from Mom ...

Enough already ...

The major chemo sickness has decreased over the last few days, but I still haven’t gotten back to my spunky self. I saw my oncologist yesterday for a “pre-chemo” visit and for an enlarging something (mass??) under the top area of my abdominal incision. It turns out I have quite an infection (abscess) brewing under my incision. It opened enough on its own to drain quite a bit. We’re going to try a heavy antibiotic orally, if that doesn’t work, he’ll have to re-open my incision and perhaps IV antibiotics. Because of this, my chemo for today is postponed until next week as it would decrease my white count, which I need to fight this new infection (Catch 22??).

My CA125 went from 316 to 301, not great news but at least it didn’t go up, so we’ll be continuing with the same chemo agents for now. The good news is I’ll have a nice, non-chemo sick visit with my dear friend Kathleen, who came out to stay with me while Paul is out of town.

Love you all,
Nyshie

Love from the Mardi Gras parade in Bay St. Louis!

Mom's sister Liz sent these!!!

from Mom ......

Happy days are here again ...

I started my “easy” chemo last Wednesday and amazingly had very minor side effects, just fatigue in the evening. This week has been a little more interesting. On the way to the hospital this Wednesday a.m. for the “double chemo”, Paul had to pull off the road for me to demonstrate dry heaving for all of our neighbors taking their kids to school. Lovely. I had some fatigue and nausea that evening but nothing major. Then, back to the hospital on Thursday for extra IV fluids. Very severe nausea yesterday and today. Heading into the chemo hole for the weekend.

Good night Chet, good night David and thank goodness for Marinol.

Love you all,
Big Giant Grandma Nyshie

Robert ups the ante .......

Mom's nephew Robert, who lives in Honolulu, sent some amazing pics ...

Robert on the right with close friends Maya Soetoro center, President Obama's sister, & her husband Konrad Ng


Robert with Governor Neil Abercrombie & Hawaii's first lady, Nancie Caraway

Beautiful Quilt!!!

This amazing quilt was a gift for Mom. Her dear friend Goddess Gayle has a phenomenal daughter-in-law, Shauna, who made the quilt.
The title at the top says, "What Cancer Cannot Do!" Thank you Shauna!!!

from Mom ....

Paul and I saw my oncologist last Tuesday and surprisingly to us, my CA125 (tumor marker) has increased from 265 to 316! The doctor was not terribly concerned and felt that it was most likely a result of the tremendous amount of inflammation in my abdomen and pelvis from the surgery. We discussed my chemo at great lengths and decided to postpone starting it until this coming Wednesday, the 8th, as I’ve lost a significant amount of weight and am still very weak. I’ll be back on my previous schedule of day 1-Gemsar and day 8-Gemsar/Taxotere and then 2 weeks off.

Hypothetically, I will need 4 more rounds, but it depends on my numbers. If my CA125 doesn’t come down after the next week, he wants to change to a different chemo.

A “wait and see” game if you will.

I am feeling stronger every day and with that have a more positive attitude. Beautiful to see snow on the Peak. Thanks again to each and every one of you for the continued love and support.

Love you all,
BGGN