Also, my parents and sister returned home after evacuating to find no damage to either home, so all is well with them following Gustov.
Life is Great!!!
Love you all,
Nyshie
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Nysh dishes..........
Paul and I just spent a wonderful weekend at Red Feather Lakes, North of Ft. Collins. Big Al's brother, Dean, owns a cabin there and generously let us stay there for the long weekend. The weather was perfect, the cabin lovely with beautiful views. My strength has come back enough for a great day of fly fishing with yummy fresh trout, which we caught for dinner. My next bloodwork is September 24th, so will put an update on the blog after that.
Also, my parents and sister returned home after evacuating to find no damage to either home, so all is well with them following Gustov.
Life is Great!!!
Love you all,
Nyshie
Also, my parents and sister returned home after evacuating to find no damage to either home, so all is well with them following Gustov.
Life is Great!!!
Love you all,
Nyshie
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Fabulous News from Nysh!!!
WaaaaaHoooo! My CA125 from this past Wednesday is 7.2 (last month is was 8.2), my CT scan is perfectly normal and my red and white blood counts are slowly coming up.
YYEEAAHHH!!!!
Love,
Big Nysh
YYEEAAHHH!!!!
Love,
Big Nysh
Monday, July 14, 2008
from Nysh....
Well, good news all the way around. My last CA-125 was 7.7, last month it was 8.6. I guess the bottom line is that the chemo definitely worked. The question now is will the cancer come back without the chemo. I’ll be having the blood test monthly for awhile and probably a CT scan in the fall. My energy is definitely coming back, and so is my hair … hoorraayy!!! (photo to follow soon) I’ve started a Buddhist meditation class, trying very hard to just focus on, and appreciate, “today” and not worry about what might happen tomorrow. I'm also working with an acupuncturist and a naturopath for healing and nutrition.
The other good news is that we have a new granddaughter. Beth delivered Ila Ann Karpel Sunday evening around 8:30 pm. She weighed in at 8.5 lbs., has a head of dark hair and is nursing like a champ. Nothing like a new baby to change your perspective about life.
Love you all,
Nyshie (aka Grandma Nysh)
The other good news is that we have a new granddaughter. Beth delivered Ila Ann Karpel Sunday evening around 8:30 pm. She weighed in at 8.5 lbs., has a head of dark hair and is nursing like a champ. Nothing like a new baby to change your perspective about life.
Love you all,
Nyshie (aka Grandma Nysh)
Friday, June 27, 2008
from BGN...
Hello all,
Long time, no update.
My 6th and last chemo treatment was 4 weeks ago (hopefully). As usual, I had a fairly rough 7-10 days following it, but was able to fly down and see my parents and my sister in Mississippi. My parents have both suffered bad falls within the last 2 months and I really needed to go see them. Once again, my heartfelt thanks to our sister, Liz, for caring for them so wonderfully.
I saw the oncologist yesterday and had my usual routine blood work, which was all essentially normal. Red and white cell counts a little low, but no big deal. I won’t have the results of my CA125 (the cancer indicator) until Monday. The oncologist said it probably won’t have been long enough from the last chemo for it to show much change. I think I’m repeating myself here, but I’ll be having it checked monthly for awhile and as long as the number stays low, it’s an indication that the cancer is gone. If it starts coming back up, it means that the surgery and the chemo did not kill it and I’ll start back on the chemo, probably indefinitely, adjusting the dose up or down depending on the CA125 numbers. My oncologist did offer that I could stay on one of the chemo drugs (the worst one) for 12 more months and delay the recurrence for that 12 months (IF it is going to recur at all). I politely declined (Are you out of your #%^&@*&^%$ mind?). I need a break, Paul needs a break, our kids need a break, we all need a break!
On a positive note, I am starting to feel like my old self again, with the exception of the overwhelming fatigue. Great energy in the morning, but wiped out afternoon and evening. I still don’t have much of an appetite and have not gained any weight back, but coffee is starting to taste good again, so I think the rest will follow. At least I still don’t have to shave and it’s a snap to do my “head.”
As you might imagine, it is a little difficult to get my arms around the fact that I could be walking around with a time bomb in my abdomen, but I’m trying to cope. Hell, we’re all trying to cope with one thing or another, aren’t we? Ben loaned me a wonderful Buddhist meditation book. Right now, I am studying mindful breathing and concentrating on “Metta Bhavana” – Developing Universal Loving Kindness. Of course, you have to start with loving yourself. My body hasn’t been very kind or loving for the last two years, so I’m giving it a shot.
“May I be well,
May I be happy,
May I be free from suffering,
May I make progress.”
If I can pull all of this off, I’ve got it made in the shade!
Love you all,
Nyshie (Big Giant)
Long time, no update.
My 6th and last chemo treatment was 4 weeks ago (hopefully). As usual, I had a fairly rough 7-10 days following it, but was able to fly down and see my parents and my sister in Mississippi. My parents have both suffered bad falls within the last 2 months and I really needed to go see them. Once again, my heartfelt thanks to our sister, Liz, for caring for them so wonderfully.
I saw the oncologist yesterday and had my usual routine blood work, which was all essentially normal. Red and white cell counts a little low, but no big deal. I won’t have the results of my CA125 (the cancer indicator) until Monday. The oncologist said it probably won’t have been long enough from the last chemo for it to show much change. I think I’m repeating myself here, but I’ll be having it checked monthly for awhile and as long as the number stays low, it’s an indication that the cancer is gone. If it starts coming back up, it means that the surgery and the chemo did not kill it and I’ll start back on the chemo, probably indefinitely, adjusting the dose up or down depending on the CA125 numbers. My oncologist did offer that I could stay on one of the chemo drugs (the worst one) for 12 more months and delay the recurrence for that 12 months (IF it is going to recur at all). I politely declined (Are you out of your #%^&@*&^%$ mind?). I need a break, Paul needs a break, our kids need a break, we all need a break!
On a positive note, I am starting to feel like my old self again, with the exception of the overwhelming fatigue. Great energy in the morning, but wiped out afternoon and evening. I still don’t have much of an appetite and have not gained any weight back, but coffee is starting to taste good again, so I think the rest will follow. At least I still don’t have to shave and it’s a snap to do my “head.”
As you might imagine, it is a little difficult to get my arms around the fact that I could be walking around with a time bomb in my abdomen, but I’m trying to cope. Hell, we’re all trying to cope with one thing or another, aren’t we? Ben loaned me a wonderful Buddhist meditation book. Right now, I am studying mindful breathing and concentrating on “Metta Bhavana” – Developing Universal Loving Kindness. Of course, you have to start with loving yourself. My body hasn’t been very kind or loving for the last two years, so I’m giving it a shot.
“May I be well,
May I be happy,
May I be free from suffering,
May I make progress.”
If I can pull all of this off, I’ve got it made in the shade!
Love you all,
Nyshie (Big Giant)
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Feelin' Good in Mississippi...
Hi all,
Nysh flew down to Mississippi to see her parents and sister. She surprised them, many tears followed. She had Lu's doc run a CBC for her and all is well, no transfusion needed. Aside from a little fatigue she is feeling great and really enjoying the time with her family.
Love,
Maggie
Nysh flew down to Mississippi to see her parents and sister. She surprised them, many tears followed. She had Lu's doc run a CBC for her and all is well, no transfusion needed. Aside from a little fatigue she is feeling great and really enjoying the time with her family.
Love,
Maggie
Friday, June 6, 2008
Update from Nysh...
Hello all,
We had an interesting night visitor this week.
I don't think he came up with much as he hasn't been back.
One week after my final chemo and I'm beginning to climb out of the black hole. Much better yesterday and today. I actually went out briefly with Maggie and Vivian, which is always a joy. My follow up blood test yesterday was completely normal and my CA125 has now dropped to 8.2. (Below 35 is normal) I will continue to have the CA125 on a monthly basis for awhile. As long as the numbers stay down, I'm good to go. If it starts going up again, the oncologist said I may need a "maintenance" dose of chemo indefinitely. They don't use the word "cure" with ovarian cancer. It can rear it's ugly head again at any time. There is a 75% chance it will recur within 3 years.
This will all just help me to continue to appreciate each "good" day and who and how much I have in my life.
Love you all,
Nyshie
We had an interesting night visitor this week.
I don't think he came up with much as he hasn't been back.
One week after my final chemo and I'm beginning to climb out of the black hole. Much better yesterday and today. I actually went out briefly with Maggie and Vivian, which is always a joy. My follow up blood test yesterday was completely normal and my CA125 has now dropped to 8.2. (Below 35 is normal) I will continue to have the CA125 on a monthly basis for awhile. As long as the numbers stay down, I'm good to go. If it starts going up again, the oncologist said I may need a "maintenance" dose of chemo indefinitely. They don't use the word "cure" with ovarian cancer. It can rear it's ugly head again at any time. There is a 75% chance it will recur within 3 years.
This will all just help me to continue to appreciate each "good" day and who and how much I have in my life.
Love you all,
Nyshie
Monday, June 2, 2008
Update for Round 6
Hi all,
Sorry I haven't updated but there hasn't been much to report. She is really sick and has had general, nasty flu-like stuff going on. She's been in the bed for the majority but nothing too weird going on. She is having her blood checked in a couple days and will possibly need a transfusion.
That's all for now.
Thanks and love,
Maggie
Sorry I haven't updated but there hasn't been much to report. She is really sick and has had general, nasty flu-like stuff going on. She's been in the bed for the majority but nothing too weird going on. She is having her blood checked in a couple days and will possibly need a transfusion.
That's all for now.
Thanks and love,
Maggie
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)