Peritoneal Cancer Journey Phase XI
Well we all made it through another Holiday season, phew... I have to say it was a wonderful holiday season with Christmas feeling very calm this year, not rushed, very relaxed Everyone decided it was because we had the day before, day of and the day after Christmas off. We had the same time off for New Year’s so that gave way to a very relaxing and peaceful season. There was actually plenty of time to visit with family and relax afterwards… I think we all need 3 days off every year with these holidays, laughingly though I don’t know how work would feel when the holidays don’t fall on a weekend accommodating that schedule…
It seemed through out this season I kept reflecting on the last two years. I seem to be a bit more not solemn but maybe melancholy. I kept pushing those feelings away, and then realized that if I acknowledge them and receive what they came to give me that maybe I would move on from them. I didn’t think it was possible; I have more appreciation of the journey I am on and the life I am living. My blogging probably helps do that as well. When Lynn, Megs and I talk of this experience we are all living, and yes my diagnosis with its treatments, and procedures my whole family lives it. We laugh at the different situations we have found ourselves in. From me having to be babysat after my debaulking surgery healing. I was pretty depleted when I was diagnosed and after the surgery that I could not bend down and get back up. One morning I thought I was slick and crouched down to get some orange juice. After I got down I couldn’t get up… I called Lynn to help me up because I was stuck. It was really funny when Lynn commented what would you have done if I weren’t home… So I resigned myself not to bend/crouch down to get anything until I was stronger… My sisters, mom would stop by and see phones, remotes on the floor and ask why they were there. It was because I dropped them and would not chance being stuck again on the ground (laughing at the memory)… I don’t know about you, I find things that make me laugh at the unusual things we have experienced… So we all approach our life and each day with love, humor, positive attitude and outlook. This has helped all of us, in my family in the good and difficult times. I will admit I have forgotten this from time to time over the years, but the last couple, not so much…
This past year has had its frustrating moments; it has had many more happier, positive, hopeful moments… The happy and positive moments are what I remember and focus on. I remember each day to laugh, and tell those around me what they mean to me whenever I can.
With the holiday season comes the question that Lynn and I ask each other “So when do you thing Megs will tell us her grades from this past college semester?” This year Megs told us her grades from college before Christmas. That was a first! She did really well this semester. Lynn and I laughed talking about previous semester with Megs. Her first semester she said grades don’t come out until sometime after Christmas, which we’re like nah, they are out she doesn’t want to share. Each day passed Christmas Lynn and I would say “Oh my… what do you thing the GPA is going to be”. Her 1st college semester we estimated like a 1.9 because it took so long for her to say what her grades were. When she said a 2.69 we were almost relieved. Could she do better? Sure, we were relieved she didn’t do worse. She has since been plugging away bringing her cumulative GPA up. Her 2nd semester she averaged just below 3.35, which brought her GPA up to like a 2.98 and last year I think she brought it up to a 2.99. She was a nursing major and late last year she decided that nursing was not for her, anatomy and physiology class does that to a person. It will make you or break you… Though with other classes she took she found she is interested in counseling of sorts. So she switched schools after getting information from a local counseling center on what degree they look for in counselors they hire. She is now commuting from home to UB for a BS in Psyc, and then probably continue on to get an MSW or maybe a Phd in Psyc, or something like that. We are thrilled to have Megs at home commuting to school… She is not so happy to be commuting from home, one positive note she acknowledges is that it is cheaper this way... She is really into the psyc classes she is taking this year and is doing well. Her average just this semester is about a 3.25 and her goal is to get a 3.5 this coming semester. I hope she kicks butt in her classes this semester coming up… We keep telling her it is all up to her and she can achieve her goals. She is smart, hardworking and can do whatever she sets her mind to.
I found an article that better explains the bill that was passed by congress that I had in my last blog. On December 17th congress passed a bill that provides federal funding for ovarian cancer research for patient care and early detection tests, as well as education, and the importance of early detection with healthcare professionals and the general public.
There is a new drug combo (ixabepilone and sunitinib) that is making news too. That in lab results it is experiencing a 70% cancer cell kill rate with ovarian cancer that has become chemotherapy resistant. There is some very exciting stuff on the horizon with potential treatments for this challenging cancer. This particular one is not yet set for human trials; it sounds very promising and seems to make sense from a non-scientist mind…
I found this coalition for ovarian cancer so I thought I would share the link. Many of you who follow my blog may have already known of this, some may not. Interesting reading and bunch of information to share. I just avoid the prognoses part or the statistics part… I am not a statistic, I am here and living well…
Read this article on a vaccine being developed here in the US… Very exciting stuff and promising… I am so encouraged by all that I am reading on the cancer fight front…
My next Doctors appoint is set for January 10th. We will find out what my CA-125 results are from my last treatment of Avanstin, Carboplatin, and Doxil, and lung tap. I am thinking a nice drop would be a wonderful start to this New Year…
