Remission

Wednesday was my oncologist appointment and infusion. Everything looked good with my labs so we were able to go ahead with the full dose. These lab results reinforced that we made the correct decision 2 weeks ago and that the protein in my urine was probably just a fluke [yay for fully functioning kidneys!].

My oncologist went over my MRI with us to show what he told us on the phone. The scan showed improvement from the previous scan two months ago. There is still an abnormal spot in the tumor cavity, but it hasn't grown and has remained stable. That is our goal, for my brain to remain stable and no regrowth. For the first time, my oncologist used the word remission. I am technically in remission!!! 

Also, We asked my oncologist if I had any travel restrictions, and thankfully I do not, as we will be travelling to Washington DC in May for Police Week. Ryan’s name will be added to the police memorial this year. n. has been asked to be the liaison for Amanda and their families.

Fight like Hell.

Crazy Cats and Bitty Kitties

Today was my monthly MRi. Good News! My oncologist called this afternoon to let us know that my scan from earlier today showed no signs of recurrence and that my brain is stable. Last Wednesday when I had my appointment with Dr. Robins I surprised him; my eyes had improved a lot, and I had been able to read 34 pages in a row without eye fatigue. I’ll have to tell him next Wednesday that I’ve been able to read even more since that night. I’m fighting like hell, and I’m slowly getting myself back.

We all know that I’m a bit of a crazy cat lady, so when I saw that my craft hero was going to be releasing Crazy Cat stamps, I freaked out. I had to have them! My friend Stephanie Hamen reached out to Tim and Mario to see if they could help me get my hands on the stamps (for which I would gladly pay). Tim and Mario are so nice and thoughtful! I had a package arrive today with the Crazy Cat stamps and a colorful note from Tim.

I opted for a late lunch and a nap when we got home from my MRI today, but tomorrow my hands will be covered in ink from playing with the crazy cat stamps. SQUEEP!

Fight like Hell.

P.s. I love our tiny foster kitties. They're a handful, but so cute and playful.

KITTENS!!!

Two weeks ago, we had to hold my infusion because of my lab results. My oncologist wasn't concerned about an additional week in between my infusions. They had to take me out of the study I was in because of that, but really that has no impact on my treatment. It actually gives us more flexibility if we need to tweak my dosages. It was nice to finally get some decent news today. My labs came back good, so I was able to get my infusions, as normal. The lidocaine actually worked today, which was a plus.

We got our new foster kittens on Tuesday with their mama. They came in to the shelter without names, so we got to name them. Mama’s name is Charlie, and her angels are Aladdin (Al), Jasmine, and Raja. They’re definitely in the flying kitten stage. They’re so dang cute, I can hardly handle it.

Fight like Hell.

Date-aversary

Eight years ago tonight I met the man that would later become my husband; what a crazy ride it has been! From cross country moves and back again to brain tumors, we've seen far more than our share.

This year has been absolute shit, but there's no one else I'd have by my side to go through it together.

Here's to a better 2016 all around!

Happy Holidays

I'm not feeling particularly festive this year, but I wish everyone happy holidays and good times with family and friends.

My eyes seem to be a little better on most days. It really depends on my naps and the light condition, but I've been able to do a little reading and actually finished a book recently. Score 1 for this book nerd!

I won't have another scan until January 25th. Until then we wait, and I still get infusions every 2 weeks. Some of my hair seems to be growing back in little fuzzies but I mostly just look ridiculous. This is me giving a shit...

Fight like hell.

F&%$ This Year

It's not all badass bitch tumor warrior woman and sarcasm over here. I'm pissed. I'm sad. And just when I thought we couldn’t possibly get kicked again this year . . .

I had an appointment with my oncologist and an infusion today. It turns out that the Avastin can cause a fatigue syndrome to set in after several months, So it looks like I’ll be taking naps for the foreseeable future, since the radiation fatigue is still hanging around.

My disability company had sent some forms for my doctor to fill out, so part of my appointment was spent answering super fun questions. In my oncologist’s opinion, I will not be returning to work anytime soon. He asked if I enjoy the work I do or if there were other things that I would like to do. [Cue: Panic]

  

At this point, my eyes may not heal any more. My oncologist thought that my eyes are probably as healed as they’re going to get, but he couldn’t say for sure. I’m still outlawed from driving, which is annoying. I have a stack of books next to our bed that I just want to read, but can’t manage more than 10 pages at a time. This is a hard pill for me to swallow. As if I wasn’t panicking enough about my future ability to return to work, my future ability to read makes me panic even more. . . . I’m still holding out hope that they’ll get better.

My oncologist is quite the character. The man is brilliant, but quite the character. He’ll walk out of the room during my appointment, without saying where he’s going, leave the door open, then walk back in a few moments, and continue talking right where he left off.

A final thought — This year can fuck off.

Fight like Hell.

Unexpected ER Trip

Well, today did not go as planned. We were supposed to be doing Shop with a Cop this morning, but instead ended up with an impromptu ER visit. Hurray.

In my last post, I mentioned a botched port accessing; since they weren’t able to use my port for the MRI last Monday, they ended up putting an IV in a vein in my left wrist joint. That in itself is not pleasant. I noticed yesterday morning that my left forearm was super sore. By yesterday evening, my arm was to the point where I couldn’t touch it without pain, and it was starting to have red splotches. I realized that from the point there they put in the IV and straight up my forearm was exactly where the pain and redness were.

N. reminded me that my oncologist had told us that because I’m receiving Avastin infusions that any sign of blood clots should be an ER visit. In the world of Avastin patients, I’m at a pretty low risk of having blood clots. But … that’s not something with which you mess around. N. called our neurosurgery contact, and they said we should go to the ER just to be safe. Unlike our last ER visit, it was deserted. We got into a room right away, and they sent me up to Ultrasound almost immediately. The ultrasound hurt like a &!@#%. It showed that I did not have a blood clot, though. They diagnosed me with superficial Thrombophlebitis and lymphangitis [inflammation of superficial veins and inflammation of the lymph nodes in that area] … from that lovely wrist joint IV I got stabbed with last Monday. I've lost count of how many time I've been stabbed for an IV since November 2008 [the start of the first go round], but I've never had anything more than a small bruise from an IV.

Needless to say, the American Center Imaging Department is on my shit list, and I will never attempt to get an MRI there again — Always, always at the main UW hospital. 

I’ll be on an antibiotic regimen for the next 10 days. Between that, elevation, and warm compresses, I should kick this. In the meantime … frick, my arm hurts.

On a happier note, it seems like my hair is starting to grow back a little. Also, our foster kittens were adopted together today. We have them for the week, but once we bring them to the adoption center on Friday, they'll go to their forever home. I'm happy that the little poofs will stay together, so that they won't be lonely. I imagine that we'll be getting a couple more kittens for our next foster round. :D    

         

Fight like Hell.