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! 

Welcome, 2012 and Happy Valentine's Day!

I am writing to shout it out, "we are going to Paris next month!"  This is a dream come true for me and my hubby. This is our 40th anniversary year and we are celebrating that and the good news that I am again in remission.  These are truly things to be grateful for and I feel sooooo lucky we are healthy, happy, and still married and can take this fabulous trip together.  We will be in France and Germany for 3 weeks!  Yippee!  I am trying to learn french, have been taking classes and doing the Rosetta Stone program. Hopefully it will kick in when I need it.  Au revoir !

A great Christmas!

I have to say even though we had a rough  year, we are ending it with happiness and love. Our grands make the world go round, and I thank our daughter, Bridgett and her hubby, Matt, for giving us the rarest of gifts: love.  There is always room for love in my heart for Jayden, Jaxson, Addison, and Ella.  They represent the present and that is exactly what they are to me.  I intend to hang in there for many years of sports, ballet, and tea parties.  Thank you for allowing me to be a part in their lives. 

Giving thanks

I am thankful for a loving, supporting, and enduring marriage to my husband, Tommy, who has been by my side through all the ups and downs of this disease that keeps my life in turmoil. Right now, right here, I am telling the world that I am cancer free and plan on staying that way. So there!

Our 39th anniversary

I can't believe it's been 39 years since I said "I do."  Those two kids are now 60 and still holding on to each other. This year has been a wild ride on the poor health wagon, but as those vows state "for better and for worse" they weren't kidding. I'm going through chemo again and have 3 treatments over with. The good news is that it is killing the fu----- tumors.

And as for Tom, he is dealing with pain caused from being rear ended on the freeway back in March. We are quite a pair. We had to cancel our trip to Maine that was supposed to be this week to celebrate our anniversary. So what!  We will have our lobster at the usual place, right here on the central coast, on the Pacific instead of Atlantic ocean. The main thing is that we are still in in love and haven't killed each other yet!

Summer in full swing!

I can't believe we are mid July already. Seems like we just got out of school. The Boys are busy riding their 4 wheeler, ( much to my dismay) jumping on their trampoline, and causing havoc in general by their sheer numbers!  Having friends over, swimming in NoNo's pool next door, riding their scooters, cars, bicycles, playing soccer, ladder ball, slip n' slide. No activity left undone. And now those dreaded words, "I'm bored, Mom."  Unfortunately, I haven't been much help because of chemo treatments, but PaPa and I have managed to take them to see Winnie the Pooh, with some McD's afterwards. Wish I could harness their energy! We would never have an energy crisis if we could. Love those kids!

Easter joy!

Easter was late this year, so along with it were birthdays for  Jayden turning 10, Ella 2.  However, there was still time to color eggs and enjoy what the bunny brought! There was much to celebrate this month. Jayden requested a special dinner for his birthday, so we all went to a nice restaurant and the staff sang a lively happy birthday to him. Ella's was at the Avila Barn, where she got to feed the goats and see the pony. Our days have been quite full with love and gratitude for all our blessings!

A sad day for us

It is with great sadness that I share a family loss. Matt's grandmother, Esther, aka G.G., passed away on March 4th. She is remembered by all of us as an active, talented, funny woman who will be sorely missed at all the Janowicz celebrations.  Goodbye, G.G., now you can be with your husband forever and ever.

December Joy

The month of December just flew by! Between soccer, basketball, Christmas shopping, and physical therapy, I was busier than a one armed wall paper hanger.
I am not complaining. I loved every moment of it all. Even the PT wasn't so bad. And the grandbabies are growing so fast. Ella is talking up a storm, cute as a button, running and keeping up with her brothers. Apparently everyone was very good in 2010 because they have a house full of new toys, including a trampoline (from us) to play on. Here is Ella in her new convertible, purse and all.

Happy Halloween!

Ella and Papa Bear

Jaxson (Indiana Jones) Berlyn, Addison (Ghost Buster) Ginger

Jayden the Gangsta'

Last days of Summer!

                                                   

Jaxson turned 7 on July 27th. Mario and Luigi (the famous Mario bros. of Nintendo fame) was the theme. We spent the day playing "pin the mustache on Mario, ate pizza, hit the pinata Uncle Mark made to look like Mario's coveralls, ate cake, and Jaxson was excited over every present. Uncle Josh came as a big Mario to surprise him. Way to go Josh!

School's out for Summer!

And they're off! Only 4 days off from school and our boys are feeling their oats. I gave Bridgett a rest yesterday and took Jayden, Jaxson, and Addison to McDonald's, where they could play on the slide and get their wiggles out. At least they are still young enough to be satisfied with a happy meal and time to run around in a safe area. Well, sorta safe, enough germs to kill a horse, but just make sure the hands get washed before eating any french fries.
I had Jayden over to spend the night. We worked on projects and he put this plane together on his own. Way to go, Jayden!

Awards for our Boys

Both our boys, Jayden and Jaxson received awards in their respective grades.The assembly was held on the last day of school. In kindergarten, Jaxson got one for being a Good Citizen. His teacher, Ms. Xylinga, said he would come up to her many times during the school year and tell her "I just love my school, and I love you!" She said it made her feel so good, but he also was telling all the other teachers the same thing. That's our boy, always cover your bases!
And Jayden received a Writing Award. He really loves to write short stories and uses lots of imagination. Go Jayden! I see him publishing a book someday.

May is going by fast

I looked at the calendar and lo and behold,Summer is just around the corner! There have been a bunch of memorable activities this month.
We went to Jaxson and Jayden's open house at Branch Elem. where Jayden was a wax museum replica of Houdini, a project for his 3rd grade class. (note the handcuffs)
We also got to see Jaxson do his song and dance in honor of Mexico.He is quite a dancer! Here's a sneak peak:
                                                                  It was a lot of fun, and I am oh, so, PROUD of them!