CT scan results "stable"

Got the results of the CT scan taken on 9/15/11. "Impression: 3 stable lesions in the chest, two at the right hemidiaphragm and one subxiphoid." Says the two right hemidiaphragmatic lesions appear to be stable since 5/09, however, the subxiphoid nodule is currently stable but larger since 10/09. You'd think they could put these in English so one can understand them better. Essentially I'm still here. And hopefully will be around a lot longer. Thanks again for all your continued prayers and kindnesses.

5th anniversary of OVC surgery

This past Sunday Megan gave me a coin-like silver keepsake she had bought on their recent trip to Charleston, Hilton Head and Savannah. It has a ribbon-shape on one side and an angel on the other. Appropriate because Monday is the 5th anniversary of my ovarian cancer surgery 9/26/06. I returned Ruby to the Campbell house after her week at Chez Jones and enjoyed spending time with Tyler and Jenna, both who weren't born when I had my surgery.

Port decided to give blood

At OPC 9/15/11 both sides of my port worked finally. This speeds the process as avastin isn't prepared until after the lab gets the results. Was able to get 1/2 hour of avastin but needed 2 grams of magnesium which takes an hour to go in by IV. Got done just in time to go to radiology and drink doctored orange juice needed for my CT scan. Managed to get gas and pick up soup at Panera and still be home before rush hour traffic. My CA125 went down 12.5 points to 150.5. It's been zigging and zagging between 140-160 which Drs consider stable.

Am dog sitting Ruby this week while Megan and Alex are at Hilton Head Resort in SC. Kids are overnighting with day care provider M-F. Megan says she's enjoying being able to speak in complete sentences while she relaxes with Alex. No wonder they're relaxed. Look at the view from their room.

Tyler visited by tooth fairy

Tyler, who is just two months shy of 5, was visited by the tooth fairy last night. Because he wanted coins, she left four quarters to save or spend at the dollar store. Which do you think he will do? LOL. Jenna, 2 in mid-May, now wants new teeth too. But she got a big girl bed and new bedding instead.

Quick trip to MO/IL

Along with more than 60 friends and relatives, surprised my cousin Deanna and her husband Paul Nelson for their 50th anniversary celebration. Their four children, spouses, and nine grandchildren as well as her brother and family, arranged the surprise party at a restaurant in Kirkwood, MO, this past Sunday (9/4). Flew into STL Friday shortly after noon and niece Diana picked me up after her tennis tourney from 9-noon in STL that morning. My jr high, high school and college BFF Barb and her husband Jim Kadlec drove down from Naperville for an overnight stay to visit. Went out to dinner Friday night also with elementary school BFF Lynnette Bass. Saturday morning Diana, 9-yr old daughter Kate and I joined cousins from the Heberer side at breakfast and surprised my 86-yr-old cousin Gerry Boeschen. She blithely remarked, "So planes fly both ways, huh?" She and twin daughers Sharen and Karen and cousin Terry and wife Roxy had been out to visit in Maryland multiple times since my OVC3C diagnosis five years ago. Ali, Diana and Duane's middle daughter who is a freshman at Missouri State on a softball scholarship, came home for the weekend and celebrated her 19th birthday (actually on 9/11) Saturday night. Cousin Dennis Hoffman, wife Julie and daughter Ellen picked me up for the 50th anniversary surprise party on Sunday and returned me to Diana's after a nice visit at Deanna's and Paul's house with all the kids & grandkids. Talked to so many relatives and friends my brain was on overload when I got back home to BWI Monday afternoon. Rain started as Megan, Alex, Tyler and Jenna picked me up and we went out to dinner. Lovely trip. Lovely to visit with everyone.

Survived 5.8 earthquake & hurricane Irene

So there I was sitting in my basement office at USNA with my feet on the floor. The carpeting over cement was moving. A TAD ensign and I looked at each other and had a WTF moment. Everyone had to evacuate. Fortunately it was a beautiful day so wasn't a hardship to stand outside until we got the all clear to return. That was Tuesday. By Friday we were unplugging our PCs and putting all the electronics on our desks in case of flooding. Saturday night Ditto and I slept in Dylan's queen bed in the basement in case a tree fell on the house. It didn't, but one did on my neighbor's three houses up the hill. My backyard neighbor had a poplar limb the size of a huge tree land between their garage and tool shed on the black top where he usually parked his truck. Fortunately he moved it that night so only damage to their patio wall and fountain behind the garage. Lost power Saturday night at 10:45 p.m. and it still isn't restored (Tuesday). Dylan stayed in Annapolis. He lost power but got it back Sunday night. Last night he took all the shrimp, etc. out of the freezer into a cooler. He plans to cook a lot of shrimp pasta alfredo. USNA only lost some large trees and several lamp posts. An interesting week to say the least.

2-year anniversary on avastin

Started on avastin, a biological that does not harm good cells but acts to starve cancer cells by limiting each cancer cell's blood supply, on 8/20/09. Tomorrow will be my 2-year anniversary on the treatment. And next month, 9/25/11, will be the 5th anniversary of my ovarian cancer surgery. Grandson Tyler (4+, b 11/11/06) wasn't even born when I started chemo and Jenna (2, b 5/15/09) arrived after I had had 12 doses of taxotere and carboplatin, 5 doses of topotecan, and 4 of doxil. Since she was born, I've had 3 doses of cisplatin and gemzar and 12 of toxol. The single digit treatments were stopped when they proved ineffective. All of the chemos had nasty side effects and killed good stuff along with the bad. Thank you for all your prayers and support. I'm still here.