July 16, 2009

• I guess I owe you all an update! I was on vacation for eleven days without the internet, and it’s amazing how quickly I got out of the habit of using a computer!!  I wonder what that says about me?
  
  HEALTH
  I’m on year three of my battle with ovarian cancer. I’m also on my third recurrence, and my third kind of chemo. You know the saying “Third’s a charm”? Well…anyway!! I’m currently fighting fluid and cells more than a tumor. The fluid seems to be under control, so now we need to kick the tiny little butts of the cells.
  
  My progress is measured by a CA-125 blood count. Normal is 0 – 21. Mine has been as high as 547 and as low as 4. It is currently on a downward trend at 133 as of yesterday. Even though it’s moving slowly, it’s moving, and that’s what’s important. This chemo (which I call Evil Orangeade because it’s not clear in the IV bag, but bright orange) seems to be one I can tolerate long term now that we have the dosage under control. In May most of the skin fell/burned off my hands, feet and anyplace else that rubbed because the dosage was high enough to give me Hand Foot Syndrome. Now we have that fixed, my hair is growing, and my numbers are dropping. Sounds like the right combo to me!! I’m not bald (which I have also been three times) and I’m getting better test results!! Dr. T says this is one I can stay on for a long time, which is good, since ovarian cancer is rarely “cured” – it’s usually chronic.
  
  Now, here’s the prayer requests (you know I always ask for and covet your prayers on my behalf…I truly believe that God works miracles and is working one in my life)
  
  1. Fatigue. Pray that I can have enough energy each day to try to improve my stamina with exercise. I’m just exhausted all the time.
  2. Healing. I always ask for that!!
  3. My husband, my hero: Mike is a rock, and he’s physically and emotionally drained a lot from my illness, and I wish you would pray for him too.

  WORK and PLAY
  Both of us are still employed at Lutheran North, so thanks to God for that.  We are having a good summer, getting to spend time up north, and I’m spending a LOT of time relaxing.  That isn’t getting my house any cleaner, but as a wise man once said – “Don’t sweat the petty stuff, and don’t pet the sweaty stuff.”    School starts the very last Monday of August, but I was in my classroom today making a few stabs at getting organized.  I’m sure as the month progresses I’ll find myself there more and more…I think I did very well staying away THIS long!!!

  OTHER STUFF
  Is there other stuff?  We work, we play, we sleep, we take care of my doctor stuff.  Chemo tomorrow…fiesta with the family for my Mom’s birfday on Sunday!
  
  Thanks to all of you who keep up with my journey – and a journey it is and has been. I’m so blessed in so many ways, and my life is wonderful. God bless!
  

  • 11:34 am
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