Post Vacation

No new news. I am still feeling punk and getting very tired of it. I made a not so quick trip to the ER yesterday - an actual comedy of errors which I won't go into 'cause I just am not feeling up to it - but the good news is I was sent home (after about four hours at the hospital). Just wanted to make a quick post and say I will probably not post for a few days as I am just not up to it, so please don't worry. I just want to lay low and recoup. God is good.

Healthier heart

Went to my cardiologist's (Dr. Gangahar) today for my three month ecco cardiogram. She was thrilled with my heart, said it was perfect and looked like it was ready to take off and go (in a go way). My blood was WAY too thin, which explains my continually bloody nose and bruising. Dr. G's and Dr. S's office coordinated and she did bloodwork to see if they could figure out why I have been feeling so punky. I haven't heard on that, yet. She had the nurse do a laying, sitting, standing blood pressure and discovered it dropped rapidly when I stood up, so she cut back on my blood pressure meds. That is a good thing.

My appointment was suppose to be at 10:00, but after a long wait in the waiting room, tests, etc. it was after 1:00 when I left. I was feeling very light headed and a bit nauseous - I am sure from not eating anything. The sweet nurse gave me some crackers, but they were stale - which one doesn't need when one's tummy is already queasy. Luckily I had some pretzels in the car!

By the time I got home, all I could think about was having some lunch and resting. I had gone through Arbys' and grabbed one of their garden fresh salads. I couldn't eat it all, but it tasted good - I will save the rest for another meal. I don't usually do salads since it counter reacts with blood thinners, but I figured I was fine since my blood was too thin anyway! Gotta take the perks where you can find them!

Chemo Sooner

Well, my chemo reprieve has been withdrawn. Since I haven't been feeling well for quite some time, Dr. S thinks it best I get started on treatment, since my symptoms could be from the cancer. So, on Monday, I will have my first round. He thinks I will tolerate it very well. He said people usually have fatigue and constipation, but not nausea or hair loss. He did preface that with one 87 year old gal who recently ended up in the hospital within 24 hours because of massive diarrhea, but said that was highly unusual. I am hopeful that my body doesn't do anything weird and I can prove Dr. S right in his side effects prediction. As always, prayers.

New Chemo

Dr. Silverberg's office called yesterday afternoon to say he had decided on my next chemo. It will be Carboplatin and Gemzar. From what I can tell online, it will be a little rougher than what I was doing, but I could be wrong. Each person responds differently to treatment - so I guess I will just have to wait and see. The first treatment will be Oct. 8. I will receive both drugs on this day. Eight days later I will receive the Gemzar again. After this week I will have a week off and then start a new cycle. I have heard good things about this combo, so hope that it will eradicate the new spots while working on the old mets. Tricky business, this cancer fighting.

I went to school today for a special education dept. luncheon. We have a big department, so the staff signs up in groups to provide lunch. They are always so busy and spread out in the building, so it is nice now and then to sit and visit while enjoying good food. Today's theme was a football tailgating party complete with nachos, mini wienies, meatballs, enchiladas, salads and lots of desserts. My appetite, being what it is, didn't allow me to imbibe too much, but what I did have tasted good - and the company was even better!

I cut my visit short as I started to feel light headed, hot and had a bit of a tummy ache (could have been all the rich food I'm not use to). I headed home and rested for a bit and now feel a bit better. However, I am getting tired of this touchy stomach. I have decided to stop taking my antibiotics. I know you aren't suppose to stop antibiotics in the middle, but I feel worse instead of better, and since I was the prescribing 'doctor' I figure I can also choose to stop taking them.

One thing I am curious about with my new treatment plan has to do with hair. Now, I know that hair is the least of my worries, but it would sure be nice to have again. It has started to regrow in spite of my treatments (this happens sometimes in long term chemo - the follicles get use to the drugs). My eyebrows and eyelashes are also returning. One gal on my discussion board had just slight thinning with this combo, so maybe I will regain it! A girl can dream!

Early News

They say no news is good news. It stands to reason that early news is bad news. My wonderful oncologist (and I mean that sincerely - the wait is the worst) called me last night to tell me there was bad news. My cancer has now metastasized to my liver. Sigh. Not what I was hoping to hear. He said what was odd about it was the bones showed marked improvement (except for a new spot on my thigh) and my lungs and heart showed no new fluid. But then there was the liver......

Another problem was my tumor marker had quadrupled. This marker is an indication that the cancer is multiplying and on the move. Not what you want to hear.

OK, what does this mean? It means the chemo I was on is no longer effective. My onc wants to take a couple of days to decide how to proceed. He doesn't plan on starting the new chemo until Oct. 8, so he has time to do a little research and I have time to ask questions.

I again recommend to any of you who know someone who has breast cancer - newly diagnosed or metastatic - to check out breastcancer.org. This site has so much information, plus a discussion board of women (and men) from around the world who are dealing with breast cancer. Knowledge IS power!

Mark and I are handling this the best we can. I go from calm to full panic mode - but I know this will get 'easier' once a plan is in place and I know what to expect. A plan is always good, For now, I am going to rest and psych myself up for this new road I must head down. God is holding my hand - he will not let me stumble.

Fever BE GONE!

Yesterday wasn't so great health wise. My fever continued through the day, along with a queasy stomach and little appetite. I was bound and determined to get back to normal, so helped Mark make a nice dinner of steaks, bake potatoes and asparagus. I actually ate quite a bit, for me, and it tasted good. I took my antibiotic after dinner and then started experiencing a return to queasiness (I am thinking it was the antibiotic causing this). At bedtime I took my normal medications and promptly gagged and up they came along with part of supper. I felt extremely yucky.

However, I awoke with very little temp issues until just a bit ago when it started climbing, but that is an improvement over it being 24/7 like it has the last week. Perhaps this is just the bug's last hurrah before ditching my system for good. While I haven't eaten great amounts today, I haven't had any issues with it wanting to 'return to sender', either. So I feel strides have been made!

Here is a hint for anyone who has to have a CT scan. Usually they make you drink large quantities of barium - a nasty thick chalk like substance. I knew after my evening the night before there was no way I was going to keep it down - especially on the empty stomach that is required for the tests. So, I requested the 'clear' drink. I don't know what it is, but it tasted pretty much like water. I had to drink two large glasses of it - but it was a breeze compared to the barium! I am going to request that from now on!

The scans are over and the wait begins. Dr. S is very good about contacting his patients as soon as he has the info, so I know I will hear from him tomorrow sometime. I won't post until I have spoken with him. I have appreciated your prayers and have felt their support. Thank you.

Scans Tomorrow

I have decided I still have a bug working on me. I have started another antibiotic and hope this one does the trick. I am very tired of feeling useless.

Mark and Greg had a great time at the game yesterday - even though the Huskers didn't play much like a college team. They managed to squeak out a win - 41 - 40. Pretty sad. They stayed for the last play - something they don't usually do in an attempt to beat traffic. In the olden days you wouldn't need to stay since the Huskers would be so far ahead. Not sure when we will see those glory days again. Greg said the fans actually boo'd the Huskers after one play. Now THAT is bad!

Scans tomorrow - pray like crazy, please!

Still Blech

Perhaps I can see a light at the end of the tunnel - a rainbow after the storm. My desire to miraculously wake up this morning feeling close to my old self was short lived. Last night I slept very poorly, woke up early and felt rather blech all day. I have intermittently ran a low grade fever, and my appetite has not really returned - although I was able to eat a bit more for lunch than I have the rest of this week. I am just impatient.

Had breakfast this morning with Steve and Diane and our mutual friend, Betsy, from Pennsylvania. As always, we had a nice visit. I ate probably a third of my yogurt parfait and took my muffin home. Just couldn't get it down - but did eat it later in the morning. Silly stomach.

After breakfast I stopped at an estate sale of a friend's mom that Diane had volunteered to help with, but I didn't stay long - just felt like a weak kitten. Ok - I have had enough of this. Tomorrow has to be a better day!

Mark and Greg went to the Husker game in Lincoln, thanks to my sister in law's mom who has season tickets. It is a beautiful day, so I hope they are having fun.

No Charm in Food

Hopefully this will be the last day of side effects and I can start the climb out tomorrow. I do feel somewhat better today, but I am still just a blob and running a low grade fever. I have forced myself to do a few things around the house, but not nearly what needs to be done. I have also force fed myself - food does not have any charm right now. Not even a cookie or ice cream sound good. The only thing that really sounds good are things like pretzels and snack mix, but since I am suppose to still watch my salt intake I am trying to steer clear of those items. All I have to do is make it through today and things should be looking up. The Neulasta shot - I have to keep reminding myself what a miraculous drug it is and how fortunate I am that I get to take it. No, really. Really. REALLY! (Sorry, I'm trying to convince myself.)

Hippy

Live and learn. My hip was really singing all day yesterday and last night I could hardly stand it. When I went to bed I put a heating pad on it and took some Benadryl to try to get myself to relax and sleep. I had a toss and turn night and my hip just got worse instead of better. When I woke up this morning I had a revelation - hmmmm - maybe ice would be better. Put an icepack on it and it immediately started to relax and feel better. It is still not perfect, but it seems to be on the mend. Whew!

Carolyn is doing fine - had some tests done and waiting to hear from her doc. Hopefully she will be home soon.

My day has been very low key - still a bit under the weather - but I'm looking forward to having these side effects run their course so I can enjoy my two week chemo break. I am trying hard not to think of the scans on Monday - always a little disconcerting - but I know it will be good to get them over and done with.

Emergency Room

It has been a crazy day. My mother in law, Carolyn, is in the hospital. Poor thing has been miserable for days and it took two trips to the emergency room today to get them to do anything. She may have to have surgery tonight - waiting to hear. I had gone in with her to the emergency the first time, but when a gal came in coughing a hacking a light bulb went off in my slow brain and I realized an emergency room probably isn't where a girl with no immune system belonged. So I had to leave her there. They gave her a shot for pain and sent some medicine home, but the pain just got worse, so it was back to emergency. Again I had to leave her at the door. They ended up admitting her, but the last I spoke with her she was still in the emergency room waiting for an open room. I know she would appreciate prayers. Mark is up there now, and will stay if they decide to operate tonight.

I have been achy all day - and just out of sorts. Food has no appeal and I have been having to force food down. Yuck! I know that Neulasta shot is good for me (it will restore my immune system) but I DO hate the way it makes me feel. So between not feeling well and helping Carolyn I did not make it to my bible study tonight. The good news is that I should feel pretty darn good for next week's class!

My mom has an appointment next week with a new surgeon to see if she can get her knee fixed. More prayers, please!

Sorry this is a very uplifting post. Some days are like that.

Facial

I had a pleasant day. Mark's stepmom, Joyce, picked me up and we went to Regency for lunch (Paradise Bakery - yum). We went to some of the shops and dropped our rings at Borshiems to be cleaned (my how they sparkled). We then went to Gloss, a day spa, and had facials. A friend of mine (thanks Paula) had given me a gift certificate there. This was my first time to ever have a facial, and let me tell you, it was divine. It was like an hour long massage of your face, neck, shoulders and arms. You laid on a comfy bed, the room was surrounded in glowing candles, there was soft ''new age' type music playing and an ever so soft scent of incense. Heavenly.

I got home in time to reapply my eyebrows and eye liner (otherwise I look like Lord Voltamorts twin sister), take the delivery of our new treadmill, and then head out for my opthamologist's appointment. I am so glad I made it on time, as I had to SIT for 40 minutes to get back to a room and then had to SIT another 25 minutes waiting for the doc. As I felt my blood pressure rising, I finally decided to be more productive and closed my eyes and counted my blessings. By the time the doc arrived I was in a much better frame of mind. He said the surface of my eye looked improved, but since I was still having major symptoms, he wants me to use Restasis, an eyedrop that helps unblock the oil glands in the eye. I am also suppose to hot pack my eyes twice a day and scrub my eyes with baby shampoo, put lubricating drops in every two hours and a gel ointment in my eye at night. Riiiight.... I am not sure I want to give up my retirement for this full time job!

After the opthamologist's appointment I went to the oncologists to get my Neulasta shot. I didn't get there until 4:45 (because of the late opthomologist) and the desk was all flustered that I was there so 'late'. I had asked my nurse yesterday how late I could come and she said up to 6:15, so I thought I was fine. Oh well. Since it was so late, I decided to do take-out and ran by Boston Market for a rotisserie chicken dinner on my way home.

It is nice to feel well again - yeah, I know, not for long. But at least whatever was ailing me over the weekend and yesterday morning seems to be history, so now I can face the side effects unencumbered.

Only Lower Dose

I had a pleasant surprise today. I thought I would be getting the full round of chemo today, but instead I just received the lower dose Abraxane! So, that meant less time in the chair (an hour and a half compared to three and a half hours). Unfortunately, my white blood count was low, so I will have to go in for a Neulasta shot tomorrow. The hopes of not having to have the Neulasta shot is one of the things that made this lower dose regime look more palatable. (The Neulasta causes severe muscle aches, etc.) If I have to take it anyway ... Dr. S said it was a good thing I was taking an antibiotic, because of my blood count, he would have started me on one anyway for good measure.

Another pleasant surprise is I am going to get a short chemo break! Dr. S and I were talking about the Elton John concert - ends up we are both going to be attending it - and he said 'You don't want to feel yucky for the concert! Let's skip a week so you can feel good." Yea! So, I will get a week's hiatus. I am thrilled! Of course, this plan is dependent on how the tests come back - praying for good results!

I felt really nasty this morning. I would have some cramping and general feeling of blech. I seemed to be always on the verge of nausea, but never quite get there. By noon things had calmed down a bit and now I am feeling fairly well. I assume my antibiotics have kicked in - or what ever it was has run its course. I am hoping to feel even better tomorrow. A gal from church, Cheryl. invited me to join a class called Christian Believer that meets on Wednesday evenings. I had thought I would get back to choir, but my lungs just don't allow me to sing, yet, so thought this might be a nice alternative. Hence - I would really like to feel better for this class!

Strange weather this week. It was cool and fallish over the weekend, and back to summer now. The wind has been blowing up a storm today, and something (I think a rosebush) keeps knocking on the window in the living room. Now, you would think my mind would just say 'that's the wind', but each time it happens it makes me pause. The cat has found it disconcerting, too, and has to go check it out every now and then.

Mark isn't going to be home for supper tonight, so as I left chemo I called an order into Wheatfields. I ordered two turkey and Gouda butter buns - hold the tomato and lettuce - and a bowl of veggie soup. Picked my order up, got home and I got two turkey butter buns with tomato and lettuce - no Gouda. Sigh. By the way - those butter bun sandwiches are so good. It is is their dinner roll made into sandwiches. They have lots of varieties to choose from and they are only $2.00 a sandwich. The turkey is actual sliced roasted turkey - not just deli meat - yum!

Lazy Day

Another lazy day. Went to church this morning and have basically sat the rest of the day. I think I may have a bug of some kind working on me, so I will get my standing antibiotic filled and hopefully it will nip this in the bud. I just feel tired and a bit 'off' today.

Tomorrow is my next round of chemo. This time I will get the whole kit and caboodle - just a lower dose of the one. One week from tomorrow are my scans. I am toying with going back to the once every three week regime of chemo - but won't decide until I have done all four weeks of the present way - and have my scan results, of course. Your prayers for signs of shrinkage are appreciated!

Faux Fall

It is a crisp, cloudy faux fall day. Well, at least hopefully faux fall - or we are in for a long winter! The temp is a chilly 61 degrees and it is overcast - trying to rain. A great day for a nap - and football!

We are going to our friends' house tonight for dinner and the Nebraska Husker/USC game. We are to bring dessert, and I thought I would share with you a dessert that always tastes great in the fall - and is SO easy! All you need to do is purchase a box of Peppridge Farm Apple Dumplings (in the frozen dessert section at the store) and a carton of Cinnamon ice cream. Tonight, one half hour before we want to have dessert, I will pop them in the oven and serve them hot with a scoop of the ice cream. MMMmmm. I don't usually like fruit based desserts like this, but I do like these dumplings. They just say fall to me (and are SO easy!).

I made a decision about the gym yesterday. I have decided to purchase a treadmill rather than join the gym. I already have a recumbent bike and weights. As I drove to the gym the other day I thought about how excited I was going to be driving in the dead of winter when the roads were icy and I wasn't feeling particularly well. I have nothing against Wellbound, the gym I was considering. It is clean, with new equipment and friendly staff. I just feel this is a better option for me.

Enjoy the game all you out in Husker land! What do you non-Huskers have planned for tonight?

Ant Alert! None sighted today.

Perhaps the siege is over!

Caddyshack Time

Today's post will be short - not a lot going on today. I was so happy as I saw NO sign of ants this morning in the kitchen. So I scrubbed the counters down with bleach and got everything looking nice and sparkly clean. When Mark came home for lunch, I commented on the fact that the ants were gone - but as he was fixing his lunch one strolled across the counter -AAAKKKK!!!! I went in and found another - so, guess they are still around. When will they leave us alone! I am afraid I am going to go ballistic like the Bill Murray character, Carl Spackler, in Caddyshack when he blew up the golf course trying to get the gopher. Sigh....

Seems like today flew by - I can't believe it is already 7:00 in the evening! This morning I managed to fritter away time - I am not sure what I did other than a little laundry, but by the time I was showered and ready to head out of the house it was already 11:00! I went to Younkers to return a dress and turned some old clothes in for 20% off coupons (Goodwill Days) and found a couple of things on clearance for myself. By the time I was through shopping I was dragging, but I forced myself to go to the gym - and I do mean forced! I took it easy, but got my workout done and headed home for a little mid-afternoon nap.

This afternoon I attended the Millard Public Schools Transition Workshop meeting. I have been on this committee for years and was happy that the powers that be let me still sit in. I stopped by Sgt. Peffers to grab some spaghetti for supper and now I am typing my blog and hoping I can keep my eyes open until 9:00.

Side effects so far this week seem to be a hoarse throat, limited appetite and a tired body. My breathing has been so improved this week - I am thinking allergies and humidity were taking their toll.

It is almost the weekend, everyone!

To Lincoln

It has been a busy day for me! I headed to Lincoln this morning so I could go to my Mom's doctor's appointment with the surgeon that did a bypass on her knee last November - and who had referred her to the surgeon here in Omaha who refused to do her surgery. He was very kind and helpful and has given her two names of other surgeons he felt would do a good job and she also got a referral for a new internist. Hopefully all of these things will work out for her.

My brother, Bert, had picked Mom up (since I can no longer finagle her wheel chair nor push her long distances) so it gave he and I a chance to talk and catch up while Mom was having tests, etc. We had a late lunch in the hospital's cafeteria and then I headed home.

I made a few stops on the way home to return some items and pick up a few things at the grocery store before heading home - and I am TIRED! I had thought I would try to make it to choir practice tonight, but my voice is hoarse from chemo and allergies and I am so tired I don't know that I could concentrate on the songs. I don't plan on performing with the choir, yet, as I can't stand and sing (takes too much breath power), but I thought it might be good to exercise my lungs - plus I miss my choir! Maybe next week.

Diane and I went to a PEO sister, Becky's, jewelry party last night. Silpada, I think it is called. Very pretty silver jewelry. There were lots of other 'sisters' there, too, so it was a pleasant evening - and Becky had really outdone herself with her spread of goodies!

chemo #10

Chemo #10 is under my belt. Today I received just the pre-drugs and Abraxane. I will be interested in how this affects me. I don't know if I am going to like this regime, but time will tell. At least it was just a two hour infusion instead of the normal four hour one - a plus!

I have a roast in the oven for supper and it smells very good. My appetite has been rather weird this week, so hopefully it will taste good, too.

I am still having ant problems. My neighbor, Carol, emailed me after my last blog about the critters and said they use a product called Terro. You put it on a little piece of paper and then allow the ants to swarm all over it and take it back to the nest. It is so hard to just let those little buggers do their thing and not kill them. If they are still around tomorrow, I am going ballistic. I called the exterminator and got a bit of a run around. I had told her they were swarming all over one of my counters (they were just here to treat for this problem one week ago) and she said they couldn't come back so soon to retreat. I asked her what to do in the mean time and she made some comment about flying ants being hard to kill. I told her they weren't flying - they were just little house ants - and she went in this big song and dance how house ants don't swarm - only flying ants - yada, yada, yada. What? Who CARES? Excuse me? I told her I obviously wasn't a 'professional' and didn't know the right 'terminology' to use. She said they would come back out tomorrow to take care of them. I am hoping they are gone by tomorrow (because of my Terro usage) so I can call and cancel. They are sending the same guy from last time who stuck a screw driver inside our lightswitch cover and blew a circuit on our garbage disposal - not the brightest bulb on the earth.

Fall Is In The Air

It is cool outside and a light rain is falling. So different than just a few days ago! Fall is definitely in the air. The plants on the deck are starting to show the wear and tear of a hot summer and I am getting tired of caring for them. The tomato plants are still growing like weeds, but without the hot summer heat many of them will probably not make it to the table. Things are slowing down.

I made it to the gym today. I walked on the treadmill and rode the nu-step. I did dumbbells and stretches. Boring, but necessary. Sigh.

Tonight is PEO and we are initiating two new members. Hopefully the night won't go too late -but it will, of course, because of the initiation. Oh well. I can sleep tomorrow during my chemo treatment.

OPA!

This is day five after treatment - my normally worst day. So, you ask, how do I feel today? Well, compared to other 'day fives' pretty good! I feel a bit 'weird' around the edges - hard to explain - and a little tired and achy, but nothing I can't handle. So, do I think this is better than doing dose dense? The verdict is still out. I need to do the full four week cycle before I make a judgement call.

We went to Piccalo Pete's for supper (an Italian Steakhouse in an older part of town). We all ordered filets (small for the ladies and large for the guys) and got the soup, and mostacolli (or green beans) and salad, and potato - along with bread and real butter and crackers.....WAY to much food - but very tasty.



After dinner we headed down to the Greek Festival at the Louis and Clark Landing (an area along the Missouri River). OPA! The event was on the smallish side - with just a few tents of things to buy, Greek musicians with dancers, and a few things for kids to do. The big draw was the food. Oh - My - Goodness! I am glad we opted to eat elsewhere, as the line to the ONE tent they had set up for food had an almost two hour wait! Bad planning on their part. There was a dessert tent that we hit that had a short line - and the baklava and almond cake was tasty. There were very strange 'flies'? that kept bothering us, so we ended up leaving and going to Brewsky's where we could sit outside and enjoy the beautiful evening. Unfortunately, there was a large group there that had been there a while (if you get my drift) so it wasn't as peaceful as it could have been.

This morning I opted out of church (again - shame on me) because I just couldn't seem to get myself moving. I am sure it has to do with it being a 'day five' day. I did manage to get to the grocery store and drop some things at the Goodwill. Mark was a doll and scrubbed all the floors in the house for me - what a guy! I also cleaned the masterbath (except the floor, of course), so I wasn't a total blog today (but close to it). Mark then had me go downstairs with him to go through the storage room so he could get it organized. When Matt was home this summer he went through a lot of his boxes of memorabilia and 'treasures' but didn't seem to get everything put back and/or thrown away. Now things are tidy once more.

I am in dire need of going to the gym. I had every intention of going today, but my sore spine and achy body was enough to talk myself out of it. Tomorrow. I WILL go tomorrow!

Good Day Four

I have hung pretty close to home, just venturing out to get lunch for Mark and I during the Nebraska game (Go Big Red!). Otherwise, I just did a little around the house (very little) and took a nap. I feel good today - much better than a normal day four after chemo - just a bit tired. Tonight we are going out to supper and then we will probably walk around the Greek festival down by the river. It should be a beautiful night, weather wise. My only complaint, physically, is I have very tingly lungs. For a couple weeks now they have felt like they do when you are first getting a chest cold - with out the cold. I am not sure what is causing it, but it is distracting and a bit irritating. I will have to run this symptom past my doc at my treatment on Tuesday.

Have a super Saturday!

Hmmmmm

Hmmmm - normally by this afternoon I would begin feeling the side effects of my treatments. However, as of this writing, I am feeling fairly normal - or at least as normal as I feel these days. I do feel a bit tired, and did crash for a half hour or so this afternoon, but I will take tired over achy and the general feeling of yuck. Tomorrow and Sunday will be the real tests, as they are typically my 'worst days'. I know I can't count on every week being like this week, so I will hold off to make any judgements of whether this is better or worse than the old schedule. Time will tell. I do think many of my achy symptoms were brought on by the Neulasta shot, so I pray that my body will keep up with the manufacturing of white blood cells so I don't have to endure that again.

I have had a pretty uneventful day - quick trip to exchange some things for Mark at the hardware store, laundry, straightening, etc. I also worked a little on some projects for the Unlimited Possibilities board I am involved with.

The weather is quite nice today - when I went to the hardware store in the early afternoon it was still in the 70's! I hope you have a wonderful weekend! Enjoy!

Steroids and Ants

One good side effect of chemo is the steroid high you get the day after the treatment. I woke up feeling great, did many little things around the house (cleaning, changing out a new handle on the screen door, laundry), then headed to Wellbound to work out. Diane stopped by with some paperwork for the Race for the Cure and then I headed to the grocery store. I am now feeling like a nap would be wonderful, but since it is after 5:00, that would NOT be a good idea if I want to sleep tonight, so I will just have to keep on keeping on.

We are having a battle with little tiny ants. We hired an exterminator a few months back because the silverfish from our shake roof were winning the battle in our master bath and Carolyn was having ant issues in her apartment. He comes periodically to respray. However, this week the ants decided to show their ugly little heads in MY kitchen. One day I saw one or two. The next day three or four. The NEXT day - hundreds swarming out of my light switch by the kitchen sink. I immediately called the exterminator and he came out yesterday. Most of them are gone, but he said to expect to see a few for the next couple of weeks while the poison takes effect. YUCK! I thought once you hired a professional, the little buggers would stay away. I guess not.

Chemo # 9

I got a late start to my chemo appointment and then hit every stop light and construction delay possible. The cancer center parking lot was full and I had to sit in a long line to get into the overflow parking garage, then had to drive in circles to finally find a spot. Walked over to the center (no shuttles there at that time) and got to my lab appointment 15 minutes late. Had to sit for 15 minutes for them to draw lab work and another 15 minutes at my onc's office. Needless to say, I got a late start on my chemo. I got home around 4:00.

Dr. S and I discussed my side effects - he checked my balance - which is horrible, and asked about my neuropathy. He had me stand with my feet together, then put my arms up like I was sleep walking, and the close my eyes. Oh boy - couldn't do that very well. (Yesterday, when I was being assessed at Wellbound I couldn't stand on one foot for more than seven seconds! When did THAT happen?). I told him about my lack of appetite and general feeling of blah - and about taking the zpack and feeling better once I took it. He is going to call in two antibiotics for me take as I see fit, since he is sensing a pattern with my fevers, etc. He also checked in with me on the bleeding, etc. He said that next time I was going to have to start the once a week regime. I told him I would prefer to try it now, and he said that was fine. So, long story short - I am now on weekly infusions. My schedule will be:

Week 1 (today) Avastin, Aredia and lower dose Abraxane

Week 2 lower dose Abraxane

Week 3 lower dose Abraxane & Avastin

Week 4 Chemo Break

Start over the following week

Dr S said he can not guarantee that my side effects will be less, as each person reacts differently to chemo. He hopes I will still have good quality of living with this new regime. If I don't like how it effects me, I can go back to the dose dense version. My onc nurse said that most people who switch to the lesser dose do very well as his/her body is already use to the big whammy, so they just breeze through the lesser dose. I hope she is right!

Another plus for the lower dose version is that, at least for now, I don't have to have the Neulasta shot tomorrow (YEA!). It is the shot that helps the body make white blood cells. It's side effects are sore muscles, achy bones and fevers. Often, people on the lower dose can maintain their blood counts since they aren't being hit so hard. I pray that this is true for me! If my next lab shows I can't do this - they will start the shot again.

My next scans are set for September 24. I will receive a bone scan and a CT scan of my chest, abdomen and pelvis. Time to start storming the heavens for great results. I would LOVE to see everything smaller, smaller, smaller - or even gone! Mmmmmm - sounds wonderful......

In Law Night

Mark's step mom, Joyce, her husband, Sam, and Mark's mom, Carolyn, had supper with us last evening. Joyce and Sam live in Mesa, AZ, and are the opposite of the NE snowbirds. They leave AZ in the summer when it is so ghastly hot and travel. I had Mark grill chicken hind quarters using a recipe I found on the internet. It was very tasty, but quite involved (using mop sauce every five minutes, turning, mopping, turning) so I don't think it will be high on his list of repeats any time soon. Mark took Sam on a ride in the Roadrunner after we ate. I hadn't realized that Sam is a HUGE car buff - having had 16 show cars in his lifetime, many of them that he built himself - street rods! Like Mark said - people tend to want the cars that were popular when they were teenagers.

I have had a fairly busy day. Joyce picked me up to go out to breakfast while Sam went golfing at Applewood. We ate at the new Wheatfields at Shadow Lake Towne Center - and they had great decaf coffee that I could enjoy! We also stopped at Kohl's so I could purchase some new towels for the master bath. It was a pleasant way to spend the morning.

At noon I headed to Wellbound, the new fitness center I am considering joining. As I suspected, I was a young whippersnapper compared to most, but it was clean and new and had very kind people working there. I enjoyed the atmosphere much more than Gold's gym. Gold's gym was full of sweaty, bulked up guys trying to impress people - or girls in skimpy outfits trying to impress the bulked up guys. Yuck.

This afternoon I have just rested and done more laundry - a never ending process it seems - even with just the two of us. It is now time to start supper - which will be easy since we have left overs from last night! Yea!

Labor Day

Mark and I went for a ride last night in the Road Runner. It was a beautiful evening. We stopped at the Dairy Queen and had a treat and then headed home. Mark then took Carolyn out for a ride while I picked tomatoes before it got dark.

Tonight, Mark's step mom and her husband are coming over for supper. We will grill chicken out and Mark's mom will bring a pie. Greg had thought he could make it, but he has a fraternity chapter meeting - so it will just be we 'old folks'.

Hopefully, Mark and I will have time this afternoon to go clothes shopping so we can take advantage of all the sales. It isn't often Mark is willing to shop - it is one of his LEAST favorite things to do!

We spoke with Matt last night, and he said school was going well. So far he is way ahead in his studies, as they are just reviewing. He said Courtney is enjoying her job and that the magazine she is working on has a regular section about patent law. Who knows - there might be some contacts for Matt derived from that!

Labor Day Weekend

We had a busy day yesterday, so I didn't get a post done. Sorry about that! I spent my morning baking a cake and making a fruit salad to take to the 'Anderson Picnic' in Lincoln while Mark went and rented a power rake, thatched the yard and mowed and caught the grass. Whew! He was a busy guy!

Mark, Greg and I headed for Lincoln around 10:30. We left earlier than needed because it was a UNL game day, the State Fair was taking place in Lincoln and there is major road construction between Omaha and there. We had a few times we had to slow down, but we did get there in good time. We stopped and picked up Mom at her apartment and headed to Bert and Janet's house. Bert's band, Hardwood Dash, had to play for Husker Nation (a University 'tailgate' like event) so he didn't get home until mid-afternoon. Alan and Liz were in the process of moving to their new house, so we didn't see them until mid-afternoon, either. But Ken and Sharon came from Kearney and my niece, Holly, and her family and my niece, Ginger, were there, too. We had a nice visit and we gals headed over to tour Al & Liz's new house while the guys watched the game on the big screen. The new house is very nice and Liz has been busy painting walls and cupboards, and I am sure she will be happy when it is they are all settled.

We hurried home from Lincoln in time to change clothes and head to Lazlo's to help celebrate our friend Chris's birthday. We were tickled that the owner, Jeremy, was there. What a nice guy. As usual, he made sure we were well taken care of and even found a waitress willing to sing happy birthday to Chris (they usually don't do that). Afterwards we headed out to the Brabec's house and sat on the deck - it was a lovely night. They live out in the country near the Platte River, and the moon was beautiful (again) as it came up over the horizon.

My appetite has really been off all this week and I just haven't felt well. Not anything I could put my finger on - just blech. Yesterday, I finally decided to take the z pack that I was going to take a few weeks back when I had a low grade fever and then didn't take when the fever went away on it's own. Now I think I should have probably taken it, as I felt better last night, and even better this morning.

It is odd when your appetite is gone. Nothing sounds good. Nothing tastes good. Last night I ordered a pork chop dinner at Lazlo's with soup and mashed potatoes. The soup was delicious and when the meal came out it looked wonderful. The chop looked more like a fat juicy steak! I took my first bite and the flavor was great - but then - the texture got in the way. To my mouth it had a squishy, fatty texture. I KNOW there was nothing wrong with it - but I could not convince my mouth. I had thought the potatoes would be plain mashed potatoes, but no, they were garlic potatoes. I use to LOVE garlic mashed potatoes - but that no longer is true - they are just too rich for my taste buds. So, my meal consisted of the soup, a peice of bread, and three bites each of potatoes and meat. Luckily, Jeremy sent a couple of desserts to our table so I had a few bites of strawberry shortcake. Sweets, fruit, dairy and bland starches seem to be the only thing that actually taste 'right' to me right now. There are times, though, that only veggies sound good and sweets curl my toes - so maybe, in the long run, it all evens out.

My next chemo treatment would have been tomorrow, but because of Labor Day I set it up for Tuesday. However, I received a call a week or so ago telling me I had to move it to Wednesday as Dr. S was going to be out of the office. I wasn't happy at the time, but now, considering how I have felt, it is probably a good thing. I have decided to request going to weekly treatments to see if I handle them a bit better. I have been visiting with other bcmet survivors online, and there aren't many out there receiving chemo every three weeks like I am. Most are doing it weekly with their main side effect being that they are tired for a day or two. I can take tired. The weekly doses are much smaller so, theoretically, don't do as much damage. Hopefully this will be true for me. I decided if I don't like how I feel on the weekly, I can always go back to the dose dense every three week regime.

Two days ago I had a little scare. My left hip became very painful - especially when trying to stand up from a sitting position. In the past it had been my right hip that has given me problems. If you are a person with mets every little ache and pain becomes blown up in your mind. Is it progression? Has the chemo stopped working? I have been very fortunate as my bone pain has been fairly minimal - usually just bothering me when I first lay down at night or when sitting too long - like on car trips. Add to this that my digestive system has been 'off' and I was nervous. However, after a good nights sleep the pain subsided quite a bit, and I remembered having bent down to get out my big kitchen aid mixer from the bottom shelf of the cupboard and thinking 'I probably shouldn't be doing this' as I felt a twinge. So, long story short, I am pretty sure the pain was a pulled muscle. Whew!

As always, I appreciate your prayers. Hope you are enjoying your long weekend!