Avastin continued

Saw Dr. Rosenshein on Monday morning and mentioned my CA125 had gone up nearly 20 pts last time it was measured. He said he'd talk to Dr. Im about future treatments. At Weinberg yesterday (Thursday) Dr. Im asks me what Dr. R said to do. I told him Dr. R had said it was up to Dr. Im. Then Terri stops by. What did Dr. R say? I told her he said it was up to Dr. Im. Talk about pass the hot potato. Blood work came back showing I needed magnesium so while I was hooked up getting 2 hours of mag, I told Terri I wasn't going anywhere and to let me know what was decided. Turns out my CA125 went down 8.9 points so Dr. Im ordered another 3 treatments of Avastin. I keep hoping Avastin is working as I tolerate it well and it allows my hair to slooowwwly grow back. I celebrated by going to the Hair Cuttery and asked the gal to trim my hair so I don't look like a homeless person. Not much to style, but at least it is more shaped.

Have been taking care of Daisy this week while Megan and Alex were in Las Vegas. Their caregiver kept the kids from Monday morning until tonight. I think I got the better deal. Dylan and Christine left today for a weekend skiboarding trip to western Maryland with friends. Not sure if I'll see snow in Severna Park, but C&D should have fresh powder to enjoy in the mountains.

CA125 up 19.9 pts

OK. On 2/4/10 CA125 came back 19.9 points up since 1/14/10. And CT scan on 1/6/10 said the 3 nodes have been stable. What's going on? Not sure. I'll think about it tomorrow, said Scarlett. Will go back to the Out Patient Clinic 2/25 and find out just what Dr. Im has planned for me. Went for a blood test yesterday (2/15) and nurse Karin said she'd read where a spike in the CA125 might show a large cell kill. Not sure I'm so optimistic. I tend to be an optimistic pessimist.

Good news is that I'm finally back at work after not being able to get out of my house for a week because of deep snow. Dylan and Christine trekked in twice to shovel out the driveway. Wise neighbors high-tailed it to Florida before the recent combo Obama labeled Snowmagedon. I was lucky to not lose power. Happy Valentine's Day.

Another birthday

When my children held a celebration last January 31 for my birthday, perhaps we all wondered whether it might be my last. Well, I made it to another birthday and spent much of the last two weeks of January in celebration. Thanks to everyone who provided cards, singing messages on my cell and opportunities to eat together in the days surrounding my big day. After a predicted less than an inch snowfall turned into nearly 8 inches the day before my birthday, the 31st dawned sunny and bright with roads clear enough to allow Dylan and me to go to brunch at our favorite local breakfast shop. In the p.m. Ellen and I went to movie followed by a great dinner at a nearby French bistro. I watched Jane Austen's "Emma" conclusion on PBS that evening with dog Ditto curled next to me on the couch. A trurly lovely day. Thanks to all my loved ones for making my life so sweet.

Girls in Teal Road Trip a success

Megan and I bonded on our road trip last weekend. We both loved Sondheim's "A Little Night Music." 1st row mezzanine tickets were over the 7th row orchestra so we were close to the stage. Megan lamented she didn't have a Welsh flag to wave at Zeta-Jones at the end. Garmin, Joy's borrowed E-Z Pass and parking at the hotel all made the trip a breeze. A little gastro problem made sleeping at night problematic for me. Went to the gastro doctor who diagnosed my cancer for help when I got back. He took me off Nexium and am trying AcipHex to see if that works better. Too early to tell. Dylan gave me my birthday present, a live lilac tree. My mom used to sing "The Lilac Tree" to me when I was little; I did the same for my kids. Megan sings the song to Tyler and Jenna so I loved his gift too.

A really happy birthday

Had a CT scan last week but hadn't heard anything from my oncology nurse so was a little concerned when I went to my treatment yesterday. Wonderful nurse Donna said blood work showed I needed 4 grams of magnesium (2 hours to go in) but had to wait for results of urine labs before ordering Avastin. Dr. Im's assistant Terri handed me my CT scan results which said "stable exam." Many areas "unremarkable" which has become a favorite word for me. Nodules noted on previous scans hadn't grown or decreased. That means the Avastin is holding everything status quo, a good thing. Yea! My CA125 went down 2.8 points to 53.5. Still higher than than 0-35 normal range but it went in the right direction. I will continue on Avastin. So Megan's surprise trip to NYC this 3-day weekend for my birthday (Jan. 31) is going to be a celebration. We've tickets to a Sunday matinee of "A Little Night Music" with Angela Landsbury and Catherine Zeta-Jones. Alex is taking care of the kids and Dylan is minding the two dogs. Don't know who is getting the better deal.

Grandkids make for a happy 2010

Dylan and Christine with Tyler and Dylan with Jenna.

Oma with her 3-year old grandson Tyler.

A Happy New 2010

Christmas Eve Eve (12/23) I had Avastin treatment #7. Needed magnesium so was given 4 grams (2 hours) as well as the Avastin (1/2 hour). CA125 came back 9.9 pts higher than 12/3 so it's now 56.3. Bummer. Terri scheduled a CT scan for 1/6/10 to see what's going on. She said it could be a result of infection of arthritis and or the cold/sore throat/cough that I've been getting over. Whatever. I'll think about that tomorrow. Meantime I've gotten dug out of the 20+ inches of snow that fell last weekend which left the dogs and me house bound several days. The wide overhang of my roof allowed dogs outside and not have to do their business in shoulder-high snow. Nephew Jeff White walked in Monday and helped clear behind my car. Plows cleared the street Monday night so Dylan was able to get his low-riding car to the house and finish the driveway so we can get both our cars into the carport. Looking forward to Christmas day with brunch at the Campbells and dinner at friends of Dylan and Christine in the evening in Severna Park. May the new year be happy and healthy for everyone.