I'll never capitalize cancer
I have alot going on in my life, more than just cancer and chemo. Sure it's a big part of my life right now, but it's not the most important part of my life. You will never see me spell it with a capital "c".
I'm a Wife and Mom. I love my Family. I have good Friends. We do fun stuff and dumb stuff and sometimes we argue and then we laugh again. We go to work and to the grocery store and we go swimming and have birthday parties and get ready for the first day of school.
I keep saying that I don't want ovarian cancer to define me, but sometimes I just can't help it.
A good friend put it this way for me "cancer may be defining your life for the moment, but it is not your entire life. You seem to just make time for it." That made me feel better.
If you want to see it from the beginning, my cancer story begins in March.
The rest of my story is happening now.
Abby had her first airplane ride, we went skiing, visited with longtime friends, I spent a week in the hospital and all the time kept up with work & school activities.
Advocare has been busy, too. Getting a few fresh new items for Spring, and getting ready for swimsuit weather!
The latest new product is Strawberry Slam! We still have LemonAid, Power Punch and Octane Orange available.
Also, the current special - buy 2 bottles of ThermoPlus for just $54.
All the other stuff? Gotta download some pics, then I'll tell that story.
Except for the bald heads, wheelchairs and medical ID bracelets, you would never know this was the waiting area for chemo treatments.
It's really more like social hour at the community center. And it's kinda noisy at that.
Three women over there are talking about where they want to go shopping now on their way back home. I think one of them is a bit hard of hearing, because they all are politely yelling at each other. And this group over here is waiting for Grandma to come out - it's Grandpa, the adult Daughter & her Husband and their college aged Granddaughter sitting on her boyfriend's lap. Someone in the group is doing some major DIY landscaping in their front yard. It's becoming frustrating and they are about to hire someone to finish the job. The couple over there in their running shoes are discussing an article in a Vanity fair magazine. She has a nice yellow Kate Spade bag, he has a backpack with his chemo pump in it - I'm guessing that means he has prostate cancer.
Those 2 guys just met. They both are wearing camo baseball caps - one in boots the other in UT Crocs. The Crocs guy has a bag, too - again, I'm guessing prostate cancer. They are talking hunting or sports or something. That guy over there has the TV remote; he's looking for a golf tournament.
Me? I'm online IM'ing Brian about returning a pair of sneakers we bought on RoadRunnerSports.com and making sure Abby gets a bath and in bed by 7:30 since it's a school night. And, I'm finishing up plans for our vacation - looking for discount lift tickets and car rentals.
Oh yeah, the elephant is standing over there.
I'm hungry. I hope they call me soon so I can order dinner in the room.
It happened again - while I was talking with a woman who was telling me about a great salad that is part of her new weight loss & fitness plan. She wants to lose about 50 pounds. "Oh but you're so fit," she says, "you don't need to worry about this stuff." I just smiled and said "Thank you."
Should I have told her? That I lost 35 pounds the hard way. That I have cancer, started chemo and was so sick that I couldn't eat and when I did it just came right back up.
I've gained alot of it back. I am really conscious of what I eat and work hard at putting the weight back on with healthy calories.
At times, there's a brief moment there when I want to be offended. But then I realize how crazy that is and this person, bless her heart, is just trying to be nice and is really proud of being able to accomplish her weight loss goals and I don't need to bring her down by launching into my story.
So I just say "Thank you." It's kinda like when people ask how I'm doing and I say "Fine, thanks for asking."
Actually, funny stuff happens all the time. Well, maybe not so funny to anyone else - I suppose it's all in the way you look at it.
I'm at MD Anderson today. It's one of my long days. That means I will have a 4 hour chemotherapy treatment. Before my treatment I have to get my labs (blood test) then I go to my chemo. There are several chemo treatment areas throughout MD Anderson. I get my labs done in the Main building and today my chemo is in the Mays clinic.
I had been reading an article in Southern Living magazine and hadn't finished it before my blood test so I took it with me and headed over to the shuttle to ride over to the other building. Now, you have to imagine MD Anderson as a kind of city with hundreds of Doctors in lab coats and patients with their families and administrators and support staff all walking around. It's really amazing.
I was sitting on the shuttle, it's like a big golf cart, next to someone in a white lab coat and she noticed the cover of my magazine had a picture of a delicious chocolate cake with ganache filling. She said, "Oh my, that cake looks absolutely deadly." I couldn't help but giggle and she asked me why. "Deadly? That's just a funny word to be using around here, don't you think?"
I found this article about Advocare's #1 Endorser, Drew Brees. His diet is free of gluten, egg & dairy. He still is able to use Advocare products.
You may see that I have a little tracker that let's me know about traffic to this blog. I've noticed that I get alot of search hits from folks using key words referring to hair loss. Well, I lost my hair due to chemotherapy. No big deal really, I knew it would grow back. The most annoying thing was losing my eyelashes and my eyebrows. But, I did get to go through the summer without having to shave my legs!
As far Advocare goes for those who are wondering about thinning hair and hair loss - I have heard that Anti Aging formula has been helpful due to the ingredient Reservatrol. Couple that with Amplify AT for even better results. And now Advocare's new product, BioTools has come out and it too contains Reservatrol.
I plan to attend the event in Houston Thursday Feb 24, to learn more about BioTools.
I also am looking forward to seeing - and thanking - a couple of people who helped me out last year when I first received my cancer diagnosis. Dr Judith Smith, the gynocological oncologist from MD Anderson who sits on the Advocare Sci/Med board and Mike Wade, the Advocare Regional VP who both helped me during that frantic afternoon when I got the results of my CT scan and had no idea what to do next.
So, for those of you who come back looking for answers to your questions about hair loss, I hope this was helpful. To learn more, join me in Houston or one of our other events, or contact me.
THIS WEEK ...
particularly for the "Boomer Stage" of Life!
I guess that's pretty much simplifying things, but really that's how I feel these days. But I have so much that I want to write about that I get stuck and end up just not writing about anything.
I have decided that something is better than nothing. I need to take a clue from one of my favorite bloggers MissNewOrleans - she is great at keeping up to date with just a few lines.
I am back on the air and having a great time! News/Talk radio tha is locally owned and live. Listen in online KSETlive.com.
And the cancer thing is under control. It's still serious, I am in clinical trials at MD Anderson and have to go to Houston for chemotherapy twice a week for six weeks, then I have another CT scan to see if I need to do it again. My CA 125 is down from around 300 to 34, and a tumor that appeared after my surgery has shrunk 50%. I guess all is good, the last time I was in to see my Drs, they all had big grins on their faces and were high fiving me.
That's the short of it.
Advocare still keeps me going. I really can feel the difference if I don't take my CorePlex or have a Spark. And the Meal Replacemet Shakes are always a perfect breakfast. Mornings also include OmegaPlex and Probiotic Restore. Then at lunch I take a couple more Calcium Plus - chemotherapy messes with calcium levels. I have been having some menopausal symptoms since my hysterectomy. Formula W is good for hot flashes, night sweats and mood swings. Rehydrate, Catalyst and Zzzs before bed for a good night's sleep and no puffiness or leg cramps.
Yes, it can happen. Join us on tonight's webinar to find out how.
Click here for all the information.
If you are in the Houston area, click here to find out about this fantastic Advocare meeting in Baytown.
This is where I will be Saturday afternoon - finding out about new products and events to close out the year and start a new one. A perfect time to learn how to help folks with New Year's resolutions and shedding those winter pounds. Or, finding ways to earn additional income and pay for travel & gift expenses.
I am so excited about the direction that Advocare is going and I want to go right along too.
Who Do You Know in Houston?
Get the group together and join Advocare Tuesday, October 13th at 7:00 PM for a Business Opportunity Meeting & "Human Performance Night " with special product training by Rob Graf, Director of AdvoCare Sports Endorsements and Dean Miller, Advocare Sports Advisory Council Member and Athletic Trainer - Motorcycle World Champions.
We'll be in North Houston at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Houston North Greenspoint, 425 North Sam Houston Parkway East.
Look for me under the Advocare tent tonight at First Friday in Groves. Come by to sample Spark and find out about our newest products and learn more about Advocare's financial opportunity.
First Friday in Groves Invites TJ Graduates for Reunion Night.
First Friday is a merchant-sponsored street fair held on the first Friday of every month on Lincoln Avenue in Groves. This month, First Friday extends a special invitation to all graduates of Thomas Jefferson High School for Reunion Night on Friday, September fourth, from six to nine P.M. Come clad in your school colors and join in on the fun.
The amazingly talented Bryce Shaver Band will be playing live music. Comprised of highly skilled musicians all younger than sixteen, this band is unique to say the least. These young artists play classic rock hits from the seventies and eighties as well as original songs. The band will perform at Celebration Park.
Disc Jockey Donna Marx will preside entertainment including recorded music and trivia, while Sunny the Clown and the Jester will paint faces and give away balloon animals. Shops will remain open until nine P.M and various merchants will display their merchandise along the avenue between Capitol and Jefferson.
Again, I have not been a good Blogger, but I can cut & paste what others have written. Here is the latest email update from my Husband Brian:
Since I sent the picture, I thought I'd better bring you all up to speed on her prognosis.
Teresa had what hopefully will be her LAST chemo treatment last week.
She had an allergic reaction and had to deal with hives that day. And she was out of it all weekend.
But she's back to her old, energetic self, (I get tired watching her buzz around) and all is good.
We go to MD Anderson in two and a half weeks for a checkup to make sure the cancer cells are gone.
Then it's every six months.
With Abrianna finally starting real school, kindergarten, I need her at her top speed. ;-)
Hope all is well with all of you.
Thanks again for your good thoughts and prayers.
Brian
Ladies, another call done by Robbie Page for you! Product info, facts of AdvoCare and stories to validate.
Today (Tuesday) 12:00 CST
Dial 712-432-0075
access 377712
Time to take care of some business.
I just found out about a special conference call where we'll hear about the benefits of AdvoCare - especially for Women:
Tuesday August 25th @ 12:00 Noon CST
Dial in:712-775-7100
Access code:462259
This is a special call with a focus on WOMEN. We have just introduced some fantastic new products. You'll hear about those and more with an emphasis on weight loss, energy and female nutritional support! We'll also learn about AdvoCare's financial opportunity.
If you have any questions or miss the call, be sure to contact me.
I can hardly believe it has been so long since my last post.
I had another round of chemo, a couple of garage sales, and then my surgery on June 18. I spent a week in the hospital and then some rest and recovery. Dad came to MD Anderson for my surgery, then Mom came to Beaumont to spend time with Abby and help out during the first week home. I went back to Dallas with her and stayed at my Dad's where everyone entertained Abby and made sure that I took naps and didn't do any heavy lifting. Lately, I've just been busy celebrating my good news and living life.
Brian & I finally bought a new camera. Just an easy point & shoot that has a few features to help me out with out of focus faces and dark backgrounds. We have had some wonderful visits with Friends and Family and I want to be sure to capture the memories. I will post them soon.
For now, I'll just put up Brian's email update:
I wish I could say it was all over but we still have work to do.
Teresa had her hysterectomy today and it was a resounding success.
Her doctor says only 10 percent of ovarian cancer patients responded as well to chemo treatment as Teresa did.
She told me she saw tumors that had been melted away by the chemo that she's never seen melted away before.
All the small tumors outside the uterus are gone and the hysterectomy removed the few tumors that were left.
And that doubles the life expectancy that most such patients get.
I am thrilled and grateful but selfishly was hoping for more than a few more years to hope for a cure or better treatment.
The doctor did say that Teresa's spirit is amazing and she fully expects her to cheat her prognosis.
We can only hope.
All the folks at MDAnderson were wonderful and the level of service seems higher than any other medical institution I'm familiar with.
She begins another round of chemo in just a few short weeks even before she's completely recovered from this surgery.
The doctor is hoping to strike while the iron's hot and nail the cancer cells that remain.
That means chemo every three weeks for three treatments.
Then a bi annual or yearly checkup or treatment from now on.
Abby just knows her mommy was treated by the doctor and will be home soon to recover.
I wish I had time and memory to list all the things our wonderful friends have done for us and have offered to continue doing.
Keep us in your prayers as you are all in mine and ours.
Brian
It has been a while since I updated this, so here is a quick post.
I had my 3rd chemo treatment Wed and things went smoothly, kinda becoming a routine now. I am feeling fine, no nausea. Went to Abby's Field Day today and am finishing up getting things together for my garage sale this weekend.
I have been planning this garage sale for probably a year now. I can't belive how much stuff we have in boxes that we had forgotten about. Baby girl to 4 toddler all going to a new home for someone else to love on.
Good news from my Doctors last week. I was having one of my "Oh, woe is me" days. I told Dr Schmeler at MD Anderson that I wanted to teach my daughter to ski and take her on a cruise on the Big Red Boat and I was worried I was not to going to be around to do either. She told me to go ahead and plan on going skiing next Spring but I should wait until next Summer to take the cruise. And to quit reading the magazines in the waiting room.
Dr Lavalais at the Julie & Ben Rogers Cancer Center here in Beaumont told me that my blood tests were looking good. Especially the CA 125, which is a tumor marker. Normal people who do not have cancer will have a test number of about 30. When I started chemo, my number was 365, now it is 81. That means that the cancer cells are not reproducing as rapidly and are not producing the fluid that was causing problems before. Also, my cysts and other stuff (tech term) are shrinking. Mostly it means that I am having a positive response to the chemo therapy.
Other things keeping me busy - Abby's end of the year school programs and rehearsals for her upcoming dance recital. And we are getting a ton of mail. The bills are coming in and I have to be sure that we keep it straight. I am filling out aps for financial assistance and arranging payment plans.
Keeping my calendar is really important now. Drs appts, rehearsal schedule, payment deadlines, playdates and family visits ...
To add to it, there is a condition called "chemo brain" where you tend to lose focus and forget things. Yes, even more than usual!
That's the quickie version. Thanks again to everyone who has been checking in and keeping in touch. Give me a few days after the garage sale and I will try to have more and include some pics.
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