a year...

Wow-It has been over a year since I posted.

Things just go by.  Blogs, bills. chores. 

So, still on the Xalkori.  In December they discovered a small tumor on my brain.  That set me back.  All I could think was that, here we go.  It is spread all over. 
They zapped the tumor and I went off to Oregon a few days later.  NOT a good idea.  I was sick.  Suffice it to say, by the time I got home, they did IV fluids, steroids...and I was down for the count for a week. Thank to my friends for all the care.

Had a CT scan-still stable.  Amazing. Had a new Brain MRI-they are not worried by what they see, so will scan again in June.   Whew!

While I was in the tube (for my brain MRI) I have them blast Margaritaville via Pandora in the headphones.  If you have ever listened to Pandora you know that there is an add for Lumosity...it came on..." do you have 10 minutes to spend on your brain?"

I was silently cracking up!! Was afraid that they were going to have to start over because I was laughing!

Have a great day!
hugs,
c

checking in

Well, I really have dropped the ball on this blog. I think, if I am reading the stats right, I have written 358 blog posts. 

It was started waaaaaaaaaaayy back in the beginning, to help me keep everyone up to date on all the cancer crap.  I never dreamed that I would be posting 10 years later.  I never dreamed that I would get to a point where I would wonder--is it cancer/chemo or just getting older? Who knew that would be a luxury?!

So, here we are.  4th protocol.  It is a weird thing, taking an oral chemo.  It arrives on my porch. That in itself was weird. I take it twice a day.  Every day.
So, in some ways, I get to live a more normal life.  In other ways, it keeps it in my face.  Twice a day.  Every day.

I have a scan in February to check on how it is doing.

hugs,
chris

 

10 years

Diagnosed with late stage lung cancer, Dec. 20, 2004.  Still on chemo.


My hair went, my hair came back.  People have stepped up. People have stepped away.

It has been a miracle, it has been a pain in the ass.

A loss of much.  A triumph.

hugs,
chris

Fall is in the air

...and that means covering the plants to buy some time (and hope for some tomatoes!), a recharge with the change of seasons, and back to school.

Lux on his first day of kindergarten!

He looks so grown up....wow.  I better get to Portland!

Still doing ok on the Xalkori.  Some days I feel really awful after I take it.  Other days are not too bad.  Weird "doing" chemo every day.  Do notice that the fatigue has come back.  So did not miss that the first part of the summer.  Had some zip in my step.

Alaska was wonderful.  Pretty special to get to take dad up there.  Awesome seeing my brother and Betsy and where they live.  Also got to see my cousin Daymond, his wife Renee and meet their kids.  Also went to visit Uncle Guy's grave.  Been needing to do that.
Haines is a beautiful place. I recommend it!

hugs,
chris

Xalkori

Wow-I just can't get back into regular blog posting!  Sorry about that.

So, after chemo ed, I really had my chin dragging on the floor. So did not want to start back up. One of the nurses says, "I want to get you started so that we can get you feeling better."

yeah, about that...I feel wonderful!  I know that most of your patients are sick...  I know I am lucky, but you are about to take a well person and try to make her sick!

And, I was, for a few weeks. So not happy.  But now, my body has adjusted to the chemo (weird, but true) and I am doing great on it.  Few pesky things, few weird things, but sooooo do-able.  Yippee!!

I take it twice a day, every day.  Will have a scan in October.

And, since the universe smiles on me-I get to take my dad to Alaska to visit my brother!

Hope you are all having a grand summer.
hugs,
chris

breaks over

As with all breaks...you eventually have to go back to work.

I guess that my Lazy Ass Cancer was feeling neglected and wants some attention.  So, we are going to give it some.  In the form of a new chemo drug called Xalkori.

Will know more about it after I go to chemo ed (cancer school) on Wednesday.

Had a Fab weekend!  Hope that you did too.
hugs,
chris

anybody still checking?!

I am sorry that I have not posted in so long...
I started to feel good, more like myself and I just took a break from cancer.  I did not even participate in Relay for Life this year.

I have been off of chemo for a year.  It took 9+ months to feel this good.  I am now walking more, working out more, saying yes more.  Feels wonderful.

I know this has been a luxury.  I keep that red bow on my mirror to remind me what a gift I have been given.

I have a PET scan on Friday.

Here's to a grand summer, everyone!
hugs,
chris