Monday, April 14, 2008

Deb's Update: April 14, 2008 8:00 AM

Hi All,

Here's an update of what's been going on over the past 6 weeks...

As you know, I've been done my radiation since February 18th. In general it feels good to be done going for radiation at 7:15 AM. But, I am still losing hair!!! Not my idea of fun, but I may have to finally get a wig... I'm sure you guys are thinking what my wig would look like. I'm in wig denial and I am ignoring that the hair falling out could be do to my chemo combo! So, of course I figured I could write a song to have fun with the topic... it goes something like this:

" Debbie's hair is falling out, falling out, falling out... Debbie's hair is falling out, she's the thin haired lady.

She'll take some tape and tape hair on, tape it on, tape it one... she'll take the tape and tape hair on since she's the thin haired lady.

Tape didn't work so she got some hats, lots of hats, tons of hats... tape didn't work so it's all about hats to the thinned haired lady. "


That's all I've written for that Debbie's version of the London Bridge song!... It's just a little support for myself to get me prepared for wig shopping if (or when) I have to do that!

I have decided to take a short term disability (an 8 week Leave of Absence) so I could take a break and see how I feel taking the Avastin/CPT-11 chemo. It seems to get tougher for each cycle, but I'll take it as long as I am responding to it! I miss going to work, but taking time to 're-group' has gotten me back on my routine life: walking the dogs, making my own lunch and dinner, and going to Yoga several times a week.

I went up to San Francisco to see Antonietta and her 'family' (her pets and husband). Since it was right after the chemo on March 10th, I had to behave and sleep! Lots of naps and sitting around to chat with Ant... Of course, we did do one interesting thing: going to a drag queen brunch at a wonderful hotel! Nothing I need to say about that, right? Overall, it was a nice visit. Charlie watched my dogs while I was away and he's now connected with them even more!

I am still off of the Decadron steroid and I am finally starting to lose the fluid in my body. I have been told that it takes just as much time to lose the fluid as it did to gain it!

Guess what happened on April Fool's Day? Radar was neutered! His in-tact male days are over!!! He seems happy and it hasn't seemed to bother him. He was actually good at the vet so I guess he was ready!!!

My sister came out for a week to visit and to give me support for my MRI on April 7th. Her support was great! Dr. Cloughsey showed us the recent MRI and previous two MRIs. His good news was that no new tumors have come into my frontal lobe area and that he had "nothing bad to say". In addition, he thinks that the recurrent tumor is responding to the chemo! I was really nervous about that day since the morning that Amy and I got into the car, we saw that my car had been broken into! Although I'm a car door locked addict, I didn't lock it on Sunday night... So, basically the robbers just pulled the door open and stole several things (except for my $1.99 sunglasses!!!). Not a confident way to start that day, huh? But, obviously the day ended and I was happy!

When Amy was here we went to Pantages and saw Wicked! We had great seats (front row of the Mezzanine!) so the view was amazing!!! Before my sister's arrival, Charlie and I had gone to the CA Science Center and saw the Body Worlds 3 which is amazing! I never thought I'd be that interested in seeing these deceased, real bodies with most of their skin off!!! But, since it IS very interesting exhibit I asked Amy and Kimmie if they wanted to go! So, we all went and they enjoyed it too... obviously this is a highly recommended exhibit if you're not creeped-out when looking at real bodies and every part of those body!

Time for me to get going since I have to head to the neurologist's office. I think I'll also walk the dogs for a few miles this morning before it gets too hot.

That's it for now! Hugs to everyone...
Love,
Debbie