I'm good for the next four weeks!

I had my appointment at Huntsman on Tuesday the 8th, and my blood counts are a little better than before (white/red blood cells, platelets and hematocrit). My tumor marker went down again by about 300. This means I'm good for another four weeks until my next blood test.

Here's a photo of me with my IV line in my arm. I had about 40 minutes to wait for infusion, so I decided to go check out the trails behind Huntsman rather than sit and wait.



I went to my homeopathic doctor in California last Thursday (July 3rd) and got a new set of remedies to take. It was a very quick trip--we (Bry and I) flew in, had lunch, went to the Dr. and flew out.

I'm feeling pretty well--just a little achy in the legs and joints--which is probably due to my medications from Huntsman.

Next update coming soon!

I'm going to visit my doctor in Irvine, CA on Thursday July 3rd.
My next appointment with my oncologist at Huntsman is Tuesday, July 8th.

I'll post my test results after the visits.

So far, so good--I'm feeling pretty well. My only pain is from lifting weights and exercise.

Yippee!!

I called Huntsman this morning to get the results from my blood test. My estrogen levels are really low like they're supposed to be because of my medication--which means it's working. And the really good news is my tumor marker number has gone down by 1,000!! Which means I don't have to do chemo for now--or have my ovaries out.

Maybe the homeopathic stuff I'm taking is working. I'm also avoiding all sugar (bummer!) and dairy and eating lots of veggies, fruit and wholegrains. For meat I can have white fish or salmon as well as cornish game hen or organic chicken (that's my diet from the homeopathic Dr.).

Thanks everybody for the prayers--they're helping!!

Waiting for Test Results

At my appointment Friday, June 6th, my oncologist said my white blood cell and platelet numbers are going down and that the red blood cell count will soon follow. We're waiting for results that will come Monday or Tuesday that will determine what treatment I will have next. If my estrogen level is high, we'll know that my Femara pill I take every day isn't working, and my oncologist suggests removing my ovaries if this is the case. If my estrogen levels are low, the suggestion is that I start chemotherapy--that is unless some drastic improvement happens with my tumor marker number (and we'll know that number Monday or Tuesday).

I personally don't want to do either of these things. Chemo sounds especially awful, since last time I had it my white blood cell count went really low--and this time I'd be starting out low. I'm not sure how well I would tolerate it this time.

I may suggest to my doctors to let me go another month to see what happens.
We'll see!

One way or another it will all work out.

Quick Update

Last week I went to the Homeopathic doctor in Irvine CA again. I have a whole new bunch of remedies to take. Let's hope they do some good! I'll be going to Huntsman this Friday (June 6th) for my monthly blood tests, IV meds, and shot. Pray that the tumor marker numbers are lowering--or at least stable!

I've been feeling pretty good overall--as long as I push away any fear that enters my mind.

Here's my team at the Race For the Cure in May:

Back from vacation--got test results

Last Friday I had a LONG day at Huntsman (from 7 am until 6 pm). I had a PET scan, doctor visit and IV medication--each taking a few hours, with waiting in between.
Saturday the 10th my mom's side of the family and I did the Susan G. Komen Race For the Cure--it was amazing!! THANKS EVERYONE!!
Sunday we left for San Diego--it was so great!! We just sat and played on the beach most of the time.

Photo thanks to our good friend Christy Johnson who took us to an awesome beach in Laguna area!

The results from my PET scan and bloodwork on Friday, May 9 are:
liver looks better than last scan
bones either have more cancer or are rebuilding--it's hard to tell (let's hope they're building)
my tumor marker number went up by about 1,000 (wow!!--that's not so great)

For now, we're just continuing treatment without changes. I'm taking my new homeopathic remedies--I'm on the third week now.

Feeling Good!!

The last week and a half:

Last Sunday my sister Suzanne came from Illinois to visit, on Tuesday a friend (Cory Alldredge) died of cancer, on Wednesday Suz and I flew to Irvine, CA to visit a Homeopathic Dr., Thursday and Friday Suz and I went to BYU Women's Conference , and on Saturday my sister left for home while I went to my friend Cory's funeral.
I was an emotional mess. I've been nauseous and my head, neck and shoulder muscles in painful knots.
I'm trying to pull myself together this week. Bry hasn't had a paycheck for a month and a half and we lose our health insurance by June. It's hard not to feel a bit of fear--but I'm confident things will work out.
I have a PET scan Friday at Huntsman to see where the cancer is. I'm also scheduled to get my blood tests, bone treatment and shot that day. It sounds like a long day--and I actually want to reschedule it for next week, because we're going on a little family trip Sunday, and if the test results are not so good, I'd rather hear about it after our vacation so I can enjoy myself.
Saturday is the Race for the Cure!! I'm looking forward to it!! My cousin Lindsay set up a team, "Jenn's Joggers" and it will be so fun to see everyone there. If you're interested, the link is www.komenslc.org and you click on the "Race for the Cure" link to register.