Today is a good day for me. I am feeling well with minor fatigue issues.
By now, some of you are wondering why I did not send an e-mail on my update last week; I was in the hospital, again, for low white blood cell count and a fever of 101.9. Low white blood count is extremely dangerous for cancer patients; this can mean an infection and fast advancement of pneumonia. My hospitialization resulted in isolation and visitors to put gowns on and a mask and limited exposure to immediate family only.
I was released from the hospital late Thursday afternoon; only to go back Friday morning for CAT scan, lab and doctor appointments. I debated over the weekend to send an update but I thought best to send one after the results came in to share with each of you. The CAT scan is overall good, no advancement of the cancer; this means the chemo is working. However, two areas to be watched is my liver and right Kidney, both show cysts, non-cancerous. I asked extensive questions about the cyst and I was assured it is not cancer. My next CAT scan is at the end of June or beginning of July. My great news is my CA 125, the indicator f the ovarian cancer is down to 23 (Micha el Jordon formally of the Chicago Bulls number) normal is anything below 35!!! That number worked well for Michael Jordon and I can only assume it will work for me also. Translation, the chemo is working, kicking my butt at times and well worth the discomfort.
Tomorrow, I start the regiment of ‘Newlasta’ shots to promote white blood count. This stimulates the bone marrow to produce more white blood cells. The side effect is bone pain. I hope this works to keep me out of the hospital, more importantly to increase the white blood cell counts. Don will be able to give me the shot at home which is great so I do not have to go for additional visits to the doctor’s office for shots. Having cancer is a full time job!! I have a calendar book filled with appointments associated with cancer.
Don and I attended the ‘Ovarian Cancer Walk’ on May 2nd in Chicago. It was a great morning meeting other survivors of ovarian cancer. The pictures are of the survivors all wearing teal T-shirts. The walkers and runners wear white T-shirts. This is a positive event highlighting survivors and honoring the20women who have died of this disease.
Directly after the walk, Don and I went home and changed and attended Marina (oldest granddaughter) 1st communion celebration party. We had a great time and the restaurant was fantastic. We had the entire place dedicated to our party and the food at Al Primo Canto was outstanding. Thanks to Maureen outstanding organization skills the party was perfect! And I might add Marina looked gorgeous in all white!!!
On Sunday, May 3rd, I went to a very dear friend birthday celebration. It was a beautiful day and all of the party goers sat outside on the deck enjoying sunshine and great weather. I was honored to be part of the celebration.
On another note, I am going back to work tomorrow, Wed, May 13th, part-time for three hours a day for the month of May. I hope to try to get back to pre-cancer routine, slowly.
Keep in touch and I will write again next week providing an update and an overview.