Happy New Year

Happy New Year. I've been looking forward to a new year. I keep thinking it has to be better than 2008, although there were some high points. In general, I'm glad to be moving forward. Still. 

I'm on cycle 5 of the Rad 001/Avastin study. My visit to MD Anderson this week was very positive. No scans, but I had a GREAT, yes all caps great, exam, blood and urine tests, and another dose of the Avastin chemo. My white blood cell counts are not dropping, which is good news. My previously troublesome hobgoblin tests are now normal and it appears I'm the healthiest I've been for quite a few months. Dr. F and Mel seemed really, really happy. It was as though I made a 98 on a test after making numerous borderline Ds. Not quite 100%, but still great. I think my liver even felt a bit smaller when the doc did his routine punch and jab exams. Yes, Dr. F even practices his own punches on our gal tami tumor. And, it seems as though we might have the angina/heart side-effects under control for now. 

I'm coming up on my one-year diagnosis anniversary,.. birthday? Not quite sure what to call it. But yes, it will be a year this month. I'm not sure what the recognition for an anniversary like this should be. Any other “celebration” BC, would have required a Makers Mark (straight up) with a menthol cigarette. But that hardly seems appropriate with huge ass cancerous tumor in my liver. Fireworks maybe? Or just hanging out with family and friends and I've been doing that since Thanksgiving. So maybe I'm already doing whatever I'm supposed to be doing to recognize tami's introduction into our lives. 

Christmas with Sharon, Mark, Cory, Luke and Sam was awesome. There is nothing like hanging out with a 4, 5 and 8 year old on Christmas morning. It was a Superhero and Star Wars Clone Wars day.  And for as many games of Phase 10 that were played during the Hurricane Ike evacuation, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years, it is safe to say my status as Phase 10 champion for 2008 is still intact. I cannot wait to read the contradictory responses to this one statement.

I'm looking forward to 2009. I'm looking forward to this damn tumor moving out, with the help of Dr. A, of course. I'm looking forward to being able to say I did kick cancer ass. My heartfelt thanks to my family and many friends who have been there for me during this very difficult year. I cannot imagine how much harder this would have been without your constant love, hugs, prayers, well wishes and support. I feel very blessed. And yes, I appreciate the hugs. Really. 

Happy Holidays,

jan 

And Then it Started Snowing in Houston....

I got great news yesterday. tami did a bit of shrinking since our last measurement. It appears she's reduced approximately 10.3% in size. This equals a little over a 2cm reduction in overall size. There is still not a "magic" number out there for a size we need to get to because much of it depends on the reduction of size and how it pulls the tumor away from the portal vein. The plan for now is to continue on the current study with the chemo provided every 21 days.

I travelled to Houston with Rana and met Julie and Greta there. These wacky gals hung out with me for the CT scans on Tuesday and Rana, Greta, Dad and Bev were there for the clinical appointment with Dr. F on Wednesday. It was a very long day, and then it started snowing flurries in Houston. Crazy. More to come....

smack,
jan

Oh the Suspense....

Yes. The suspense is making me crazy. I head to Houston this week for relief from the suspense of whether or not this study is shrinking tami the tumor. It would be awesome if the Dr said, "tumor? what tumor Ms. Kiker?" I don't think that's going to happen, but I'm hopeful there is shrinkage.

I'm packing my robe and slippers......just in case. Stay tuned.

smack,
jan