Ruth Update, September 21, 2008

Dear Friends, Relatives, and Prayer Partners,

 

Last Tuesday, after I sent out my last update, I went to my cancer support group meeting.  After that, Paul and I went out to celebrate his birthday, which was the day before.  Since he has a thing for ABBA, and I have a thing for Pierce Brosnan, we went to see "Mama Mia" at a local mall.  The cinema is right next to the food court, so we had a fast dinner before the show.  This was a "sing along" version, where they had the lyrics at the bottom of the screen, and it was fun to sing along.  There were not enough people there to drown out the movie, so we got the best of both worlds.  As a singer, Pierce Brosnan is a fine looking man.  I would not go right out and buy the soundtrack.  Meryl Streep was really good, I thought.  Paul enjoyed the movie so much, he wants to see the stage show next time it comes to town.  Maybe they will have a better singer in the Brosnan role.  He was on pitch, anyway.  Shortly after we came home, Paul was playing his "ABBA Gold" album.  Big surprise.

 

I was unable to get my liver biopsy scheduled this week, nor my chemotherapy.  Both will start next week, with the chemo on September 29th, and the liver biopsy on September 30th.  They assured me they could do this.  It is just bad timing for me with both the hospital where the biopsy will be done, having had a couple of equipment failures, and with my HMO, which is reorganizing their chemotherapy pharmacy.  This does worry me, with the speed at which my cancer has advanced recently.  Please pray that I will be able to wait that long.  My oncologist will try to get me in earlier for chemo, but that might mess up the biopsy, since I can't have it while my blood counts are down.  As it is, we will delay starting the Avastin, as it carries risks of bleeding problems, and we don't want people poking my liver in that case.

 

A friend of mine wonders why they can't just start me on Herceptin, which is as close to a miracle drug as we have right now for breast cancer.  The trouble is, it doesn't do any good if one doesn't have the right kind of cancer.  This is why we want the liver biopsy, to see if my cancer is susceptible to Herceptin.  

 

Thanks for your support.

 

Get mammograms.  Do self-exams.

 

Love,

Ruth

http://ruthsmusings.blogspot.com

 

Ruth Update, September 16, 2008

Dear Friends, Relatives, and Prayer Partners,

"1. Fairly dramatic progression of metastatic disease to the liver. There is now involvement throughout all parts of the liver that is in many places confluent [the tumors are running together]. The burden of liver disease is greater than on any previous PET/CT study in this patient.

"2. Interval increase in activity at several sites of bony metastatic disease in the thoracic spine and pelvis. The burden of bony metastatic disease is greater than on the study dated 5-21-08, but is probably still less than on the study dated 2-9-08.

"3. No evidence of metastatic disease at any other site."

Well, #3 is good, anyway.

The plan now is to get a liver biopsy, ASAP, and follow with at least three chemo drugs: Gemzar, Carboplatin and Avastin. If the liver biopsy shows that my cancer is susceptible to Herceptin, that will be something else we can do.

My oncologist was not actually planning on the liver biopsy, but when I suggested it, she thought it a good idea.

I am not surprised at the increased activity in my liver. At the same time I learned that my cancer marker had tripled, I also saw that two elements of my liver function panel were very high out of range. Also, I have had some twinges in my liver area.

I ask for specific prayers that the new liver biopsy would get enough malignant tissue to run the tests on. That was the problem with my previous liver biopsy. I also ask for general prayers for successful treatment to knock this cancer back. Timmy is in the eighth grade. I would like to see him graduate from high school. I would also like to play with my grandchildren, if it is God's will.

Get mammograms. Do self-exams.

Love,

Ruth
http://ruthsmusings.blogspot.com

Ruth Update, September 10, 2008

Dear Friends, Relatives, and Prayer Partners,

 

When I was at the oncology infusion clinic last week for my monthly Aredia treatment, I offered some blood to do the cancer marker test, but the doc ordered a PET scan, instead.  That will be on Friday afternoon.  On Tuesday, September 16th, Paul and I will meet with my oncologist to get the results and make a battle plan.  Prayers are requested.

 

If you missed the Stand Up 2 Cancer special on ABC, CBS, and NBC on September 5th, you can still see it if you have a computer with a good connection and all the right software if you go here   I missed the first half of it, but have caught up.  I do not know how good a charity this is, but they seem to have good intentions, anyway.  This is basically a telethon with lots of stars, but lots of videos of survivors and research.  Also some music.

 

Take care.

 

Get mammograms.  Do self-exams.

 

Love,

 

Ruth

http://ruthsmusings.blogspot.com

 

Ruth Update, September 3, 2008

Dear Friends, Relatives, and Prayer Partners,

My oncologist doesn't believe that the 300% increase in my CA 27-29 marker is a lab error. She will order a PET scan, and told me to stop taking Xeloda, since all it seems to be doing for me is giving me painful blisters on my feet.

I appreciate the prayers, and will keep you informed.

Get mammograms. Do self-exams.

Love,

Ruth
http://ruthsmusings.blogspot.com/

Ruth Update, September 2, 2008

Dear Friends, Relatives, and Prayer Partners,

 

I need some extra prayer.  My CA 27-29 cancer marker went from 354 on August 3, to 1164 on August 31st.

 

I don't know exactly what this means, but it cannot be good.  I am hoping for a lab error, myself.  I go to the oncology clinic for an Aredia treatment tomorrow, and I have a scheduled appointment with my oncologist on Tuesday, Sept. 16th.

 

I will keep you all posted.

 

Get mammograms.  Do self exams.

 

Love,

 

Ruth

http://ruthsmusings.blogspot.com