Entering a New Phase

With the final chemotherapy completed and the dreaded follow-up days of experiencing the side effects a thing of the past, I can now put the cancer treatment behind me and look ahead toward gaining strength and recapturing a more normal routine to life. My oncologist, Jenny Fox, will continue to monitor my blood work to determine at what point we will be ready to make an evaluation of the treatment's results. That will likely occur in mid-September. In the meantime my goals are to be able to celebrate Willie's September 20th birthday with our Fort Collins' kids and to resume meeting weekly with my small group. I just realized that would be taking two steps at a time! Dare I progress so quickly from the longtime pattern of taking life "one step at a time"? I think I am ready!! Pattie K

FINAL CHEMOTHERAPY INFUSION

Friday, August 14 about 10:30am, I should begin my final round of chemotherapy treatments. I ask for your prayers and best wishes that all will go well and that the result will be the destruction of all cancer cells in my body. I do not know yet what follow-up procedures will be done. I likely will not have a report for a few weeks, but I will certainly post the news whenever I have met with my oncologist and results are known. You all have been a tremendous inspiration to me these past several months. Thank you so much for your loving support. Pattie K

TOUGH WEEK

I have managed to sleep through the past seven days, getting up to go to the Cancer Center for shots and to eat meals, watch a bit of TV, but little else. The story is the same - weakness, dizziness and headache. I will have blood counts checked on Friday and see a Physician's Assistant to discuss the results. Although I do know that "this too shall pass", there is so much I see around the house that I would like to be doing. Willie and I are extremely grateful for dear friends who have brought meals, either hot and ready to eat or with preparation instructions for Willie. I am brought to tears as I sit down to eat and give thanks for the time and love that the food represents. Some of us remember Bob Oerter's telling us never to underestimate the value of a "well-placed casserole". He was right. I am looking forward to the better days that lie ahead.

Nearing the Home Stretch

I had an appointment with my oncologist Friday (July 24) just prior to my scheduled chemotherapy infusion. All of the various blood counts were looking strong; but then as I left her office to go to the infusion room, I knew that in a matter of about three hours most of those good numbers would be destroyed by the chemo drugs. Dr. Fox made a couple of adjustments, as this was my next to last chemotherapy treatment, and the side effects of the drugs is cumulative. She cut the strength of one of the chemo drugs but assured me that this would not hinder its effectiveness. Then she ordered seven days of the follow-up drug that helps build white blood cells in the bone marrow instead of the ten days we did the last round. While I am not looking forward to going back to the weakness, dizziness, achiness, etc., I am hopeful that these modifications will diminish the side effects. I did so enjoy my extended time of respite and have been able to attend four of the CMF concerts. What a blessing they have been to my soul. This time of feeling good has renewed my hope for a more permanent healing by this fall. With medical help, your prayers and the many other ways you are supporting Willie and me, we can attain this goal. Pattie K

Chemotherapy Postponed

The chemotherapy scheduled for today had to be postponed due to a low blood platelet count. It has to right itself on its own, so we will give it another week to improve. The postponement is welcome news on two fronts. I have just experienced three days of feeling amazingly well -- rather like the former Pattie, and not cancer Pattie. I am hoping without the chemo after effects this will be extended for a while longer. Also -- in May for my birthday Willie bought us tickets for the five piano concerto performances with the CMF which begin this Sunday night and go through next Sunday night. We were thinking we would be giving our tickets away, but now it looks possible for going to at least some of the nights. I am so excited. More good reports -- I WAS able to go to see Annie with the family, and even felt good enough for our twins (age 8) to spend the night with us for the first time in a long time. Also the report from Monday's CT scan was positive; not perfect yet, but on track. So I just keep giving Thanks for all the good news and thank each of you for your part in my journey. Joyfully, Pattie K

A BRIEF UPDATE

Today I received a call from Rose Medical Center to inform me that the results of the Hepatitis C test were negative! Friday, July 10, I had another blood transfusion which did wonders for my weakness and dizziness, so I am enjoying a few good days before my next chemo treatment this Friday. As of today things look positive for going with the family to see Annie tomorrow night; keep your fingers crossed! Pattie K

A Bend in the Road

Today I received a letter from Rose Medical Center in Denver sent to patients who might have been exposed to hepatitis C. I began my treatment there on April 6, when I had surgery for ovarian cancer. I will go tomorrow to be tested. I solicit your prayers and support that my results be negative. As is often the case, the news since my chemotherapy on June 26 has been both good and bad. The really good news is that I have experienced virtually no pain this time around. On the other hand, the weakness and dizziness following the chemo has hung on much longer, just today showing a slight improvement. I will have a shot on Friday to bolster my red blood count, and that should help. I have a goal of being able to go with Willie, Kurt, Barb and our twin grandchildren to BDT's performance of Annie on July 15. This would be my initial time going out after getting off the oxygen -- actually it would be my first time out since all of this started on February 26!