Clean Bone Scan, Marco Island and a Tan....What a week!

Hi All,
The big news is that my bone scan is clean. Isn't that great news? I am beyond thrilled. I was sitting at the Crazy Flamingo on Marco Island with the college roommates (Monica, Trina and Emily) when I received a phone call from Nurse Kelly. She said, "How are you? You are going to be even better in about a minute." I thought that was a very cool way to tell me that the scan was clear. The ladies of ISU raised our glasses and celebrated the news!!!

I took the girls to the airport on Tuesday and picked-up Wayne. The time with my ladies was awesome. We laughed so hard. In fact a few times I laughed so hard it made my head hurt. The weather was fabulous when the girls were here and it has continued to be beautiful.

Since Saturday I have been to the spa, walked the beach, swam in the Gulf, had a few frozen cocktails, gone to Marco Movies, gone to Sweet Annie's (twice), read a book, read multiple magazines and I know Dr. G won't be thrilled with me, but he will have to agree that I look much better with a tan...almost healthy. The hair on my head is coming in, my eye lashes and eye brows are growing back and my fingers and toe nails are looking better everyday.

Wayne and I come back home on Sunday morning. When we cross the bridge and leave Marco we will pick-up all of our issues again. We head to the doctor Monday for Avastin and a doctor appointment.

However, while we are here our problems are on the other side of the bridge. This week started out great and will end great. It's nice to have a place to go where I feel protected from all of the tough things in life. Marco is without question my safe haven.

Cheers to safe havens!
Maria

"Maria" by Eddie Campbell (my almost 11 year old nephew)

My Aunt Maria is the most amazing person I know. She is hilarious, nice and a cancer survivor. She has had three different cancers and one of those she is currently being treated for. First, she had Hodgkins, which is a cancer of the blood. Next, the treatment for Hodgkins gave her breast cancer. Then, finally, her breast cancer spread to her lung so now she is having chemotherapy for that. We have many inside jokes such as paper bag and C.G. We go out to eat together and do other things too. I think she is the funniest, nicest person on the Earth, and the worst person this could happen to. She is beautiful in every way and she is the greatest aunt ever!

To my dear sweet Buddha - you made the blog! No one has ever said nicer things about me in my entire life. I would face cancer a million times to hear you say (and have you write) that I am amazing, hilarious, nice and beautiful.

Eddie - you mean the world to me. I love you with all of my heart, but don't tell Grace because she might get mad at you : )

GREAT News - The tumors HAVE NOT grown!

Hello All,
I am so thrilled to be able to send this email.....the tumors have not grown...the tumors have not spread!

I will continue to receive Avastin (not chemo) every three weeks until the doctor tells me otherwise.

I have a Bone Scan this Friday to make sure that the bones are free of disease. Keep praying for great results. Once I have those results I will let you know.

Thank you all for your continued support. I am going to sleep easy tonight knowing that we won this round!

Love,
Maria

Updates on Life

Hello there,


Chemo - Chemo was canceled for this week (it should have been Tuesday, October 6) because my finger nails and toe nails are still looking pretty ugly. I will go in on Monday, October 12 and I will have Avastin and/or chemo, but that won't be decided until I see the doctor.

I'm not sure what is next, perhaps, he will order me to start the three chemos I haven't had, perhaps he will have me continue on Avastin, perhaps he will send me for a CT Scan, OR perhaps he will buy me a plane ticket and send me for a vacation.....I doubt the last one, but a girl can dream : )

Once I find something out I will let you know. Please pray that he will order a CT Scan. I'm about all out of patience (not that I really had any : )

Hand Lotion - Thank you to all who sent me hand lotions or hand lotion recommendations. I have purchased EVERYTHING recommended and a few things that simply sounded good. Of course my hands still look horrible, but I think I'm a little over sensitive to how they look. Since I haven't had chemo in a few weeks hopefully they will start to heal and look a little less sad.

Hair - My hair is growing back slowly, but surely. It is coming in a lovely salt and pepper. I'm hopeful that as it continues to grow the pepper will will overtake the salt OR I will be making a quick trip to the salon to have it dyed back to my natural color. I am almost over the hump of looking like a rat without my hats on. Once the hair is long enough all hats and scarves will be packed away. If it weren't for the hair loss you really could hide your cancer from those people you don't want to share it with and being able to do that would make it easier...most days.

Children are the BEST! - My good friend Nora shared this story with me and I hope she doesn't mind that I share it with you, but it touched me so deeply that I just can't help myself.

I went to Nora's house without my hat on one afternoon and I really didn't think anything of it because Nora's boys are young so I thought they wouldn't even notice. Well, I couldn't have been more wrong. So here's what happened....

Seems when Nora was tucking her son into bed that evening and they were starting their evening prayers she said my name (they pray for me every night - yeah me)

Well his response to hearing my name was "Mom, we don't have to pray for Maria anymore."

When Nora asked him why....he said because "she's not sick anymore." I think Nora was hoping he had some child to God conversation and knew something no one else knew....so she asked him what he meant and he said (I love this) "Mom she's didn't have her hat on" (Like duh Mom...no hat....all better.)

Now the fact that I still don't have much hair didn't bother him at all, but the fact that he connects no hair and my hats with my being sick...well that says it all. I have to admit that since Nora shared this story with me I have been feeling a little better : )

Have a wonderful rest of the week. I know I am looking forward to the weekend!
Maria