Good News

During the past 3 months I have also been doing quite some spiritual holistic work. This started in December with some Journey work that was recommended via an impromptu reading I received from my friend Sue. I have also been doing energy healing, Reiki, Body Talk and then treated myself to 6 nights away at a health resort. There I received more Reiki, Muscle balancing and craniosacral therapy, besides the daily massage, reflexology and aquarobics.

The good news from the tests done Monday is that my tumor marker has come down to 55.3 and the CT scan shows no sign of active cancer being present. The lymph glands previously identified are still ever present but have reduced a tiny bit in size.

The next follow up will be in three months time

So the battle continues

I must apologise for not updating my blog in the past few months. It has not been easy for my family nor me.

The CT Scan done on 3 Dec 09 showed that the lesions had grown by more that 25% The protocol of the clinical trial states that if this occurs, you are rejected from the program. In fact, the lesions had grown by 35% but my tumor marker was still in the normal range – 16 (normal is between 0 and 35). Dr J did mention that we are in very early stages of disease growth. During the past 14 months, even with the re diagnosis Oct 08, my tumor marker has never been outside normal range. The next week I had an appointment with my normal oncologist Dr L. What a pleasure to see her again. She reviewed all the material and said she would not have called it yet. She also discussed the facts with the clinical trial Dr J and he agreed that in his professional capacity he would not have called it either, but in terms of the trial protocol he had to call it. Dec 19th Ian and I saw my gynecologist oncologist Dr H and we had a long open discussion in terms of treatment options are still open for myself. We agreed I would have my tumor marker tested again Jan 04 and depending on the value I would need another CT Scan.

Jan 4th I went for the tumor marker (OV125) and this came back at 163. Due to the sharp increase in this number I had another CT scan the following week, but the results were not much worse that the results of Dec. After some long discussions with Dr H, we reached agreement that we would wait until I showed more physical signs of disease. I have verified this with a number of different doctors, and the consensus is that by starting treatment too soon, more damage is done rather than good. Surgery remains an option which will be followed by more chemotherapy.

Then on the 23rd of January I saw Dr J (clinical trial) for my last ‘closing’ consultation. We discussed the options of surgery and the different chemotherapy options available at this stage. He did a small physical examination and found a ‘growth’ on the right side of my abdomen. Due to the fact that I was going to Europe the following day for business and then upon return I was going to a health resort, we agreed the next checks would only be done 15 Feb.

Monday 15 Feb I had some Ultrasound scans done. Dr L phoned me to say that we need to do a full retest…. Blood chemical, OV125, Chest X-rays, CT scan. This is now scheduled for Monday 22 February.

… will keep updating as I get the news …..

Wailing Wall

I have written many times how blessed I am with my circle of family and friends, and today I have to say that I am extremely blessed. Two weeks ago a dear friend, P, asked if I wanted to write a prayer as a friend of hers was going to Israel and she would gladly take my prayer to Jerusalem and deliver it to the Wailing Wall. The very next morning I wrote my prayer, put it in a sealed envelope and gave it to dear P. The letter left that Saturday and last week Thursday I received the wonderful news that the prayer had been blessed by the highest Rabbi and was placed in the wall. I cannot tell you how warm and emotional I felt with the news. I am not Jewish but I firmly believe that there in one higher power that governs all our lives.

September Bliss

The month of September was wonderful. Ian and I had a lovely long weekend at Grootbos Private Nature Reserve and the boys remained home without another incident where a major party was had. A couple of months ago, Ian and I also left them at home for one evening and they decided to have a little party. Over 40 kids arrived and apparently it was chaos. What we saw when we got home was a) the floors had been washed b) some glasses that are never used stood proudly on the TV cabinet as ornaments and c) our bar fridge was empty. Comments from the boys a) how do you know we washed the floors….. I said “the floor detergent is still outside” b) the comment was that they were not sure if the glasses went in the cupboard or were ornaments and c) Dylan’s comment was that he was wondering why so many kids were drinking light beers!! A big lesson was learnt and the have both promised they will never do it again. Then at the end of September we had a lovely family holiday at Sedgefield. The weather played along and we had a great time relaxing, reading, waterskiing, fishing, walking and cycling. Outdoor activities in nature make for early nights with loads of rest – just what the doctor ordered.

The CT scan last week has again reported ‘cancer stable’. I am still waiting for the tumor marker.

Yah Yah Yah

CT scan of today shown 'cancer unchanged' meaning I have no growth.... It has been stable now for over 4 months - lets hope and pray it remains that way. I still have to wait a few days for the tumor marker results.
I am doing really well. Working hard and back to normal on all fronts. I have this unruly bush of curly hair which is so thick, it is enough for two people. I am going overseas Saturday for 12 days (work) and will see my mom the weekend in between. Dylan is in the last weeks of school and starts his trial exams in less than 2 weeks and Sean passed his motorbike learners licence this week. So the boys are now independant in terms of day to day transport... what a change but I must admit the angels work overtime in our home and on the roads.

July 2009

The past 5 weeks have just flown by. Last week Thursday I saw Dr J at Clinical Trials. Part of the follow up is that I have blood tests and CT scan every 8 weeks and doctors follow up every 3 months. In essence everything is normal and my energy levels are really improving. The tumour are still there, however every small (11 and 5 mm respectively). The scan of 23 June showed a very small growth in the tumours but this is not enough change to say the cancer is growing. In the past month I have also had a bone density scan and this also showed that my bones are still ok even with the hammering that my body has had in the past nearly two years. My next CT scan is 13 August. I am feeling slightly anxious for this next scan and I really hope that I don’t end up stressing to the extent as I did for the previous. I was really in a bad way specially waiting for the results.

Blessings to God

I have passed the tests with flying colours. At this stage the cancer is stable, meaning that the tumours have not grown in the passed two months without my chemotherapy. My energy levels are improving and the colour in my face is starting to look normal again. I have even lost a few kilo’s now that I am not taking the cortisone.

Next CT scan is in 8 weeks time