Friday, March 7, 2014

As you all know Monday I had a Brain MRI to see if the radiation treatments I went through late summer were effective. I’m happy to report that the largest mass went from 9 x 5 mm to 5 x 3 mm. To my metric challenged friends that’s pretty small (.118” x .197”). The other three basically are gone with no evidence of any new growths. In the words of a very smart friend of mine "Primary lesion is decreasing in size and the remainder of the residuals are decreasing their prominence.” (Thanks B).

Next hurdle is the CT scan scheduled for March 25 to check liver and lung area. So I’ll be calling on all of you once again to send me good vibes. I'm a little nervous because they decreased the strength of the chemo due to the bilirubin issue.

Wednesday was chemo day which was typical. Get there on time (actually early) for your appointment and wait almost 2 hours before they even shove the needle in my arm. You think I would be use to this but everyone knows how patient I am!

Hope you’re all keeping warm and dry. Spring will hopefully be here soon.

Keep on Dancin'

Friday, February 14, 2014

Happy Valentines Day!

I can’t believe it’s been almost 6 weeks since my last post. I apologize for the long gap but with everything going on in my life I haven’t had the strength, time or brain cells to put together what’s been going on.

We made it into a new year. 2014 – Yeah Old news so lets get on with the last several weeks. Mark, my brother and I spent the end of January in Phoenix cleaning our dad’s house and putting it up for sale. Even with having chemo just days before I managed to contribute more to the clean up then I expected. Stubbornness can have its advantages. February 1, my birthday, was spent in bed for 3 days with the stomach flu. Mark and my girls took good care of me.

Because I have Gilberts Syndrome it gives a “false” reading on my bilirubin count. The doctor is aware of it but the chemo trial monitor has been giving her grief and threatening to take me off study unless we get it under control. I would still be able to get the chemo but wouldn’t be part of the study (can you believe I’ve been on it for over 2 years) and they would no longer pay the $10,000 cost of the drug. For some reason which I’m yet to fully understand, before my last blood draw the doc had me eat as much high fat food as I could. I knew this was going to be a disaster in the making. I should have listening to my instincts. Last Friday I ate the following all before 3:00PM – cereal with ¾ cup heavy whipping cream, 5 sticks of cheddar cheese, pecans, 3 large sausage patties, 3 slices of American cheese, one egg, one avocado, a root beer float with hagendaz ice cream and a 16 oz of coffee that was half coffee and half heavy whipping cream. Well as predicted I was woken up at 3:00AM Saturday morning with a severe gallbladder attack. I’ll spare you the details but it wasn’t pretty. I was able to get through it (although I had another milder one Monday night) and hopefully back to normal. The blood test came out better then in the past but they decided on lowering my dose of chemo regardless. They are worrying about liver damage. Hmmmm…I think it’s already damaged.

Brain MRI has been moved to March 3 due to the radiation oncologist being out that week (he better not be skiing!). Hair is starting to grow back in but I have several areas that are growing more slowly. I can’t wait to not have to wear a hat (more for warmth then vanity). My fan club members have overwhelmingly told me to go hatless if the mood strikes but it’s still too chilly.

I think we are all caught up and I’ll try to update you all sooner the next time.

Keep your Dancin’ boots on and you’re toes warm.

Until next time – Keep on Dancin’

Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Happy New Year!!!

I just wanted to post a short message to let everyone know that My CT Scan came out STABLE. The tumor in the chest area reduced a bit but not enough to get my doc excited. It’s hard to explain the emotions you go through waiting for results. Every twinge, ache or pain makes you wonder if it’s something normal or the lesions growing. You hate it when you have to have another scan knowing the stress associated with it, yet not having one makes you wonder if something’s growing that you want to catch early. For now I’ll just be thankful for the good news. Next big event is the Brain MRI to see what’s going on up there at the end of February.

Chemo yesterday was as usual. As many ways we have tried to get the paperwork going so they could start making the chemo drug we have failed. Yesterday was a long day. Arrived at the hospital at 12:45pm and left at 5:30pm. It doesn’t sound bad except my chemo treatment is 30 minutes. All the rest of the time is waiting.

Thanks again to everyone for their thoughts and prayers. I couldn’t do this without the love and support of my family (especially Mark) and friends.

Let’s put on those fancy Dancin’ shoes and welcome in the New Year.

My best to you and your families for a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!

Feliz Año Nuevo

Keep on Dancin’

Friday, December 20, 2013

Tis’ the season……..

I didn’t want to miss writing a holiday message. Life has been hectic the last few weeks. Chemo has gone on as scheduled. My potassium is low but I’m sure it’s due to not eating correctly. Since the brain radiation my senses (as in taste, sight and hearing) have been off. I have terrible dry mouth which I believe is affecting my taste buds. I can no longer tolerate garlic, onions, sweets and any strong tastes and it’s affecting my eating. Also bread, crackers, potatoes and anything dry turns to paste in my mouth. It’s hard to find something to eat that the thought of doesn’t make me nauseous. The best analogy I could come up is next time you get the stomach flu, think of eating a chili dog with onions and cheese. You get that sick feeling just thinking about it. That’s how I feel all the time.

I’ve also noticed I’ve been having trouble hearing especially certain pitches. My eyes are getting better especially since allergy season is over. Some mornings I can see clearly while others it’s like looking through a fog. Not complaining as I was warned all these side effects could happen. I’m just trying to live with it. I wish I could find a high calorie food that doesn’t turn my stomach. I seem to be living on soups and Stouffers Turkey frozen dinners (where every day is a holiday).

Due to the holidays my chemo schedule has gotten changed a bit. I have a CT scan on Saturday, December 28 and chemo on Monday, December 30. Send me some positive energy because as you’ve learned from me “you’re only as good as your last CT Scan”.

On a sad note, my dad Larry Huro, died peacefully December 10 in Arizona. He was 84 years olds and lived what I think was a good life (those who knew him well knew he always had his dancin’ shoes on). A memorial service is planned for mid-January. He will be missed by family and friends and remembered as someone who was always there to help. Rest in Peace Daddy.

I wish all of you a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Time to put on the sparkly Christmas shoes – Keep On Dancin’

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

It’s hard to believe that it’s that time of the year again where we reflect and give thanks. Looking back over this past year I’ve had several challenges put in front of me that I wouldn’t have gotten through without the help and support from my family and friends. For this I am eternally thankful to all of you. From Mark hauling me around to tests, doctor appointments and chemo, my friends and family sending me cards and emails with words of encouragement to that smile which said “I’m behind you and support you”.

Please take time between the turkey and pumpkin pie to reflect and be thankful for all of those in your lives.

I wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving.

Putting on those Pilgrim shoes – Keep on Dancin’

Monday, November 4, 2013

THE TOP TEN REASONS I DON’T MIND BEING BALD:

10. I’m saving money on hair cuts.

9. I get to wear all the pretty hats people have given me over the years.

8. I’m putting Aveda out of business by not needing shampoo or conditioner.

7. I had an instant Halloween costume – just throw on a robe and go as Uncle Fester from the Adams Family

6. I save 20 minutes in the morning not having to do my hair.

5. I’m not constantly pushing my hair out my of eyes and away from my face.

4. When children stare and point I tell them it’s from not eating my vegetables.

3. When people automatically assume they know why you have lost your hair (chemo) and I inform them that it’s due to brain radiation for the tumors growing in my brain. Most don’t know what to say. Seems the brain commands more respect.

2. My kitties Kiki and Zoey take turns wrapping themselves around my head at night to keep me warm.


And lastly (drum roll please) the number one reason I don’t mind being bald..........

1. Being bald is what I look like and not who I am. A good example to how you should look at a persons inner self and not wallpaper on the outside.

I hope this brings a smile to your face.

Keep on Dancin'

Friday, November 1, 2013

Feliz Dia' de Muertos Today is the Day of the Dead as celebrated by our neighbors to the south in Mexico (along with several other countries and cultures). For some reason this day has always intrigued me. It's a day of honoring and remembering those friends and family members who have gone before us. It's celebrated with parades, visits to the cemetery and shrines where the deceased favorite foods are left. Seems like an honorable way to remember those who have helped shaped our lives abd have gone before us. It's been a rough week. Brain MRI Monday, Doctor visit to get results on Tuesday and chemo on Wednesday. I'm happy to report that the MRI shows the tumors in the brain shrinking. Since it's only been 6 weeks since the last radiation treatment it's hard for them to tell on the smaller lesions if they are active or dead brain tissue. I have another MRI scheduled in February which will give a bigger picture. I'm still bald as a cue ball. I really don't care except the colder weather is moving in and my head is always cold. I need to keep a knit hat on even indoors to keep warm. I hope all are doing well and I promise to start writing some awe inspiring entries in the coming weeks now that we are over this hurdle. Get out those winter boots and Keep On Dancin'