Time to Go . . .

Okay, we really didn't want to leave. This afternoon when the storm was predicted to hit a category 5 once in the Gulf, that was the moment that the decision was made.
See the light pink dots--that designates a Cat 5, then the hot pink designates a Cat 4. The storm is not to be a direct hit to New Orleans, but the high winds could mean a nasty storm surge.

We have secured the house the best that we could. I have all my medical records neatly filed in a binder. I have also put together all our important papers. We have packed enough clothing for a long haul. We will drive to Atlanta. Since my mother is staying with my sister and my sister only has a two bedroom house, we are going to stay with Frederic and Cathy Kahn. The plan is to leave at 5AM before the majority of evacuees. Hah! Do you think that we will see a traffic jam on I-10 with bumper to bumper cars? Let's hope not. As we would like to get to Atlanta in less than 9 hours. Wish us luck.

Should we stay or should we go?

That is the question on most people's minds in New Orleans right now. Some of my students have already left town, some are packing up right now, others like us are still watching the track and hoping that home will be the safest place.


I am most comfortable at home. Without electricity I might amend that statement, but for now I am into the comfort of my own home. Today we will keep abreast of the news, rest because both of us are exhausted from work (another reason that evacuation sounds uninviting), and move outdoor objects to safety.

At the end of the day, if we need to leave town then we will head eastward to Atlanta before the crack of dawn on Sunday morning. I don't have another treatment due until September 11th, so I do not need require any medical attention before that Thursday.

Back to Work and Gustav

Today was my first full day back after my 5th treatment. I went in to work yesterday for about 4 hours. I was a basketcase after being there 3 hours and barely made it home in the afternoon to crawl into bed. Last night I had a full night's rest, my first since Thursday. It makes a world of difference. I made it through the whole day today. I still made a bee line into the bed when I got home at 3:15PM, but I only needed a short nap to recuperate from the day in the library.

I just want to mention Hurricane Gustav that is headed into the Gulf, so that I have a record of it for the future. Something else to worry about--I am not really thrilled about another worry. Hopefully, this hurricane will steer clear of NOLA, and we will be back to work after Labor Day. I have copies of all my medical records and lists of the medicines that I need to take for my next treatment. if for some reason we are not home.

5th Treatment was on August 21st

Before each chemo treatment I must get blood taken and tested and sometimes urine too. My clinical trial nurse, Melanie, was blown away because all the levels were in the normal range this time. I made a copy of the report for you. The column on the left gives my levels, and the column on the far right gives the normal ranges for each test that was made. I am in the normal range on all levels; no highs or lows on anything.

One of the new drugs that I got this round is called Adriamycin. This drug is not given in a drip like all the others. The nurse must inject it by hand. It is noted by its red color and is sometimes called the red devil. So far this weekend I have been able to tolerate the medication without too much nausea. I am on medication to help that will end tomorrow. I am extremely fatigued, but that is normal. My sleep patterns are all screwed up as I am up some in the night and must nap on and off during the day. I took off on Friday and will do that again tomorrow. We will see if I can make it to school on Tuesday. I am more than half way through the worst part of this ordeal, though I don't feel like celebrating.

New Drugs Tomorrow

My treatment tomorrow means that I will be receiving Adriamycin and Cytoxan. Both of these drugs have been used for breast cancer for many years and other cancers too. One of the most common side effect of these drugs is hair loss. Been there, done that. I guess that I won't be expecting my hair to grow back any time soon. The other common side effect is nausea. I hope the drugs they give me to counteract the nausea will work. I am awaiting the arrival of several pounds of ginger candy that seems to help ease the queasiness for me. World Market use to carry the candy, but they didn't have it during my last few visits there. I went there just to buy that candy and went home disappointed each time. That is why I love the Internet. I found the company that makes Gin Gins, and several bags are on the Fed Ex truck somewhere between California and my house right now.

Today I left school feeling good. I hate the thought that I will be sick again. It is hard to walk into the chemo room knowing that poison is going to be put into my body. As Steve keeps reminding me, we have to kill the C. That is my job right now. With the help of my Ochsner team, we are doing a pretty good job on the battlefield.

I AM A C . . .

I am over the Xeloda!

Here is the last one of the dreaded pills that I hate. I never have to take these again. I didn't think that I would ever reach this point in my treatment.

I had to take these pills for two weeks after the first four of my chemo treatments. Ugh! These pills were part of the clinical trial. They have been used effectively for later stage cancers, but they wanted to see the effectiveness with an early stage like mine. I dreaded each and every pill that I had to put in my mouth. The first two cycles I had to take 1650 mg--which meant four different pills after breakfast and dinner each day for two weeks. They tasted nasty, or maybe it was just the water that tasted nasty. They decreased my dose to 1300 mg for the last two cycles because I was having such awful side effects. That was when it hurt to walk or touch anything. I still had to take 4 pills to get the right dose just smaller tablets.

No more Xeloda for me, as they are not part of my chemical cocktail for the last four cylces of chemotherapy. I am half way through and still kicking.

Treatment number 5 is on Thursday.

Tumor is Changing

I wanted to let you know that we got a glowing report from Dr.Larned, my oncologist, during my visit on the 31st of July. I told her that I can feel the tumor is changing. Yes, to me it seems smaller! She agrees that it is changing. She said that is great news that the tumor is responding to the chemo. She keeps telling us how good it is to go through chemotherapy before surgery. She is very positive that I will get the results I want and be able to have a lumpectomy when it is time for surgery. So far, so good.

I made it through three days of work last week. I think that I over extended myself, as I cannot move off of the sofa today. Sunday is a day of rest for me. I will plan to leave when the bell rings each day after school, so I can nap or rest every afternoon as needed. Steve is encouraging me to do this, and I think that he is right.

Back to Work

I made it through my first day of school for the new year. Hurray!

The first thing that I did this morning was set up my refrigerator in the library so I could have cold drinks in the heat. The rest of the day I sat in meetings, so I sat and listened and worked on my laptop. This didn't call for too much energy. I left school at 2:40PM even though I could have stayed later to work in the library. Reading and a nap were on the afternoon agenda.

I did have some stomach issues today. This could have been nerves because of the start of school or the chemo. Either way I am happy that Immodium solves the stomach issues.

Last year at this time I set up a profile on Librarything.com to catalog all the books that I have read. From August 2007-August 2008 I have read 68 books. I don't know if this is more or less than I usually read. Anyway, if you are interested in seeing what I read this year check out this link.

4th Chemo Treatment -- 4 More to Go!

Before each treatment I have to see the doctor, and before I see the doctor I have to give Miss Cynthia some blood.

Here are the tools of her trade-->

Miss Cynthia is great. You put your arm out, turn your head, and before you know it she has filled the vials with blood for testing. She is amazing. She always has a smile on her face, and I don't mind that she is the first person that I see when I arrive for treatment.

This is Miss Cynthia-->

When I arrive in the chemo room, I have to pick a chair. I like to find one along the wall with windows. Here is a picture of the chair that I have used 3 times. You can see that it is a recliner. They want you to be comfortable.

Mary North, who teaches with me at Pat Taylor, came with me to this treatment.