Thursday, November 6, 2008

More Good News from Nysh...

A very delayed update but I think most of you are aware that my 5 month post-chemo lab work was all completely normal, including my CA125. I will continue to have it checked monthly for awhile. My hair and my strength continue to come back, although my hair at this point looks a little like Lyle Lovett: thick and curly on the top and not much on the sides. I’m just happy to have hair, but with cold weather finally here, I think I’ll still need a hat quite a bit.

Otherwise, life is good. The elections are over, the Peak has snow and we currently all are in good health. Now that’s something to be thankful for.

Love,
Nyshie

Sunday, September 28, 2008

more from the Dysh...

I saw the oncologist last Wednesday and all of my blood work was completely normal. My CA125 is 7.3, the same as last month and definitely within normal limits. I feel great, my strength and energy are coming back much faster than I had anticipated, so are my weight and my hair.

My dear friend, Kathleen, sent me this story, which I can definitely relate to. Just had to share it with all of you.


There once was a woman who woke up one morning,
looked in the mirror,and noticed she had only three hairs on her head.
'Well,' she said, 'I think I'll braid my hair today.'
So she did and she had a wonderful day. The next day she woke up,
looked in the mirror and saw that she had only two hairs on her head.
'H-M-M,' she said, 'I think I'll part my hair down the middle today.'
So she did and she had a grand day. The next day she woke up,
looked in the mirror and noticed that she had only one hair on her head.
'Well,' she said, 'today I'm going to wear my hair in a pony tail.'
So she did, and she had a fun, fun day. The next day she woke up,
looked in the mirror and noticed that there wasn't a single hair on her head.
'YAY!' she exclaimed. 'I don't have to fix my hair today!'
Attitude is everything.
Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.
Live simply,
Love generously,
Care deeply,
Speak kindly.......
Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass...
It's about learning to dance in the rain.



I have the best life ever and I'm dancing as fast as I can.

Love,
Nyshie

with Vivian (please note extremely sassy hair on the Grandma)




nice rack...

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





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

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)

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)

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