What's Up?

What's a girl to do when she wakes up at 1:11 in the morning and can't go back to sleep? Well this morning, I took a picture of my wonderful new slippers (Christmas present from my sister, Martha) and the sleepy look on Harry's face. These slippers are made out of those socks that years ago, folks cut up, re-stitched together, stuffed, and created into cute little monkeys with long curly tails. If you could turn my feet upside down, you could see the monkey smile, his nose and his button eyes. Aren't they adorable? My sister has a pair just like them. We also have monkey pajamas to match.

But what I truly love about this photo is the sleepy look on Harry's face. He really doesn't like it on nights when I can't sleep. At least he doesn't like it while I'm wandering around trying to decide what to do. He prefers for me to get settled in my Lazy-boy recliner, wrapped up in the down blanket and the soft, soft reindeer blanket, so that he can jump up in my lap, cozy up and go back to sleep. But this morning, I just wouldn't cooperate.

What is this about not being able to sleep? Perhaps it's the blood pressure medicine I'm on... does anyone know if that keeps your adrenaline pumping so you can't sleep? Perhaps I'm having "sympathy pains" for my sister who has been getting up for several weeks with Zoe at 2:30 in the morning. Is that possible? Whatever it is... I'm ready to return to sleeping through the night. However, just about the only thing that will put me back to sleep is to find MASH re-runs on the tv. And, those re-runs are never around when you need them.

Now for an update on my treatment as it's looking right now. The good news is that I have been given the "green light" for Cyberknife, something I've been talking about for over a year. So, over the next 30 days or so, I will receive radiosurgery through this robotic device at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore. If you’re interested in the details of the procedures, you can check out http://www.accuray.com/ for a look at the machine, and to the right you can view a video. In the next few days, Clint and I are hoping the process will begin with the implantation of 4-5 gold fiducials (about the size of a grain of rice) in and around my liver. These will be the guide for the robot to know where the tumors are as I’m breathing during treatment. The placement of the fiducials is an out-patient surgical procedure. They will be inserted with a needle similar to a biopsy. Between that time and the actual robotic surgery (called non-invasive surgery), I will be fitted with a vest; a cradle will be molded for my body to rest in during the surgery (no movement allowed), and new CT and PET scans to the mm instead of the usual cm will be done. The actual surgery will require 2-3 days (all in one week) for timeframes that may be anywhere between 90 minutes and 3 hours. I cannot imagine not moving for three hours, but I do see a nap in my future.

We are waiting to hear from the doctors at Sinai for the scheduling of step 1, the placement of the fiducials. I'll put some quick posts on this site as I know what is happening and when it is scheduled to happen. Dr. Hudhud, my oncologist, is also meeting with us this Friday to talk about what chemo I need to be on. I haven't received any treatment since early December, so I need to get started on something again. Thanks for all your concern and prayers during these past few weeks. Clint and I are so appreciative of everything that you do and say to encourage us. Your prayers mean so much to us.

Keeping Lynn Awake

This year for the second time, we were thrilled to have our friend, Lynn Xu, come visit us from China. Lynn was our interpreter and "arranger of activities" when we visited China in 2003, 2004, and 2005. We taught English in several elementary and middle schools there, and fell in love with China and the Chinese people. Lynn has twelve-year old twin daughters who are the delight of her life. In 2006, Lynn was granted a visa and came to see us and many of her other American friends.

In early December -- just last month, we were Lynn's last leg of her second trip to the US. From Maryland, she was headed back home to China. By the time she landed on Maryland soil, Lynn had already been to Minnesota, Oklahoma, Indiana, and Spur, Texas. There were probably a few more places in her itinerary as well. Everywhere she went she had the opportunity to share about her work in China. She was always a bundle of energy! But when we would get her home at night, we all grabbed a pillow and a blanket, curled up in a Lazy Boy recliner or sofa, and we'd start talking. One night, it was just too much for her.. and I caught her in this great picture. Does this mean that Clint and I can be boring? Heaven forbid! We can hardly wait for Lynn to come back.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Hope that your Christmas was wonderful and that you are looking forward to a relaxing and enjoyable new year's celebration. Clint and I love to enjoy New Year's at home -- guess it's a sign of our "homebodiness" -- is there such a word? We enjoyed a quick trip to Nashville to be with my sister and her family for Christmas day and then hurried back to Frederick to make an appointment with my oncologist.

My news from the oncologist visit wasn't what we had hoped for. This visit was a review of the PET scan from December 21 as well as the recent problems I've been having with my blood pressure (resulting from the chemo drug Avastin). Unfortunately, the tumors are growing on my liver -- there are two definite ones, and another new spot on the liver that looks like an additional "area of concern." Also, the CA-125 has started going up again -- it's at 64. It seems to indicate some activity in my abdomen. Dr. Hudhud isn't quite sure of the treatment he will go for... possible cyberknife or some other radiology. He also mentioned cistoplatin and something I can't pronounce or even begin to spell. There is also a clinical trial at Hopkins that my sister, Martha, read about on the ovarian cancer site. Between last Friday's appointment and next Friday's appointment (January 4), Dr. Hudhud will talk to the doctor at Hopkins and the cyberknife doctor at Sinai (both hospitals in Baltimore) and determine what is the best treatment for me at this time.

Certainly, this disappointment has been another bump in the road. It's just so important to stay positive and keep on "keeping on." Please be in prayer that my doctor, Dr. Hudhud, will be given God's wisdom as he determines the next step in my treatment.

When I was first diagnosed with cancer, I sat reading my Bible one of those nights that I could not sleep, and found a passage which Clint and I have both held tightly to throughout these two years. It's Isaiah 30:18-21... "The Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion. How gracious He will be when you cry for help! As soon as He hears, He will answer you. Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, 'This is the way; walk in it.'" For this reason, we have trusted our doctors completely as they have suggested specific treatments. So, we pray continually for those doctors who make decisions about medication, surgery, and treatment. Please join us this week in praying heartedly for Dr. Hudhud, my oncologist here in Frederick; Dr. Chu, cyberknife doctor at Sinai Hospital; Dr. Armstrong, clinical trial doctor at Johns Hopkins Hospital; and Dr. Yu, cardiologist in Frederick. I hope and pray that our Lord God "whispers in their ears, telling them the way that we should walk."

Thank you for your continued prayers. Your hope and support is a great encourager to me and to Clint!

The Beach at Thanksgiving

Every year for about the past 20 years, Clint and I have gone to the beach at Thanksgiving. We used to stay in a friend's condo on the beach close to 100th Street, but then her family discovered how wonderful it is in Ocean City at Thanksgiving time. In fact, we believe the whole world has discovered this. When we first started coming over here, there were about two restaurants open. We were always able to find one open for Thanksgiving lunch, but it took some searching. Now... there are many restaurants... many hotels... the main street through OC (the Marylander's fond name for Ocean City) is always busy -- all three lanes going north and south. However, now we've found another quiet spot over here. Our motorhome goes anywhere, and today we are parked just behind the dunes right on the beach. It's beautiful, but windy. Today is supposed to be 70 degrees, but tomorrow night down to 28 degrees. We'll enjoy today. Here's a picture of Clint I took earlier today. It's his 63rd birthday! Wow! The other picture is of one of the ponies munching on grass near our motorhome -- that's our motorhome in the background. We wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving. We are headed into town in about an hour or so for turkey dinner.

A New Friend

Recently, Spring Ridge had the privilege of hosting an exchange teacher from Switzerland. Barbara Leuman was with us for three weeks. What a pleasure! The boys and girls really grew to love her wonderful sense of humor, the great stories she told, and the activites she engaged them in. It was a fun experience for all of us. Barbara lives in a small town, Lillis, a village smaller in population than our school. The photos she shared with us were incredible. The small cabin in the middle of the "hillside" picture below is the hut she and her husband own, way up on one of the mountains. It's quite a hike up the mountain to the hut, but it's a place where they can "get away" for reading and enjoying nature. The water is fresh and it's quiet and peaceful. Barbara is a special education teacher in a small school in another village. Her commitment to her students was evident. She is an outstanding teacher. As always, when meeting a new friend, the hardest part is saying good-bye. We were blessed to have her with us, and look forward to keeping in touch with her for years to come. Perhaps Clint and I will take a trip to Switzerland in a year or two. :-)

Now I need a "Sweet 14.2" cake

Just a quick note to let you know the latest good news! When I went to my chemo treatment today, Clint asked the nurse if the results were back from last week's CA-125. Well, she had the results, and the numbers are down to 14.2!! Praise God again! It looks like I may have to stop by the grocery store again and pick up a "Sweet 14.2" cake. Thank you for your continued prayers for my improved health.

My blood pressure seems to be going up lately... one of the possible side effects of the Avastin. Today it was up to 156/96. That's a little bit of a concern. Liver tumors... blood pressure.. cancer cells... aching bones... stiff neck... and Maryland allergies. Even though I don't really think of myself as a 61-year-old, my body loves to remind me every morning when I roll out of bed. In spite of all the aches and pains, I am thrilled that I have a job that gives me such joy, a husband that loves me and tolerates my moods, and friends who care enough to pray for me. Thanks!

New Update

I posted my latest update tonight. #13! If you aren't on my update list, but would like to be, let me know and I'll add you to the distribution list.

Last Monday, October 1, I had a follow-up PET scan. We were hoping for some earth-shattering results -- like the great CA-125 count a few weeks ago. However, the latest information from that scan are a bit contradictory. Dr. Hudhud explained that we are still early in the transition from one chemo regimen to another, so no reason to worry. Here’s what the report said, loosely translated into my non-doctor language… “one of the tumors showed an increase in size; the other tumor showed a decrease in size.” Go figure! There are no new tumors, however! So... Praise God!

We don't have any update on the CA-125. That will come next week. Keep an eye on this site for those results.

Now, an explanation of all the arms in the photo. In the spring and summer of 2006 when I out of school for six months, my staff at Spring Ridge was absolutely amazing. Their support and constant vigilance was expressed in one show of affection and attention after another. No principal could feel more loved than I. They all wore bracelets studded with teal beads during that time. Teal is the color that represents ovarian cancer. So in September, to support National Ovarian Cancer Awareness month, we put our bracelets back on and put our arms together for a show of support. My arm is the one in the red sweater. Thanks again to my wonderful staff members who are patient and caring and consistently concerned. You're the best!