MRI follow up

Saw Dr. Yamada today and my radiated bone mets are stable. I happened to mention to his nurse that my sciatic nerve has been bothering me on and off for the past three weeks, and now I am to contact him in two weeks if my stretching exercises and walking the streets of Paris don't improve the situation. In that case, he will order an MRI of the spine to check for any problems. I've found it very interesting that it is sometimes the smallest things that one might not think to mention that interest these doctors the most. At least he is being proactive, as opposed to those who ignored my comments about my sore pelvic bone and tender scalp.

In addition to the sciatic nerve problem (which only allows me to sleep in two positions comfortably -- and I'm getting sick of them), I was very nauseated today. Thank goodness the nurse offered me some Ativan, which helped a bit. Of course, now I'm really sleepy!! Just hoping to get through the next 2+ hours and then I'll try to take a nap on the bus.

My boss was surprised by my hair but recovered quickly. He thought the bald patch (which Dr. Yamada said today "no longer looks like Antarctica") was from the chemo. I had to explain that was the area that received radiation, and that was one of the side effects. I suppose no one really grasps the side effects unless they see them. I try to do my best to explain, but seeing is different than hearing about it, I guess. I wear the hat to and from the office and on the bus, but take it off once I arrive here. At least my scalp is getting some air for a change.

I found out yesterday that I will be working from home this summer beginning June 16 through August 20. Can't wait!! Also can't wait for the pool to be open, which is scheduled for May 18. Unfortunately, we need a new pump that will set us back about $400, but it's the first repair money we've put into the pool (with the exception of replacing the winter safety cover) since we had it installed almost 11 years ago. Knock on wood!!

I'll check in again before we leave on Monday.

The heat wave continues...

After a high of 93 on Saturday and 92 on Sunday in our backyard, today is supposed to be in the mid-80s and tomorrow it will reach the upper 80s again. Wednesday the temps get back to near normal (70) and that will be welcome as far as I'm concerned. This was too much too soon.

I had my brain MRI this morning and will see Dr. Yamada on Wednesday for the results. I'll report back then.

On Saturday, knowing what the forecast was for the early part of the week, I knew that I would not be able to wear the wig to work as it would simply be too hot. So the wig is now history. Yesterday morning as I was laying awake at 6 a.m. (yes, on a Sunday) I decided that if I was going to go out into the world with only a hat to protect my bald spot, I needed to get back to my former hair color. I managed to get an appointment yesterday afternoon and I am once again a brunette. After looking at my salt and pepper hair for so long, I personally think it looks like a furry animal died on my head, but I guess I'll get used to it. So, I am now liberated from the wig but I'm not willing to give up my hat just yet.

Best of luck to Kay as she starts radiation treatments this week. I'll be thinking of you every morning.

Belated happy birthday greetings to my dear friend Ann. I hope you had a wonderful day. Welcome to 47. It's not so bad, is it?

Expecting a gorgeous weekend!

My treatments went fine this week. My hemoglobin count was 10 -- right at the limit -- so I managed to avoid the shot once again and now have a month for my count to bounce back before my next treatment. That's scheduled for May 22.

The appointment with the ENT didn't go very well. He seemed frustrated that I was not "cured" and said if it's not acid reflux he has no idea what it can be. Thanks, doc. He switched me to Prevacid, 30 mg twice a day (vs. 40 mg of Nexium once a day), said to try it for two weeks and call him. So much for our great initial impression of him. If this doesn't work, my next step is a gastroenterologist. What fun!

The weekend temperatures are supposed to be in the mid-80s. So far this morning I'm feeling pretty good, so I'm going to attempt to get outside and start cleaning up my gardens. Wish me luck and enjoy your weekend!!!

Missed a beautiful day

On Saturday the weather here was beautiful: sunny, slightly breezy, high in the mid to upper 70s. Unfortunately, I spent the day indoors and mostly in bed. I wasn't really nauseated but my stomach was hurting and felt very acidic. That lasted all day Saturday, but was better yesterday. Today I feel much better, and Ed is already at me to get some extra calories in me.

I called the ENT because after almost eight weeks of being on Nexium, I'm still coughing. It has improved but it certainly hasn't stopped. He wants to see me again so I'm going back on Friday before my Zometa treatment. Looks like another fun week of appointments with Gemzar on Thursday. At least I am working from home this week so I can sleep in each morning. I find I can really use those extra hours.

Today we are supposed to receive more than an inch of rain, so I'll be working on our plans for Paris between work issues.

I'll check in later in the week.

Gemzar continues

My appointment with Dr. K went fine. (Ed stayed home at my suggestion since we already had the results of the scans.) She listened to my lungs and pronounced them "completely clear," so who knows what the post-inflammation was that appeared on the scans. We discussed continuing Gemzar at the same dosage and infusion rate for four cycles rather than three before scanning again. She plans to send an e-mail to the thoracic surgeon I met last May and ask him to review my scans for an opinion on surgery to remove the largest met. I told her I would prefer to put off surgery as long as possible, understanding that if I lose stability it could put surgery out of reach.

So, she is pleased that we have regained stability and we'll ride that as long as we can. I have treatment on Thursday and I will report back after that.

Scan update

Just wanted to let everyone know that my scans show that my largest lung met and my pelvic bone met are stable. As Ed said, "I never thought I would be happy with 'no change,' but I am!" In the case of LMS and the previous spread of my disease, stability is a very good thing. Gemcitabine will remain on the schedule for at least another round.

There is a possible infection or inflammation in my right lung, which may be the cause of my recent bouts of coughing, and we will discuss that with Dr. K tomorrow. I'll give you another update then.

A lovely weekend

It was so wonderful that not only was last week my treatment "off week" but Friday was a holiday as well. I was able to relax the entire weekend with family and friends, and that made it a lovely birthday weekend. Thursday evening I saw Lydia G, Friday evening we had dinner with Spot's other mom, and yesterday my mom came for Easter dinner. Thank you to all for the beautiful cards. And biggest thanks to Ed, who gave me the best birthday present I have ever received: a completely clean house. I arrived home Thursday to find he had cleaned every room except two, and those he finished up on Saturday. I didn't lift a finger. What a joy to have a clean house again! And he kept his promise not to buy me anything. It was a truly wonderful birthday -- partly because it included a lot of cake!!!

This week's schedule: appointment with Dr. K tomorrow morning to discuss my scan results and Gemzar on Thursday. I'll be back tomorrow or Wednesday with an update.

Belated birthday greetings to Lydia A and Nester, with whom I am happy to share a birthday! Early birthday greetings to Ward and a bon voyage to him and Melinda, as they head off on a transatlantic cruise next Sunday. Our friends Steve and Kate are at sea again, and we hope they are having lots of fun.

CT scans

Until this morning, I had forgotten about my CT scans scheduled for today. For those of you who were astute enough to remember (nice job, Lydia!), I just wanted to mention that the scans went well. It took the nurse about five minutes to find a vein, but once she found it, she went right in. I dropped off the CD with Dr. K's assistant so she will have a chance to review it before we see her on Tuesday. I'm going to call the NJ oncologist's office on Monday to request a copy of the report, as his office has faxed it to me in the past whereas MSKCC's policy is that the doctor must give the patient a copy.

Thanks to everyone who wrote me about Spot. I still can't believe that he's gone. It will hit home when we go to visit his other mom and the rest of the greyhounds on Friday. I've never been to the house other than to drop off/pick up Spot when we were traveling and Cathy was dogsitting or to visit him after he went to live there. It's going to be very strange to see Elle and Mr. T and not Spot, but it will be nice to be around a greyhound again.

Thanks also to those who have weighed in on the hair issue so far. Keep those comments coming!

Hair

For two nights in a row, I've dreamed about my hair. Sunday night, I was out and about and forgot to wear a hat. I was horrified that someone had seen my bald spot! Last night, I was purposely out and about without a hat, visiting a hair salon to have my hair colored, and giving up the wig. I guess I'm a little focused on my head of late! LOL

I think this is a result of printing out the photos from our cruise. There are quite a few photos of me taken without my wig, and several without my hat. Since you can't see my bald spot (which is greatly reduced from the original 6x4 inch size) from the front, I look "normal" but also old in my mind. When I look at myself in the mirror, I think the salt and pepper look isn't too bad, but in photos, I think I look much older than (almost) 47.

There are several things to consider here. If Gemzar works to stabilize my mets and my bald spot continues to get covered by my growing hair, then the question is whether I want to start the hair coloring process over again. As you may recall, I had wondered how one stops coloring her hair since the growing in process is an issue -- and this is not how I had planned to stop! Since I had to transition to my real hair color, however, I'm now torn about whether or not to leave it as it is. On the other hand, if the Gemzar doesn't work, then I'll have to step up to a cocktail, most likely Gem/Tax (Gemcitabine and Docetaxel) which would make my hair fall out. My bald spot and the color of my hair would obviously become a moot point.

My other issue is whether or not to bring the wig to Paris. It's unlikely that anyone there will ever see me again, and I don't understand enough French to know if someone were commenting on my bald spot. I also don't want to feel self-conscious, but wearing a hat can be as much of a pain as the wig. I'd be interested in your thoughts.

This is my off week, and I plan to thoroughly enjoy it. In case I don't get back here for the remainder of the week, happy Passover and happy Easter!

Happy April

Yesterday's treatment went well. My blood counts were the same as the previous week, which means I didn't need the red blood cell booster shot. I was tired from the medications, so I came home and slept for two hours. When I woke up at 4, I couldn't figure out at first whether it was day or night or which day it was! I was nauseated, which is very unusual, so I took a Zofran even though it had only been 7 hours since I had some by IV. I ate a little soup and applesauce and was back in bed by 8:30.

Today I'm feeling better although not 100%. I spent most of the day paying bills, updating my records, balancing the checkbook, etc. Definitely a paperwork day. I finally finished printing out the photos from our November cruise for the photo album. Now I only have photos from the remainder of 2008, the beginning of this year and our most recent cruise to take care of. I think I should probably finish our taxes before I start printing more photos.

Ed and I will start getting some housecleaning done tomorrow as Mom will be coming for Easter Sunday dinner and staying overnight. I want to get the upstairs done tomorrow and then we can worry about the rest of the house next Saturday.

It's turned out to be a lovely day here despite it being very windy. The sun is shining and it's 60. Of course, I'm not going outside because I might get blown away. LOL Hope you are enjoying a nice weekend whatever you are doing.