HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

It's hard to believe that 35 years ago today Kristen Jolie came into the world!!  What a GREAT day that was!!  I hope you have a  Happy, Happy Birthday Kris!!

I know you are in the middle of your chemo fog and not feeling great but I hope you can somehow enjoy the day.   Know that you are loved more than you can imagine.

Round #5-Day 1

We went in early this morning for labs and also to get a chest X-ray.  I have had this bad cold and the doctor wanted to make sure I did not have pneumonia.  Then we went to the Cancer Center to get the results and get started on the pre-meds (Benadryl and Kytril).  Right after they started me on those, the lab results came back and my D-Dimer was high (this is the one they use for possiblity of blood clots), so Dr. O'Neil decided to have me get a CT scan of my chest to look and see if there actually was a clot.  So they unplugged me from the IV and we went back to the hospital for the CT scan. That took about an hour.  The actual testing time was probably 15 minutes, the place was packed, so we waited a long time in the waiting room.  Although we did see April there and we were able to visit for a few minutes while we waited. 

After the CT scan, we went back to the Cancer Center and got started on the chemo.  After about a half an hour, the results came back, no blood clots.  So we are in the clear and ready to get going, finally.  By this time it is about 12:15.  Darryl rushes home to get the kids and take Meg to UCC for volleyball camp.  I finished up with chemo about 3:00, luckily Sonja was able to pick me up and take me home.  Everyone else got home around 4:15.  It seemed like a very long day in doctor's offices.  I am glad to be home. 

The incredible shrinking tumor

We went up to Eugene to see our surgeon on Tuesday.  He measures the tumor after every two rounds of chemo.  Well last time the largest part of it was 2.8cm.  Guess what it was on Tuesday....just guess.....we were hoping for 1.5cm, but nope....that was not it.........can't wait any longer....me either.........the largest part measured at 6mm!  The doctor says it has shrunk by 90%.  We were so thrilled.  So the plan is two more rounds of chemo, then have a lumpectomy to take out the area where the tumor was.  They have also suggested 6 weeks of radiation after surgery.  I start round #5 on Monday.  This photo of the size of the tumor represents the largest of the dimensions, not the actual shape.  But it is pretty cool to see how much it has gone down!

Round 4, 1st week.

Some positive things happening!  Bone scan and liver scan came back negative.  Yahoo for that!  Kristen not as sick this round as the last 3 rounds.  No high fever this time around--that's a first.  Usually very high fever on 5th or 6th day after chemo.  Generally not feeling as sick, tired, worn out, etc.  Chemo fog also seems not to be as thick.  (That's how the brain feels after chemo--in a thick, black fog.)  We think the Bee Pollen is helping!  The one bad thing is that Kristen caught Roman's summer cold and now feels crummy with that.  Hopefully that will be short lived.   The meals, treats, flowers, notes etc. have lifted their spirits.  Thank you to all who have helped in any way.  We all (the Mylers and the rest of us) appreciate your thoughtfulness, love, care and concern.

Only two more rounds to go!

Round #4 Day 1

I know you all must be curious about what I look like these days....I know I would be, if it were any of you going through this.  So if you promise not to laugh, then I will show you!  :)  Actually, I am getting used to it and love how easy it is to be bald.  No curling irons, no flat irons, no hairspray, no shampoo/conditioner, it is great!

Denise, this is for you!!

Happy Fourth of July!

We had a great 4th!  I thought I would share a few photos of our day. 

From our family to yours, Happy Independence Day!!