Merry Christmas

Mom put up our tree in our sunroom this year, and it is perfect... this is where most of the Schweitzers are hanging out this holiday season! And for me, it is perfect, as I lie in my bed I get to have the tree 24/7, just lovely!

Well, the first round of Taxotere this time was really, really tough, and it really took the wind out of my sails..... I had all manner of nasty side effects and the worst was that it made me exceptionally weak and unable to do much of anything. It was not pleasant, PLUS I ended up with fevers, on antibiotics and with some kind of fungus thing in my mouth, also treated with meds.....

However, good thing our memories fade, as this week has brought gradual improvement..... I was pleased to make it to mom's for the family gathering with Maloneys on the 22, for Christmas eve and Christmas day..... granted, my visits were short due to my fatigue, but still, I was able to enjoy everything very much.

Gord has been working through most of the season, but since the kids are home from Winnipeg, there is plenty of activity in our home. And, thanks to the generosity of many, our fridge is full and we have wonderful selections of baking and treats. My sincere thanks to all of you who helped make our Christmas "normal" it is greatly appreciated.

We'll continue with a low-key version of events - lots of movie watching, game playing and quite stuff - reading, etc.... all things I can participate in from my bed. I'm having a great time with the family here, and am very grateful for the wonderful season.

Cheers to all !! Joanne

Scan Results: Stable - "More or Less"

"Stable - more or less" - I'm not making that up, that is what my oncologist pronounced! The CT scan showed mostly good news. Compared to October 31, 2007, there are no new areas of cancer, no new fluid, and mostly what is there is stable. However, two of the existing nodules (one in the lower left lung, and one of the mediastinel ones - hilar region) are each a little bit larger.

Bottom line, it would not be officially called "progression" due to the smallness of the increase, HOWEVER, it certainly an indication of which direction things are headed! So, I will be switching to Taxotere, and hopefully we will maintain good control with this strategy.

For about 20 minutes I even had a Christmas break - with the new chemo to start AFTER Christmas. I was pretty jubilent, however, due to the chemo bookings, it was impossible and I had to start mid-January or today. Since my oncologist did not feel it was wise to wait until January, I went ahead and had the treatment today. So, no Christmas break from chemo!!!!!

However, the scan news is still pretty good and we are grateful for that.

I hope you are all enjoying the season, with all the good times spent with family and friends and, of course, all of the good food!

Joanne

"Tis the Season

Hello all!

Not much is new with me, which in my world, counts as GOOD NEWS! Today is a day that I would usually be back at the cancer clinic, getting more chemo, but as you already know, I have had my lifetime limit of Adriamycin related drugs, and so I must switch to a different chemo. And, we've just had a little delay getting a CT scan, I guess they are very backed up.... so I am having a few days chemo "Vacation" .......

I will be having the CT on December 12, and then I see my oncologist Dec. 14. Based on the CT results we will decide which drug to try next and also when to begin the new regime. Of course I would love to have the Christmas holidays off and chemo free, but the truth is, that I am content to do whatever I must do, so if that means more chemo immediately, so be it.....

I'm feeling a little better - I've finally had that massage therapy and it worked miracles for my shoulder and back pain. I will definitely keep that up and hope for a good resolution to the muscle pain. I am about the same in the breathing department (which means that I continue to be fine while I am sedentary, but very short of breath when I try to do even modest activity, like walk across the room.).

Believe it or not, I am really enjoying the Christmas season. I am so blessed because so many people are looking out for us..... My friend Anne and my mom decorated our house and put up the tree..... Mom and my aunt (and friend) Peggy have been baking Christmas cookies for us (and I find this a huge gift and relief since I do still want to make Christmas as "usual" as possible for my kids. The internet has been my "mall" for Xmas shopping, and between Gord and mail order we are doing well there......Our tree is in my sunroom this year, and so my surroundings are very very pleasant. I wish I could be more active in the preparations as it is somethign I've always enjoyed, however, when I remove that from my worry list, I'm having a fairly perfect Christmas season. One great thing about this time of year is that it is EASY to find joy in something on every single day....... these "todays" are indeed "sweet".........

I will keep you posted with the results of the tests and the next plan for chemo. In the meantime, I certainly wish everyone a joy filled holiday season.

Joanne