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Tuesday, September 1, 2009

1 Sept 2009
Hi Everyone;
How time flies when you are having fun! It is Sept. 1st already and hard to believe it was seven months ago when I was diagnosed with Primary Peritoneal/Ovarian Cancer (PPC) Stage III C. Although there is no current cure, remission can last a very long time. As I have reported previously, this is like living with any chronic disease like Diabetes, heart disease, etc. This will be a lifelong battle.
Last Wed. I had my first blood and Lab tests since remission was declared. I must say, it was a nagging few days in waiting for results of the CA 125. That is the cancer indicator. Normal is 35 or below…On Friday, the results came back as 9…YIPEEEEE still in remission. I will have to go through this every month for the next year and then every 3 months thereafter. Currently, I have treatments every 3 weeks for the next year of Avastin or Placebo; we (Doctors, Nurses and Don and I) strongly believe I am receiving Avastin the drug. The main side effect is high blood pressure and I have that as mine previously was always on the low side.
At the same time the lab test were being done last week, my back and sciatica (painful back pain that radiates down the leg). I had no idea what caused the trouble. I did not lift or do anything unusual, well, not that I can think of at the time. Don and I were a bit hesitant and nervous, thinking the cancer had spread. The Doctors sent me to get a spine x-ray on Friday and given some medication and steroids to manage the pain. Today we found the results out. Lumbar 1 and 2 have advance arthritis. To verify this further, I will be going to my regular physician in a couple of weeks and then to a MRI if necessary. My back is still very sore but manageable on the medication. This is a good indicator the pain management medication is working. If it was cancer, the pain would not decrease as much.
All in all health is good. J It is a bit nerve racking at times. On the funny side of things, my hair is growing back. This is faster than most; it usually takes 3 to 6 months. My grand kids love to touch my bald head. When my hair started growing back it feels very prickly. Maeve, 4 years old (Michelle oldest) and Fiona, 2 years old (Michelle 2nd) both were touching my head and Maeve said, “Nana hair feels like Daddy’s Beard”. We all had a good laugh because Maeve is right; my hair feels like a beard. Now it is getting softer. Not sure of the color or texture (curly or straight) just yet, it is too early to tell but I will let you know at my next update.
On the job situation, I have not heard back on the complaint I filed under the American with Disability Act (ADA) (cancer is a disability) with Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). My previous employer had 40 days to respond. I contacted my EEOC assigned investigator today and left a message. I hope I hear something in September. When I do, I will write and let everyone know if EEOC thinks I have a case. We as many people we have spoken to believe we do have a case, let’s hope so.
Otherwise, August was a busy month as we had celebrated 5 of the 8 grand children’s Birthdays; 2 more birthday celebration will be next Sunday and then another in October. Whew this is where Nana and Papa can go broke…hahahahaha but we love it!
That is the news for now.
Keep in touch and I will write again in October or sooner.
Love, Margie