Feel like a pin cushion

Went to Weinberg OPC (outpatient clinic) for my follow-up blood draw 11 days after avastin treatment. They run labs to see if all is o.k. Nurse Karin stuck a needle in the medial port but it refused to give blood. So she added TPA (kinda a rotor-rooter liquid that is supposed to clear the blockage) and we waited for it to work. No luck. Added another dose of TPA. Waited. Again no luck. So stuck a needle in the lateral port (essentially there are left and right accesses in the one port). It, too, refused to provide blood. By this time the lab guys were gone so no more TPA. So I suggested we try a vein in a hand. Numerous chemo treatments have done a number on my veins so after providing a little less than one tube of blood, the vein "blew." So Karin called nurse Pauline in to help. She managed to find a cooperative vein inside my left elbow. Got two vials of blood. Finally. Yeah! Went home with multi-taped guaze over the various holes. Am surprised I didn't have bruises. Hopefully with two doses of TPA percolating in the medial (inside) port, it will give blood when I go for treatment on 8/25/11. Fun and games in the OPC.

Chemobrain exists

My brother Dave called me yesterday from where he lives in Plano, TX, to say he'd seen an article discussing researchers, doctors taking a closer look at cognitive effects of cancer treatment and wanted to send it to me to read. I told him I'd not only known about chemobrain but used it for years as an excuse when my mind goes funky. Can't think of a friend's first name? Chemobrain. Forgot where you put something? Chemobrain. I don't have to worry about dementia or alzheimer's. It's chemobrain! My blanket excuse. How convenient.

Staying cool ain't easy

Campbells just got back from Gloucester wedding and visit to Kriskos in Danvers, MA. Ruby stayed with me at Chez Jones. It was a relaxing vacation for her as she was with an old lady who likes to read at night and a 8-year-old Ditto who also is used to a pretty sendentary life style. When I took her back to Megan on Sunday, Megan threw a tennis ball and said, "Go fetch." Ruby looked at her like she was crazy.
Am still on avastin (treatment #36 on 8/25/11) with my CA125 fairly steady at 145.6 which was down 5.2 pts from three weeks ago. Still over the 0-35 normal range but Dr. considers it "stable." So I'm not complaining.
Dylan busy with social activities and work. All trying to keep cool, especially Alex who is in Dallas today expecting 108 degrees tomorrow. He's not looking forward to wearing a suit, shirt and tie in that heat. AC is necessary for life.

Megan and Alex celebrate 7th anniversary

Sunday, June 26, was Megan and Alex's 7th wedding anniversary. Saturday I babysat the kids and the dogs (I took Ditto because Dylan was at an all-day Eastport a Rockin' street/band party with friends). Megan surprised Alex with tickets to the Kennedy Center's performance of "Wicked," which both absolutely loved. Afterwards they went to dinner at Ruth Chris Steak House in Baltimore, where they annually dine to celebrate their anniversary. On their anniversary they took the kids to see "Cars 2" in 3-D. Quite a celebration.

Am still on avastin

Had another CA125 done when they took blood on 6/13/11. The count dropped 52.6 pts to 121.3 so they consider this a zig zag pattern not a trend upward. Dr. Rosenshein said they'd continue to treat me with avastin. When I went for treatment 6/23/11 my CA125 went up 8.1 pts to 129.4 but my magnesium level is 1.6, the bottom of the normal range so I didn't have to have any mag. While I was on chemo, it killed any germs in my mouth. Now after nearly two years off chemo, my gums are a problem. Now I have appointments to a periodontist. Oh joy. I get to go for scaling of the right side of my mouth. I understand this is awful. I also rediscovered why I shouldn't eat Jordan Almonds. I broke off part of a tooth so am getting a crown. It's hell getting old.

When I'm senile

Daughter Deborah sent a belated Mom's Day card in which she promised to make sure my socks match when I'm senile. I already made Megan promise to pluck two hairs that seem to sprout on my face when I'm too senile to do it myself. So what more could I ask? No facial hair and matching socks. Heaven.

CA125 spike cause for concern

Went to get my 32 avastin treatment yesterday at Weinberg. Have been on avastin with no side effects except that it's held the few remaining cancer nodules stable since 8/20/09. My CA125 jumped up 60.9 pts to 173.9 so it's cause for concern. They are doing another CA125 when I go back in 6/13 for blood work. It the CA125 continues to go up, looks like avastin is history. I'll probably go back on chemo--probably taxol or taxotere--one of the T drugs which has worked for me in the past but has done a number on my hair follicles. Those buggers have been so fried that I'll probably have to start enjoying the bald look. Keep me in your prayers.