More Pictures of the Bash

Read the post below to find out about my Biggest Birthday Bash Ever... Enjoy a few more pictures.

My Biggest Birthday Bash

Last year was one of those milestone birthdays -- I turned 60. My staff surprised me last year with 60 beautiful yellow roses. However, I must admit that this year -- the 61st one -- will hold even more incredible memories. Unbeknownst to me, the entire school was in on a little celebration they called "Guthrie Day." While I was in the "media room" making a long list of announcements from 9:05-9:15 thinking the entire school sat in rapt attention to my every word, all the children and staff members and many parents snuck out the front door, donned Oriole baseball tee-shirts with the name GUTHRIE on the back, and prepared to yell "Happy Birthday" as I walked out the front door.

As I turned toward the front door -- my, the halls were extremely quiet -- I caught my first glimpse of over 600 people on the school lawn dressed alike in GUTHRIE tee-shirts. And, there by the front door was the Oriole Bird -- the major league team mascot -- to hug me and shower me with "bird kisses." A glance over the crowd found Clint right in the middle of it (and he told me he had a meeting to attend Thursday morning!)! I was flabbergasted, and thrilled all at once. After a happy birthday greeting and the happy birthday song, the bird, our school mascot (a kangaroo), and I greeted all our students as they filed back into the school. Parents made cupcakes -- over 650 cupcakes -- so that all the boys and girls could celebrate my birthday with cake during lunch. To all of those parents who baked, thank you, thank you!

What a fun day. The Oriole Organization (MLB) donated over 700 shirts so every single child -- from preK all the way through 5th grade -- went home with a Guthrie tee-shirt. You see, it's not that they know me... it's that the team has a young pitcher, Jeremy Guthrie #46. The shirts actually had HIS name (which is, of course, the same as mine) on them, and were left over from a giveaway night. Thanks to one of our PTA moms who checked, the Orioles donated the shirts for my birthday celebration. Thanks to everyone who had anything to do with this great day! It's definitely the Biggest Birthday Bash I've ever had!

Ya Gotta Exercise!

Lately, Clint and I have become a bit too knowledgable about food. We read all the nutritional information we can find about what is healthy and what should be avoided -- especially the things that can help prevent cancer. The funny thing is that eating a lot of one type of vegetable may decrease the risk for one type of cancer, but then increase the risk for another type. Go figure! One thing that all the experts seem to agree on, however is that we should eat five servings each day of fruits and vegetables. So... we do our best to take care of that, although we sometimes can't agree on whether or not french fries should count as a "veggie."

In a recent edition of Heal magazine, I read something that made my eyeballs bulge, "Even if a (cancer patient) is overweight, if she eats at least five servings of vegetables and fruits a day and walks briskly for 30 minutes, six days a week, her risk of death from her disease goes down by 50 percent... The key is that you must do both." Well, guess who is on the treadmill now every day for 30 minutes!!! I've included a photo of me on the treadmill, and ask that you keep this picture in your mind when you have your daily prayer time. Pray that I will not come up with lots of excuses as to why I don't have time, or the energy, or whatever might interfere with this very, very important practice. Pray that I will faithfully step on the treadmill for my 30 minutes of brisk walking each day until it becomes a part of who I am -- and a habit that I simply am unable to break.

Sweet Sixteen

Sweet sixteen... what's that all about? Well, it's one of the sweetest numbers I've heard in a long time. On Thursday afternoon, my oncologist, Dr. Hudhud, called me on my cellphone to talk with me. I wasn't sure what prompted the call and was a bit apprehensive until I heard his voice. He was calling to share fantastic news. My CA-125 has dropped to 16. Normal is 35 or below. So, the good news is that after a spike to 85 just four weeks ago, and following only one treatment of Avastin and Doxil (I've now had two treatments of both of these.), the CA-125 is lower that it has ever been since I was first diagnosed with ovarian cancer in February of 2006. My assistant principal was with me as I took the call from Dr. Hudhud, and she was able to "read" the hysteria in my voice as something good when I responded to the doctor. We rejoiced loudly and joyfully when I hung up. Dr. Hudhud got a hug and kiss from me yesterday when I went in for the second treatment of Doxil.

Clint and I are so grateful for your continued prayers. We have been greatly encouraged by your cards, emails, and prayers these past four weeks. Trust... we know that is what we must do; trust that Jesus is in control and knows what is best. It is sometimes hard, but that is where your continued care and concern gives us the strength we need to go forward. No doubt the Lord is teaching us during this process, so that brings us great joy and peace. Thanks again to each of you. Please, keep coming back to my blogspot... I'll probably slip a few in of my nieces and nephews from time to time, along with great shots of Harry. I'll also try to keep you interested with photos of my school staff who show their love and concern to me every day -- they are amazing folks! I have a couple more pictures I want to show you in this next week... so, return! Please!

Good Hair Day

My sister, Martha, has been an incredible source of strength for me during the past nineteen months. She is the one who checks out all the ovarian cancer websites that are pretty scary when I read them. She sorts out the stuff she reads and lets me know only what I need to know. During all this time, she decided to commit to growing her hair out so she could donate to the Locks of Love organization. Poor thing, she's seen me at all stages of hair loss and knows how all-consuming the "hair thing" can be to the "newly bald."



Last Saturday, she decided the time had come to cut off the "locks," so off she went to the hairdresser. Her story is really quite sweet, so I refer you to her blog so you can read the story and take a look at some photos marking the event. Take a look at the entry for September 8... there are three pictures... but be sure you read the story as well. God continues to amaze our family at the subtle, yet obvious to us, ways he intervenes and talks to us. Here's the address... http://www.zoesplace.blogspot.com/.



I have a lot of things to share this weekend, so please come back tomorrow...!

Good News

Yesterday, I had my second treatment with Avastin. It was totally uneventful, which is the way we like it. However, we received good news from Dr. Hudhud. My CA-125 has dropped. In August the number jumped to 85, and a new tumor appeared... but now the CA-125 has dropped to 59. While this still isn't in the normal range, it is a significant drop, which leads us to believe that the cancer cells are getting under control again.

I'm scheduled for a new PET scan on October 1, so by the end of that week when we meet with the oncologist, he should have some news about the tumors. By the time of the PET, I will have had another treatment with Doxil (next Friday will be the second treatment) and three treatments with the Avastin.

Keep praying... we believe our Father hears your prayers. We are strengthened by your many emails and cards.

Only 175 Days Left

Whew! What a week. It has been the most eventful opening of school I can recall. We were busy all week. The biggest issues are always related to our new students learning our school rules and adjusting to our expectations. As soon as they settle in, things will begin to run more smoothly. Thank goodness for all the help I get from my assistant principal, our reading specialist, the terrific secretaries, and all the rest of the staff.

After leaving the house on Friday for a 7:30 dentist appointment, I headed to school by 8:30, worked for a few hours and then drove over to the Cancer Care Center for blood work. Good news... my white and red blood cells are doing great! I didn't have to get an injection of Procrit on Friday, nor do I have to go in on Monday for Neulasta.

Both of those shots I call my "Muhammed Ali" shots -- they "sting like a bee!" No matter how gentle or have quickly or how slowly the nurses try to inject the medicine... ouch... it hurts. So, it's nice NOT to have to get one.

Hope you have a wonderful Labor Day Weekend. Clint and I will be hanging out around the house. I came home from school with two books to read. Monday should be nice and quiet.