Happy Dance ...

We saw the oncologist today and after my 2nd infusion of the Cytoxin, my CA125 again took a nosedive, from 976 three weeks ago to 559 today! The Cytoxin is definitely working on slowing down the tumors. I had my third infusion today and will recheck the tumor marker in 3 weeks.

Of course, there’s always a little hitch. About 10 days ago I had a very, severe episode of epigastric spasms which landed me in the ER for an evening. I’m still trying to convince Paul it was a late effect from the chemo and not the jalapeno laden enchilada I consumed about 45 minutes prior to the attack. At any rate, a little IV Dilaudid and we were on our way with no subsequent problems (and no more spicy food).

Of other interest (or not) Paul and I have been consuming the “now recalled” bags of Townsend organic frozen berry blend for at least three weeks. The Health department was eager to give Paul the Hepatitis A vaccine today, but not so fast for Miss chemo, who is always immunosuppressed. I was able to get an immunoglobin (gammaglobulin for us old timers) injection so we hopefully will avoid getting hepatitis.

Non-medical news. We recently had a wonderful visit with our good friends Pat and Pete from Logan.

And another short, but sweet, visit with our good friend Jodi from Massachusetts.

Enjoying our nice spring weather with one of our beautiful granddaughters, Miss Ila.

If it’s not one thing, it’s another. It’s always something.
Gilda Radner


Love you all,

Big Giant Grandma Nysh

Some welcome good news…

After one treatment with the Cytoxan 3 weeks ago, my tumor marker (CA125) went from 1,480, DOWN to 976 today! Obviously, we are excited but cautiously optimistic. We’re not looking for anything like a cure, just to slow the growth of the tumors down enough to give me a little more time. I’ll take whatever I can get! I had my 2nd infusion today and will recheck the tumor marker in 3 weeks. And btw, I had only 4 to 5 days of mild nausea and fatigue following the first infusion so let’s hear it for mild side effects! My CT scan, done yesterday, did show metastasis into my liver and lungs, but the treatment remains the same, it’s all ovarian. There are a couple of other confusing things on my CT which we’ll be following up on just to get clarification. On a positive note, the CT also said, “overall there is a decrease in peritoneal disease which would suggest improvement in ovarian malignancy”. (Insert big smile here)



Paul and I went to a pop series concert by the Philharmonic orchestra here. It was a tribute to John Williams who wrote the musical scores for lots of movies such as: Peter Pan, Hook, Raiders of the Lost Arc, Schindler’s List, Jaws, Star Wars, The Hobbitt, ET, etc. I made two new friends.

If in our daily life we can smile, if we can be peaceful and happy, not only we, but everyone will profit from it.   Thich Nhat Hanh

Love you all,
Big Giant Nysh

from Mom ........

Paul and I decided to schedule a couple of vacations prior to my beginning chemo, again. We met our good friends, Tony and Kathleen from Logan, and spent three days with them in Southern Utah in a small community called Boulder (less than 200 residents). Incredible valley nestled in the magnificent red cliffs of Capital Reef, Escalante, Bryce, etc. We hiked, ate, laughed and then up to Logan to see other friends; Val, Sue and John (Puma). The photo below is of the waterfalls at the end of Calf Creek, a beautiful 6 mile hike along a creek filled with brookies! Love you guys.

We arrived home Sunday night from Utah, spent Monday unpacking and repacking and left Tuesday morning for Cancun, Mexico. We stayed in a smaller, boutique hotel called Sandos. Beautiful and very quiet. Took the ferry out to Isla Mujeres (Island of Women) and toured the entire island by ourselves on a golf cart. Snorkled in the beautiful Carribean, ate wonderful seafood and relaxed on the beach. Flew into Denver Monday evening into a blinding blizzard. White knuckle drive all the way home, but we made it.

We overlapped for a couple of days with Maggie, Chad and the girls and Maggie’s best friend, Jodi and her kids from Massachusetts.

Tuesday we saw the oncologist and because my CA125 has continued to elevate, now just under 1,500, I started the Cytoxen chemo yesterday. I’ll be getting it every 3 weeks and monitoring my CA125 to see if it is effectively reducing the tumors. If not, we’ll consider another chemo but my options are becoming severely limited at this point. Started with mild “chemo flu” and nausea this a.m., but will have to see how the next few days go. I should lose my hair in the next 3-5 weeks, sigh.

The good news is tomorrow will be 75 degrees and sunny and my garden is calling for me.


Just living is not enough. One must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower.Hans Christian Andersen
Love you all,
Nyshie

from Mom ...

... into each life ...


We saw the oncologist today and received some disappointing news. My tumor marker (CA125) has increased in 3 weeks from 860 to 1,372. Below 35 is considered “normal." This indicates that the Avastin is not working, the tumors are growing and I will have to start on the dreaded chemo in a couple of weeks. Goodbye hair, hello nausea and fatigue. The good news is I won’t have to shave my legs for the summer! But seriously, we are feeling a bit stunned at the moment. The most difficult part is just not knowing what’s around the corner. But who does? If I can stay on the schedule we worked out today, this won’t affect my family reunion on the Gulf Coast in June. We may have to do some reorganizing for Paul’s family reunion in California in July. Well, tomorrow is another day.

You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face.
E. Rouse

Love you all,
Big Giant Grandma Nysh

Some Good News!!

Happy St. Patrick’s Day ...


Great news! My kidney/bladder scans were completely normal and my creatinine level is back down to normal. I was able to get the Avastin infusion last Tuesday. We’ll just continue to watch my tumor marker every 3 weeks and hope for the best. If the numbers keep going up, my oncologist said we’ll need to start one of the chemos. Talk about a crazy roller coaster ride ...

Love you all,
Nyshie

What to say ...

We saw the oncologist today and unfortunately, one of my lab values (creatinine level – look it up) has increased for the last 3 weeks indicating a kidney problem. It could be a side effect of the Avastin, a structural block in my kidneys (a tumor?) or who knows. I was unable to get the Avastin infusion scheduled today because of this and am being scheduled for a renal scan to determine what’s causing it. Good news/bad news: if it’s the Avastin, my kidneys are fine. If it’s the Avastin, I can’t take it anymore, which means I go on to one of the last 2-3 choices of chemo with hair loss, nausea, etc. If it’s not the Avastin, but a structural block ... we’ll cross that bridge later. The other information is that my CA125 increased from 714 three weeks ago to 860, also not great news.

The good news is that I had an incredible, beautiful Colorado day, 62 degrees and sunny and got to spend time with all 4 of my granddaughters.  Life doesn’t get much better than that.

Love you all,

Big Giant Grandma Nyshie

Yay!

Good news ...


I just had my labs checked yesterday and my tumor marker (CA125) went from 876 DOWN to 714. We’re doing the happy dance for sure. The nurse said it could be the Avastin or simply a fluctuation, but whatever it is, I’ll take it! I’ll have my next Avastin infusion next week and my next CA125 in 3 weeks. Will keep you posted about that.

I just returned from 2 weeks at my mom’s down on the coast. It was a pretty crazy time as Mardi Gras was in full swing. Non-stop parades, Mardi parties, etc. We weren’t able to attend any of these except the small parade that goes down my mom’s street. She really enjoyed it and probably got 300 or so beads and a dozen stuffed animals. She’s actually doing fairly well, up walking with her walker and assistance, eating well and still has her sense of humor. I must give credit to my sister, Liz, who lives with her full time ... I don’t know how she does it? I was totally exhausted by the time I got home Sunday night.

Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood.  Helen Keller

Love you all,

Nyshie