ME

Yes folks this is an update on ME! Back in late August I stopped chemo so I could have a bunch of test/biopsies. First they did a regular broncoscopy just because they wanted to. Then I met with the Thorasic surgeon again. He still was not ready to take me apart so he sent me for an endoscopy with an internal ultrasound with a needle biopsy of the lymphnodes behind my lungs. The Dr who did this was only able to see one node and he biopsied it...Good Grief ...Good News...it was clean! So as of then at least the cancer had not reached there. Then he sent me to Dr Pope (aka Dougie Howser) 34 years old ...Looks 16! He is a pulmonary guy...he sent me for a pet-ct scan and scheduled a broncoscopy with a needle biopsy on my glowing nodes in the middle center of my chest. This took place in the Broncoscopy Suite of Htfd Hospital on October 29th. He did tell me that my Pet/CT was even better than the June Pet/CT so the chemo was still working...another Hurrah! Later in the week he called me to confirm what we both knew...the nodes front and center have rectal cancer in them! At this point and time surgery is not an option. So I gave my three Musketeers a week and a half to confir (the would be Pope/pulmonary...Baker/Oncology...and Underhill/Thorasic Surgeon. Then I called Dr Baker...we spoke about the results and he confirmed what Dr Pope said that surgery was not an option but he also confirmed another comment from Dr Pope that this was by no means a death sentence. Dr B told me we would switch to the other chemo regimen FolFox with the avastin chaser and then after 8 to 12 treatments with Pet/CTs after each 4 treatments to see how its going. I met with Dr B the day after Thanksgiving and we also dicussed other things we might do such as irradiate those suckers in my chest to vaporize them and there is also a cryo procedure to freeze anything left of the tumors in my lung, plus there is an infusion drug called Herbatux that is for colon cancer. He said it is now just a matter of co-existing with my cancer and staying one step ahead! So all and all I am still feeling good and yesterday I had my first dose of FolFox which is why I am up so bright and early telling you all this. Yes folks I am getting the steroid decadrom and although I do cat nap from about midnight to 3am I am basically awake all night...but I will sleep well tonight...the effects only last for 24 hours. I know this blog was a biggie but since I really didn't know what was going to happen till last Friday I figured I'd save it all up.

Well Ta Ta For Now...the 2007 Christmas tree will be coming soon!

Love you all!

Mary aka Moose and Cancer Woman

New Hampshire 07

Hey folks! Got back yesterday from a trip up North to see my good buddy Jim. It was a very relaxing weekend for both Lou and me. We left on Friday about 1pm right after Lou got out of work and we had lunch and packed the car. We got to the Motel 6 in Nashua by quarter to 4pm. We then left to go to Jim's place in Hudson where I was to get my first look at the infamous Queen Porsche! I came bearing gifts as any good subject would. She is truly beautiful and much deserving of a tiara! As you can see in the picture. Unfortunately I was unable to find one in her size so I brought a toy, which I think pleased her magesty.

We went to a great Chinese buffet for dinner and then to Walmart for a quick errand then back to Jim's. We watched most of the movie Wild Hogs and then made our way back to the Motel 6 and truly they had left the light on for us!

Now I have to tell you that getting from Motel 6 to Jim's was easy except of course for the traffic and the road construction. But in the dark those sneaky NH people switch the roads all around and nothing looks the same. No horror stories just a few laughs at the wrong turns.

Saturday we got to Jim's at about 8:30 and about 10 we started out for our days adventure. We got to see where Jim works and experience his long commute frought with 19 traffic lights. Ugh! Then we went to the NH state liquor store ( I love shopping there!) Then we made our way to the Sherwood Forest Mobile Home Park to sneek a peek. What a beautiful place. From there we were off to Kittery ME for more shopping!!!!! Very specific stuff, we went to the Corning Outlet where I purchased a couple of things on my must have in the kitchen list and then to the two most important places the Russell Stover outlet and the Lindt chocolate outlet. Those were my desires and then Jim popped into a couple other places before we started back to seek out lunch. We ended up at the 99 in Salem NH where I consumed a 12oz prime rib and a baked potato. We tried to find the Olive Garden originally but it must be a secret rendezvous type of place cause we couldn't locate it. Its location is certainly a secret.

We were so stuffed that we just had dessert back at Jim's (and I had half a glass of wine with mine) and we were only there till about 7:30 before starting back to the ever elusive Motel 6. I can't tell you how comfortable the bed was. I haven't slept that well in I don't know how long.

Sunday at 9am we were back at Jim's after checking out of the motel and about 10:30 we toodled over to Cookie's Chuck Wagon Cafe for a great breakfast. We went back to Jim's and stayed there till about noon and then we started back to Willi. We were back home by 2:45pm with a coffee stop along the way. What a great relaxing weekend. I am looking forward to spring so we can do it all again.

Signing off and still looking for the Motel 6.

Mary

Hey! What do you know? Its only the 7th of November and here is the tree of the month!

Presenting

NOVEMBER!