Another Obstacle

The biopsy I has last week confirmed that there is cancer in me again, or still. Next Tuesday I will have my first treatment. This seems like round three to me, but perhaps it is just an extension of round two. No surgery this time. The drugs are Dioxin and Avastin. The hope is that this will cause the tumor to shrink, and then I'll get healthy enough for my immune system to do the rest. I'll have a treatment every three weeks and a CA125 prior to each treatment to see if it's working.

I will not be going back to work to start off the school year. I really thought I'd only miss part or half of last year, and here it is a whole year later and it's starting all over again just when I thought it was over. I hope I get to back soon. It's breaking my heart, not teaching and having all those kids in my life on a daily basis.

The good news is that I have been feeling better lately. I am no longer sleeping all day, and I have been getting out and doing things with friends and with Casey.

Here's my new do, thanks to Lizette who came to my house to cut and color my hair:

N

Namaste, Jill

Update

My CT/biopsy will be Thursday at French hospital. I have to be there at 1:00 but the scan and biopsy won't happen until 3:00. No food or liquid prior - how fun for me. At least I don't have to drink that gross barium stuff. I won't see my oncologist until a week later because he will be on vacation. My latest CA125 is 85, which is up 5 points, 50 points higher than normal, but much lower than it has been when cancer was present. I'm thinking my belly is still fried from the radiation and it's keeping the number up. I don't see how cancer could be growing in there after all of the chemo and radiation I have endured.

I called my big brother and told him we are not going to be able to take our trip to the Smith river with them. Casey and I are heartbroken over this, but it can't be helped. Casey says we will go as soon as I'm well. Casey and I have not had much of a summer. In fact, I will be very glad to see the end of 2011. It has not been a good year for me in many ways.

I am back on track with my medications, and I am sleeping close to 20 hours a day. It helps with the boredom! I am not answering my phone much, since I tend to be asleep when people call and I also just don't really feel like talking. I apologize to everyone whose calls I haven't returned, and to several people who have been wanting to come see me and bring me a present. Hopefully I'll be feeling better and more social very soon.

In the meantime, I am spending lots of time sleeping with Bella during the day and with Casey at night. I am just loads of fun these days!

Namaste,
Jill