Treatment Number 12...NOT

That's right NO treatment for me.

I went to the hospital yesterday for my appointment with my oncologist and to have treatment. (I thought) When I went into the appointment room I first met with my nurse practitioner who told me that they were trying to get my CT Scan results (I had the CT Scan that past Monday). So we started going over my last 3 weeks and then she told me that I was going to be meeting with a Nurse Practitioner that specialized in pain management. I have been increasing my Neurotin and got to a level that it started affecting my cognitive abilities. I wanted off the meds or to try something different because I don't want to be living my life like a zombie. So that appointment was about switching to Lyrica instead.

During that appointment my oncologist popped her head in the room and said, "I have your CT Scan results." And then she said, "Everything looks great. Everything is stable. There are NO new tumors. This is great news." Then I started to cry. Everything is stable. OMG. It really is working. Finally something is working and I am doing great. This is all that went through my head. It had been a long week waiting to get the results. I choose to wait it out and have the conversation in person with my doctor. I am so glad I did!!!! I finished up the appointment with the other nurse practitioner.

My oncologist came back into the room and then proceeded to say, "I think it might be best to start doing your treatments every 6 weeks instead." "OK", I said. She said, "I don't want the neuropathy to become permanent and you are doing so well let's give your body a break." I said, "OK". She said, "Let's not do this treatment." I said, "What". She said, "Go home". I said, "What". She said, "Skip this treatment". I said, "Oh My God". She said, "I know I know your schedule." I said, "Yes my schedule." We all started to laugh!!!! She said, "It will be OK just skip every other treatment in your schedule." I said, "OK but what about the next scan and what if it starts to grow again and and and????" I was really concerned and scarred at this point. But then I realized how supported I am, how loved I am and how everyone in my life is holding for me to be "A Miracle". Especially me. This means that I will need to stop treatment eventually and continue living a normal life. I know that it is not totally gone right now but it will be and this is the next step in the process. So I went home.

And here I am updating my blog, by myself. This is all great news and I am so happy to have a week back to be able to play, work and be with my family on these sunny days of summer. Of course with lots of sunscreen! Hahaha. OK not that funny but very true.

Thank You to everyone that was supporting me this treatment and who I had to cancel.

My dear friend Max from Boston who comes every treatment to support and love not just me but my family as well. I am so sorry you can't get your hair cut this time. :) Thank you for all that you do. I will miss seeing you.

Thank you to all the neighbors that were going to deliver food.

Thank you Susan for arranging it all each treatment and

to all the neighbors that continue to deliver food

month after month aftermonth, without any hesitation.

It makes a huge difference

in my recovery process, Thank You!

Thank you to my MSIA Family that comes to give me Prayer Communion each treatment cycle. Thank you Alice for being my

Guardian Angel and for arranging it

and supporting me the way that you do.

Thank you to my Village of Angels!!!

My treatment support, Jann for loving me

just the way that you do.

Rose Angel for your words of inspiration and that

lovely rose I get before each treatment.

House Cleaning Angels assisting me so that

my surroundings are clean and fresh.

Thank you to everyone loving, praying, supporting

and holding that I will be "A Miracle".

God Bless each and everyone of us today and always.

Until next time,

Light, love and laughter,

Shari

Treatment Number Ten

For this treatment, things returned to "normal", in that my husband and daughter were here, Max was here, and other Angels came and went throughout the week.

Treatment was on Friday, May 22nd and my Rose Angel made another visit the day before with inspirational words to support me. We've added a new drug to the regimen; this one is intended to reduce the neuropathy and hand and foot syndrome (constant throbbing) that's been driving me batty from the beginning. I'm only taking one pill a day at the moment and it's too soon to expect results... but I had some lethargy and sore throat that are potential side effects of the new drug. Or maybe I just caught a cold. Time will tell.

Jade came again the day afer treatment for a visit and another cranial-sacral session. My thoughts seemed clear after the session... although I don't generally have discomfort or other side effects until later in recovery week. And as the days passed, my pain level seems lower than in previous treatments (blessedly), with just the usual general tiredness and afternoon lethargy. I am raising afternoon naps to an art form.

For those who haven't seen me in a while, you might be surprised that my hair is growing back! They tell me it's unusual for this to happen during ongoing chemo, but that's no surprise to me, since I've had all the unusual side effects throughout my treatment history. *This* one I'm happy about. Pictures will be forthcoming!

All in all, a fairly low-key and uneventful week. Next treatment is scheduled for June 16.

Details from Treatment April 7: Part II

The most amazing thing about this week was that I felt up to participating in all these activities. I had to rest in between, and I'm very grateful that my parents and Tom and Max were available to help with all the preparations, but I made it! I even felt up to attending church on Easter morning.







By Saturday night, I had the energy to stay up late and make Ukrainian Easter eggs with Max -- she's been talking about it for years but this is the first time she's had the chance to share it with me. Not that I need any new hobbies, but I could seriously get hooked. Here's a photo of the process, and one of Max's favorite eggs.

Baking and Birthdays

Thought you'd enjoy seeing the pix of Daria and Aunt Max making Hamentashen. Daria decided that she wanted to have bakers hats. She made a very small hat for herself. On the top of it was a picture of Daria baking. She made a hat for me as well, small with an image of Daria and myself together baking. Then she decided that Aunt Max should have a Chef's Hat. She made the shape of a bakers had and added a picture of a woman that looked like Aunt Max, curly blonde hair with glasses of course. But then she needed to put it on something so that Aunt Max could wear it. Within the last few weeks Daria made in school a crown with elephant ears for "Horton Hears a Who" and she decided to use that crown and attach Aunt Max's Chefs Hat to it. It was so cute and of course Crazy Aunt Max is the best sport and wore it.

The next 2 pictures are from Daria's Half Birthday, Sunday, March 15th. Every year since her first we have celebrated Daria's half birthday. We usually have a cupcake with a candle -- this year we had a hamentashen with a candle since they had just baked them earlier that day. Even last year Daria was away with Grandma and PopPop and they continued the tradition that I had started. Daria also receives 1 small gift for her birthday. This year Daria received a miniature Fairie Picnic Party Set. With 2 miniature Fairies, picnic blanket, cake, soda pop, cookies, bread, honey, tea towel, magic looking ball. It is so sweet and tiny and will provide many hours of imaginary play. What a big girl she is, 5 1/2 now. She is so excited to be older. But where did my baby go? She is growing into such a competent, young lady. I am so proud of her and to be her Mama.

First Night of Hanukkah!

Following are some pictures from the first night of Hanukkah 2008! This year, since Shari was still recovering from her treatment, Aunt Max was with the Olbrich's to celebrate too! Aunt Max made a yummy Hanukkah dinner that included Potato Latkes.

For the last 2 years, Daria has said the prayers over the candles repeating them after Shari. This year, right from the 1st night she started to recite them all by herself. Shari also decided that Daria was ready to be able to light her own Menorah by herself. Daria was so excited about this and told everyone that "she was saying the prayers by herself and lighting her own Menorah with real fire on the top." (which means that her candle was really lit with a flame). This was a very big to do in the Olbrich household this year!

Their Hanukkah tradition is to have Daria open 1 present each night of Hanukkah. And of course their crazy dog Summer gets in the act every year! She loves to open presents and rip up the wrapping paper. This year was no different.

What a big girl lighting the candle herself on her own menorah!

Daria helping Mommy light a candle too.

Happy Hanukkah everyone!

Daria and Mommy on the first night of Hanukkah.

Daria and Aunt Max

Summer enjoying her gift (and the wrapping paper!).