, Buzz Buzz

Well today was the day that we have all be awaiting and yet dreading as well... Patrick, Brian and I cut/shaved Mom's hair tonight-Shannon was going to come and help as well but she was really sick so she couldn't be there..

There were some tears-though not as many as we thought there would be-and many laughs... We took A LOT of pictures, so I have had to sort through them all and pick out the best ones... There are more to come still, as Mom needs to send me the ones from her camera. So here they are!!!
What was left of Mom's hair before we cut it

The first cut-I highly recommend using SHARP scissors to cut hair...

....Getting there...

Almost done trimming it

There, done trimming

Patrick doing the first buzz



Patrick CLEARLY was not destined to be a barber



Almost done buzzing it



Last one...

All buzzed!!

AHHH nice warm towel...

BRRRR

WHOA that's cold!!



Partially shaved



Who said sleeping was allowed??

This razor isn't working very well....

Time for a new one

Mom's scalp looks a lot worse than it was...


Getting those last few strands


I'm pretty sure this was a "get the hair out of my face" look

Some tears after it was done

Brian rubbing Mom's head to see if a genie would appear

Here are some of Mom's head coverings:

Mom's Pink knitted cap

The Brown velvet

This one was just awful...

Mom being a goof!!