These are the best words I heard today at Dr. Calvo's office. The Tarceva seems to be working fantastically well. ( Those pesky little side effects aren't so bad after all.) Dr. Calvo says when Tarceva works it keeps on working as long as I take the pill. Thanks for the prayers and good wishes from all of you. They help soooo much.
Roy and I ran the Minster 10K last Sunday. He finished very well. and I finished and felt good. After today's news, I played to run harder - will try to get a running stride back.
Tomorrow is a "get up at 6 AM" day and it is already after midnight so I am signing off.
Love and thanks to all,
Margaret
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Still running (rather slowly)
Since my last post, several significant events have occurred.
1. On Saturday August 22, we returned home from Chicago with our granddaughter Annabelle who planned to stay through the 27th. Her dad Jim was to come to Centerville on Monday and would be here to celebrate my birthday on Wednesday. I quickly learned that at age (almost) 70, there must have been a lot of clues I missed. When we walked through the gate to our backyard with Annabelle, we were greeted by 50 or so friends shouting surprise. My friend Laura had planned and coordinated the whole party with some help from a lot of other friends, particularly Charlie and Jerry. Even 7 yr. old Annabelle knew about the party and kept it a secret. She and her grandfather had secret signs for communicating on the way home. My sister had flown in from PA, my cousins and friends from Piqua were there and my cousin Marilyn whom I had not seen for eleven years was there. Just writing about this homecoming brings tears to my eyes. I am so thankful for all of these friends and relatives.
2. I continue to have little problems, but when the eye doctor sent me to a specialist who thought I needed to have a surgical biopsy of fluid in my eye to look for infection or the possibility of cancer cells-- that was scary. At my next appointment, the doctor noted good improvement as a result of the eyedrops prescribed and decided there was not a reason to do the surgery. Wow! That was a tense week and a half.
3. On Saturday, Sept. 19, I actually "ran" a 5K organized by Beef O'Brady's and an Optimist friend Dave. Even though I seldom miss a day of "going out to run," most people call it a walk. Getting ready for the 5K, I started to "push" a bit and felt I was getting closer to a real run. After the race, Roy and I decided we would sign up and go to Minster, OH, and do the 10K on Oct. 4th!
Thank you one and all for continued prayers and good thoughts.
Margaret
1. On Saturday August 22, we returned home from Chicago with our granddaughter Annabelle who planned to stay through the 27th. Her dad Jim was to come to Centerville on Monday and would be here to celebrate my birthday on Wednesday. I quickly learned that at age (almost) 70, there must have been a lot of clues I missed. When we walked through the gate to our backyard with Annabelle, we were greeted by 50 or so friends shouting surprise. My friend Laura had planned and coordinated the whole party with some help from a lot of other friends, particularly Charlie and Jerry. Even 7 yr. old Annabelle knew about the party and kept it a secret. She and her grandfather had secret signs for communicating on the way home. My sister had flown in from PA, my cousins and friends from Piqua were there and my cousin Marilyn whom I had not seen for eleven years was there. Just writing about this homecoming brings tears to my eyes. I am so thankful for all of these friends and relatives.
2. I continue to have little problems, but when the eye doctor sent me to a specialist who thought I needed to have a surgical biopsy of fluid in my eye to look for infection or the possibility of cancer cells-- that was scary. At my next appointment, the doctor noted good improvement as a result of the eyedrops prescribed and decided there was not a reason to do the surgery. Wow! That was a tense week and a half.
3. On Saturday, Sept. 19, I actually "ran" a 5K organized by Beef O'Brady's and an Optimist friend Dave. Even though I seldom miss a day of "going out to run," most people call it a walk. Getting ready for the 5K, I started to "push" a bit and felt I was getting closer to a real run. After the race, Roy and I decided we would sign up and go to Minster, OH, and do the 10K on Oct. 4th!
Thank you one and all for continued prayers and good thoughts.
Margaret
Monday, August 10, 2009
Good News
Hello to all,
Thanks for continuing to pray and encourage me. On July 29, when I saw Dr. Calvo, I told him about my trials and tribulations with the new chemo, Tarceva. I also mentioned I was very wobbly and dizzy. He immediately did a blood test for potassium level and sent me to Kettering MC the next day for an MRI of the brain. He said we would let me know if any problems showed up. Today I talked to his nurse who told me the MRI showed no more cancer spots in the brain, just sinusitus,and the potassium test was normal. This was a big relief. Now I must figure out what to do about the sinus problem without interfering with the Tarceva. But I can work on that!
At the Optimist Convention in July, I was elected to be an International VP Elect for 2009-10 and VP for 2010-2011. This is going to be exciting. That Tarceva had better work.
Again, thanks for your good thoughts and prayers.
Margaret
Thanks for continuing to pray and encourage me. On July 29, when I saw Dr. Calvo, I told him about my trials and tribulations with the new chemo, Tarceva. I also mentioned I was very wobbly and dizzy. He immediately did a blood test for potassium level and sent me to Kettering MC the next day for an MRI of the brain. He said we would let me know if any problems showed up. Today I talked to his nurse who told me the MRI showed no more cancer spots in the brain, just sinusitus,and the potassium test was normal. This was a big relief. Now I must figure out what to do about the sinus problem without interfering with the Tarceva. But I can work on that!
At the Optimist Convention in July, I was elected to be an International VP Elect for 2009-10 and VP for 2010-2011. This is going to be exciting. That Tarceva had better work.
Again, thanks for your good thoughts and prayers.
Margaret
Thursday, June 18, 2009
OK, Here is the latest:
Yesterday, Dr. Calvo gave me the results of the PET scan done last Friday. It confirmed some of his concerns from the March PET scan that some nodules in the chest are showing increased metabolic activity from Dec. to March to June. He believes it is time to try another treatment which is a tablet taken daily. It is called Tarceva. The most common side effect is skin rash and diarrhea. That certainly doesn't sound good, but the drug is recommended as a second line in the fight. It has been ordered and will be delivered to my house in time to start using it next Monday.
In the meantime, we are really busy getting ready for the Optimist Conventions - JOOI and Adult - in Orlando starting July 3.
I spent a great weekend plus in Chicago where I saw Jim perform in "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" and two performances of "Million Dollar Quartet" with Annabelle. She has seen the "quartet" four times now and loves it. Not to be forgotten, a highlight of the time in Chicago was seeing Annabelle in her first dance recital videotaped, of course, by proud dad and grandmother - my camera, his camera work.
Today, I have signed up to be a standleader in the concession stand at the Dragons game. As I look out and see drops of water landing on our pool, I am wondering about that decision, but will live with it. I am sure it will clear!!
Thanks for you good thoughts and prayers. Keep them coming.
Margaret
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Winter Update
This has been a wild winter - some snow, wind, cold, ice, then warm, bright sunshine and back to cold. The wind last week didn't come close to what we had last September, but was enough to knock out some power even here in "warm and cheerful" Centerville, Oho.
Right now, I don't have anything new to report healthwise and that is good, but the activity level may be on the rise. Our ski trip to Big Sky, Montana, in January was great. Clear, blue skies every day, temperatures in the low 20's, great snow conditions and safe travel leave little to want.
One big surprise popped up shortly after we got home. I returned a call to Yves Berthiaume, Optimist International President in 04-05 when I was governor. He asked me to be an Optimist International Vice President in 2010-2011. I think I said "yes" right away, but when I recovered from shock, I called him back to be sure I heard correctly, and said, "Yes." Last week I got a packet of materials from OI and found out my region will be Middle America. I am impatient and eager to get more information and start making plans. Middle America includes Illinois and Wisconsin and should give me more reasons to get to Chicago and see Jim, Annabelle and Dina.
I will keep you posted. This should be exciting. Thanks for your continued good thoughts and prayers.
Margaret
Right now, I don't have anything new to report healthwise and that is good, but the activity level may be on the rise. Our ski trip to Big Sky, Montana, in January was great. Clear, blue skies every day, temperatures in the low 20's, great snow conditions and safe travel leave little to want.
One big surprise popped up shortly after we got home. I returned a call to Yves Berthiaume, Optimist International President in 04-05 when I was governor. He asked me to be an Optimist International Vice President in 2010-2011. I think I said "yes" right away, but when I recovered from shock, I called him back to be sure I heard correctly, and said, "Yes." Last week I got a packet of materials from OI and found out my region will be Middle America. I am impatient and eager to get more information and start making plans. Middle America includes Illinois and Wisconsin and should give me more reasons to get to Chicago and see Jim, Annabelle and Dina.
I will keep you posted. This should be exciting. Thanks for your continued good thoughts and prayers.
Margaret
Thursday, January 1, 2009
The Gift of a New Year
Hello everyone,
Happy New Year! It is a gift to open my new running book and be able to fill out pages with the miles that I call running. I am most thankful for the doctors and treatments that enable this routine to continue. After the cataract surgery on Dec. 18, running was not allowed for seven days, so I had an excuse for just walking, but now that we are beyond the 7 days, I have been trying to pick up the pace.
We had a wonderful Christmas in Chicago. Shortly after arriving on Dec. 24, Roy and I walked on the icy sidewalks to the El stop about 6 blocks from Jim's house and rode to Michigan Ave. to the 4th Presbyterian Church for their third of four services that evening. The last two are Lessons and Carols, just like home only with about 2000 people in attendance. When we started from Jim's house the temperature was 7 degrees and dropped to 3 by the time we got back home. What a challenge! Helps us get prepared for skiing in Montana on January 18.
I hope all of you had a blessed Christmas and New Year's of 2009. Many people face a lot of challenges in this year ahead, but stay positive. "Look at the sunny side of everything and make your Optimism come true." I continue to appreciate your good thoughts and prayers.
Margaret
Happy New Year! It is a gift to open my new running book and be able to fill out pages with the miles that I call running. I am most thankful for the doctors and treatments that enable this routine to continue. After the cataract surgery on Dec. 18, running was not allowed for seven days, so I had an excuse for just walking, but now that we are beyond the 7 days, I have been trying to pick up the pace.
We had a wonderful Christmas in Chicago. Shortly after arriving on Dec. 24, Roy and I walked on the icy sidewalks to the El stop about 6 blocks from Jim's house and rode to Michigan Ave. to the 4th Presbyterian Church for their third of four services that evening. The last two are Lessons and Carols, just like home only with about 2000 people in attendance. When we started from Jim's house the temperature was 7 degrees and dropped to 3 by the time we got back home. What a challenge! Helps us get prepared for skiing in Montana on January 18.
I hope all of you had a blessed Christmas and New Year's of 2009. Many people face a lot of challenges in this year ahead, but stay positive. "Look at the sunny side of everything and make your Optimism come true." I continue to appreciate your good thoughts and prayers.
Margaret
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
