I've got some good news and some bad news. Not exactly how I wanted to end my trip here to Reno, but I'll take anything with good in it, regardless of the bad involved.
The good news is that they got my CA125 results back in and they are down to 34 now! Normal is 30 or below. So I've still got a ways to go, but it's a heck of a lot better than the 74 it was at on December 31st! I did have another round of chemo since then before coming to the clinic and infusing with the salicinium for 3 weeks though. So part of that decline could be contributed to that. After my first round of chemo, it went from 96 to 74. So it's moving in the right direction. That's totally good news!
The bad news is that they still don't have my German Test results back. They did get Laura's back, and she had hers taken after mine. But apparently, they are still working on mine, since it's so sneaky and no one knows what kind of cancer I have to begin with. So they are being really thorough. I should get a call or email next week. I'm curious to find out what they discover. This test should tell me what kind of chemos my cancer is sensitive to. It will list what chemos would be beneficial, which would be ok, and which to avoid, along with some things you can do alternatively. They test the cancer cells in the DNA for sensitivities to different chemos. It's a very expensive test.
Now for the ugly...my port is infected. Not sure how bad yet. But they put me on an antibiotic and gave me some antibiotic cream and they scared the crud out of me by listing all of these scary symptoms and if I have any, I'm to call my doctor and have him meet me at the hospital immediately. It would be really really bad if this infection compromises my port. I don't want to lose it and have to have another implanted. So that sucks.
We spent more time than we thought at the clinic today. Everyone loved my hair, but I think they loved my hat even more! I wore the new brownish one that has the sparkly band. Everyone asked me where I got it (Burlington Coat Factory!). We stopped at Wig World on the way home and I got a short brown wig too. We didn't get a chance to take any photos yet though. Paris picked up one of those long fake ponytails for her horse. That was a first for the lady in the store! LOL We ended up going to see "27 Dresses" tonight. What a cute, darling chick flick.
We're all packed up and ready to go. Need to leave about 9am and go return the rental and check in for a 1145am flight. Should be arriving in Portland about 115pm. What a quick little trip. And right now the fairs are unreal! $49 each way from PDX to Reno on SW! I don't want to leave! Maybe I can stay and people can just come visit me once in awhile! I'm going to drop Paris at the curb and drive off! Bet she's never had anyone ditch her at the airport before!
But I do want to go home so I can see my room. I guess a whole slew of people (men and woman and children and dogs and birds?) have been helping to strip the wall paper in my room and redecorate and paint in there. I just can't wait to see it! And to see my puppy Simba! I've missed him! And of course my family. How about I come back, check out my room, love my dog and then fly back? I'm just worried about jumping into the fast pace of my life again and trying to keep on these new routines. It's challenging with just Paris and I here. I can't imagine how I'm going to do it with a houseful of family and obligations etc. Gotta figure it out.
Paris and I walked along the river again this morning. The sun has been out and it's warmed up a lot and you can even see the snow has melted off of the moutains that feel like you can reach out and touch them.
What a wonderful experience overall here in Reno. And positive results so far. Not happy about my port at all, but I guess those things happen. They just never happen to me usually. I'm feeling good and have hope and peace again. I'm going to pack it in my luggage and bring it home with me. Literally!
xoxox
Shauna
The good news is that they got my CA125 results back in and they are down to 34 now! Normal is 30 or below. So I've still got a ways to go, but it's a heck of a lot better than the 74 it was at on December 31st! I did have another round of chemo since then before coming to the clinic and infusing with the salicinium for 3 weeks though. So part of that decline could be contributed to that. After my first round of chemo, it went from 96 to 74. So it's moving in the right direction. That's totally good news!
The bad news is that they still don't have my German Test results back. They did get Laura's back, and she had hers taken after mine. But apparently, they are still working on mine, since it's so sneaky and no one knows what kind of cancer I have to begin with. So they are being really thorough. I should get a call or email next week. I'm curious to find out what they discover. This test should tell me what kind of chemos my cancer is sensitive to. It will list what chemos would be beneficial, which would be ok, and which to avoid, along with some things you can do alternatively. They test the cancer cells in the DNA for sensitivities to different chemos. It's a very expensive test.
Now for the ugly...my port is infected. Not sure how bad yet. But they put me on an antibiotic and gave me some antibiotic cream and they scared the crud out of me by listing all of these scary symptoms and if I have any, I'm to call my doctor and have him meet me at the hospital immediately. It would be really really bad if this infection compromises my port. I don't want to lose it and have to have another implanted. So that sucks.
We spent more time than we thought at the clinic today. Everyone loved my hair, but I think they loved my hat even more! I wore the new brownish one that has the sparkly band. Everyone asked me where I got it (Burlington Coat Factory!). We stopped at Wig World on the way home and I got a short brown wig too. We didn't get a chance to take any photos yet though. Paris picked up one of those long fake ponytails for her horse. That was a first for the lady in the store! LOL We ended up going to see "27 Dresses" tonight. What a cute, darling chick flick.
We're all packed up and ready to go. Need to leave about 9am and go return the rental and check in for a 1145am flight. Should be arriving in Portland about 115pm. What a quick little trip. And right now the fairs are unreal! $49 each way from PDX to Reno on SW! I don't want to leave! Maybe I can stay and people can just come visit me once in awhile! I'm going to drop Paris at the curb and drive off! Bet she's never had anyone ditch her at the airport before!
But I do want to go home so I can see my room. I guess a whole slew of people (men and woman and children and dogs and birds?) have been helping to strip the wall paper in my room and redecorate and paint in there. I just can't wait to see it! And to see my puppy Simba! I've missed him! And of course my family. How about I come back, check out my room, love my dog and then fly back? I'm just worried about jumping into the fast pace of my life again and trying to keep on these new routines. It's challenging with just Paris and I here. I can't imagine how I'm going to do it with a houseful of family and obligations etc. Gotta figure it out.
Paris and I walked along the river again this morning. The sun has been out and it's warmed up a lot and you can even see the snow has melted off of the moutains that feel like you can reach out and touch them.
What a wonderful experience overall here in Reno. And positive results so far. Not happy about my port at all, but I guess those things happen. They just never happen to me usually. I'm feeling good and have hope and peace again. I'm going to pack it in my luggage and bring it home with me. Literally!
xoxox
Shauna
4 comments:
That was a good title for our day... what a roller coaster. So bummed about your port, but so thrilled with the CA125 number. You are so darn close now... you will be where you need to be in no time at all. I will do my best to be a good role model and help with your new routine at home... if you decide to come home with me this morning!! lol Can't wait to see the look on your face when you walk in your room this afternoon!!!! Love you, p
Shauna - great news on the CA125 number. Wow! I am so glad to hear the hope and peace in your words. It sounds like this trip was the right thing to do for you. I hope that the antibiotics help with the port and you won't have to go through having that replaced. I would love to see your face when you see your room but at the same time, I think you should have that family time. I will have to check in with Paris later to see about your reaction. Travel safe coming home - we miss you!
Laura
Well, hip, hip, hooray on that CA125 number!!!!!!! We have a WINNER!!!!! We will take it!!! :o)
Fingers crossed on the port news. I know it is scary to think about having it replaced, but it is done all the time and you can handle it. I choose to believe, however, that it will be okay with medication. In fact, I am going to do some heavy prayer and will ask my prayer team to join me for good news.
Love you and glad you are safely home. Enjoy your bedroom oasis! Those ladies are SO special for having done this for ya! You are well deserving too, ya know.
Shanna
it sounds like a bit of a mixed bag, but more good than bad. i hope you have good news on your other test soon!
xo
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