A few folks have been asking what's up, so I'll try to update here...it's hard to want to be in on a computer when it's so nice outside, but I guess I need a break from obsessing over the yard. (Not that it looks like I have been, but there's bits of progress!!) Peas are about 4" high, and we've got more seeds ready for the next planting. Walla Walla onions and Swiss Chard went in yesterday, and the 3 artichokes made it through the freeze and are making a valiant attempt to thrive in this great weather. I'm trying to not get the tomatoes in too early only to have them get too cold at night. It's sooo tempting! The bed is now fertilized and is warming up under a red plastic tomato "mulch" ready to recieve this years babies. I'll try just about anything to avoid weeds, and the plants seem to like the red and the warmth. We've been putting in about 18-25 tomatoes/year, and I try to get them to ripen as much as possible before fall hits. I thought I'd try a new plant this year, similar to a potato in that it grows edible tubers. It gets 4-8 feet tall, has velvety leaves, and is supposed to be full of minerals, tastes good, and is good for blood cleansing. It's called a Yacon Bolivian Sunroot. Fun to try, anyway. Now I just need to find a place for it. I also just potted a new Meyer Lemon tree that I purchased with some b-day cash. It's got about 8-10 tiny lemons on it now, and about the same amt. of flowers, so hopefully I'll get some organic homegrown lemons this year. Valerie and I seem to be entranced with -or maybe in need of- some pretty colors and smells this summer, so we both keep coming home with a little flower here and another there to pot. New pots of spearmint and peppermint, and a revamping of the front herb garden feels great. We got hooked on bread dipped in rosemary/garlic plus some spices infused in olive oil. I can't do the bread this year, but the plants still are nice in the bath or in oil for massage, or....always experimenting.
Well, that's the outside report, so here's the "inside" scoop...
The last scan report showed that there were no tumors left in the brain, just some residual scar type tissue that will probably always show up. There are no New lesions, either, which I'm very grateful for. The spine seemed stable (no new lesions, just the little holes from the prior tumors that chomped through the bone.) No one on any physical exam can find remnants of the breast cancer in the actual breast. So that means that we're still just dealing with the liver. The CEA levels are fluctuating a bit-the lowest was 5.7 about a month ago, then 6.1 a couple of weeks ago. Still have hair, (am slowly losing eyelashes) no neuropathy, nausea, etc. Amazing.
Tomorrow (Wednesday), I'll be starting a new type of therapy. I'll be getting about 50-75 grams of vitamin C in my IV line, and I'll be also taking an oral form of vitamin K3. The combination of these two is supposed to cause a new type cell death; the cell actually scissors itself into little pieces. It affects only cancer cells, not healthy ones and is perported to be nontoxic. Sounds good to me! Until my body learns to recognize and destroy cancer cells on it's own, I need to rely on some other therapies to do it for me. It's nice to have some non-toxic options. The IVC will be on Wed. and Fri. for 2-3 hours, with chemo sandwiched in there on Thursdays. Oral K3 will be taken daily with oral V-C. (Oral V-C on non IVC days) The plan is to do this for 10 weeks. It is going to be a challenge to be stuck in a chair for that many hours for that many weeks, but ya do what ya gotta do, I guess! If anyone is bored and wants to hang out in a chair with me, I'll be easy to find!
Haven't found any live vaccines yet that are appropriate, so that's on hold.
There are some radiation techniques that the Cancer Treatment Centers of America have, in Tulsa OK, but our insurance won't cover that yet. I guess that specific center has some cutting edge liver cancer treatments, plus they could work with the systemic chemo. which, after Stanford, looks like I'd need so that the cancer doesn't grow in one area while they're zapping another.
I think that's about it...Nicole graduates with her accounting degree this June, so that's exciting. Her job at Benton County Health Dept. con't. to go well, and we're proud that she's going to be debt free when she gets her degree. She's thinking about what to do next, and will probably decide closer to graduation. The other kiddos are doing pretty well also, especially now that the sun's out!
Pat and I got to go to the beach this last weekend with another couple, and we left all the kids at our friends' house. Nicole and Valerie had our younger 3 plus their 4 children, both families' dogs, a bunch of sheep, a guinea pig, 6 chickens and a cat. It was pretty exciting! I think the kids are all just about caught up on their sleep. It was a treat to go away with another couple. It's the first time we'd done that, and what a treat to be with real adults with similar values for a whole 2 days!! Our family got to go away about 2 weeks ago to a beach house in Waldport. I highly recommend this house. What a blast, and right on the beach. They have a room downstairs that has about 1 1/2 feet of sand in it, with swings, lots of toys, etc., and the whole house is very comfortable. Big wrap around deck, sunroom, lots of space to sprawl out...and extremely reasonable rates. Let us know if you want the contact info.: it's available for rent.
Ok, enough's enough. Prayers are still coveted, and many many many thanks for those that are helping out financially also. You are appreciated so much. A lot of this stuff-even the monthly supplements that help me deal with the chemo and help me keep going-wouldn't be possible without you. It's a relief to have the assistance. Thanks also to those who've furnished the beach house for us to get away in, the massages, the food, and everything else you folks do.
We love you guys so much. Each of you is such a blessing, and I hope you can feel how much you are treasured...by our family as well as our Savior!!
Have a blessed month,
Lots of love,
Jeanne H.
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