Alas, the news is in. My latest CA125 has increased from 21 last month to above normal 36 this week. I’ll be seeing the oncologist next week, probably a CT scan within the next couple of weeks and then we’ll know what and where we’re dealing with. As I mentioned before the options will be chemo (agh!), abdominal surgery (double-agh!) or radiation/cyberknife (Paul, which organ have you decided on?)
But hey, life goes on. I feel great, a little fat and sassy and as they say, “it’s hell to get old, but better than the alternative.” If my mother, at the age of 94 who is blind and uses a walker full-time, can still go to the gym and ride a bicycle for 30 minutes three times a week, who am I to whine about anything?
My life is awesome!
Love you all,
Big Giant Nysh
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Thursday, April 1, 2010
“Life isn’t the way it’s supposed to be…”
Ah well, here we go again. Just got the results of my CA125 that I had drawn on Tuesday and it has gone from a very, comfortable “9” to a concerning “21.” Remember, anything under 35 is considered “normal” but it has been such an accurate barometer of what my cancer is doing in the past, we are fairly certain it is returning. The oncologist wants me to chill out (easy for him) and have it rechecked in a month just to be certain it isn’t a fluke. If it’s still going up at that time, I’ll get a CT scan and go from there, depending on the results.
One of the most concerning aspects of this is that my insurance company denied approval of the cyber knife procedure, which I had in October. This could potentially significantly limit my treatment options in the future. We are planning a well-coordinated appeal, time will tell. If not, Paul has agreed to sell an organ ... depending on which one.
As I told Paul tonight, my life is still better than most of the people living on this earth. That’s what I have to hang on to entering the next phase of this “adventure.” Will keep you all posted.
Love you all,
Nyshie
One of the most concerning aspects of this is that my insurance company denied approval of the cyber knife procedure, which I had in October. This could potentially significantly limit my treatment options in the future. We are planning a well-coordinated appeal, time will tell. If not, Paul has agreed to sell an organ ... depending on which one.
As I told Paul tonight, my life is still better than most of the people living on this earth. That’s what I have to hang on to entering the next phase of this “adventure.” Will keep you all posted.
Love you all,
Nyshie
Thursday, January 7, 2010
from Nyshie...
Hello,
This update is a mixture of joy and sadness. After a very brief time in bed because of a stroke, my father, Henry, passed away on December 20th at the age of 95. With great thanks to my sister, Liz, he was able to remain at home in his own bed, with my mother at his side and his dog in the bed with him. I can not express in words the incredible impact he had on my life, my children and the world he came in contact with. Simply said, his void will never be filled nor will he ever be forgotten. I love you Henry.
On the other side of my life, my latest CA125 was down to 9 from the previous 11. My new oncologist said the cyber knife apparently obliterated the two small tumors and nothing else has grown enough to pick up with the blood work or on a CT scan. The new game plan: CA125 in 3 months and trying to enjoy life without cancer for the moment. As my daughter Maggie quoted, “Cancer is a word, not a sentence.”
Love,
Nyshie
This update is a mixture of joy and sadness. After a very brief time in bed because of a stroke, my father, Henry, passed away on December 20th at the age of 95. With great thanks to my sister, Liz, he was able to remain at home in his own bed, with my mother at his side and his dog in the bed with him. I can not express in words the incredible impact he had on my life, my children and the world he came in contact with. Simply said, his void will never be filled nor will he ever be forgotten. I love you Henry.
On the other side of my life, my latest CA125 was down to 9 from the previous 11. My new oncologist said the cyber knife apparently obliterated the two small tumors and nothing else has grown enough to pick up with the blood work or on a CT scan. The new game plan: CA125 in 3 months and trying to enjoy life without cancer for the moment. As my daughter Maggie quoted, “Cancer is a word, not a sentence.”
Love,
Nyshie
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Christmas 2009!
The Christmas pyramid!
Beth, Maggie, Matt, Ben, Chad & Danny!
Vivian dancing with Grandma
Maggie & Ben
Miss Ila
Beth & Ila
Ben & Matt
Sweet Ila
The wigs showed up again!
Ben & Chad
Ben, Nyshie, Vivian & Chad
WT Ben
Maggie
Danny
Miss Vivian
Beth, Maggie, Matt, Ben, Chad & Danny!
Vivian dancing with Grandma
Maggie & Ben
Miss Ila
Beth & Ila
Ben & Matt
Sweet Ila
The wigs showed up again!
Ben & Chad
Ben, Nyshie, Vivian & Chad
WT Ben
Maggie
Danny
Miss Vivian
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Fabulous News + NYC!!!
Nyshie's last CA125 was 11, SWEET!!! We (Maggie and Nyshie) flew into NYC a week ago Friday and she got the call as we were gazing at the New York skyline, "11!" Very exciting! Friday night we chilled in Brooklyn with Lil' Nysh at her loft. We walked to a neighborhood restaurant that was beyond gourment pizza, delicious.
Saturday we headed into Manhattan.
Me with the Nyshies in front of a window at Bergdorfs.
Doing the subway.
Me and the Nyshies heading out to dinner and the ballet.
Maggie and Lil' Nysh
Me and the Nyshies after the Nutcracker!
Saturday we headed into Manhattan.
Me with the Nyshies in front of a window at Bergdorfs.
Doing the subway.
Me and the Nyshies heading out to dinner and the ballet.
Maggie and Lil' Nysh
Me and the Nyshies after the Nutcracker!
Friday, November 13, 2009
Happy Dance!
As they say, the best laid plans...I was going to wait and not check my CA125 blood level (cancer tumor marker) until January when I have my follow up CT scan, but curiosity got the better of me. I had it drawn 2 days ago and just got a call from the cancer center...it's 12! That's right...twelve! My previous one was 47 so I have to assume (uh oh) that the cyberknife radiation treatment eradicated the 2 small tumors in my abdomen and there is nothing else going on that's significant enough to raise the tumor marker. Although, we're certain I haven't seen the last of this bad boy, I'm doing a happy dance today!
Love you all,
Big Giant Nyshie
Love you all,
Big Giant Nyshie
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