been up and down with minor nagging health issues, but glad to say I am in good shape now.
On May 30th, I had a repeat colonoscopy; my first one was a year ago when I was diagnosed with colon cancer. This time I got much better news. The surgeon said my colonoscopy was "boring"! He found no suspicious findings & my surgical scar from the tumor resection had healed well. I got the "all clear"; I don't need another colonoscopy for 3 years. ;-)
On Monday, June 2nd I started back on chemo therapy after a two month break for lung surgery and cyberknife radiation procedures. Unfortunately, all did not go well. My daughters had both been sick with a gastrointestinal virus the prior week, so of course my turn to get the virus coincided with my first day back on chemo :-/. Having not yet recovered from the colonoscopy prep the prior week, then the insult of chemotherapy, and a GI bug - MY GUT WAS NOT HAPPY! My gut was not absorbing anything and just ran though. I quickly became dehydrated, got a urinary tract infection, and was put on antibiotics. This all made my gut even more unhappy; I ended up getting a liter of IV fluids with electrolytes at the infusion center for four consecutive days. I felt like hell! Finally, my gut began to calm down. It took the following 3 weeks of medications, diet changes, probiotics, and rest to get myself gut back in working order for another round of chemo :-(. 
On July 1st I was finally feeling strong & healthy and ready for another round of chemo. My "chemo cocktail" to date (since February 2014) includes Fulfuri (Irinotecan, Leucovorin & 5FU). We had been wanting to add another special "targeted" chemotheraputic drug called Avastin. Avastin is an anti-angiogenesis or "tumor-starving" drug. Unlike chemotherapy that attacks the cancer cells, the purpose of Avastin is to block the blood supply that feeds the tumor. This can stop the tumor growing and spreading to other parts of the body. If you wish to better understand how Avastin works you may want to watch this video: http://www.avastin.com/patient/overview/about/how/index.html . We had to wait until I had fully healed from my lung tumor removal surgeries to begin this therapy. On July 1st I was finally declared fully healed & was able to receive Avastin in addition to my usual cocktail. I did not experience any noticeable side effects from the Avastin, however we need to monitor my blood pressure for a potential rise (the most common side effect). Most importantly, Avastin is another step in the right direction towards preventing growth of &/or removing the couple of small "potential tumors" that we are watching in my lungs. It is a powerful tool to help my body kick cancer in the ass!
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| Hike with Havurah. |
My next scans are scheduled for late August. These scans will monitor the progress of the tumor destruction from the cyberknife radiation treatments & check for any other changes. So, until then, I am on every two weeks chemo maintenance mode & trying to make the most of the summer :-). I continue to learn more about anti-cancer diet/foods, keep my stress levels down, and improve my fitness. I finally am able to begin to add weight and resistance training to my fitness program and hope reduce my BMI.
The rest of my life is otherwise treating me well! I am getting out regularly with family & friends. I have been hiking, walking, & playing tennis. My family has celebrated some spectacular family milestones this summer. In May/June Kayla had senior prom at PacBell Park in SF & graduated from Saratoga High School; Elyse joined the UCLA Yell Squad & finished her Freshman year at UCLA; and Jenna is serving on the board for her BBYO youth group & completed her first year of high school. Having cancer certainly gives one a deeper appreciation for life's precious moments. I so appreciate that Craig, the Girls, and I could enjoy these joyous moments together!
The summer weather has been perfect! I am looking forward to a couple of upcoming trips. In a couple of weeks the whole family (all five of us!) are headed to the Central Coast to explore Ojai, CA. Ojai is a lovely artist community that boasts great hiking, spas, beautiful orchards, food & wine. In early August I am looking forward to meeting up with my sister for as long weekend in New Orleans, LA. I have never been there & am so excited to explore this old historic city & it's wonderful food and jazz. Finally, in mid-August Kayla & I are off for a short trip to Seattle, WA for Kayla's University of Washington orientation. I will miss her so much, but I am proud and thrilled for her to make this exciting transition!
I hope you are enjoying your summer and had a fabulous July 4th weekend.
Live each day to the fullest! Jacki
