Interesting!

Last Friday Will and I went to see my new ortho doc cuz my surgeon who put the rod in my femur moved to CA:(  On the last PET scan as well as my most recent one, the radiologist mentioned seeing a fracture in my right femur (the one with the rod in it.) but, the ortho didn't see it.  So, Will, with his super deaf vision, showed the fracture to the new doc, and she is now a believer:) It's been there since November, she just thought it was part of the original surgery.  Anyway, now we know why my leg still hurts, but there's nothing they can do for it.  But, at least I know why it hurts! The ortho thinks there was a very thin amount of bone around the rod originally, and when i went for a lovely walk on the Tampa beach with my friends last year, it fractured.  Again, nothing can be done, but she seems hopeful that my bone will heal itself.  Will expressed his doubt, given the poor condition of my bones to begin with, but i like pretending:)

I'm doing well on the Xeloda oral chemo so far, nothing major to report:)

So far, so good

I seem to be responding without any side effects so far to the new chemo meds. If my past experience is indicative of my "normal", tho, I'll probably be hit with side effects later. Ahh another blessing of a slow metabolism!
Ann Marie brought quiche and date snacks last week, Leanne brought dinner Friday night and Jill brought dinner last night- awesome!I'm so spoiled! I'm off completely today with only taxi duty, so it's been a very relaxing, sunny day here:) doggies so happy it's toasty warm on the patio.
Back to work tomorrow, keeping fingers crossed that this med doesn't make me sick. Have a great week!

$#@&^!@#

PET scan results are not good - knew it the minute I saw the expression on my Nurse Practitioner's face.  More cancer in my liver, spine, hip, and ribcage.  Old lesions are "metabolic" again, lighting up on the PET scan, back being nasty again.
So, plan B: new chemo drug called Xeloda.  Good news is, it's a pill, so no weekly visits to the infusion center.  Side effects are said to be minimal but everyone is different, so we'll see how it treats me. Major worry for me is the warning of more neuropathy and Hand and Foot Syndrome which is  a reddening and increased sensitivity of the hands and feet.  Hopefully the hand and foot syndrome fairy will pass me by; I can't imagine interpreting would be much fun with that!
I'm feeling ok about the news; luckily they don't give me too much time to wallow; I start the new drug on Sunday or Monday depending on how I feel.  I'll keep you updated on the side effects!

takin 'er easy:)

Hi! I had my PET scan yesterday, will be getting my results and an action plan on Friday when i have my oncology appointment.  Only a little drama with the IV; I always have to go to the hospital to have the IV placed because the peeps at the PET scan place scarred me for life when it took them 7 tries and they finally put the IV in my FOOT!!! one time, a couple years ago. So, now I go to Strong and have either their crack IV team, an anesthesiologist, or my onc nurses if they're feeling brave, place it for me then i drive one armed to the scan:) awkward but way less tears that way!!

I've been off most of last week and all of this week...its been awesome:) I'm feeling good, just the neuropathy in my feet and some pain in my middle back vertebrae.  My feet feel like I've got shoes on that are a couple sizes too small - pressure and tingly.  Strange that it keeps getting worse even tho i haven't had chemo in almost 2 weeks. :( keep hoping it'll go away.  But other than that, I'm good!

Will update on Friday once I get the news about my scan results. Later!
jen

One more down, one more to go?

Had another treatment on Friday, could be one of my last of this kind of chemo, depending on PET scan results after March 5.  I never really know what to hope for...no more chemo? That might mean it's not working anymore, so we don't want that...more chemo? that might mean the current one stopped working, don't want that...tough to know what to wish for:)


Little bit of a rough day yesterday, flushed, nauseated, very tired, but woke up today feeling fine, so couldn't whine for long.


Nothing new to report, same numb/tingly issues with my hands and feet, little swollen from the lovely steroids, and always ready for a nap!


Hoping to go for a massage this week sometime, off to have dinner with my sissies now.  Happy Sunday!

Is toxic bad???

hi!:) I had my most recent chemo treatment on Friday (i've lost track of how many that is, now!) and ended up receiving a lower dose than I've had so far.  I've been having some side effects that make the onco people nervous; toenails falling off, numb/sleepy/painful toes and feet, inability to grip my coffee cup safely.  All of these are signs that the poison they're pumping into me to kill the bad stuff is having some toxic side effects, so they reduced the strength by 20%.  My doc says it should still be as effective (which of course made me say, "then why didn't we do 80% all along?" and made her roll her eyes;)) I'm still able to interpret, the moneymakers are still fully functional!!

What else? My right femur is still bothering me, i'm still limping around and feeling foolish, but i'm dealing, and looking forward to spring when i don't also have to deal with the wind and the cold.  Next up is a pet scan, then we will decide what treatment to pursue next.  Best case scenario, they put me back on an oral med and pretend I'm not sick again:) Possible they will suggest i stay on this chemo as long as it's still working, possible this one has stopped working and they will want me to try another chemo...just hafta wait and see:)

My dad sent me a little metavivor pin! So sweet and he has one too! woohoo, go metavivors! Now I'm exhausted...naptime.

Keep sending me positive vibes, and i love hearing from you!

Relay for Life

Hi! So, this is my week off, my little breakski from chemo, plus i went for a massage with Ginny this morning AND ate 2 chocolate peanut butter brownies!! It doesn't get any better!! I'm feeling well, happy to have a weekend in front of me.

My friend Kayla from work asked if she could walk in my honor for the Relay for Life in Henrietta this year - I'm floored, she's such a sweetheart, and i'm so honored to be one of the people she's walking for.  Please check out her page at

http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RFLFY12EA?px=15598239&pg=personal&fr_id=36544

and provide any support you can- you can even walk with her if you're up to the challenge!  I got a luminary for my sissy who has cancer and for my grandfather, who died of cancer when I was 10.  It's a cool idea, they put messages on the luminaries and they light up the night at the ceremony June 9-10.  I'll be there - hope to see you there as well!!