Deb’s Update: April 17, 2007 10:30 AM PST

Hi All,

Sorry about the delay in writing an update. This cycle was a little tougher than the last and made me do nothing for about 2 weeks. So, as you can imagine, I had to get some things done in less time than usual... of course that leads to more napping, more reading, etc...

I got my labs done last week (04/10) and the only results that I have seen are just the quick CBC results... My counts weren't actually as bad as I thought they would have been: WBC was 2.2, PLT was 420, RBC was 3.67, HGB was 11.3, and HCT was 32.4.... as you can imagine all of those were a little low except for the platelets. But, it really wasn't that bad considering that I had stopped chemo only 10 days prior. So, I am obviously hoping that things are still going up and will get more labs done this Thursday. Cycle 3 is already coming up next Tuesday, April 24th... Time sure is flying!!!

I actually either got a cold, or the Spring windy days have caused me to have major allergies... either one is not fun! I'm sure you can imagine that it's not easy for me to have a stuffy head... I loved it when I was feeling my head lightened, happy, and non-headachy! Of course I still don't ever get any headaches, have any partial-seizures.... So, I continue to be thankful that I'm doing well and feeling much better than I did last October/November!

I was able to get my weight last Tuesday on the dietitian/nutritionist visit and lab day.... I shuttered when I looked and saw what I am only weighing now: 129 lbs... YIKES!!!!!!!! Low and behold, I have lost about 20 lbs since last November!!! Bummer, huh? Now I'm even jealous of Radar and how he is putting his weight back on... maybe I should eat some Wellness dog food, salmon oil and holistic vitamins :-)

I really had major discussions with the nutritionist telling her that I want to put AT LEAST 10 lbs back on and how am I going to do that!? Obviously when people are on chemo treatments, appetites are not as good. Of course I am trying to eat HEALTHY food so that I can get some major nutrients but I have definitely added some chocolate, Joannie lemon bars, and pizza. I will keep you posted on that.... She was an extremely good nutritionist and gave me a lot of good suggestions. I am also writing down what I am eating on some 'good days' (when I am eating lots and lots) and some 'not so good days' (when I'm not hungry). Stay tuned.... a home scale is on the way from Dan and Mary!

I headed to Kim's house this past weekend and since she LOVES to cook she made me lots of food that is good for my weight increase! My fingers are crossed that when I get weighed this Thursday (at my med onc doctor appointment) I will have gained a few lbs! Also, I sent Joann an email asking for her Lemon Bar recipe (I'm addicted to this treat!).... of course she sent that recipe right away. In addition she made some at home and mailed them to me right away! They're gone already and it's only been a few days :-) YUM!!!

Barbara's visit was great... You can probably already tell that we focused on what we wanted to eat... Me, Margaret and Barbara went to dinner last Tuesday and it was relaxing and nice since we all were able to talk about anything! Since Barbara wasn't leaving until a red-eye flight the following day, I told her she could come over and wait here for the Super Shuttle that will be taking her to the airport... so, we were able to watch the Red Sox and get a pizza! Nice and relaxing which is always a good thing for me these days... Of course she had to ride in the Element and see the dogs and cat! Darn Radar doesn't realize he's not a lap dog sometimes, so of course you can't wear a white shirt in my house! (right Barbara!?).

My friend Hillary came over and brought me lunch last week as well (on Wednesday)... so, I'm guessing that you guys have realized that everyone I know is interested in helping me increase my weight!? Low and behold, Radar decided that she loved him and that he would just do things to make her laugh and laugh! She was hooked.... I am obviously happy to see Radar back into his old self again :-) Hillary is also the person that gave me a hairdresser recommendation when I got to Amgen...

Interestingly enough, I was able to get my hair done last week too! So, it's finally been dyed and cut... Stephanie did a great job and you can't even tell that it's got bald areas (until the wind blows!). Oh, and I have to tell you that this week/weekend I started to see hair in the bald areas coming back.... of course it's just little stubs, but YIPPEE, it's on it's way back!!! I'm sure it'll be little by little, but boy will that make me feel even more 'normal'...

So, here is the vaccine trial update: Still not approved for budgeting. I will be headed back to Cedars-Sinai the week of May 7th for my next MRI anyway so they said that will most likely be the 'screening' week and that they will be able to enroll me on the study before my Cycle 4 dosing (May 22nd through 26th). Fingers are crossed that the MRI will be stunningly wonderful again and that I will be moving forward on the vaccine trial! I continue to have a positive attitude in regards to moving forward in my life, remaining healthy, and enjoying EVERYTHING... but sometimes those damned MRIs get me! I think I will always be nervous heading in for an MRI, but it's something that HAS to be done every two months.

That's it for now... the week prior to chemo is always busy since I have to get lots of stuff done (like cleaning, grocery shopping, errands, etc) before I am not able to do a darn thing! I thought this would be a quick, boring update but as I start writing, you can tell that I have lots of things I want to tell you guys!!! I really have to end it here... I have lunch today with my real estate agent Michele (another amazing person that I know out here!)

I guess I still have to try and figure out how to take pictures... I'll work on that one especially now that my hair is cut, dyed and starting to grow back!

Hugs for everyone...

Debbie