Picture in the Newspaper on Sunday

Pictures from Volleyball for the Cure

Click the play button, then sit back and enjoy the show!

Tiger Volleyball Team Poses with Ms. Kahn

Click the picture below to enlarge it.

Port Out -- I am Done!!!!!!!

Friday was a good day. My appointment with the surgeon was at 8AM by 9:15AM we were driving up to the house, and I was port-less. The surgery was not pleasant, as I was awake the whole time and the initial shot of anesthetic stung and burned. That part was quick, and I really could not feel a thing when my skin was cut and the device was removed. Dr. Corsetti's resident performed the surgery, but Dr. Corsetti was watching every step of the way. I did not worry. Though when the resident pulled off his mask, he looked so young. That was a bit disconcerting.

I got to take the port home. I have pictures to share. I have not had time to work on the pictures to get them publishable. I will do that within a few days.

My Name in the Paper

Click here to read about the volleyball tournament on Saturday. Okay, they spelled my name wrong, but at least I was in the paper.

Port Removal Day Fast Approaching

I am anxious about Friday. On the one hand I am thrilled that my port-a-cath will be removed, but on the other hand I am not looking forward to any pain. I heard that the doctor will use a local anesthetic and that it should only minutes to take out. Okay, just make it quick.

Above you see a picture of the logo on the shirt for Saturday's game. The Taylor Tigers are hosting a volleyball tournament to benefit breast cancer. I mentioned it in an earlier post. I am not a big fan of pink, but I will be wearing it on Saturday at the game. After game two I will be called down courtside and given a plaque.

October is almost here - Think Pink

On October 10th the Patrick Taylor volleyball team is sponsoring a tournament to benefit breast cancer . All money raised will be presented to the Komen foundation. I am going to be honored at the game on the 10th. I had to buy a pink t-shirt for the game. I will post pics when I get the shirt. I really don't know what the honor will entail. I am afraid to ask.

On October 25th is the annual Komen Race for the Cure against breast cancer. The school has formed a team. I will be walking with students and teachers in that event. If you would like to donate in my name go here-->donate to Komen here

Finally Scheduled

I was hoping that my port would be removed in September. I called today to find out that my surgeon is booked for the next month. I have an appointment on Friday, October 9th. I was told that it is not a major surgery but more like going to the dentist. We will see. Anyway, that is a milestone for me. No more bump on my chest. I am looking forward to it.

Almost Done

I used this blog to document my treatment for cancer which started April 2008 and finished July 2009. I have one more step to complete before I am truly done and that is getting the port-a-cath removed from my chest. This will happen some time in September. I think that after seeing the surgeon for that I will end this blog.

I have begun a new blog today. A blog that will not focus on my health but on my professional life as a school librarian. It should be a lot more fun. Click here to find my new blog--> Tales from a Loud Librarian.

Graduation from Chemo Diploma

30 Day Medical Review

It is getting near the end. I had my 30 day review with my oncologist and clinical trial nurse this past Thursday. Dr. Larned says that everything is good, and so now I will visit her every 3 months for 2 years. On each visit it is routine for me to do blood work. This was my last visit with Melanie. I am finished the clinical trial, however they do keep track of me for 5 years I think. So I will be getting phone calls from a data manager to give them updates on my health.

Every day is a step away from treatment.

Summer Vacation is Over

Tomorrow I go back to work. I am ready, but this has been a very busy summer that was so different from 2008. I have had lots of time to read, travel, and visit with friends. Now I have to get serious and focus on my school library. Luckily, it is a place that I love to be. It is also my good fortune that the reading that I so love is part of my job.

Another Step Back Into the Land of the Healthy

Today I had my first haircut since June of 2008. The sides were going crazy as was the back, but Kenneth wanted me to wait so I waited as long as possible. I am so pleased with my new haircut. Kenneth did a great job making it look like real hair. I am disappointed about the current thinness, but I am encouraged that it will grow. Having my hair shaped is certainly an improvement.

I am also taking a step and returning the scarves and hat that my sister lent me to wear. If I am going to be out in the sun, I need a hat so my scalp won't burn. However, I love the fact that I don't need to cover my head just to walk out my front door.

New Mexico Finale

We lost our Internet connection for several days in New Mexico, so I was not able to upload the last photos from our trip until we returned home.

For this trip we rented a casita with mountain views. Getting a mountain view is unusual in Santa Fe. We loved the location of our rental because we felt like we were outside of town with the views, but it was only a 10 to 15 minute drive to the Plaza. Here is a photo that shows the views from the upper patio. In the afternoons we would sit and watch the light change over the mountains.


On one of our last days we went to Pecos National Park to see the Indian ruins. The Pecos Pueblo was abandoned in the late 19th century. Here I am standing by the ruins of the 1717 church.

This is a picture of the church.
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Steve is climbing into a kiva that has been rebuilt. Kivas were used by the Native Americans for ceremonies and sacred rituals.

There had been some rain, and this cactus took advantage of the water and bloomed.

More From New Mexico

On Sunday we went to Bandelier National Monument to do some hiking. We have been before, so we chose a trail that neither of us had ever taken. It was a 2 mile round trip walk under shade through Frijoles Canyon. A very easy walk, until we arrived at the ladders. The ladders take you up 140 vertical feet to Alcove House, a former home of the Ancestral Pueblos (previously known as Anasazi). I decided that I could climb the 4 wooden ladders to the top. Here are some pictures to prove that I did it.

It is going to be a long way up.


Steve begins the ascent.


I take a rest before beginning another climb.


Steve has made it to the top along with a number of Boy Scouts.


This is the view looking out from Alcove House.


You can't visit New Mexico and not visit a few churches. This one was too small to enter.


A visit to Taos isn't complete unless we go to Blue Fish. Here is the entryway and the fabulous garden in front of the building.



I love the colors of New Mexico. Here is view taken somewhere on the route from Santa Fe to Taos.

Saturday in Santa Fe

Today was our first full day in Santa Fe. It was hot but we kept busy anyway. One of our stops was to Shidoni Foundry and Gallery in Tesuque just a 10 minute drive from Santa Fe. They have two huge fields full of sculptures, but we were there to see the bronze pour that the public is allowed to see only once a week.

The bronze must heat to around 2000 degrees farenheit before it can be poured.


The workers have donned their fashionable heat resistant outfits before the pour can begin. The pour does not start until precisely 2:45PM. You can see by the clock on the right that there is a minute to go. The workers have been diligently watching the clock.


Here are the molds getting positioned for the pour. There is a winch in the ceiling that is used to lift and move all the heavy equipment. It is very loud and very hot during the pour.


You can see the hot bronze being poured into the molds. It took about seven minutes for the whole event. However, there was a lot of prep work before the pour can occur. I was told that the molds can be broken and opened in an hour. The metal will still be hot. Usually, they put the filled molds aside for the weekend and open them on Mondays.


Steve met a new friend in the sculpture garden. He was quite friendly, not menacing at all.

I Have Done It!

Today I completed my 18th chemo treatment. Ringing the bell was awesome.
We took video of the event, but I can't figure out how to insert it into the blog on this computer. Until then I have some still pictures to post.
Here are the double doors to the chemo room that I dreaded.


Now I get to ring the bell.

Steve posed with me after I finished.

Tomorrow is the Day!

At 9AM tomorrow I will be walking through those double doors for the last time. I never thought that this day would arrive--my very last chemo treatment. I am doing a little dance here that you can't see.

To celebrate the end Steve and I will leave for Santa Fe on Friday. So the pictures of me ringing the bell to mark the occasion may not be posted until we get back.

The Young Lady Who Lived in a Shoe Box

In Houston we stayed in Jo Ann's newly renovated "shoe box". It is an old shoe repair store that has been renovated into a 600 square foot apartment. I guess that you would call it a pied-à-terre. Here is a picture of Jo Ann and Chris standing in the front of the shoe box. You can see that they kept the signs on the windows and unfortunately have had to contend with several people knocking on the door with shoes in hand.

Here is a picture of the back of the shoe box. That is Deborah Oppenheim leaving out of the gate. She drove with us so that she could visit her good friends in Houston.

We are creatures of habit. Here we are at dinner at Vietnam Restaurant. You will find a very similar picture on a blog post from July 2008 from last year's trip to Houston. Starting on the left and going clockwise around the table are Rick (lives in Houston), Chris, Jo Ann, Annie (who used to live in NOLA), Eileen (who used to live in NOLA), Mary Stuart (who used to live in NOLA), me , and Joan (married to Rick).

I met Mary Stuart when we taught at McMain together. In Houston she is working as an artist making and decorating wooden objects. This picture was taken in her studio.

Tomorrow is Another Travel Day

Tomorrow I am going on the 2nd annual trek to Houston with Chris Cunningham and Jo Ann Moinet. Jo Ann has just finished renovating a very petite sized home in the Heights neighborhood. Last year we stayed at an apartment that she had rented for a year. This is a "girl's" trip filled with visiting friends, eating, and shopping. Look for pics when I return. Too bad I am not heading to cooler weather, but it should be fun anyway.

Lots of Pics to Share

We have had a busy week. We spent four days in upstate New York in the town of Sugarloaf visiting John and Elizabeth Simon with their two kids, Kaleo and Dennery; then when we returned to NOLA my nephews were visiting from Virginia. Here are a bunch of pictures to show you all the fun that we had.

We played a round of mini golf. Here I am with John and Kaleo waiting to take our turn at this difficult hole.


Mini golf can be brutal; here is the gang taking a break.

I convinced Steve that we needed to take a day trip to Frenchtown, NJ, so that I could visit the original Blue fish store. The first picture is the storefront. It is an old mill that has been home to Blue fish since 1984. You may recognize me in the second picture. I have a smile on my face because I have just purchased a brand new Blue fish outfit.



We traveled up the road from the Simon's house to get ice cream and take in this view of Warwick Valley. As you can see it is a beautiful spot.



Steve and I posing with the kids. Last summer we visited with the Simon family in Nags Head, NC. You can go back to an old post in June of 2008 to see Dennery and Kaleo with all of their cousins.


When we returned to NOLA, we returned to the heat. My mother and I took Joshua and Zachary to the Aquarium in hopes of a cool outing.

This is Heaven

It is summertime, and it is 69 degrees inside with the windows open. I love it. Why do we spend the summer in New Orleans? I am looking out of a big picture window that faces a "forest." I have a comfy sofa to rest my head and a good book. I don't think that I will move for the rest of the day.

Only 1 More Left!!!!

Yesterday was my 9th Avastin treatment since January. I have now completed 17 chemotherapy infusions since May of last year. In three weeks I will walk through those double doors of the chemo room for the last time. I will finally get to ring the bell. That will be a momentous day for me and for Steve.

I can hardly believe it. Watch here for video of the occasion.

Since the summer hit in New Orleans, I have been experiencing horrible hot flashes (before summer I had them but the hot flashes were milder). They occur at least five times a day. I think so anyway, today I am making a count. I am curious to see how many I actually have every day. I am on my third one since I woke this morning. It is now 11:30AM. So the number will probably be higher than five. They can be embarrassing. The other day I was in a small shop and was talking to the sales rep when I began dripping from my forehead onto the merchandise. I tried to make a quick exit without being rude.

Tomorrow we travel up north to visit our friends John and Elizabeth Simon in Sugarloaf, NY. I am hoping the cooler weather there will keep the hot flashes at bay.

Mammogram - Check

On Thursday I went for a mammogram. I had one 6 months ago on the left side just before surgery. This was my 6 month check. Ochsner now has digital mammongraphy. It seems that it was easy for them to read the left side. All looked as it should post surgery, and they could compare it to the picture taken in December. I had to take multiple pics on the right side. Maybe 4 or 5 extra ones. I was starting to get nervous. Since it is difficult to compare the old mammograms to the digital ones, the doctors needed the extra shots. It took an hour, but I was given the all clear.

Later that day I went to see my surgeon. All well there too. However, I was hoping that I could schedule the removal of my port. That truly marks the end of this ordeal. Since the drug that I am taking blocks new blood vessels from forming, he doesn't want to remove the port until 6 weeks after my last treatment. That puts me into September for removal, which means some time away from work. So I don't have a definite date because they will not schedule that far in advance.

Active Weekend

I am trying to up my activity level. On Saturday we spent time in the garden weeding. That was my second day of weeding this week. The garden both in the back and in the front finally looks good. With no rain I am out there every other day watering, but I hate the weeding. I hate the watering too, but I like healthy plants more.

On Sunday I took Josey Brown for the monthly walk with the hounds around Audubon Park. There were only 6 greyhounds on our walk. On good months with the weather not so hot there are sometimes 12 hounds. They are something to see all together. Today was hot, and I found out that the walk will go on hiatus for the summer and resume in September. I know that it is hot, but Josey must be walked twice a day no matter what the weather.

Getting Near the End

I have been on a clinical trial for my whole chemotherapy regimen. When you sign up for a clinical trial, you are assigned a research nurse who holds your hand through the treatment. My first treatment was May 29, 2008 and my last treatment is planned for July 16, 2009. The nurse initially signed on to my case left Ochsner before I had my first chemo last May.

So I have been with Melanie Zazulak for over a year. I see her before each chemo. She asks me a zillion questions, and I get to ask her a zillion also. She schedules all my appointments. She is my connection to the doctor. It is a whole lot faster to call Melanie and get her to talk to Dr. Larned for me. She usually called back with a solution to my problem within twenty minutes. Melanie has made my journey much easier. I think that on July 16th will be my last visit with Melanie.

I finally got a picture of her during my last visit. Here we are in the hallway in oncology.

Back Home

We spent a long weekend visiting my father in law in Delray, FL. That was my first trip of the summer. Here is a picture of me with Bob.


On Thursday, I had my 7th Avastin treatment. Only two more left. YEA!!

No Haircut for Me

I don't like the way that my hair has been curling. It really bothers me; it is very frizzy too. I went to visit Kenneth today to see if my hair was ready for a cut. He said no. I should wait another two months before I get it cut. He shaved all my hair for me last year in the middle of June. It has been a year since I have had a haircut. I wish that I was ready for one now.

Val and Sal @ Patrick Taylor Academy

On Monday, May 18th I was asked by the school's salutatorian to accompany her to the annual Jefferson Parish School's Val/Sal luncheon. Each student is allowed to bring a teacher past or present who has had an influence on them. I was honored that Mai Vu chose me. The luncheon was held at Andrea's Restaurant. Each student spoke and each teacher spoke. That meant there were 44 mini-speeches. I was one of the few who wrote down words ahead of time. I choked up anyway. Below is a picture of the val and sal for Taylor, along with Tinashe Blanchet a math teacher who was asked to attend.

Just Two More Days

We have a half tomorrow and Tuesday, then I am off for the summer. I can't wait.

Only 3 More Avastin Treatments

Thursday was a long day. After a full day at school I saw the doctor and had a treatment. The Avastin drip lasts 30 minutes, but the nurse forgot to turn on the machine. When she came back to check on me 30 minutes later, I still had not had any medicine. Then my blood pressure dropped, and they had to give me saline. So I did not leave Ochsner until 5:30PM. I am doing fine, but three hours in the hospital after work is not my choice of fun things to do.

I Think That I Have Survived

I have eaten what I wanted today. I am feeling so much better. The one thing that I did not have while I was sick was hot flashes. They are back, so I guess that I am all mended.

This week I go for blood work to check my cholesterol and glucose levels and to have my seventh Avastin treatment.

The blood pressure medicine is working. My pressure now falls in the normal range.

I Think I Had Food Poisoning

On Thursday I picked up burritos from Felipe's for dinner. I had to eat early because I wanted to go back to school for a parent's meeting. I ate mine and left the house even before Steve got home from work. During the meeting my stomach began to hurt. Luckily, it wasn't until about an hour after I got home that the food I had eaten decided to leave me in a very ugly way.

On Friday I slept almost all day. I was very weak and getting up was a chore. I was able to eat some toast and thought that I was on the mend since I could eat.

I am still feeling weak and tired, and I have eaten very little. I hope that tomorrow I will be able to do my Sunday chores and get ready for another work week.

This is What I Do

We went to the Fest yesterday. I did pretty well in the heat, but we spent much of our time in the tents sitting in real chairs without the sun beating down on us - a much more civilized way to go. Today I rest, so that I can make it through another work week. Here is a picture of what I do when I am exhausted and need rest.

Great Day at the Jazz Fest

Doctor Follow Up

My radiologist oncologist said that I am good to go. My next mammogram will be in June. We had a long talk, and he explained that they are working on a protocol for doctor visits post treatment. Ochsner is trying to make a plan so patients don't have to visit so many doctors. So for the next year I will be seeing one of my doctor's every three months but not every doctor every three months.

The other thing I discussed with my doctor was my mammogram of one year ago after I found the lump. For some reason I assumed that the mass was not detected in the mammogram but only in the ultrasound taken the same day. I was wrong. The mass was seen in both, and they were pretty sure by the characteristics of the mass that I had cancer. They didn't tell me that. I only heard that I had cancer after my biopsy and the pathology report was completed. That was news to me. However, it really didn't matter if they suspected cancer before my biopsy because I would have just been worrying until I got the final results of the pathology.

Tomorrow I visit my new primary care physician. This is to discuss my blood pressure. I really don't want medication, but I may have no choice.

Last Day of Freedom

Tomorrow it is back to work. We only have five and a half weeks until the end of the school year, so I can't complain. I have two doctor appts. this week. I see the radiation oncologist on Thursday for a final check up. I think that he gives me the aokay for a mammogram at this time, but I might be mistaken. Then later that day I go back to Ochsner for my sixth Avastin treatment. This time I don't have to see the doctor, so it might take less than the usual two hours. I hope so anyway.

My original chemo nurse, I have had many over the last year, moved to a different department. The chemo room didn't look the same last time because there were so many new faces. I hope on Thursday that I will have one of the nurses that I know. It makes it a little easier and more comfortable.

A new book in one of my favorite series comes out on Tuesday, Tea Time for the Traditionally Built by Alexander McCall Smith. I have pre-ordered it for my Kindle. It will magically appear, and I can't wait. It will be a treat to savor as I sit for my treatment on Thursday.

I am a Top Chef Fan

Yesterday, there was a cooking demonstration by two chefs from the TV show Top Chef at the Green Market. Since I was off from school, I went with my mother. What fun. Here is a picture of Richard from season 4 acting as sous chef for Radhika from season 5. Radhika made halibut with lentils and corn and a bit of greens. She covered the fish in an Indian spice that her mother makes. It was delicious and not spicy at all, just flavorful.

Afterwards, they signed autographs, and I got to have my picture taken with them. That's me with the short hair in the middle.

Spring Break Finally Arrived

Today was the first of my 10 days off from spring break. What wonderful things did I do to celebrate? I think that I slept a good portion of the day. Oh well, I needed it.

Spring is Here

Okay, the roses are not from our garden though our garden is in full bloom. This time of year is its peak.

The photograph is a picture of the roses that I received as a gift from friends Elizabeth and John Simon. They were sent Fed Ex. The packaging was an amazing feat. Most of the blossoms were closed and opened after 24 hours in water.

My Mental State

I am moving along with life and nearing the end of my treatment, and I think that I am doing fine. Then yesterday afternoon, I tell Steve to give me 45 minutes to rest as I wanted to join him on a dog walk. I got up, changed clothes, and I think that I had taken about three or four steps beyond our gate when I ended up down on the sidewalk. My knees and hands were scraped, and I was quite shaken. It was all I could do to get up and get back inside to lie down.

Steve keeps reminding me to take it easy that I am not fully healed. He is right, but I keep ignoring him and try to keep up my pace pre-c.

Working on the Hairdo

If you know my family then you know that I come by baldness naturally. However, my sister, who went through the chemo process 14 years ago, wears her hair long. When both my father and my sister were visiting this week we took some pictures. I am working on growing my hair, but it is not a quick process.

The three of us:




My dad poses with me in my library:

It's a Beautiful Day in New Orleans

This is one of those days that you are really glad that you live in New Orleans. I am still low on energy and spend most of my time when not at work, at home. Today I am out on the deck in the back with my computer in my lap. The sun is shining but not too hot. The thermometer reads 80 degrees. I am glad that today is my day off so I can enjoy.

What did Elizabeth do today?

Mostly sleep. My father flew in very late last night. I thought that I was able to stay up late and sleep late and that would solve that. Apparently not. I spent much of the day resting except for enjoying a lobster lunch with Dad and Emily. They brought the lobster meat with them from Maine.

Life Without any Worries

See how Josey Brown, the greyhound, takes over the bed. She seems quite comfortable.

Shout out to Steve: HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!!

It was thirteen years ago today. Today the low was 64 degrees. On our wedding day the low was 29 degrees, and we planned an outdoor wedding. It was suppose to be just like it is today for our wedding. Oh well, everyone huddling under their coats was certainly something to remember.

Just One More Phase Left

It would have been nice to say that once radiation was done that my treatment would have been complete. Not so. I signed up for a long haul when I agreed to participate in the clinical trial. I go on Thursday for my fourth Avastin treatment. After that I will have six more every three weeks. I don't finish until the middle of July.

I am having some joint issues that I won't whine about here, but I plan to ask on Thursday if the Avastin exacerbates arthritis. I was first diagnosed with arthritis in one of my toes at 23, so it isn't new for me. However, I go through periods where it doesn't bother me and periods where I am very uncomfortable. Like now. I hope that there is a connection so that way I can't blame the discomfort on age but on the drugs.

Just a Quickie!

Here I am at school in my hatless state. Nobody seems to mind, and I have gotten compliments. Maybe not compliments, but people are pleased to see my head after so many months under wraps. I lost my hair mid-June 2008, and it is the beginning of March 2009 before I go without head covers. That is a long time.