HAPPY DAY, HAPPY HAPPY DAY!!! Today I feel the battle is truly over. Today the chemo port was removed from my chest. Now I know for sure that the docs feel that nasty stuff is all gone. I AM A SURVIVOR. It's been a rough 9 1/2 months but the battle has been won.
We were going to go on a little trip to celebrate the cure and my birthday but we have decided to stay home. I wanted to go to Napa Valley but Jerry is not a wino like me, in fact he rarely drinks alcohol in any form. Wasn't it smart of me to marry my very own designated driver? We looked at a few other places in California but decided it was a little too much trouble to get the "bus" in shape and spend a lot of money when we can go there next summer and really enjoy it with, hopefully, some friends. It was my decision in the end so I am not disappointed. We will go to a very good steak house for my birthday dinner. I would rather have cioppino but that can also wait until spring or summer.
I will continue to write on a sporadic basis and I will try not to bore you.

Love and HUGS to everyone.


Linda

Good news, better news, WONDERFUL NEWS!!
Dr Najafian took a couple of chunks out of my butt on Tuesday and today I got the news: NO SIGN OF CANCER. It's been a rough 10 months but hopefully it's over. Now I just have to have the chemo port removed and we may be able to get away, at least for my birthday.
As you can see, Kirby and Kelsey are ready to take off. That was the vehicle available so they jumped in and just sat waiting for us to take them somewhere. Finally I will be able to chronicle my travels with Kirby and Kelsey.
Love and hugs to all.

Linda

Good News! I had the PET scan on Monday and saw Dr B yesterday. Everything looks good, the scan showed no activity. Now I only have to get through the biopsy next Tuesday but since the scan showed nothing I am sure it's only scar tissue that he felt. As long as that is OK I can then make arrangements to have the port removed. That will be a great psychological relief, as well as physical. It really doesn't bother me but I know it is there and when it's gone I'll feel sure there will be no more chemo in the near future.
So, now if it cools down a little perhaps Jerry can clean the outside of the "bus" which he says must be done before we travel anywhere. I can get the inside done in a day. Then maybe we can take off for northern California for a few weeks and MY BIRTHDAY!!!
That's all for now. I'll post again next week when I have the results of the biopsy.
Love and Hugs to all.
Linda

Hi Everyone,

I saw Dr Najafian today. He's the colorectal surgeon who found the tumor last November. He said  the same thing as Dr Lee's NP  that he felt a small, hard area in the anus. He is sure it is scar tissue but to be on the safe side he is going to do a biopsy on Sept 4. I am still scheduled for the PET scan on the 27th and will see Dr Banghar on the 29th to get the results. Dr N is anxious to learn those results also, but both docs believe physical exam plus a look-see is the best way to tell if there is any cancer left. The PET scan will show if there is any activity elsewhere in my body.
So, it looks like we will be staying here and I won't get my seafood and shellfish fix that I was hoping for in Northern California and Oregon. Therefore I am fixing fish for dinner tonight. I guess since we've lasted out most of the hottest part of the summer another month won't be too bad. I am actually hoping maybe we can go to Napa Valley for a couple weeks the end of Sept & early Oct. After all I will be the ancient 7-0 on Oct 6. I think I deserve something special for making it this far even though I plan on at least 20 more years on the green side.
I will write more after I see Dr B next Weds.

Love and hugs to all. Linda

Hi Everybody.

I got home Monday from a wonderful visit with my son, Pete, and his beautiful family. The first picture is with Ella (7), Paige (15), Claire (11) and Milo (1). The bottom picture is Pete. Unfortunately Carol, Pete's wife, was camera shy that morning.
I also saw my brother, Jerry's mother, brother and sister-in-law. I had a nice visit with my niece and her mother who is also a survivor. She is coming up on five years. Congratulations Marilyn!
I already miss Pete and his family. I love you all so much.
Today I saw Dr. Lee's Nurse Practitioner. He is the radiation oncologist. She did a digital exam which, thankfully, didn't hurt. I guess that area is finally healed. She said she barely felt anything and that tumors can take several months to go away completely. They told me that before so I guess we are making progress. I then went to medical oncology office to have blood drawn and my port flushed. My hemoglobin is still a little low but nothing to worry about. On the 27th I will have another PET scan and then see Dr, Banghar on the 29th and get the results.  Hopefully at that time he will release me for six months or so. Then maybe we can escape for a couple of weeks during September.
Oh, I forgot to mention I saw Paige and Claire  in Willy Wonka The Musical and they were both terrific.  We also celebrated Ella's 7th birthday while I was there. She is a very grown up 7 year old.
That's all I have to report for now. Will keep everyone up to date when I know more.

Love and hugs, Linda

Wow, I didn't realize it's been almost two months since I wrote anything. Actually it's been pretty quiet around here, except for a lot of monsoon storms over the weekend.
Tomorrow morning I fly to Michigan to visit my son, Pete, his lovely wife, Carol, and their three beautiful girls, Paige 15, Claire 11 and Ella almost 7. I haven't seen them in two years and this last year has made me realize what my priorities are. Paige and Claire are in Willy Wonka the musical Thursday and Friday nights. Paige has a lead and Claire is a townsperson. I haven't heard Paige sing and Pete comments on how beautiful her voice is. Jerry is staying home in Arizona with the dogs. We saw Kevin last summer but haven't seen Shelly or Steve or any of their kids in a couple of years. We will have to take care of that too. Family is too Important. I will also see Jerry's mom and my brother while I'm in the Detroit area.
All of my doctors' appointments have been pushed back to August, either by them or me. I will see them all after I get back and should have another PET scan near the end of August. I seem to finally be healed from the damage the radiation did to my skin in such a sensitive area. This is good because it probably won't hurt so much when doctors want to do a digital exam. I feel good and I know I have kicked this nastiness in the butt.
I'll have lots of pictures to post and will write more when I get back and have seen the docs.
Love and Hugs to all.

Wow, it's been over a month since I wrote anything. I guess that's good because nothing has been going on, just getting my strength back and hoping that "sensitive areas" are healing.
We saw Dr Banghar, medical oncologist, yesterday and he seemed pleased with my progress. He wants to see me in three months for another PET scan and to make plans to have the port removed. I told him I know it's psychological, but as long as the port is still in I feel they think I may need chemo again. He said no, but didn't give me any explanation except that they might need it. It does make it easier for them to draw blood which they did yesterday and my hemoglobin count is getting better each time. Oh yes, my hair is growing back very well but it's still not blonde. I have no idea where this silver and brown came from.
With all of this going on it looks like we will be staying here this summer. I am not looking forward to it but the motor home would need some expensive maintenance work if we were to travel and for a week or two it doesn't seem worth it. It has been over 100 most days already. It's not usually this hot in May, I think. The mornings and the evenings are still pleasant. I know about the evenings, but about the mornings I hear from others, those morning people. The summers we spent in Phoenix stayed hot 24 hours but I think it will cool off more here in the evenings because there is not as much concrete.
I am planning on flying back to Michigan for a week in July. I will stay with Pete so I can have some quality time with his family. Paige and Claire are going to be in a musical and I really want to see that. I have never seen any of them perform. Paige has a lot of her great grandmother Wigle in her and loves to show off her talent. I believe this is Claire's first experience on stage and I am really proud of her for trying out. Although she is also a beauty she is not as outgoing as Paige. I did not see Pete and family last year and this cancer really made me think about what is important in life. I want to see as much of my granddaughters as possible and I want them to remember Mimi with fondness.

The news is still good. The PET Scan shows nothing except some scar tissue in the affected area, nothing lit up anywhere else. We saw Dr Banghar, medical oncologist, yesterday. He said everything looks good but he wants me to see Dr Najafian, the original doc who found & diagnosed the cancer. He said he can take a look, OUCH, with his sigmoid thingamabob and actually see if there is any tumor left. I will see him on Thursday next to set this up. Of course Dr Lee feels a digital exam is necessary but maybe I will now be able to avoid that. I will see Dr Banghar in six weeks and he said we will make arrangements at that time to have the port removed. It has to be flushed out about every four weeks and if we do get to travel at all this summer I don't want t have to worry about finding a doc to do that. My red blood count is still a little low so no running or jogging for me, gosh darn it!:-)
Now on to the real problem. I have been blonde my whole life. As a matter of fact my hair got a lighter blonde as I got older, imagine that. Like mother like daughter. Now that my hair is growing back in it is grey(shriek, horrors) and brown(??). How can this be? We will just have to wait to see if I want to grow old(er) gracefully or run straight to the beauty shop every six weeks. Jerry is happy about the money we are saving now but I am getting my nails done (shellac) so that keeps us about even.
More next week after I talk to Dr Najafian. Love and hugs to all.

Hi Everyone. It's been a while since I have written anything but I was waiting for some progress reports to pass on. I have been feeling pretty good since the end of the treatments and my appetite is back to normal. Thankfully, I have not gained back the 15 lbs I lost when I was so sick.
Yesterday I saw a PA and Dr Lee at the radiation office. Deb, the PA, verbally slapped my hands telling me I had to get out and walk in order to get stronger. It's kind of a catch 22 because my legs get tired so easily that it's hard to walk too far. She said ten minutes twice a day will help a lot so that is my goal. Of course I missed this morning so I will try to do extra this PM. After that she examined the offending area and had to call in Dr Lee because she felt something. He, of course, also had to check it out so needless to say I am a bit uncomfortable today. Hopefully what they felt is scar tissue and/or "the incredible SHRINKING tumor". As long as it's shrinking there is nothing to worry about. I will see him again next month for another butt check, yecchhh!!
Monday I will be having a PET scan. This uses dye and checks for any signs of cancer anywhere in my body. Deb said I can call her Wednesday for the results. I will see Dr Banghar on the 11th to get his opinion on how I am doing. I am sure he will be optimistic.
Today the pickle ball players are having a pot luck "end of season" lunch at the barn where they play here at North Ranch. Since Jerry plays twice a day we will be there. We have a couple more "end of season" get togethers during April.
So far we are not sure what our plans will be for the summer. It depends on my prognosis and the cost of diesel fuel.I'm hoping we will be able to go to northern California and possibly Oregon which isn't too far.
The weather is beautiful here with highs in the 80s. It won't be long before it gets hot which is 100+ in Arizona. Anything below 100 is comfortable.
Will write again when I have more news. Love and hugs to all.

HALLELUJAH!! Today was my last treatment. I will still be seeing doctors and nurses but no more chemo or radiation. I am positive that nasty little tumor is gone, gone, gone. Tomorrow we move the motor home back to North Ranch and settle back into our house. I've always said I won't live in any place called Sun City because they're full of old people. Well guess where we've been staying for the past two months. Probably the original Sun City.
I see my radiation oncologist in a month and I guess he will check me out to see how the healing is progressing. Then about the middle of April I will see my primary oncologist and I believe at that time he will schedule a PET scan to determine if all the cancer is gone. Since it hadn't spread anywhere and they zapped some surrounding lymph nodes I'm sure the results will be CANCER FREE.
I am feeling good although I do tire easily and sometimes get light headed when I stand up. In a few days I will start taking short walks to build my strength back up.
That's it for today but I will be back soon. Love to you all.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY! In the words of the late, great James Brown "I feel good". For the last 5-6 days I have felt the best I have since this ordeal started. My wonderful husband is trying to keep me from doing anything other than what is necessary. Yesterday I convinced him to let me do dinner because I feel good now and may not feel so great next week. Yesterday we even went to Costco. I convinced him $50 was toooooo much to spend for some roses although I dearly love all flowers. Today he gave me a small heart shaped vase with an orchid and some greens that can sit on my desk where I can see it all day. Also some Ghirardelli dark chocolate squares filled with strawberry, orange and raspberry. What a guy!!
Yesterday I saw both docs. Dr Banghar in the AM and I was down 15 lbs. I do not recommend my weight loss program to anyone. He promised me no more chemo. I will see him again in two months to schedule the PET scan to make sure all cancer is gone. In the PM I had my radiation treatment and then saw Dr Lee. He is still telling me I will have pain that will probably get worse before it gets better. I only have seven more treatments and then I'm done. I have pain pills and I will grit my teeth and bear it so I can get this over with. At least I won't get sick like I did since there is no chemo involved. I don't have a lot of strength, but that will improve. When we get back to "the Ranch" next week I will start with short walks as soon as the pain is manageable.
Time to have some lunch and get ready to go for treatment. Love to you all.

You haven't heard from me for a while because I was being held captive in the hospital for 12 days but I managed to escape this past Saturday. On Friday, January 20, I finished my chemo. That weekend I felt kind of blah but as I posted earlier I thought I was prepared for what lay ahead. I went for my regular radiation treatment Monday morning and then saw the doc who gave me a shot to help control the diarrhea and some scrips for pain and diarrhea. I went back to bed when we got home and Jerry became concerned in the late afternoon when I became pretty much unresponsive to him. He called the doc then called 911 and off I was. Later that evening my temp hit 105 so I was wrapped in cold, wet towels and ice, not fun. My white cell count was so low that anyone entering my room had to wear a mask. I also had a transfusion of two units of blood because my red count was also so low. Finally things started to get back to somewhat normal and I started pushing to get out so I could finish my treatment. My electrolytes are still a little out of balance so my legs and ankles are swollen but everything else seems ok.
This morning I went to the radiation clinic to resume my regular treatments. One this AM and two more then Friday a realigning and starting Monday eight days of boost. I saw the PA and she had very good news. Usually after a break from radiation, the body has time to adjust so I shouldn't have as many side affects. The boost is concentrated on the tumor area so other areas in the pelvis shouldn't be affected any more. I know I will hurt in that area but at least it will be localized. That's was Percocet is for. She also said I don't have to worry about the low residue diet unless the diarrhea starts again. I am so looking forward to having this over so I can heal and get on with my life. According to schedule I should be through with treatment February 22.

Three days into my last, hopefully, week of chemo. I am prepared for pretty much all of the side affects but had actually forgotten the chills. I am sitting here with my beautiful quilt made and given to me by the North Ranch Quilters. Thank you so much ladies. Today was #20 out of 33 radiation treatments. When I saw Dr Lee on Monday, he was quite surprised and pleased that I am still not in pain from the radiation. Let's hope it continues this way. Tomorrow I get the chemo pump removed but the port will stay in a couple of months  until I get the all clear. That is a procedure that has to be done in hospital.
I am still trying to stay upbeat although some days are harder than others. The treatments are taking their toll on my energy level and I can't sleep through the night. I do know that I am going to beat this nastiness  and live at least another 20 years. Oh, and I have lost 7-8 pounds. It's a crummy way to lose weight and I won't go into details, just keep buying stock in Imodium.

Since this blog is titled Travels with Kirby and Kelsey I will take a moment to comment on "the kids". I think I have the two laziest dogs in the world. This morning Jerry was getting ready to take them out and they were up and about. He sat down to do something and they went back to bed and didn't get up until he had their leashes in his hand. They do not like to waste any energy, sorta like me right now.
I had my 12th radiation treatment today and then had a short chat with Dr. Lee. He painted a very bleak picture of my last week or two of treatment and probably the month following. He said I will probably want to be laying on my side most of the time. Whoopee, I'm sure glad I have that to look forward to, especially since I feel pretty much OK right now except for the radiation quick step. Buy stock in Imodium.
I'm not supposed to lose my hair, but guess what? I am. I fall into the 10-29% who experience hair thinning. Hopefully it will only be thinning. I had lots of hair so it doesn't look bad yet. Oh well, I've always loved hats.
I guess that's all for today. Hopefully we are having lunch with friends the next couple of days. It helps pass the time since I don't have a lot of energy for shopping.  Maybe we will go to a movie one afternoon.
Please keep me in your thoughts.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!! Boy what a change. Last night I ate a REAL dinner of pasta and a small salad. My stomach is back to 95% and my mouth is about 75% and I have two weeks to improve before I feel yucchhy again. We stayed home last night instead of going to our usual NYE party because we thought it wouldn't be wise for me to be exposed to a lot of people in close quarters. In bed before midnight and I slept for 10 hours. Another great sign of improvement.
A certain calmness has come to me and that can only be for the good. My son, Pete, wrote some very interesting thoughts on his blog about Peace and I have given it a great deal of thought. I feel and inner Peace and calmness that I haven't felt in a long time. This experience is making me realize it's not worth it to get worked up about small things. I know when I'm not feeling so very good that I get irritated easily, but all in all I think I am becoming a more calm person.
I wish you all Peace, Health and Happiness for 2012 and forever.