One Year Later! Happy 2012!

I can't believe this much time has gone by since the last time I wrote. Nothing was happening too quickly, so there wasn't anything to report. Now that 11 months have passed, I have a lot to report. My Cytarabine infusions were stopped in November 2010 because my liver was showing signs of stress (it is back to normal now). They started me on a Chemo Pill December 1, 2010 and my skin broke out with little bumps. They were getting worse and nothing would get rid of them, so we stopped that medicine December 22ND. The rash I had was biopsied and determined to be an allergic reaction. (which took 6 months to go away)

Then somehow, 3 months passed by, I saw my doctor Monday, March 14Th to discuss future treatment options. From this appointment, we determined that the lesions were still active and we should pursue treatment as long as it seemed necessary. So, the next step was to start me on another Chemo Pill which apparently wasn't supported or approved by my insurance company - so that never happened. While I waited for the next plan of attack, my arms (especially the right) got weaker and developed intense pain. Both elbows were incredibly painful to the touch, my grip became weak and the ability to lift a glass of tea was getting harder and harder. One Sunday, I couldn't lift the Hymnal out of the pocket in the pew in front of me. Then at the grocery store I had trouble picking up a bag of marsh mellows from the bottom shelf. David comes to my defense and reminds me that it was JUMBO marsh mellows, so it would have been tough for anyone. (ha ha) But, when I can't lift a full glass of tea or soda at a restaurant, it gets a little depressing. By the evening, I would be so fatigued, I felt like I was 90 years old. I ached all over, I had trouble walking and I just felt icky all over. By the end of the summer, I was truly worried about going back to work and making it through the year.

So, to prepare, I started walking daily, bumped up my vitamin D, and joint pain vitamins and started drinking a little 'Willard's Water' with my vitamins. Surprisingly, come August, I felt 90 percent better...here we are in December 2012 and I would say I am still holding strong at 80 percent better. I am not sure if it was the walking, the vitamins, the Willard's Water or just TIME for the Chemo to really take effect but, people at work even said, "Misty is back!" I am at my best in the morning and fade quickly at night, but who doesn't anymore? Life is so busy with my sons going to High School and my daughter in Middle School. Time just goes faster and faster. To sum it up, I have been in good shape for 5 months and I am not going to ask any questions. I am just happy that I am doing so much better. LCH is known to go into spontaneous remission and what triggers it is not known -but, I think mine is in remission now.

On the family front: a lot has happened this year! We lost treasured pets of almost 17 years. Some of you know them - our dog, 'Demitri' and our cat 'Jasper'.

Tabby started Middle School and the twins started High School. David's office lost their office manager to breast cancer and have been through a major re-structuring. Over-all, it has been a long, tough year. We welcome 2012 with the adoption of 2, cute little kittens. A fresh new start in so many ways.

Happy New Beginnings to You and Yours in 2012!

A Day at the SPA - "Special Patient Appointment"

My day at the MDA SPA was filled with good reports, great times and super happy memories! It was everything I imagined it would be and better! My spirits have been lifted!

Aunt Kay picked me up at the crack of dawn and we made it to MD Anderson with plenty of time to prepare for my Watsu Brain Scan. I brought my purple silk robe and fuzzy slippers to keep it cozy. Then as I laid down on the table, I placed cool cucumbers on my eyes and enjoyed some music, as the magnets started their clanking and the Watsu MRI began. It was the best MRI ever!

Then off we went to the Indigenous Echo-Cardiogram. (I should have left my robe on for the picture.) This is the machine they use. I've never had one before but it is just like an ultrasound except it is of the heart. I got to see my healthy and strong heart at work. I could even spot the catheter from my port pulsating in my ventricle! That was wild and a little creepy! I didn't realize it went straight into my heart.

The best part was saved for last...a Mental Relaxation Therapy Session with my Greek Oncologist, Dr. Nick. We discussed my last couple of months on Cytarabine, today's test results, and the road ahead as he gave me the best manicure I have ever had.

Basically, everything looks good! My heart is healthy and strong. My brain is still there! (David wants to see the pictures for proof.) The lesions are stable (not bigger/no new ones) and my blood tests show all is normal! My liver enzymes are even back to normal! I can actually end the day with a glass of wine. As for the change in meds! It is official. The infusions of Cytarabine are over! I did 5 months and that is all my body can handle. I will now be on a Chemo pill "Gleevec". Dr. Nick likes this choice of medicine better than the last one and predicts I will be much more comfortable. It is not the one he described as a nuclear bomb going off in my immune system like I first thought. If fact, when I asked him about that he said, "GLEEVEC has a good sounding name "Gleeeee" with a little punch at the end "vec". The Nuclear bomb like medicine he was talking about this summer was more like "AK47" but, I can't remember the actual letters and numbers he said...you get the idea though. AK47 sounds like it's gonna come in, blow everything up and leave me for dead on the cold floor...scary.


This is the nurse that has to listen to all my calls...and she is still smiling!


This is my new manicurist!

I know Dr. Nick was just being himself, but I don't think he realizes how much he lifted my spirits today! For him to play along with my little game that I was spending the day at the SPA did more for my mental state than I even expected. I know attitude is half the battle and I try to keep a positive outlook on life but, I guess I didn't expect it to work so well. I truly feel stronger, more optimistic and now "GLEEFUL!" I believe with all my heart, I can make it through the second half of the treatment knowing I WILL beat this thing and leave it all behind me! I still have a long life journey ahead. This is only a mere bump in the road.

After a long day at the SPA, one needs food! So, Aunt Kay and I had a nice Asian meal at Pei Wei's on HWY 50. Thank you, Aunt Kay for sharing this day with me. It was so amazing.

Post Treatment #2 - Off Week 2 & 3

The last 2 weeks have been really good. We got our computers on the freshman campus, now I just need my studio equipment. I was even able to work one football game and one volleyball game. Since I teach at a high school, I can help out at sporting events and get paid. I was pleasantly surprised at my ability to stay up and alert but, I did it. Yes, I was REALLY tired the next day - but it wasn't that bad. We all had Labor Day off - so it was great to have a 3 day weekend with the family. I rested a lot and was able to meet old TV Production friends Loren Meyer and Denis Lauziere for lunch. (they're not old...oh, you know what I mean - I love you two!) Then, the family and I crashed Kelley and Melanie's house for dinner. (these are friends of ours that we go camping with every year) Here's my kids with their cute boy Ben. They really adore him!!! Thank you Melanie for the casserole (we put it in the freezer to pull out during my next treatment). Here's a little story that I couldn't decide if I should share or not. But, one afternoon, I knew all three of our kids were going to be riding their bikes home from school together at the same time. I got home early enough to get on my bike and meet them - so, I did. I know you just fell out of your chair but it is true. It just wasn't as easy as it sounds and I won't be doing that again. My thoughts were, "I have an hour...it's 1.9 miles away. I can just take my time." I grabbed a bottle of ice water and off I went. It was in the upper 90's that day, I think I made it all the way to the corner before I started to doubt my decision. But, I am stubborn and I kept going because I really wanted to be able to. Half way there, I stopped under a tree and drank my water. Now regretting I ever had this idea in the first place. Then I pushed off for the final stretch and gave up around the corner from their school where I waited for them in the shade. I just felt soooo out of shape, and a little off balanced but nothing else really. I rode slowly home and didn't do anything else for the rest of the evening. I survived! Best part is, the kids loved that I did it! That's all that matters. My Aunt Kay and Uncle Jim have made us dinner for the last 2 Fridays and it has been fabulous - not to mention a God send! I wake up at 5 AM everyday and just can't whip up dinner every night right now. Garrett wants to take cooking lessons from her. I'd just like Garrett and Justin to start cooking anything. But, we're so thankful for her cooking talents and all that she does for us! Here's the highlight of my week - I got to see the dietitian and my Dr. at MD Anderson back to back. First, I met with the dietitian who told me about a new study on Vitamin D. They have found that it turns into a hormone, penetrates the cells and helps them to function normally! Since my cells are malfunctioning, I'll take anything I can to help them get it together. She also gave me some helpful tips to help me this next round with my stomach issues but said I can eat anything that doesn't bother me. They're just big on getting enough fiber, drinking plenty of fluids (no green tea - apparently it counteracts Chemo) and they recommend having Miralax in the medicine cabinet - just in case. Next, they had me running up stairs to see my Doc. Don't worry, I'm no fool, I took the elevator. Dr. Nick feels I am tolerating the treatments fantastically! He was also surprised to learn that I didn't have a prescription for anti-nausea to help me at home. So, maybe that will change everything. He also added a vitamin D blood level check along with my regular blood work and agrees with the dietitian that I should try taking vitamin D supplements. I asked him about exercise and told him about my pitiful attempt to ride my bike and he surprised me by saying he wants me to exercise 3 times a week when I feel up to it. So, I guess I'll be getting on my bike again. I think I'll just stay closer to home next time. And it won't be happening the week of treatment, that I know. Oh, he also wants me to get a flu shot since I work in a school. Usually, they don't recommend that for Chemo patients. David and I went to a taping of the Family Feud Show Saturday night. That was fun. It is always fascinating to see what they don't show you on TV. The very first question for example....the contestants answers were so lame - neither one got a right answer. So, they scrapped the question and gave them a new one. I think the question was, "Name something a husband doesn't want to be told how to do by his wife." One guy said, "sleep" and the other guy said, "eat". The new host is Steve Harvey who is very entertaining and ragged on the contestants a lot. They must edit tons out of the final show. The audience warm up dude was great, too! He made us dance during a break. Which I did with great pleasure! Actually, it made me miss dancing. Amy S. you and I need to go out dancing again. I also saw some familiar faces from my old TV days...Dave, Frank, Tracy, Jamie and Tanya. That is always the best part for me. You all look marvelous! Monday I start my 3rd round and the Docs are in agreement to increase my dose from 150 to 170. I went in for blood work on Friday. This was going to be the first time they used my port for a blood draw. I think it is supposed to work. Unfortunately, the nurse couldn't get the needle in the right spot. She kept trying until I begged her to stick my arm - which she gladly did. I asked her what she thought was wrong and she just said my port is really deep and the quarter inch needle wasn't long enough. I hope it was just her and it goes in easily Monday. Which reminds me, I should go sit in my hot tub before Monday. After all, if my neighbors cat can enjoy our sink, I should be able to enjoy my hot tub. Yes, take a look at this wacky cat in my sink - he reminds me of when I had a pet bird that loved baths. Tabby thinks we should turn it in to America's Funniest Videos. These are the little things in life that keep me distracted from my own drama so I can keep smiling.