A Micro Chemo Break for Christmas

Hello People,

Some of you may not know this, but I LOVE CHRISTMAS!!! I have always loved Christmas. On Christmas Eve we are at my parent's house and Christmas Day we are at my Uncle Paul's and Auntie Gussie's house. These are two special nights with great food, wine, laughter and conversation. It may not be deep conversation (my life is deep enough thank you) and half the time you actually don't finish an entire conversation, but we laugh until we cry and my stomach aches from laughter by he time I get home. Oh and some break out into random song (the Aunts and my Cousin Julianna), but I don't sing - it would be very, very bad and they are very, very good.

I'm sure you can understand why I was a little nervous (angry - very angry) thinking that I would be having chemo until December 20th. Having chemo until December 20th would certainly put a damper (well a very large gray cloud) over Christmas. After MUCH discussion Kelly, Dr. G, Wayne and I decided that I would not have chemo on December 20th.

The current chemo schedule:
Today - everything went well.
Monday, December 13

Monday, January 3
Monday, January 10
Monday, January 17
Monday, January 24 (NO Chemo just a CT Scan to see how we are doing)

Once we have the January 24 CT Scan results and we check my current chemo tolerance level the decision will be made about more chemo or another break.

Regardless of the CT results Wayne and I will be headed to Marco Island sometime after January 24th for a little R&R!!!

I'm very excited that I won't be having chemo the week before or after Christmas. I'm very hopeful that allowing the chemo/Avastin to drain from my system will allow me to enjoy Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Eve.

So folks....the chemo continues, but I gave myself the gift of a 2 week chemo break during Christmas. Gotta be honest - I think I have earned it. I figure the worst that can happen is it grows and ya know what if it does we will get it in January and then I will head to Marco to relax after all the drugs (wish they were recreational : )

May your Christmas be filled with LOVE, FAMILY, FRIENDS, LAUGHTER and GREAT TIMES!!!

Lots of love,
Maria

Secret Pal Strikes Again....

I still don't know who Secret Pal is, but I must say that they must REALLY know me.

It snowed about 3 inches overnight and it is still snowing now. In the end I bet we will have 6 inches. For those of you that don't know this about me....I hate winter. I hate snow, cold weather, gray skies, slush, etc. Winter - you name it I hate it. The only redeeming thing about winter is that Christmas is in the middle of it.

So it's a cold, gray/white day and all I want to do is curl up on the couch with a big blanket and an old movie. Wayne would like to go shopping and I'm like "really, shopping, ugh."

Anywho - knock at the back door and we receive a beautiful Christmas bouquet that smells of pine. It is lovely. Lovely enough to lift my spirit. Maybe I will go shopping with Wayne.

Thank you Secret Pal. Your timing is always amazing.

Much love to all with an extra bit of love to Secret Pal.
Maria

Scan Results are Good, but not Great.

Hi All,
Thanks for your emails letting me know that you were praying for good scan results. The results are good, but I was looking for something a little more like great.

I have never liked, "good". That was a "good" meal, it's a "good" book, the kids are "good". Good is so vanilla. Great is the way to live...have great meals, read great books and by all means raise great kids.

Results:
The cancer has not spread
The cancer is not in my bones
One of the three tumors shrank by 3mm.
The other two tumors did not shrink, but did not grown, so they are stable.

So while I think it's "great" that nothing spread and nothing grew I have to admit I was really hoping for more shrinkage. I was hoping for that early Christmas present of a chemo break.

Folks the doctor has spoken and I won't be getting a chemo break just yet. Wayne and I will be in chemo on Monday, December 6. We will also be meeting with the doctor and asking a few questions. I'm sure he will just love some of the questions I have for him : )

What can I say, but keep praying.

I hope that you all have a lovely week.
Maria

CT Scan and Bone Scan Tomorrow - November 29

Hi All,

Happy (Late) Thanksgiving. I hope that everyone had a lovely day.

Tomorrow I will have my 3 month Bone Scan and CT Scan. I should have results on Tuesday. Once I have results I will post them for all to see.

I have had nine chemo treatments since September and they are kicking my butt, but I'm doing my best to hang in there. In my perfect world the tumors will have shrunk enough that Dr. G will give me a chemo break. A chemo break would be soooo great. Ah....a chemo break. That would be so awesome!
OK - in my perfect world I wouldn't have cancer, but hey I'll take what I can get : )

Please pray for GREAT results. If you happen to be saying a prayer....how about something along the lines of...

"Dear God - Maria needs a chemo break and would really like for her hair to grow in a little more normal because it's really cold when she goes outside and she is tired of looking like a rat...Amen...oh and P.S. Wayne needs a chemo break too"

Much love to all,
Maria

Update

Hi All,
I'm such a happy girl when I'm down on Marco Island.....relaxing. I have been down on the Island since October 30 and I must say.....
I LOVE IT, I LOVE IT, I LOVE IT!!!

I thought I would give you a health (or lack thereof - hah I'm funny) update.

I start the third cycle (7th treatment) of chemo on Monday, November 8. It is going to be one long day. I start with a back MRI (awesome - not really) then I have appointments with the oncologist, back surgeon and then chemo. Now that sounds like a great way to spend the day after a nice, relaxing vacation (HAH!!!)

The third chemo cycle will be over November 22. I will have a CT and Bone Scan the week after Thanksgiving. Once we get the scan results the doctor will tell me if I need to continue chemo or if the tumors have shrunk enough to award me a chemo break. I'm hopeful that I will get the break, but knowing Dr. G I'm sure he will keep me going until I physically can't take it.

Other than the obvious life is good. I'm loving the sun, the sand and the fresh air.

Once I have scan results I will share them.
Think good thoughts.

Love to all,
Maria

"Glory Be To God" by Grace

Glory be to God for...my Auntie Maria for her amazing strength through the toughest times of her life.

Thank you God for her beautiful spirit. She has had a very heartbreaking diagnosis of cancer.

She is the best and funniest most lovable and stunningly gorgeous Godmother you could ever ask for.

Praise Him.


Under that amazingly heart-wrenching prayer Grace drew a picture of the two of us. We are both smiling, clearly out shopping (purses in hand), I have short hair and I'm wearing an orange shirt (I know she did this on purpose because she knows it is my favorite color).


When you have cancer you seem to live your life in a series of moments. Moments when you feel well (or like your "real" self) and moments when you feel bad and just pray for night to come so you can start a new day.

However, it is the moments when I realize how much my being ill affects my nieces and nephews that move me the most. To read Grace write "best and funniest."
Best and Funniest will keep me going for a long time.
These are the moments that give me strength.

I love you Grace,
Auntie Maria

I Love to Travel

(Picture of Me and Wayne in Amsterdam at a beer garden)

Hello All,

Our trip was truly amazing.

I love, love, love Amsterdam. The people are wonderful, the city is lovely, extremely walkable and the beer is awesome. Wayne was working while we were there so I was alone during the day exploring the city on my own. I enjoyed every moment.

Paris has some of the most beautiful art and architecture I have ever seen, but for my money I'm headed to Amsterdam every time.

If you have never been to Amsterdam you must add it to your list of places to go.

If I had my way (so far) I would work remotely and live one month of each year in Amsterdam, Rome, Positano, Marco Island and Chicago. As we continue to travel I am certain I will be adding cities to that list.

The next countries on our list are Spain and Portugal. If anyone has been and has some fantastic tips please send me an email.

Much love to you all,
Maria

(Picture of Me and Wayne in Paris at a lovely Cafe)

Chemo - Yesterday

Hi there,

Yesterday was my first day back in the chemo saddle and it was fine.

The nurses were hysterical when they asked if we had any fun weekend plans. I said, "actually we are headed to Paris and Amsterdam tomorrow." I got a number of "you go girls", "that's the way to live", and my personal favorite "of course you are."

My schedule so far is:

September 20
September 27

Then the next week I will be off to San Antonio to run the COMMON Fall Conference & Expo, which fits in just perfectly because that is my off week for chemo. I will begin losing my hair that week (if everything is on track) so I may just shave my head in San Antonio. That would make the third city in three years for head shaving. The good-times never end : )

I will blog about our trip when we return.

Afscheid amd Au revoir,
Maria

Those CT / Bone Scan Results Stink!!!

Hello All,

I had my three month scans this week and well the results weren't horrible, but they weren't great.

The most important thing to know is that there is no evidence of disease in my bones, which is awesome. The cancer has not spread beyond my right lung, which is awesome.

Unfortunately, the tumors have grown. The tumor that disappeared has returned and is 2mm. The other two tumors have both grown. One grew by about 50%, which is not so good.

I spoke with Dr. G and Kelly and the next course of treatment is...............

They are adding back in the Taxol. So that means I will be starting chemo AGAIN, UGH!

You may not be aware of this, but Wayne and I are headed to Paris and Amsterdam this Saturday. You may wonder when am I going to start chemo. Well - I'm going to start chemo this Friday at 9:00am - OF COURSE. Who wouldn't want to start chemo and then head to Paris the next day? I'm sure the people on the plane will just love me.

The chemo will be once a week for three weeks with one week off. This is the same drill as the last round of chemo. I'm not sure how many rounds I will have, but they want to at least do three months.

Folks, I'm going to be honest I am going to need a little extra support. I'm already tired heading into chemo. The nurse at the hospital said, "at least we were able to give you this long break" and I would agree with that statement if I hadn't had back surgery twice since March. I'm a little beat up.

Wayne and I are ready to fight. We are gearing up for chemo, but more importantly we are gearing up for Paris and Amsterdam. We still have our priorities in order and our priority is to live.

Once we are back (September 14) and I have my chemo schedule I will let you know. I will be looking for volunteers to go to chemo with me. I figure everyone should join me for the good times.

This is a bump in the road. Don't get discouraged. I'm still strong, still fighting and still livin the good life.

I love you all very much,
Maria

OH HAPPY DAY......OH HAPPY DAY......C'Mon Sing It With Me Now!!!!

I can't express the joy I am feeling at this very moment. I had a CT Scan yesterday morning and I received the results about an hour ago and they are AWESOME!!!

I'm talkin awesome.

In April I had three tumors measuring:

1. 8MM (this was previously 5MM - nasty, strong, little thing)
2. almost 7MM
3. 2MM

In May I have....wait for it........

1. 5MM (the nasty, strong, little thing SHRANK 3MM - can I get a WOOHOO???)
2. 6MM - HELLO - this one SHRANK too.....OK I can barely contain myself.....
3. Oh and tumor #3...good-bye tumor number #3.... because, um, what was that???? That's right we can't see you anymore. So long sucker!!!

The doctor told me to keep doing whatever it is I am doing and they will keep doing what they have been doing.

I firmly believe that it was the food, wine, walking and peace of Italy, which made the tumors shrink. With that said if there is anyone out there that finds themselves headed to my motherland let me know and I just might tag along : )

Thank you all for your continued love, prayers and support. You make the hard days bearable and the good days even better.

What a way to start a long weekend and it's sunny outside - this is just the best day!!

Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!
I love you all!
Maria

Nazareth Academy Relay for Life 2010......Team Cancer Battle I and II Rocked!!!

Hello All,

I am happy to report that my alma mater, Nazareth Academy was hoping to raise $45,000 during the Relay for Life last weekend, but they far exceeded that number by raising over $86,000. Can I get an AMEN??

I am also happy to report that Team Cancer Battle came in 2nd Place, raising over $3,600. Can I get an AMEN? Thank you to every single person who participated, donated, thought about us during the 12 hour relay, or simply said a prayer with us in mind.


I have to give four special shout outs to my Relay for Life ALL NIGHTERS....

Debbie Barrick-Kamplain - my soul sister and speaking buddy (she did awesome).

Betty DiNatale - sister by marriage, but sister all the same. She walked all night blisters and all.

Katherine Campbell - my big sis. She went from Relay at 6am Sunday morning to my niece's dance competition after being up all night long. Can you say...amazing?

Wayne Madden - I'm giving him a shout out, but lets be honest if he had chosen not to stay overnight that wouldn't have gone well for him : )

I have to give one very special SHOUT OUT to my nephew
Eddie Campbell (aka the Buddha). Indulge me for a moment.

During Relay for Life they do a candle lighting ceremony for all of the people battling cancer and that includes all of those who have passed (this year it also included a candle for my college roommate whose death was more tragic than cancer). It is a very emotional ceremony. It just so happens that I was standing with my nephew at the time away from the rest of our team and well I was strong during most of it, most of it.

There was this moment when I thought about the people that we had lit candles for Walter Prus (Betty's Dad), Mr. Tucker (Monica's Dad), Mr. Miglio (Gwen's Dad), Lisa Callahan-Kay (my sister K's dear friend), Becky Klein (my college roommate) and my dear sister-in-law Shannon Madden-Allbright and well I just lost it. Tears were streaming down my face. I couldn't help it. I was trying to be strong in front of Buddha, but I just wept for the loss of these wonderful people.

What happened next was truly amazing. Eddie simply put his arms around me, told me how much he loved me and wiped my tears away (literally).

I have to tell you that cancer sucks, but it is the moments like that that make it bearable. To know that my eleven year old nephew is going to be a better man for having been a part of my battle makes me so happy. I love you Buddha...I really do!


I can't thank each of you enough. It was a fantastic night that meant a great deal to me. I really wanted to honor all of the people that are dealing or have dealt with some form of cancer and not just the boob cancer.


I love you all dearly,
Maria xo

I'm Sorry, but Those Results Aren't Good Enough

Hi All,

Well you had to know that one day I would write and say that the scan results were not great.

Good news first, NO EVIDENCE OF DISEASE IN THE BONE - woo-hoo

Not so good news, One of the tumors in my lung has grown (damn tumor)

Next steps:
Wait two months (I just love waiting) and re-scan. If the tumor has grown then I may be headed back to have my head shaved before I start chemo. I swear I am destined to spend most of my 30's bald.

The moment I know anything you will.


OK enough of that...
On a much sweeter note... Wayne and I are finally taking our honeymoon from May 9 - May 20. We are headed to magnificent Italy.

All I can say about that is.....

La dolce vita (Italian for "the sweet life" or "the good life")

Always remember that no matter what comes your way the core of life is sweet. For two weeks in Italy I am going to embrace every moment of my sweet life with my sweet husband.

I love you all very, very, much!
Maria

Home and Recovering

Hello All,

I must say that Northwestern never ceases to amaze me. Mom and I spent more time in pre-operative assessment on Monday than Wayne and I spent the day of surgery. Now that's something.

Surgery went right on time and went just as planned. Wayne as always was a complete hero.

I'm at home with pain, pain meds, no pain meds (they give me soooo much nausea), in the chair, out of the chair, laying down - no that hurts, on my side - ooh better - ooh no... now that hurts. I'm sure it will be a few interesting days, but hopefully by the weekend I will feel more like my old self.

One wonderful thing about this surgery is you actually feel better after it - now there is a novel idea and something that I haven't experienced until now.

To NWMH I say thank you - once again you have exceeded my expectations.

To my family - yeah you! Not sure how you bear to go through all of this with me, but I greatly appreciate it.

Love and thanks for all of your prayers!
Maria

The Straw that Broke Maria's Back...

I will begin this entry by saying that my MRI of the Spine shows NO EVIDENCE OF DISEASE. It's amazing how wonderful it is to hear those words, but because I seem to never have a dull moment I OF COURSE have a health related update....


I have degenerative disks in my lower back. Of course I do. Why wouldn't I???
For about two years I have been getting back injections to ease the pain, but back injections are not longer working so it is time to bring in the big guns.....and have a back "procedure" as my Mother likes to refer to it.


While on Marco (yeah Marco) last week I bent over and well couldn't get back up. After many days of pain, meds, heating pads, tears and sleepless nights an MRI was ordered and read.

The findings, "One of the three largest herniated disks I have ever seen (my doctor)"

After reviewing the MRI's with the surgeon the decision was made. Wayne and I will head to our home away from home... Northwestern Memorial Hospital... tomorrow morning and go "stand-by" waiting for my doctor to give the word that it is my turn to go under (for about an hour) and have my herniated disk problem fixed. If I am taken late in the day I will spend the night, but hopefully that won't be the case and I will be home in my own bed tomorrow night.

We will keep you posted.

Love to all,
M

2010 Nazareth Academy Relay for Life

2010 Relay For Life of Nazareth Academy
Saturday, May 22-23, 2010 6:30 p.m. at Nazareth Academy

My Reason to Relay

Aside from the obvious reason to participate....trying to save lives....

There are a three reasons why I chose to participate in Relay over all of the other fundraisers.

1. Relay is being held at Nazareth where I have so many wonderful memories.

2. I used to do Relay in honor of my friend Monica's father who lost his battle with cancer in 2002. In 2010 I will walk for him again.

3. I walk in honor of my friend Becky Klein. Some of my dearest memories are walking the Relay track with Becky praying for sunlight. I will walk and I will remember my dear friend.

Wouldn't it be awesome if 5, 10, 15 years from now there was no more cancer? Or if getting cancer was like getting the flu? Now that to me would be amazing.

I have been fighting the good fight and you have all been there with me every step of the way. So.....take a few steps around the track with me....raise some money and lets try to make cancer a thing of the past.

Check out the following link http://main.acsevents.org/goto/Maria_DiNatale_Madden
and JOIN TEAM CANCER BATTLE or make a donation. We are all in this together!

I love you all very much! Maria

Great News...The Tumors in my lungs HAVE NOT Grown and there is NO DISEASE in my bones.

Hello Friends and Family,

I am SO THRILLED to be able to tell you that I got excellent news from Kelly at the hospital just moments ago.

My CT Scan - showed no growth to the tumors in my right lung - what they call stable.

My Bone Scan - showed no evidence of disease in my bones.

Can I get a WooHoo?!?! I already got three WooHoos from my sister and at least two from Lizzy.

So the plan is to stay on the Avastin every three weeks. It is amazing to me that Avastin was only approved in 2008 for use with breast cancer patients and it seems to be keeping this disease under control. Who knows maybe something even better will come out in 2010 or 2011. Ya just gotta believe!

Thank you all for your continued friendship, love and prayers. You keep me going...more than you know.

I love you all!
Maria

Latest Update

Hello All,
I'm sorry that I haven't been updating lately, but there wasn't anything to report. I have been feeling good and going along with my Avastin every three weeks. The last few months have been good. Oh and for those of you who haven't seen me....I got my Christmas wish....my hair is back and really it doesn't look that bad. I have been lookin and feelin good!

However, it's "scan" time again, which is always a tough time. My Bone Scan and CT are scheduled for Monday, January 11. I probably won't receive any results until Tuesday or Wednesday. The moment I have results I will post them. Like I said I have been feeling good so hopefully the scans will look good.

Thanks for checking in on me. It means so much to know that people are checking in, thinking about me and praying for me.

Love Always,
Maria