Ok. So it's been 5 years since I last wrote for this blog. In these last years I have continually been on one chemotherapy or another including 3 clinical trials. I am still hanging in there, however have run out of standard chemo options. In total I have been on 14. Right now I am not receiving any and am waiting to go to Stanford women's cancer center to register for another clinical trial on January 5th. This one does not involve chemo, which is weird for me. It is involving my own T-cells which will be removed, treated, and put back in later. To say I'm anxious is mild. I'm more like petrified! This new treatment is highly recommended by my fave oncologist, Dr. Palchak. Of course my Bridgett will be with me and my husband Tom. I don't know what I'd do without them. I now have another granddaughter, Maddie, who is 2. She is such a doll!  I have so much to live for!
So, I'll be writing more regularly so just in case someone who has ovarian cancer needs to know some options out there. Over and out!

     Ok, so sometimes my news isn't so good, but it is all I've got. Through no fault of my own, I have relapsed for the 3rd time, and I am pissed off about it. Actually, I have been through denial, depression, self-pity, and now I'm left with anger. I think this emotion is helps me be the strongest, but watch out for the "F" words and close your ears if you can't handle it. I haven't lost my sense of humor yet.
     My spleen has a grape sized tumor on it, and my liver has an enlarged lymph node next to it. Therefore, I am undergoing chemotherapy once again in addition to the Avastin I have been on since day one. At least there is no surgery this time, I am grateful for that. There is always something to be grateful for.
     So, I have been through 3 treatments so far and the side effects are more like the flu than anything. Ironically, I am now on the same drug Amber was on at one time. My sweet Angel is having empathy for her Mom. I feel her presence more now than ever. I know I can go on as she did.
     Meanwhile, my little grands are giving me life and hope and constant love. And Bridgett has been my companion for chemo and anything else that pops up. She is quite a young lady and catches me when I fall. My knight of the square table, Tommy, has been closer than usual as he is home recuperating from rotator cuff surgery on his R arm. We are attached at the hip!
     Keep good thoughts coming!

BFF Week, Las Vegas

March 3-10 I spent with my gal pals from high school. We had our own "Perfect Storm" with my sister, Judy, and my California BFF, Karen.  I have been missing my Albuquerque friends, some of whom still have full time jobs and had to do some creative finagling to get some vaca time to attend, but they all came through and we managed to have a lot of fun. Since Allegiance Airlines now flies non-stop from Santa Maria, Ca to Las Vegas, it was quite easy for us California Babes (me and Karen) to get there from here in about 1 hour. Amazing!

Happy New Year 2013!

I have been remiss at keeping my blogs up to date. I hope to do better this year.  Currently the good news abounds! I can say the end of 2012 was a real test, and I passed it with flying colors.  During Halloween, I was in SFO with hubby who had surgery at the UCSF Hospital.  We made 3 trips to and back, the last one was grueling and I don't care if I ever go back to the City on the Bay.  I met some fantastic people, esp. at the Belvedere B&B, where I stayed at while Tom was hospitalized.Tom was home for 6wks recuperating. Now I know what retirement will be like!
Last month I had a CT scan and there was no boogy man in my body! I am considered to be in remission! I am so grateful. Now we can plan another trip to southern France!

Happy Halloween!

The favorite holiday for my grands is here. I don't have costume pics yet, but these Bridgett put on Facebook are so sweet I had to post them.

Oooh-la-la! Paris!

Here we are in awesome Paris! I can't believe we really lived there for 2 weeks.
Our vacation of a lifetime is still with us in these photos. I'm so grateful we could go to this beautiful country and experience the culture. I predict another trip there in the future. Bonjour!


 

Look out Paris, here I come!

On March 2nd, we will be flying out of San Luis Obispo, Ca, destination: Paris, France!
All the planning I've been doing for this trip, all my life, is finally about to become a reality. I have lots of peeps who have given me their advice, hints, places they went to and loved, and now its time for me to build my own memories of the City of Lights.  I am scared, excited, anxious, happy, grateful, and mostly READY! Au revoir!