In the picture from left to right is Marge, our granddaughter Marina and my husband Don.
This is Marina's 1st communion day and the family came together to celebrate with Marina. :)
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Friday, July 24, 2009
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
15 July 2009
Hi Everyone;
Great news, “complete remission” is what the doctors told Don and I this morning. We are ecstatic with the news. What the future for me is this, one year of study drug Avastan or placebo every three weeks along with doctor’s appointments, weekly blood tests, blood pressure checks and temperature checks with my oncology nurse, and every three months a CT scan. Remission is no new tumor growth is evident and the CA 125 level remains below 35(mine is at 10). As you can see from the above my doctors will be keeping a close watch on me. I am truly blessed to have a wonderful oncology team.
My next treatment is Friday and should only be 1 ½ hours now instead of the 7 to 8 hours previously. My energy should begin to increase and hopefully return in full within 6 to 8 months along with my hair. My doctors gave me the go ahead to start light exercising by walking short distances and increase as my energy increases.
Don and I thank each of you for all your prayers and support. I always believed in the power of prayer and now I am proof prayer works. Keep the prayers going as remission is not a cure.
Keep in touch and I will write again in August. Love, Margie
Hi Everyone;
Great news, “complete remission” is what the doctors told Don and I this morning. We are ecstatic with the news. What the future for me is this, one year of study drug Avastan or placebo every three weeks along with doctor’s appointments, weekly blood tests, blood pressure checks and temperature checks with my oncology nurse, and every three months a CT scan. Remission is no new tumor growth is evident and the CA 125 level remains below 35(mine is at 10). As you can see from the above my doctors will be keeping a close watch on me. I am truly blessed to have a wonderful oncology team.
My next treatment is Friday and should only be 1 ½ hours now instead of the 7 to 8 hours previously. My energy should begin to increase and hopefully return in full within 6 to 8 months along with my hair. My doctors gave me the go ahead to start light exercising by walking short distances and increase as my energy increases.
Don and I thank each of you for all your prayers and support. I always believed in the power of prayer and now I am proof prayer works. Keep the prayers going as remission is not a cure.
Keep in touch and I will write again in August. Love, Margie
Thursday, May 28, 2009
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.
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.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Hi Everyone
Tough few days. Since last Friday it was a tough time, it is the same time period I was in the hospital last month, which are days 10, 11, 12, and 13 post chemotherapy. It took me by surprise, to be totally wiped out so fast for so long. Saturday was the toughest emotionally as well as physically. I had it with being sick and tired and Don was right there by my side to cheer me up and get off the pity pot. I am allowed one pity pot a month hehehehhee. I had no visitors over the weekend as it was just tough times of fatigue, nausea, severe pain. I wanted to visit with my brother Larry and my sister-in-law Donna on Sunday and my sister Mary on Monday but was just not in the cards. We will make it another time soon.
Don and the kids took such good care of me. My daughter, Maureen aka Moe, my tornado organizer, has organized my closets, my dressers and my shelves. Everything looks so good. She organized piles; yard sale, keep and toss. All this made a tremendous difference. My daughter Michelle and her husband Mike, make us dinner 2 to 3 times a week, especially on the tough weeks as my best friend and husband Don, spends endless hours by my side making sure I am ok. My daughter Meg, makes dinner on the other days and my son Sean, comes over for the heavy lifting or to watch a movie with me or shall I say while I sleep. My son Jonathan and I talk often or with Don as he is stationed at Fort Rucker, Alabama. I have the greatest family through helping me through these tough times.
One thing I can say about cancer is our family has become closer, as if I thought that was possible. We have always been a close knit family and since being diagnosed we have had great conversations on the future. I also tell my dreams of teaching in a University and what I would like to have done to the house and the entire family is committed to getting things done. My master bedroom is almost complete thanks to the kids and Don.
Great News from Last week!!!! I had a bone density scan and a mammogram and all went well and the results were age appropriate for the bone density; and mammogram came back benign. Whew… we are elated!!! I have a CAT scan sometime near the end of the month and that is the one to see if any cancer has progressed or regressed. Pray, cross all finger and toes all is well. I will keep you posted.
I am on the upswing now, my white blood count (WBC) is still low. Continued rest and WBC should bounce back soon.
I also heard from a few dear friends I worked with in previous years and they are coming to visit in June; I can hardly wait as we always have a great time together.
With much love,
Margie
Tough few days. Since last Friday it was a tough time, it is the same time period I was in the hospital last month, which are days 10, 11, 12, and 13 post chemotherapy. It took me by surprise, to be totally wiped out so fast for so long. Saturday was the toughest emotionally as well as physically. I had it with being sick and tired and Don was right there by my side to cheer me up and get off the pity pot. I am allowed one pity pot a month hehehehhee. I had no visitors over the weekend as it was just tough times of fatigue, nausea, severe pain. I wanted to visit with my brother Larry and my sister-in-law Donna on Sunday and my sister Mary on Monday but was just not in the cards. We will make it another time soon.
Don and the kids took such good care of me. My daughter, Maureen aka Moe, my tornado organizer, has organized my closets, my dressers and my shelves. Everything looks so good. She organized piles; yard sale, keep and toss. All this made a tremendous difference. My daughter Michelle and her husband Mike, make us dinner 2 to 3 times a week, especially on the tough weeks as my best friend and husband Don, spends endless hours by my side making sure I am ok. My daughter Meg, makes dinner on the other days and my son Sean, comes over for the heavy lifting or to watch a movie with me or shall I say while I sleep. My son Jonathan and I talk often or with Don as he is stationed at Fort Rucker, Alabama. I have the greatest family through helping me through these tough times.
One thing I can say about cancer is our family has become closer, as if I thought that was possible. We have always been a close knit family and since being diagnosed we have had great conversations on the future. I also tell my dreams of teaching in a University and what I would like to have done to the house and the entire family is committed to getting things done. My master bedroom is almost complete thanks to the kids and Don.
Great News from Last week!!!! I had a bone density scan and a mammogram and all went well and the results were age appropriate for the bone density; and mammogram came back benign. Whew… we are elated!!! I have a CAT scan sometime near the end of the month and that is the one to see if any cancer has progressed or regressed. Pray, cross all finger and toes all is well. I will keep you posted.
I am on the upswing now, my white blood count (WBC) is still low. Continued rest and WBC should bounce back soon.
I also heard from a few dear friends I worked with in previous years and they are coming to visit in June; I can hardly wait as we always have a great time together.
With much love,
Margie
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