We are headed to Denver tomorrow for the Denver Gem & Mineral Show. I will see one of the radiation oncologists at CU Med Center, but the oncologist I was to see on Monday had to cancel her appointment. I have to keep a low profile at the show - my platelets and white blood cells are low and I need to avoid crowds. Hard for me, a social butterfly to do. I haven't been able to have chemo the last two times. I'm taking more of my medications to get the neuropathy, pain, leg swelling, and sleep under control. That involves managing laxatives as well. As I've said before, all the best medicine either plug you up or the opposite.
We did the True Grit Days last weekend in Ridgway, 10 miles from Ouray. I got to meet Kim Darby, Johnny Crawford of the Rifleman, and Angie Dickenson. I got my picture taken with Angie. Everyone in town who dealt with her said she was very nice. She told me she hated to leave on Sunday because she was enjoying Ridgway and the people.
Anyway, I will blog more later from Denver.
Thanks for all your support and kindness.
Just up here in Colorado getting ready to leave town again. I like to travel. Glad to be here one more day.
Sincerely, Caroline
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Monday, September 03, 2007
HAVING A GOOD TIME IN TEXAS
EATING MY WAY THROUGH DALLAS
I made it to Dallas just fine on United Airlines last Thursday. They were very helpful and accomodating. I fly out again today. I'm glad I had yesterday to recuperate and got to see many friends and family members: AC & Jean Pass (cousins); Mike VanderBerg (my investment advisor who has stared a new non-denominational church on the west side of Ft. Worth); Darlene - a friend of Suzie's from their early days just out of high school working at National Bank of Commerce in the LTV building in downtow Dallas - I thought they were so sophisticated; Suzie's classmate Ronnie Cruse whose sister, Gail Cruse was cheerleader with my sister Diane and is the optometrist at Wal-Mart in Montrose where I now get all my eye check-ups.
It was great to have a rotation of visitors yesterday. I was recovering from having too much fun (i.e. junk food). I got a serious case of stomach upset at the reunion and all the sudden had to leave. I had so hope to do the "Gator" in the dance floor with Charlie Daniel, a friend nearer my sister's age, but it didn't happen. Charlie & I agreed that we could probably get down in the floor but would need help to get back up! Charlie's little sister Sondra was one of our dearest friends from my grade. I'm sorry, Sondra, I didn't get to see you this trip.
Margaret and I were very close friends growing up in Duncanville. Her father loved to feed us. Mr. Park took me to breakfast on Friday and we had the meat lover's Grand Slam. Afterward, he asked if I wanted a chocolate shake! He had one, but I had a cup of tea. Margaret, her daughter Tay, and I have been having hamburgers at all the places I can't get them like Whataburger. I did make my sister Suzie take me by Jack in the Box for two tacos when I first flew in. On Friday night, we went to a Mexican restaurant for one of Suzie's reunion meals, and I buried my face in a plate of Tex-Mex. I love New Mexican/Coloradoan Mexican food with red and/or green chili, but occasionally, I need that El Fenix or even El Chico fix.
I got a horrible case of the d-word at the reunion. It was probably the BBQ sauce on the delicious brisket. Could have been the snow cone from earlier in the day. Anyway, I had to leave the reunion in a hurry as not to embarrass anyone. I did have a few rounds in the bathroom that night at home, but mostly slept like a baby. I think I'm caught up on my sleep and on a schedule more consistent with the real world.
One of the reunion highlights was a tour of Duncanville High School. It is amazing! DHS is the second largest school in the nation based on square footage, but they have incredible sports complexes (this was and still is a great place for football in the fall - the TV show Friday Night Lights brings back memories of going to footbal games on Friday nights. There's a point in the fall in Texas where the hot weather breaks and you feel a little crisp snap in the air, leaves start to turn on the trees, and it's football weather). The high school has a beautiful kitchen for culinary arts where the students can practice and sell their wares to the students and faculty. Being such a big complex, they have halls in various departments with names of scientists, authors, artists, etc. The art department, dance studio, band and choir rooms with private practice rooms were all fabulous. The oldest part of the school is reserved for the freshman, yet this was the new part of the school when Suzie's class graduated in 1967. 1966 was the first one to use the new school. Girl's basketball was always big here, and they still host the AAUW girls high school tournament here every Christmas break. Back in our day, the girls had to play half-court. I guess they thought it would kill us to run up and down the whole thing.
"SWEAT LODGE"
One of the other treats of this trip is that Margaret and Tay have a brand new lab puppy named Relay. On Friday, I took him out for most of the warm morning which made me perspire quite a bit. I think I sweated out some toxins and some fluids which helped my infammations. And you wouldn't believe how well I'm walking - hardly having to use the cane, and trying to do some PT exercises. Relay looks like a dog we had growing up named Black Jack, so my sisters and I are having fond memories of that childhood pet.
FUTURE CHEMOS AND DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENTS
* Sept. 4th (Tues) Support Group, Tuesday, Oct. 4th, St. Mary's Grand Junction
* Sept. 5th (Wed) 9am, Chemo and Visit with Oncolologist at St. Mary's in Grand Junction
* Sept. 7th (Fri) PT - Noon- Ridgway
* Sept. 14th (Fri) 11:00am, CU Anschutz Med Center Tumor Board, Dr. Durham, Radiation Oncology, Denver
*Sept. 17th (Mon) 8:30am, CU Anschutz Med Ceter Tumor Board, Dr. Tracy Shefter, Oncology, Denver
*Sept. 18th (Tues) 10am, Dr. Sammons, Psychiatrist, Grand Junction for Medication Management
*Sept. 18th (Tues) 3pm, Fran Higgins, Therapist, Grand Junction - Talking Therapy
*Sept. 21st (Fri) 9am, Chemo & Visit with Oncologist at St. Mary's in Grand Junction
*Sept. 22nd (Sat) 8:30am - 4pm, Cancer: 50 Essential Things** , Grand Junction, $65/person
*Sept. 24th (Mon) 2pm, Fran Higgins, Talking Therapy - Grand Junction
** Note: This is the best book I' ve found on Cancer
OTHER IMPORTANT SCHEDULE ITEMS
*Sept. 8th & 9th - True Grit Days in Ridgway - we'll have a booth there under Buckskin Booksellers
*Sept. 12th - 17th - Denver Gem & Mineral Show - Main Show (Actual Dates Friday, 14th - Sunday, 16th) - Doing this show under coloradominerals. com. Our booth is down one f the hallways on the left as you come in the front door. I don't think they'll move us from last year's location.
*Sept. 26th - 30th - Mountains & Plains Independent Booksellers Association (MPIBA) - we will attend as buyers and attend many good free seminars.
*Sept. 29th - Vignettes of History - I will portray Verena Jacobson (Mining camp school teacher) at the Montrose Magic Circle Playhouse at 2pm and 7pm. (I'll have to leave the book show early).
Oct. 4th - 6th - Visit Grand Canyon with Robert's brother Mike & Sister-in-Law Leslie.
Oct. 7th - ? - Visit sisters in Prescott, Arizona
A WORD OF THANKS TO BROTHER -IN-LAW AL WEST (SUZIE'S HUSBAND)
Al, you've been so helpful to Ronnie Cruse (who's in a wheelchair), and me and my cane. Thank you for your help and patience. You're awesome!
Thanks, too, to Margaret Park Thomas, daughter Taylor, Mr. & Mrs. Park, DHS Class of 1967, and everyone who made a special trip to see me. You keep my motor running!
Just down here in Tejas - getting all my junk food fixes!
Sincerely, Caroline
I made it to Dallas just fine on United Airlines last Thursday. They were very helpful and accomodating. I fly out again today. I'm glad I had yesterday to recuperate and got to see many friends and family members: AC & Jean Pass (cousins); Mike VanderBerg (my investment advisor who has stared a new non-denominational church on the west side of Ft. Worth); Darlene - a friend of Suzie's from their early days just out of high school working at National Bank of Commerce in the LTV building in downtow Dallas - I thought they were so sophisticated; Suzie's classmate Ronnie Cruse whose sister, Gail Cruse was cheerleader with my sister Diane and is the optometrist at Wal-Mart in Montrose where I now get all my eye check-ups.
It was great to have a rotation of visitors yesterday. I was recovering from having too much fun (i.e. junk food). I got a serious case of stomach upset at the reunion and all the sudden had to leave. I had so hope to do the "Gator" in the dance floor with Charlie Daniel, a friend nearer my sister's age, but it didn't happen. Charlie & I agreed that we could probably get down in the floor but would need help to get back up! Charlie's little sister Sondra was one of our dearest friends from my grade. I'm sorry, Sondra, I didn't get to see you this trip.
Margaret and I were very close friends growing up in Duncanville. Her father loved to feed us. Mr. Park took me to breakfast on Friday and we had the meat lover's Grand Slam. Afterward, he asked if I wanted a chocolate shake! He had one, but I had a cup of tea. Margaret, her daughter Tay, and I have been having hamburgers at all the places I can't get them like Whataburger. I did make my sister Suzie take me by Jack in the Box for two tacos when I first flew in. On Friday night, we went to a Mexican restaurant for one of Suzie's reunion meals, and I buried my face in a plate of Tex-Mex. I love New Mexican/Coloradoan Mexican food with red and/or green chili, but occasionally, I need that El Fenix or even El Chico fix.
I got a horrible case of the d-word at the reunion. It was probably the BBQ sauce on the delicious brisket. Could have been the snow cone from earlier in the day. Anyway, I had to leave the reunion in a hurry as not to embarrass anyone. I did have a few rounds in the bathroom that night at home, but mostly slept like a baby. I think I'm caught up on my sleep and on a schedule more consistent with the real world.
One of the reunion highlights was a tour of Duncanville High School. It is amazing! DHS is the second largest school in the nation based on square footage, but they have incredible sports complexes (this was and still is a great place for football in the fall - the TV show Friday Night Lights brings back memories of going to footbal games on Friday nights. There's a point in the fall in Texas where the hot weather breaks and you feel a little crisp snap in the air, leaves start to turn on the trees, and it's football weather). The high school has a beautiful kitchen for culinary arts where the students can practice and sell their wares to the students and faculty. Being such a big complex, they have halls in various departments with names of scientists, authors, artists, etc. The art department, dance studio, band and choir rooms with private practice rooms were all fabulous. The oldest part of the school is reserved for the freshman, yet this was the new part of the school when Suzie's class graduated in 1967. 1966 was the first one to use the new school. Girl's basketball was always big here, and they still host the AAUW girls high school tournament here every Christmas break. Back in our day, the girls had to play half-court. I guess they thought it would kill us to run up and down the whole thing.
"SWEAT LODGE"
One of the other treats of this trip is that Margaret and Tay have a brand new lab puppy named Relay. On Friday, I took him out for most of the warm morning which made me perspire quite a bit. I think I sweated out some toxins and some fluids which helped my infammations. And you wouldn't believe how well I'm walking - hardly having to use the cane, and trying to do some PT exercises. Relay looks like a dog we had growing up named Black Jack, so my sisters and I are having fond memories of that childhood pet.
FUTURE CHEMOS AND DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENTS
* Sept. 4th (Tues) Support Group, Tuesday, Oct. 4th, St. Mary's Grand Junction
* Sept. 5th (Wed) 9am, Chemo and Visit with Oncolologist at St. Mary's in Grand Junction
* Sept. 7th (Fri) PT - Noon- Ridgway
* Sept. 14th (Fri) 11:00am, CU Anschutz Med Center Tumor Board, Dr. Durham, Radiation Oncology, Denver
*Sept. 17th (Mon) 8:30am, CU Anschutz Med Ceter Tumor Board, Dr. Tracy Shefter, Oncology, Denver
*Sept. 18th (Tues) 10am, Dr. Sammons, Psychiatrist, Grand Junction for Medication Management
*Sept. 18th (Tues) 3pm, Fran Higgins, Therapist, Grand Junction - Talking Therapy
*Sept. 21st (Fri) 9am, Chemo & Visit with Oncologist at St. Mary's in Grand Junction
*Sept. 22nd (Sat) 8:30am - 4pm, Cancer: 50 Essential Things** , Grand Junction, $65/person
*Sept. 24th (Mon) 2pm, Fran Higgins, Talking Therapy - Grand Junction
** Note: This is the best book I' ve found on Cancer
OTHER IMPORTANT SCHEDULE ITEMS
*Sept. 8th & 9th - True Grit Days in Ridgway - we'll have a booth there under Buckskin Booksellers
*Sept. 12th - 17th - Denver Gem & Mineral Show - Main Show (Actual Dates Friday, 14th - Sunday, 16th) - Doing this show under coloradominerals. com. Our booth is down one f the hallways on the left as you come in the front door. I don't think they'll move us from last year's location.
*Sept. 26th - 30th - Mountains & Plains Independent Booksellers Association (MPIBA) - we will attend as buyers and attend many good free seminars.
*Sept. 29th - Vignettes of History - I will portray Verena Jacobson (Mining camp school teacher) at the Montrose Magic Circle Playhouse at 2pm and 7pm. (I'll have to leave the book show early).
Oct. 4th - 6th - Visit Grand Canyon with Robert's brother Mike & Sister-in-Law Leslie.
Oct. 7th - ? - Visit sisters in Prescott, Arizona
A WORD OF THANKS TO BROTHER -IN-LAW AL WEST (SUZIE'S HUSBAND)
Al, you've been so helpful to Ronnie Cruse (who's in a wheelchair), and me and my cane. Thank you for your help and patience. You're awesome!
Thanks, too, to Margaret Park Thomas, daughter Taylor, Mr. & Mrs. Park, DHS Class of 1967, and everyone who made a special trip to see me. You keep my motor running!
Just down here in Tejas - getting all my junk food fixes!
Sincerely, Caroline
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
HEADED TO DALLAS!
I'm flying out tomorrow moring early for Dallas to attend my sister Suzie's 40th (really her 41st) class reunion in Duncanville, TX. My sister Diane will be joining us as well - this would be her 40th reunion. It would be my 35th. I am staying with my classmate from Duncanville, Margaret Park Thomas and her daughter Taylor (thanks ladies). It'll be fun to see people from Suzie's class and some friends my age as well.
HAD CHEMO LAST FRIDAY
I was able to have chemo last Friday. Blood counts were good or close to normal. We went to a movie afterwards, Becoming Jane, about Jane Austin and spent the night in Grand Junction. On Saturday, I was able to attend my retreat, and Robert ran errands and saw The Bourne Ultimatimum. We liked both movies very much. I went down with chemo side effects on Saturday night and couldn't do my radio show on Sunday. I started coming out of it on Monday. I think I got psyched about a trip to Montrose to see my radiation oncologist and his nurse who are awesome.
ALSO SAW RADIATION ONCOLOGIST
I saw my radiation oncologist on Monday. I told him that I thought my "radiation recall" was due to my bowling last winter/spring. He said to continue doing the things I love. So I hope to get back into bowling this fall. With my physical therapy, I think my leg should bend enough to bowl or I can request that the Elks let me use a wheelchair. I got one of those big plastic balls at physical therapy and I really like doing PT on it. I can do otherexercises, too, lying down.
FRIENDS HELP KEEP MY SPIRITS UP
We have friends in town from Delaware - Steve & Ruth and their boys Chad & Ryan. Steve is going to let me borrow a bass guitar of his which I've always wanted to take up. The boys are really good at baseball, and Chad is an expert on trains. Steve & Ruth are great parents.
We also had friends in town that I know from Duncanville: Clifton and Bobette (Brattis) Hyman and Jim & Phala (Bryant) Watkins?.
GOTTA RUN
I still have a bunch of packing to do. We have to leave by 7 am tomorrow morning.
Thanks again to everyone for your love and suipport.
Sincerely, Caroline
P.S. My radio show is 1pm-4pm CDT on your dial at 98.9, KURA, Ouray, Colorado or can be streamed at kara.fast-serv.com:9262/listen.pls. (I have no idea how to do the stream.) The phone number at KURA is 970-325-7289.
HAD CHEMO LAST FRIDAY
I was able to have chemo last Friday. Blood counts were good or close to normal. We went to a movie afterwards, Becoming Jane, about Jane Austin and spent the night in Grand Junction. On Saturday, I was able to attend my retreat, and Robert ran errands and saw The Bourne Ultimatimum. We liked both movies very much. I went down with chemo side effects on Saturday night and couldn't do my radio show on Sunday. I started coming out of it on Monday. I think I got psyched about a trip to Montrose to see my radiation oncologist and his nurse who are awesome.
ALSO SAW RADIATION ONCOLOGIST
I saw my radiation oncologist on Monday. I told him that I thought my "radiation recall" was due to my bowling last winter/spring. He said to continue doing the things I love. So I hope to get back into bowling this fall. With my physical therapy, I think my leg should bend enough to bowl or I can request that the Elks let me use a wheelchair. I got one of those big plastic balls at physical therapy and I really like doing PT on it. I can do otherexercises, too, lying down.
FRIENDS HELP KEEP MY SPIRITS UP
We have friends in town from Delaware - Steve & Ruth and their boys Chad & Ryan. Steve is going to let me borrow a bass guitar of his which I've always wanted to take up. The boys are really good at baseball, and Chad is an expert on trains. Steve & Ruth are great parents.
We also had friends in town that I know from Duncanville: Clifton and Bobette (Brattis) Hyman and Jim & Phala (Bryant) Watkins?.
GOTTA RUN
I still have a bunch of packing to do. We have to leave by 7 am tomorrow morning.
Thanks again to everyone for your love and suipport.
Sincerely, Caroline
P.S. My radio show is 1pm-4pm CDT on your dial at 98.9, KURA, Ouray, Colorado or can be streamed at kara.fast-serv.com:9262/listen.pls. (I have no idea how to do the stream.) The phone number at KURA is 970-325-7289.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
UPDATE - ROBERT NOT RUNNING FOR MAYOR
Good Afternoon -
We will head to Grand Junction (GJ) first thing tomorrow morning. Blood draw is at 9 am, we see Dr. Bergen at 9:30, and hopefully we'll have chemo for the rest of the day. We are spending the night at a motel that the American Cancer Society got us a discount on. Hopefully, I feel well enough to go to the retreat just outside during the day on Saturday.
Another person is going to run for mayor which take a lot pressure off us. I told Robert today that we rarely have leisure time together and we both tend to be cranky, given our busy summer. He will remain on city council. The current mayor who can't run for mayor again due to term limits may run for a council seat. That leaves two seats from the other ward to fill. I am releived. The stress of having cancer is enough. It takes all day just to take my meds and manuever around the house with my bad leg.
My heart goes out to the Dave Hoskins Family whom I know through cholangiocarcinoma.org. Dave flung himself into life as long as he could, and his wife Edith was incredibly supportive. He lost his battle last week.
That's the news for now.
Just up here in Colorado trying to get things done.
Sincerely, Caroline
We will head to Grand Junction (GJ) first thing tomorrow morning. Blood draw is at 9 am, we see Dr. Bergen at 9:30, and hopefully we'll have chemo for the rest of the day. We are spending the night at a motel that the American Cancer Society got us a discount on. Hopefully, I feel well enough to go to the retreat just outside during the day on Saturday.
Another person is going to run for mayor which take a lot pressure off us. I told Robert today that we rarely have leisure time together and we both tend to be cranky, given our busy summer. He will remain on city council. The current mayor who can't run for mayor again due to term limits may run for a council seat. That leaves two seats from the other ward to fill. I am releived. The stress of having cancer is enough. It takes all day just to take my meds and manuever around the house with my bad leg.
My heart goes out to the Dave Hoskins Family whom I know through cholangiocarcinoma.org. Dave flung himself into life as long as he could, and his wife Edith was incredibly supportive. He lost his battle last week.
That's the news for now.
Just up here in Colorado trying to get things done.
Sincerely, Caroline
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
HAD TROUBLE BLOGGING
First of all, I've been trying to blog all last week and it wouldn't let me change some things on the dashboard. I want to set up permanent photos and web links, and I just can't get it do any of that . If anyone can help me with this, please let me know. I need to contact the help desk, too.
Hairless Photo in front of Mt. Abrams: Here I am about 5 miles north of Ouray. I may have cancer, but when I look at these mountains, I sure don't want to leave this earth. The cemetery is on the left of the photograph. Thanks to Glenda Moore, whose husband has done well on my current chemo regimen of FOLFOX, for taking me out to the cemetery today to check on the headstone. Just a little bird poop and a few weeds grown up around it. We've had so much rain lately that it gets washed quite often. The view across the valley was incredible today. We've been having clear weather. And how 'bout my raccoon eyes! I've always had dark circle, but chemo really brings it out. If anyone knows about a great concealer for under the eyes, I'm all ears!
Old Time Photo: This other picture was taken about four years ago - my stepson Ian give us a gift certificate to the Old-Tyme Photo Gallery in Ouray. We sure had fun doing these pictures, and this is my favorite. THAT IS my husband Robert in the photo without his glasses. I do miss my hair. It is coming in and quite dark brown with some curls, but it's still awfully short and thin. It is cooler in the summer without a wig, but then again my head will get cold at night. I have several caps in which I can sleep. I guess that's what they did in the old days. Thanks to Polly Griggers for my latest red crocheted hat and to Maude (80 years old - I'm so jealous) from my support group in Grand Junction (GJ) who sewed me up a more traditional one. Robert doesn't like the wigs, but I'm going to have one re-styled. Sometimes I just want a break from the Sinead O'Conner look. I do have plenty of hats and scarves.
GOOD STUFF
Last week, I played Verena Jacobson, a school teacher from the 1920's here in Ouray, at the Ouray County Museum's "Walk Back in History". Because of the rain, we couldn't be posted on the sidewalks around town - we held it all inside at the Museum. Verena taught mostly up at the Revenue Mine above the Camp Bird. She has great stories to tell included in many books, but I got to view her last week on a video from the Museum's archives, so I adjusted my voice to try to sound more like her. We first did this performance last fall at the Wright Opera House as a "Women in Colorado History" type performance, and we're taking it to Montrose to the playhouse there the last weekend in September. This will be the big stage for me! I didn't think last winter I'd be alive for either last week's performance or the one in Montrose, but surprise, I'm still here.
We have friends here this week from New Zealand, Ross & Pauline. Robert went rock-hounding today at the Upper Camp Bird Mine. They didn't find much, but Robert was able to point out some ore specimens today to Ross who is a professor of geography from Christchurch. (Boy would I like to go there someday - don't put your vacations off. I'm not sure I'll ever get overseas again, but there's plenty in our back yard here in the Four Corners area. Ross and his wife both deal with geography, and they say there's a statistic that the closer you are to your cancer center/oncologist, the better your odds of survival.
Robert is going to try to go out in the mountains tomorrow with George Moore to do the second volume of Mines, Mountain Roads, and Rocks which has been a bestseller for us.
Okay, I have to go to my bedtime meds and hit the hay. If Robert wakes up and finds me on the computer, he'll have a fit. I did get to go back to physical therapy today, and it helps so much. I am determined to bowl again this fall.
More tomorrow. I'm scheduled for chemo this Friday, and plan to attend a support group retreat on Saturday if I feel up to it. I am looking for a ride home from GJ Saturday afternoon if anyone is going to be in the area.
Robert may possibly be running for Mayor this fall. One of the city council members from the other side of town resigned at Monday's council meeting over a lodging tax/affordable housing issue. We liked her very much and hate to see her go. That leaves only Robert who holds a seat until 2009 of the four council members plus the mayor. The Mayor is term limited and can't run again: however; she can run for a council seat on our side of town (called a ward). The other council member from our ward is up for re-election, but he is moving out of that side of town and has chosen not to run again. One of the council member from the other ward, up for election this year, is not running again as he is battling cancer. Anyway, if you are reading this and you're a registered voter in our ward, Robert needs signatures on his petition.
Just up here in Colorado taking advantage of the local organic produce and appreciating every extra day I get.
Sincerely, Caroline
Friday, August 17, 2007
Quick Update
I have been feeling better this week, but it's been very hectic with work and fun stuff. I did have chemo last week on the 9th, went to Buena Vista on the 10th (last Friday), went into a slump on Saturday, and started coming out of it on Tuesday or so.
I have an appointment with the tumor board at CU Denver-Anschutz Center on Monday, Sept. 17th. I get to go back to PT next week on the Aug 22nd. I started giving myself shots again this week so I can do it when I go to Dallas and meet my sisters for Suzie's 40th reunion. My dear friend Margaret Park Thomas is letting me stay with her.
I miss my hair more than I thought I would, but it it slowly coming in.
Delaney - I'll try to get back to you first thing tomorrow morning. Jody - I owe you a phone call and need to pick your brain about something. I'm sorry it's taken me so long to get back to you.
Darlene - I'm sorry I didn't get back to you today. We got wrapped up in some business stuff this afternoon we didn't anticipate.
Good new is that my left leg is working better. Still a little sore, but better and I'm encouraged.
I have to go to bed. I'm dead on my feet. I could not sleep last night.
Just up here in Colorado, blowing and going. I"m sleepy now and need to give into it.
Thanks, everyone for your support. Sincerly, Caroline
PS I found out my new boyfriend from senior meals, George Swift,is more like 100 years old than 90. He's 98. What an inspiration!
I have an appointment with the tumor board at CU Denver-Anschutz Center on Monday, Sept. 17th. I get to go back to PT next week on the Aug 22nd. I started giving myself shots again this week so I can do it when I go to Dallas and meet my sisters for Suzie's 40th reunion. My dear friend Margaret Park Thomas is letting me stay with her.
I miss my hair more than I thought I would, but it it slowly coming in.
Delaney - I'll try to get back to you first thing tomorrow morning. Jody - I owe you a phone call and need to pick your brain about something. I'm sorry it's taken me so long to get back to you.
Darlene - I'm sorry I didn't get back to you today. We got wrapped up in some business stuff this afternoon we didn't anticipate.
Good new is that my left leg is working better. Still a little sore, but better and I'm encouraged.
I have to go to bed. I'm dead on my feet. I could not sleep last night.
Just up here in Colorado, blowing and going. I"m sleepy now and need to give into it.
Thanks, everyone for your support. Sincerly, Caroline
PS I found out my new boyfriend from senior meals, George Swift,is more like 100 years old than 90. He's 98. What an inspiration!
Thursday, August 09, 2007
Wish Me Luck! (Chemo Scheduled Tomorrow)
This is a quick note as it is late and I need to hit the hay.
I'm scheduled for chemo tomorrow or actually today, so we leave early for Grand Junction. We hope to head over to Buena Vista aterward for the Contin-Tail, a rock swap. I told my husband Robert I can just as easily recover from chemo in the back seat of the car and a motel room as easily (almost) as I can at home.
I have two requests of the universe: better non-alcoholic wine and designer Depends. Is there some wine-maker out there who can do a better job with non-alcoholic wine? Fre is not so bad. Non-alcholic beer is pretty good. My friends tell me they're sorry that I can't drink - the oncologist said no alcohol while on chemo, and besides it's bad for your liver. Anyway, I remind them that with all the drugs I'm taking, I'm having a better time than anyone. Drugs can be fun, but I would give anything to have a day when I get to be "straight". Save drugs for when you really need them.
Okay, I have to go take a pill. Actually about six.
Thanks again everyone for everything. It's been a little hard staying positive this week, but I usually win that battle. Sometimes I just have to talk myself into it.
I owe a lot of people cards, calls, e-mails and I am so behind. I just wrote three postcards and can't find them. Chemo brain. My nose (septum) and esophagus hurt. If those tissues have worn away, it really worries me about what is happening to my brain. I have becmoe a real clutz. I drop things constantly or knock them over or catch things on my sleeve. I miss having hair more than I thought I would. Robert doesn't like me to wear wigs, and they would be hot now. I'm going to get one of them restyled. Okay, enough whining. I do know lots of people who have it worse than me.
Don't tell my husband this, but George Swift from senior meals is my new boyfriend. We've sat by each other on the bus to senior meals the last two weeks (the bus is really the senior van). Last week George kissed my hand, but he also kissed the new lady the week before. George is about 90 old, but he doesn't mind that I have a walker now.
Well hell, it's time to get up and go to Grand Junction, and I haven't slept. I can sleep on the way. That'll make Robert happy because he doesn't really like me to talk in the car.
Sincerely, Caroline
P.S. I tried to download some photos, but I couldn't figure out how. Google wanted me to sign some agreement, and I'll try to figure that out later.
I'm scheduled for chemo tomorrow or actually today, so we leave early for Grand Junction. We hope to head over to Buena Vista aterward for the Contin-Tail, a rock swap. I told my husband Robert I can just as easily recover from chemo in the back seat of the car and a motel room as easily (almost) as I can at home.
I have two requests of the universe: better non-alcoholic wine and designer Depends. Is there some wine-maker out there who can do a better job with non-alcoholic wine? Fre is not so bad. Non-alcholic beer is pretty good. My friends tell me they're sorry that I can't drink - the oncologist said no alcohol while on chemo, and besides it's bad for your liver. Anyway, I remind them that with all the drugs I'm taking, I'm having a better time than anyone. Drugs can be fun, but I would give anything to have a day when I get to be "straight". Save drugs for when you really need them.
Okay, I have to go take a pill. Actually about six.
Thanks again everyone for everything. It's been a little hard staying positive this week, but I usually win that battle. Sometimes I just have to talk myself into it.
I owe a lot of people cards, calls, e-mails and I am so behind. I just wrote three postcards and can't find them. Chemo brain. My nose (septum) and esophagus hurt. If those tissues have worn away, it really worries me about what is happening to my brain. I have becmoe a real clutz. I drop things constantly or knock them over or catch things on my sleeve. I miss having hair more than I thought I would. Robert doesn't like me to wear wigs, and they would be hot now. I'm going to get one of them restyled. Okay, enough whining. I do know lots of people who have it worse than me.
Don't tell my husband this, but George Swift from senior meals is my new boyfriend. We've sat by each other on the bus to senior meals the last two weeks (the bus is really the senior van). Last week George kissed my hand, but he also kissed the new lady the week before. George is about 90 old, but he doesn't mind that I have a walker now.
Well hell, it's time to get up and go to Grand Junction, and I haven't slept. I can sleep on the way. That'll make Robert happy because he doesn't really like me to talk in the car.
Sincerely, Caroline
P.S. I tried to download some photos, but I couldn't figure out how. Google wanted me to sign some agreement, and I'll try to figure that out later.
Thursday, August 02, 2007
Couldn't Do Chemo Yesterday
BLOODWORK OUT OF WHACK
Tuesday, we drove to Grand Junction to spend the night so I could be ready to go for chemo first thing yesterday morning at 8:30 am. My platelets, white blood cells, and neutrophiles were too low. I've probably been around too many people and germs, although the oncoologist said you can infect yourself at home. So I've been cleaning things with a bleach solution and throwing out old sponges, expired foods, etc. As much as I hate to do it, I'll probably have to avoid crowds. My tumor marker is back up to 5000+ but Dr. B said my liver didn't feel enlarged.
We had a writing workshop here in Ouray last week which I participated in, plus I've been atttending other things at night like Shakespeare in the park last Sunday. Looks like I'll miss book club tonight - we're reading The Power of One by Bryce Courtney. I haven't gotten to it yet, but everyone says it's excellent. I've been reading lots of medical stuff plus things from the writing workshops last week. The short, short story seems to be all the rage right now in literary journals.
Thanks to Moosie, our friend in GJ for putting us up Tuesday night and the wonderful dinner you cooked, particularly those feta cheese & peach-stuffed poblano peppers. We did go see Hairspray on Tuesday night and Harry Potter on Wednesday afternoon both of which I really enjoyed.
MEDICATION ADJUSTMENTS/DAMN BLOOD CLOT
I'm going down to one steroid split in half per day which I try to take as early in the day as possible. I also picked up a blood pressure medication today. My blood pressure has been running high which is unusual for me - it's usually perfect. It's also for edema, or swelling in the leg which can be a side effect of cancer, but it's probably more from the meds. My left leg is bruised and swelling really bad. The blood thinner for the blood clot has a lot tod do with bruising. I fell off our porch one morning last week. I had overslept due to taking several things at night to help sleep. The next morning, Robert thought I should just rest, and I was late for Pam Houston's writing class. So I was in a tearing hurry and just bounded off the porch. But I picked myself up and got to Pam Houston's class and didn't think twice about it. I was preoccupied with all the good writing of the other students. Pam also critiqued a work of mine and what she had to say was very encouraging. I have taken Pam's class three times now and always gotten something out of it. (She wrote Cowboys Are My Weakness, Sight Hound, Waltzing the Cat, and has a new short story collection coming out. She has been anthologized in many literay journals (most notably Best American Short Stories of the Century), and won many awards.
My left leg is somewhat unreliable. It's usually fine in the morning when I try to do things like laundry or housecleaning, but then I have to sit with it up in the afternoon with ice. I also use Lidocaine patches. This is from the radiation recall caused by Gemzar. I have to use a cane, and I even got a walker today with a seat. (I like to go around town like Hugh Laurie's character on the TV show House and smack poeple with my hat and tell them to quit smoking.) I did walk four blocks down from our house to the Bon Ton last Sunday morning to be at brunch with some people from the writing workhshop. Then I did my radio show, then I went to Shakespeare in the Park. I have to face it - I can't fling myself into life like I used to. That's okay because I have lots of writing, reading, and knitting to do, and really there's some great stuff on TV. I just upgraded our package so I can get more movie channels and Animal Planet. I usually watch PBS and the History Channel.
SLEEP IS A GOOD THING
I get rather combative at night when I have to go to bed. We're learning to use any stimulating drugs or vitamins in the morning and leave the painkillers, Neurotin (for neuropathy), and sleeping pills for night. I do get obsessive about staying up late due to that fact that I don't know when this cancer will overcome me, and I have so much I want to get done. I could throw a blood clot anytime. And I have been fighting this shit for almost two years now. I told my oncologist I wanted to be one of best statistics, and he said you already are. Before cancer, I used to stay up late just because I enjoyed doing so much, but now I do feel much better when I get a good night's sleep. (Hear that sister Suzie! We're old. We need our sleep.)
Drugs are wonderful, but what I would give to be straight for a day or longer. Save your drugs for when you really need them! I do try to take advantage of the creative rush from steroids and the ability to remember things from the long ago past. I do have chemo brain and can get confused.
THE PLAN
Hopefully, the FOLFOX will work. It has worked for our friend and author, George Moore, who wrote Mines, Mountain Roads and Rocks, a local road log for Ouray County and one of our bestsellers. Robert is helping him do the second volume of this book. They are covering the area near Silverton. George used FOLFOX six times and his colon cancer is stable. Many of the treatments for liver bile duct cancer are the same as for colon cancer.
I'm looking into clinical trials again. If it doesn't work, I'll go for one of the "Hail Mary" trials such as stem cell research. Maybe I will end up in Mexico for treatment. My doctor says you can't "out-eat" cancer with nutrition, but I am trying to eat a better diet with little or no sugar or gluten, yet I've read that many people die of malnutrition. I did have two Krispy Kremes today, but I'm phasing those out. I spent all my adult life on a damn diet, so being told to eat more calories is one of the upsides of cancer. After that, I'll try hospice, possibly go live with my sisters in Prescott, or go to a place that deals with cancer patients at the end of their lives. I do get tired of having my loved ones put their lives on hold for me. But I have too much invested in this Folfox to fullfill my duty to die.
Thanks again to everyone for your love, support, prayers, kind thoughts, positive energy and so on. I have to go to the bookstore for a while, but I hope to come back and post some pictures. Jody & Delaney, I got some pics back of Coop from her birthday.
Sincerely, Caroline.
Tuesday, we drove to Grand Junction to spend the night so I could be ready to go for chemo first thing yesterday morning at 8:30 am. My platelets, white blood cells, and neutrophiles were too low. I've probably been around too many people and germs, although the oncoologist said you can infect yourself at home. So I've been cleaning things with a bleach solution and throwing out old sponges, expired foods, etc. As much as I hate to do it, I'll probably have to avoid crowds. My tumor marker is back up to 5000+ but Dr. B said my liver didn't feel enlarged.
We had a writing workshop here in Ouray last week which I participated in, plus I've been atttending other things at night like Shakespeare in the park last Sunday. Looks like I'll miss book club tonight - we're reading The Power of One by Bryce Courtney. I haven't gotten to it yet, but everyone says it's excellent. I've been reading lots of medical stuff plus things from the writing workshops last week. The short, short story seems to be all the rage right now in literary journals.
Thanks to Moosie, our friend in GJ for putting us up Tuesday night and the wonderful dinner you cooked, particularly those feta cheese & peach-stuffed poblano peppers. We did go see Hairspray on Tuesday night and Harry Potter on Wednesday afternoon both of which I really enjoyed.
MEDICATION ADJUSTMENTS/DAMN BLOOD CLOT
I'm going down to one steroid split in half per day which I try to take as early in the day as possible. I also picked up a blood pressure medication today. My blood pressure has been running high which is unusual for me - it's usually perfect. It's also for edema, or swelling in the leg which can be a side effect of cancer, but it's probably more from the meds. My left leg is bruised and swelling really bad. The blood thinner for the blood clot has a lot tod do with bruising. I fell off our porch one morning last week. I had overslept due to taking several things at night to help sleep. The next morning, Robert thought I should just rest, and I was late for Pam Houston's writing class. So I was in a tearing hurry and just bounded off the porch. But I picked myself up and got to Pam Houston's class and didn't think twice about it. I was preoccupied with all the good writing of the other students. Pam also critiqued a work of mine and what she had to say was very encouraging. I have taken Pam's class three times now and always gotten something out of it. (She wrote Cowboys Are My Weakness, Sight Hound, Waltzing the Cat, and has a new short story collection coming out. She has been anthologized in many literay journals (most notably Best American Short Stories of the Century), and won many awards.
My left leg is somewhat unreliable. It's usually fine in the morning when I try to do things like laundry or housecleaning, but then I have to sit with it up in the afternoon with ice. I also use Lidocaine patches. This is from the radiation recall caused by Gemzar. I have to use a cane, and I even got a walker today with a seat. (I like to go around town like Hugh Laurie's character on the TV show House and smack poeple with my hat and tell them to quit smoking.) I did walk four blocks down from our house to the Bon Ton last Sunday morning to be at brunch with some people from the writing workhshop. Then I did my radio show, then I went to Shakespeare in the Park. I have to face it - I can't fling myself into life like I used to. That's okay because I have lots of writing, reading, and knitting to do, and really there's some great stuff on TV. I just upgraded our package so I can get more movie channels and Animal Planet. I usually watch PBS and the History Channel.
SLEEP IS A GOOD THING
I get rather combative at night when I have to go to bed. We're learning to use any stimulating drugs or vitamins in the morning and leave the painkillers, Neurotin (for neuropathy), and sleeping pills for night. I do get obsessive about staying up late due to that fact that I don't know when this cancer will overcome me, and I have so much I want to get done. I could throw a blood clot anytime. And I have been fighting this shit for almost two years now. I told my oncologist I wanted to be one of best statistics, and he said you already are. Before cancer, I used to stay up late just because I enjoyed doing so much, but now I do feel much better when I get a good night's sleep. (Hear that sister Suzie! We're old. We need our sleep.)
Drugs are wonderful, but what I would give to be straight for a day or longer. Save your drugs for when you really need them! I do try to take advantage of the creative rush from steroids and the ability to remember things from the long ago past. I do have chemo brain and can get confused.
THE PLAN
Hopefully, the FOLFOX will work. It has worked for our friend and author, George Moore, who wrote Mines, Mountain Roads and Rocks, a local road log for Ouray County and one of our bestsellers. Robert is helping him do the second volume of this book. They are covering the area near Silverton. George used FOLFOX six times and his colon cancer is stable. Many of the treatments for liver bile duct cancer are the same as for colon cancer.
I'm looking into clinical trials again. If it doesn't work, I'll go for one of the "Hail Mary" trials such as stem cell research. Maybe I will end up in Mexico for treatment. My doctor says you can't "out-eat" cancer with nutrition, but I am trying to eat a better diet with little or no sugar or gluten, yet I've read that many people die of malnutrition. I did have two Krispy Kremes today, but I'm phasing those out. I spent all my adult life on a damn diet, so being told to eat more calories is one of the upsides of cancer. After that, I'll try hospice, possibly go live with my sisters in Prescott, or go to a place that deals with cancer patients at the end of their lives. I do get tired of having my loved ones put their lives on hold for me. But I have too much invested in this Folfox to fullfill my duty to die.
Thanks again to everyone for your love, support, prayers, kind thoughts, positive energy and so on. I have to go to the bookstore for a while, but I hope to come back and post some pictures. Jody & Delaney, I got some pics back of Coop from her birthday.
Sincerely, Caroline.
Friday, July 20, 2007
COMING BACK TO LIFE - BIG CHEMO LAST TUESDAY
BIG CHEMO ON TUESDAY
I had a big chemo day on Tuesday and it really knocked me out. I had the FOLFOX - got the pump off yesterday for 5FU which I wear for two days. I also has Zometa, the bone hardener which I think causes my forearms and legs to ache, Aranesp for hemoglobin/red blood cells, and all the other attendant pre-medications for chemo. My platelets were low, but I was still able to have chemo anyway. I have been sleeping a bunch which is a good thing. My CA 19-9 tumor marker was 3821. My liver enzymes were all bit low or high, but nothing of real concern.
My left leg still hurts where they think I have a blood clot, so I'm going up on my steroids to two a day. I'm cutting Zoloft back to 1/4 pill. I try to take my steroids in the a.m. I've been taking Oxycodone for pain which causes constipation, so I try to keep my laxatives in balance with the pain medicattion. I have neuropathy really bad which causes my feet to swell and my mouth to react to cold. I can't have ice cream for the first five days or so after FOLFOX, and we just got Blue Bell, the best ice cream in the country, in Montrose, 35 miles up the road at the Russell Stover's Candy Factory Outlet. If I take Neurontin for for the neuropathy, I am gone. It really knocks me out. My oncologist wants me take it twice a day, but I would be asleep all the time, and it's just too busy right now in Ouray to be knocked out. I think I heard a statistic on TV that this is one of the busiest weeks for tourism.
HARRY POTTER TONIGHT
Speaking of being busy, Harry Potter comes out tonight. We ordered 60 copies and all of them have been spoken for. This is huge for our small town bookstore. I'm hoping to get down to the store for the sale.
WRITING WORKSHOPS
Week before last I was at a writing workshop in Taos. I took a memoir class with Barabara Robinette Moss who wrote Change Me Into Zeus's Daughter, Fierce, and she has a new memoir about having a rare form of cancer. I recommend all of her books.
I need to send a big thanks to my friend Jody who assisted me while I was in Taos. Thanks, Jody! Jody helped me give myself blood thinner shots, Alixir. She said I turned white the first day, but then I got better. I am quite a handful at times, so thanks Jody for your help and patience.
Starting tomorrow in Ouray, there's the San Juan Writer's Workshop. There are three fiction sessions that I plan to attend: Pam Painter, Pam Houston, and Robert Olen Butler. If any of you are reading this Pam Painter will have a reading on Sunday night 7/22/07, Pam Houston (Cowboys Are My Weakness, Sight Hound) will read Thursday night 7/26/07, and Pulitzer Prize winner (Good Scent from a Strange Mountain) Robert Olen Butler will read on Saturday night 7/28/07. Author readings are at 6:30 pm with student readings on the same day at 4:00 pm. All the readings are free to the public. I heard Pam Houston read in Taos from her most recent book yet to be published is really funny. The story was written in second person like her first story in the book Cowboys Are My Weakness. Pam has also been anthologized in the Best Short Stories of the Century.
I have to run - my husband just came home to pick me up for the Harry Potter Party - got to get my witch's costume on.
More later. Sincerely, Caroline
I had a big chemo day on Tuesday and it really knocked me out. I had the FOLFOX - got the pump off yesterday for 5FU which I wear for two days. I also has Zometa, the bone hardener which I think causes my forearms and legs to ache, Aranesp for hemoglobin/red blood cells, and all the other attendant pre-medications for chemo. My platelets were low, but I was still able to have chemo anyway. I have been sleeping a bunch which is a good thing. My CA 19-9 tumor marker was 3821. My liver enzymes were all bit low or high, but nothing of real concern.
My left leg still hurts where they think I have a blood clot, so I'm going up on my steroids to two a day. I'm cutting Zoloft back to 1/4 pill. I try to take my steroids in the a.m. I've been taking Oxycodone for pain which causes constipation, so I try to keep my laxatives in balance with the pain medicattion. I have neuropathy really bad which causes my feet to swell and my mouth to react to cold. I can't have ice cream for the first five days or so after FOLFOX, and we just got Blue Bell, the best ice cream in the country, in Montrose, 35 miles up the road at the Russell Stover's Candy Factory Outlet. If I take Neurontin for for the neuropathy, I am gone. It really knocks me out. My oncologist wants me take it twice a day, but I would be asleep all the time, and it's just too busy right now in Ouray to be knocked out. I think I heard a statistic on TV that this is one of the busiest weeks for tourism.
HARRY POTTER TONIGHT
Speaking of being busy, Harry Potter comes out tonight. We ordered 60 copies and all of them have been spoken for. This is huge for our small town bookstore. I'm hoping to get down to the store for the sale.
WRITING WORKSHOPS
Week before last I was at a writing workshop in Taos. I took a memoir class with Barabara Robinette Moss who wrote Change Me Into Zeus's Daughter, Fierce, and she has a new memoir about having a rare form of cancer. I recommend all of her books.
I need to send a big thanks to my friend Jody who assisted me while I was in Taos. Thanks, Jody! Jody helped me give myself blood thinner shots, Alixir. She said I turned white the first day, but then I got better. I am quite a handful at times, so thanks Jody for your help and patience.
Starting tomorrow in Ouray, there's the San Juan Writer's Workshop. There are three fiction sessions that I plan to attend: Pam Painter, Pam Houston, and Robert Olen Butler. If any of you are reading this Pam Painter will have a reading on Sunday night 7/22/07, Pam Houston (Cowboys Are My Weakness, Sight Hound) will read Thursday night 7/26/07, and Pulitzer Prize winner (Good Scent from a Strange Mountain) Robert Olen Butler will read on Saturday night 7/28/07. Author readings are at 6:30 pm with student readings on the same day at 4:00 pm. All the readings are free to the public. I heard Pam Houston read in Taos from her most recent book yet to be published is really funny. The story was written in second person like her first story in the book Cowboys Are My Weakness. Pam has also been anthologized in the Best Short Stories of the Century.
I have to run - my husband just came home to pick me up for the Harry Potter Party - got to get my witch's costume on.
More later. Sincerely, Caroline
Friday, July 13, 2007
Susan G. Komen 3-Day Walk
Caroline's long time childhood friend, Margaret Parks Thomas, from Duncanville, Texas, is hoping to participate in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day Walk in Dallas in honor of Caroline.
Margaret must raise at least $2200 in order to participate in the walk. She has a webpage at the Komen website if you would like to donate online:
http://www.the3day.org/dallas07/margaretthomas
If any of you reading this are in the Duncanville area, on July 25th Joe's Crab Shack on Highway 67 is making it Margaret Thomas Day for the race - they will donate 10% of every meal sold that day. Wish I was there ---- I'd gladly eat a ton of crabs on Caroline and Maggie's behalf!
Caroline should be home from Taos sometime this evening --- as far as I know, all went well and she had a great time.
Suzie Gray West
Margaret must raise at least $2200 in order to participate in the walk. She has a webpage at the Komen website if you would like to donate online:
http://www.the3day.org/dallas07/margaretthomas
If any of you reading this are in the Duncanville area, on July 25th Joe's Crab Shack on Highway 67 is making it Margaret Thomas Day for the race - they will donate 10% of every meal sold that day. Wish I was there ---- I'd gladly eat a ton of crabs on Caroline and Maggie's behalf!
Caroline should be home from Taos sometime this evening --- as far as I know, all went well and she had a great time.
Suzie Gray West
Friday, July 06, 2007
Headed to Taos, New Mexico for Memoir Class
TAOS WRITING WORKSHOP
My friend, Jody Curphy, is driving me to Taos (as she did last year) for a writing workshop in Taos, NM. We had a great time in 2006 and I'm repeating a memoir class with Barbara Robinette Moss who wrote Change Me Into Zeus's Daughter and Fierce, both excellent memoirs. Barbara is a wonderful teacher as well as an artist. We leave on Saturday and I'll be gone a week.
FOURTH OF JULY
I got to be in the parade here on the 4th. I was part of the Woman's Club float. Most people didn't recognize me with my very short hairdo. (I have lost my hair and it is coming back in like a bristle brush. I do miss my hair, and I have some wigs, but right now they are too hot to wear.) We have a great Fourth of July here - old fashioned parade, water fights (people try to knock each other down with a very strong water hose from the fire hydrants), and awesome fireworks.- the sound echoing off the mountains in our notch is really something. We had a great day in the bookstore. It was really hot, and no one minded getting wet at the water fights. In fact, this is my 12th Fourth of July here, and it is the first one I can remember where we weren't in sweaters at night. I ate all day - BBQ ribs from the Masons, brisket from the Elks. I escaped to the Elks Rummage Sale for several hours and got some great bargains. I would shop in the sun, sit under the tent at the Elks, get up and shop some more, etc. I was at the bookstore most of the day and saw so many people. I got lots of hug therapy - hope I didn't affect my platelets or white blood cells.
I LOST ANOTHER FRIEND TO CANCER THIS MORNING
I am sorry to report that a friend of mine in Denver passed away this morning from pancreatic cancer, but she fought for four years - quite a record. I met Margaret Mullen through my friend Jody who's driving me over to Taos. In fact, Margaret had my oncologist while he was at Kaiser Permanente in Denver. We both think he's great. Margaret was at home under hospice care. Her mother said she went to sleep for about three hours and just didn't wake up.
Jody and I are going to Taos in celebration of Margaret's life. When I pass, I want everyone to go to something fun in my honor.
I have to scoot. I got messed up on my meds yesterday and didn't sleep last night, and I'm paying the price today. Have a million things to do before leaving tomorrow.
Sincerely, Caroline
My friend, Jody Curphy, is driving me to Taos (as she did last year) for a writing workshop in Taos, NM. We had a great time in 2006 and I'm repeating a memoir class with Barbara Robinette Moss who wrote Change Me Into Zeus's Daughter and Fierce, both excellent memoirs. Barbara is a wonderful teacher as well as an artist. We leave on Saturday and I'll be gone a week.
FOURTH OF JULY
I got to be in the parade here on the 4th. I was part of the Woman's Club float. Most people didn't recognize me with my very short hairdo. (I have lost my hair and it is coming back in like a bristle brush. I do miss my hair, and I have some wigs, but right now they are too hot to wear.) We have a great Fourth of July here - old fashioned parade, water fights (people try to knock each other down with a very strong water hose from the fire hydrants), and awesome fireworks.- the sound echoing off the mountains in our notch is really something. We had a great day in the bookstore. It was really hot, and no one minded getting wet at the water fights. In fact, this is my 12th Fourth of July here, and it is the first one I can remember where we weren't in sweaters at night. I ate all day - BBQ ribs from the Masons, brisket from the Elks. I escaped to the Elks Rummage Sale for several hours and got some great bargains. I would shop in the sun, sit under the tent at the Elks, get up and shop some more, etc. I was at the bookstore most of the day and saw so many people. I got lots of hug therapy - hope I didn't affect my platelets or white blood cells.
I LOST ANOTHER FRIEND TO CANCER THIS MORNING
I am sorry to report that a friend of mine in Denver passed away this morning from pancreatic cancer, but she fought for four years - quite a record. I met Margaret Mullen through my friend Jody who's driving me over to Taos. In fact, Margaret had my oncologist while he was at Kaiser Permanente in Denver. We both think he's great. Margaret was at home under hospice care. Her mother said she went to sleep for about three hours and just didn't wake up.
Jody and I are going to Taos in celebration of Margaret's life. When I pass, I want everyone to go to something fun in my honor.
I have to scoot. I got messed up on my meds yesterday and didn't sleep last night, and I'm paying the price today. Have a million things to do before leaving tomorrow.
Sincerely, Caroline
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Received FOLFOX Yesterday
Yesterday I received FOLFOX treatment which takes just about all day. This weekend I'm very tired and taking it easy letting the chemo do its job.
I spoke with the oncologist about the liver scan taken 2 weeks ago - no new metastases and the existing tumors look stable. While my platlets were a little low, my red and white blood cell counts were good and my liver enzymes are very good - my liver is functioning. I'll have to be on the blood thinner shots for the rest of my life as the potential for more blood clots is very high. I believe this chemo will be ongoing indefinitely.
Thanks to everyone for all your prayers and support. Thanks to my sister Suzie for being here right now and typing this for me AND especially to my husband Robert who is a jewel.
Sincerely,
Caroline
P.S. Hopefully I'm going to Taos for a writing conference next week.
I spoke with the oncologist about the liver scan taken 2 weeks ago - no new metastases and the existing tumors look stable. While my platlets were a little low, my red and white blood cell counts were good and my liver enzymes are very good - my liver is functioning. I'll have to be on the blood thinner shots for the rest of my life as the potential for more blood clots is very high. I believe this chemo will be ongoing indefinitely.
Thanks to everyone for all your prayers and support. Thanks to my sister Suzie for being here right now and typing this for me AND especially to my husband Robert who is a jewel.
Sincerely,
Caroline
P.S. Hopefully I'm going to Taos for a writing conference next week.
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Good, Bad, and Incomplete News
SCAN YESTERDAY
I haven't gotten results from the scan on my liver yesterday, but I'm going to try to track someone down by Monday. My oncologist and nurse were running like crazy yeseterday afternoon. I did also have an ultrasound on my left leg and they found a blood clot which is scary. They gave me a blood thinner shot (Elexiter?) and sent Robert home with shots to give me. Already my leg feels better. I also thought I had some TMJ issues, but already that feels better, too. That pain is symmetric in both jaws, and usually if the pain is symmetric, it means it's from chemo or one of the meds. The blood clot means I'm to take it easy and keep my leg up. I also have to avoid getting cut due to the blood thinner. Probably won't be able to do my radio show tomorrow, but who knows. I can keep my leg up there - just have to have someone schlep all my CD's into the station. I'm also to increase my steroids to two per day. Oh boy, Robert's gonna love this.
GOT FOLFOX TREATMENT & OTHER INFUSIONS
My bloodwork was really good. White blood cells were above normal. I don't know what I did other than pray like hell they were good. Red blood cells were good, and liver enzymes are normal or just silghtly above or below. So thank you everyone for your prayers, and thank you God for good blood! So I had FOLFOX, Avastin, and Zometa (bone hardener).
ASHLEE GOT SENT HOME
Well, I didn't have a chance to vote for Ashlee, but I heard she was one of the ones who got sent home on Thursday night on "So You Think You Can Dance". My friend Lisas says she's capable of doing better, but she got a bad draw for her dance. Perhaps next time.
MINING ARTIFACT SHOW TODAY
Robert is at the Mining Artifact Show today, Elwood is running the store, and I may go up later with my foot up at either the show or the store. I'll have had two steroids by then and lots of energy.
Just up here in Colorado enjoying the summer weather. Hope to get up to Camp Bird Road and see the wildflowers soon. Don't know if my hip can take the jiggling in the jeep.
Sincerely, Caroline
PS I was wrong about the tumor marker. It was in the 4400's last time and has been as hight as 11,000+. They took blood for that yesterday, but it always takes a few days to get results.
I haven't gotten results from the scan on my liver yesterday, but I'm going to try to track someone down by Monday. My oncologist and nurse were running like crazy yeseterday afternoon. I did also have an ultrasound on my left leg and they found a blood clot which is scary. They gave me a blood thinner shot (Elexiter?) and sent Robert home with shots to give me. Already my leg feels better. I also thought I had some TMJ issues, but already that feels better, too. That pain is symmetric in both jaws, and usually if the pain is symmetric, it means it's from chemo or one of the meds. The blood clot means I'm to take it easy and keep my leg up. I also have to avoid getting cut due to the blood thinner. Probably won't be able to do my radio show tomorrow, but who knows. I can keep my leg up there - just have to have someone schlep all my CD's into the station. I'm also to increase my steroids to two per day. Oh boy, Robert's gonna love this.
GOT FOLFOX TREATMENT & OTHER INFUSIONS
My bloodwork was really good. White blood cells were above normal. I don't know what I did other than pray like hell they were good. Red blood cells were good, and liver enzymes are normal or just silghtly above or below. So thank you everyone for your prayers, and thank you God for good blood! So I had FOLFOX, Avastin, and Zometa (bone hardener).
ASHLEE GOT SENT HOME
Well, I didn't have a chance to vote for Ashlee, but I heard she was one of the ones who got sent home on Thursday night on "So You Think You Can Dance". My friend Lisas says she's capable of doing better, but she got a bad draw for her dance. Perhaps next time.
MINING ARTIFACT SHOW TODAY
Robert is at the Mining Artifact Show today, Elwood is running the store, and I may go up later with my foot up at either the show or the store. I'll have had two steroids by then and lots of energy.
Just up here in Colorado enjoying the summer weather. Hope to get up to Camp Bird Road and see the wildflowers soon. Don't know if my hip can take the jiggling in the jeep.
Sincerely, Caroline
PS I was wrong about the tumor marker. It was in the 4400's last time and has been as hight as 11,000+. They took blood for that yesterday, but it always takes a few days to get results.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Scan Tomorrow - Wish Me Luck!
SCAN TOMORROW
We're headed tonight to Grand Junction (GJ), to spend the night as I have a scan at 7:20 tomorrow morning. This will help to evaluate where we're at. I then see my oncologist at 9am. Hopefully, my red and white blood cells will be where they should be to have the "big" chemo, FOLFOX.
VOTE FOR ASHLEE ON "SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE"
Lisa, a very good friend of mine in Texas whose daughter, Tara, is a Kilgore Rangerette is rooting for Ashlee who was Tara's lieutenant in Rangerettes this past school year. She's on "So You Think You Can Dance".
HAS ANYONE EXPERIENCED THIS?
Last Saturday night, I got a splitting headache in Leadville at bed time. I think it was the altitude, not drinking enough fluids, plus I had just had a huge, be prepared, BM. My head hurt so bad I was in tears. But I tried to relax and Robert talked to me soft and slowly, and it finally went away. I felt good the next day.
HOW 'BOUT THAT TUMOR MARKER
My tumor marker has gone down to about 5500 something, down from 14,000. I have "tree rings" in my fingernails - alternating white and pink. I think this represents when I've had the bigger chemo.
LEG IN PAIN
My left leg is hurting like hell today. I guess I overdid ityesterday. I had PT and she told me that on humid days, we measure the barometer with our joints and muscles. We have had some rainy days and all the PT patients have been hurting.
We also had a booth at "Taste of Ouray" last night, and I pigged out. My weight is up which is a good thing.
TRYING TO SLEEP MORE
I've been guilty of not sleeping, but I'm getting into it and taking my heavier meds at bedtime. Last night I slept 10 hours.
SORRY I'VE BEEN OUT OF TOUCH
I owe some friends packages, cards, and other correspondence. Also, I'm sorry I haven't been on the discussion group for a long time.
Just up here in Colorado, enjoying the upcoming summer. We've had hummingbirds and snow together in some weeks recently. Biscuit (my cat) and I saw a Groesbeek at the feeder the other morning.
Sincerely, Caroline
We're headed tonight to Grand Junction (GJ), to spend the night as I have a scan at 7:20 tomorrow morning. This will help to evaluate where we're at. I then see my oncologist at 9am. Hopefully, my red and white blood cells will be where they should be to have the "big" chemo, FOLFOX.
VOTE FOR ASHLEE ON "SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE"
Lisa, a very good friend of mine in Texas whose daughter, Tara, is a Kilgore Rangerette is rooting for Ashlee who was Tara's lieutenant in Rangerettes this past school year. She's on "So You Think You Can Dance".
HAS ANYONE EXPERIENCED THIS?
Last Saturday night, I got a splitting headache in Leadville at bed time. I think it was the altitude, not drinking enough fluids, plus I had just had a huge, be prepared, BM. My head hurt so bad I was in tears. But I tried to relax and Robert talked to me soft and slowly, and it finally went away. I felt good the next day.
HOW 'BOUT THAT TUMOR MARKER
My tumor marker has gone down to about 5500 something, down from 14,000. I have "tree rings" in my fingernails - alternating white and pink. I think this represents when I've had the bigger chemo.
LEG IN PAIN
My left leg is hurting like hell today. I guess I overdid ityesterday. I had PT and she told me that on humid days, we measure the barometer with our joints and muscles. We have had some rainy days and all the PT patients have been hurting.
We also had a booth at "Taste of Ouray" last night, and I pigged out. My weight is up which is a good thing.
TRYING TO SLEEP MORE
I've been guilty of not sleeping, but I'm getting into it and taking my heavier meds at bedtime. Last night I slept 10 hours.
SORRY I'VE BEEN OUT OF TOUCH
I owe some friends packages, cards, and other correspondence. Also, I'm sorry I haven't been on the discussion group for a long time.
Just up here in Colorado, enjoying the upcoming summer. We've had hummingbirds and snow together in some weeks recently. Biscuit (my cat) and I saw a Groesbeek at the feeder the other morning.
Sincerely, Caroline
Saturday, June 09, 2007
Greetings from Leadville, CO
Hello Everyone!
What a great day to be alive. Robert & I are in Leadville, doing the Mining History Association Annual Meeting, and having a great time. It's beautiful here in Leadville but cold. We have had a good show - sold books, mineral specimens, mining stock certificates, and mining artifacts. We've gotten to see many friends we haven't seen in a long time at this conference. We head home tomorrow, although we're going to drive around tomorrow and see some of the mines. We've also gotten to visit a wonderful indedpendent bookstore here, The Book Lode. Thanks to Carol, the owner for meeting us for breakfast and sharing experincess. If you're in Leadville, do look up this wonderful little bookstore.
Next weekend, we have a mining artifact show in Ouray. Never a dull moment! Lots of work to catch up on before our next visit with the oncologist on Friday, June 15th. Wish me luck that my blood cells will let me have chemo. Last Wednesday was one of those days when if I could have pulled the plug, I would have. I stayed up almost all night because we had so much work to do before we left town. But we went to the physical therapist, and Lee Ann helps so much. Thanks to Peggy Lindsay for massage which has been very helpful. Colleen Hollenbeck, my home health nurse, has really helped me get my meds straight.
C.W. McCALL WAS WONDERFUL ON THE RADIO SHOW!
C. W. McCall was on my radio show last Sunday, and he was just delightful! We did record the show. Also, he is really interested in classical musical music, and won a Cleo award for advertising. He did a lot of music before he ever did Convoy in the late 70's. The school hopes to get him back for a classical music show.
I have to scoot as it is getting late for us.
Thanks everyone for your interest and support.
Sincerely, Caroline
What a great day to be alive. Robert & I are in Leadville, doing the Mining History Association Annual Meeting, and having a great time. It's beautiful here in Leadville but cold. We have had a good show - sold books, mineral specimens, mining stock certificates, and mining artifacts. We've gotten to see many friends we haven't seen in a long time at this conference. We head home tomorrow, although we're going to drive around tomorrow and see some of the mines. We've also gotten to visit a wonderful indedpendent bookstore here, The Book Lode. Thanks to Carol, the owner for meeting us for breakfast and sharing experincess. If you're in Leadville, do look up this wonderful little bookstore.
Next weekend, we have a mining artifact show in Ouray. Never a dull moment! Lots of work to catch up on before our next visit with the oncologist on Friday, June 15th. Wish me luck that my blood cells will let me have chemo. Last Wednesday was one of those days when if I could have pulled the plug, I would have. I stayed up almost all night because we had so much work to do before we left town. But we went to the physical therapist, and Lee Ann helps so much. Thanks to Peggy Lindsay for massage which has been very helpful. Colleen Hollenbeck, my home health nurse, has really helped me get my meds straight.
C.W. McCALL WAS WONDERFUL ON THE RADIO SHOW!
C. W. McCall was on my radio show last Sunday, and he was just delightful! We did record the show. Also, he is really interested in classical musical music, and won a Cleo award for advertising. He did a lot of music before he ever did Convoy in the late 70's. The school hopes to get him back for a classical music show.
I have to scoot as it is getting late for us.
Thanks everyone for your interest and support.
Sincerely, Caroline
Sunday, June 03, 2007
CW McCall on my Radio Show Today
I think that I will have CW McCall, singer of Convoy and ex-mayor of Ouray, on my oldies radio show at 1:00 - 4:00 pm today. The station is KURA, 98.9, Ouray, Colorado. I don't know how to stream it, but here is the info:
kara.fast-serv.com:9262/listen.pls
I think you somehow copy this and it sets your computer up to play the show.
CHEMO REPORT
My white blood cells were too low to have FULFOX this week, but I had Avastin. So I had the little chemo and not the big one. We are scheduled to go back on June 15th to try again. My white blood cells were too high to have a round of shots to boost the white blood cells. It's been a very busy week for us in Ouray (we had a book signing at the book store yesterday, plus a million other activities going on in town), so I'm glad I had this week off from chemo.
I have to scoot. Suzie, my sister and maker of my dreams coming true, was here this week and she needs to leave, so I need to get going.
More Later! Thanks everyone.
Just up here in Colorado enjoying the beautiful scenery and sunshine!
Hope all is well with everyone out there.
Sincerely, Caroline
kara.fast-serv.com:9262/listen.pls
I think you somehow copy this and it sets your computer up to play the show.
CHEMO REPORT
My white blood cells were too low to have FULFOX this week, but I had Avastin. So I had the little chemo and not the big one. We are scheduled to go back on June 15th to try again. My white blood cells were too high to have a round of shots to boost the white blood cells. It's been a very busy week for us in Ouray (we had a book signing at the book store yesterday, plus a million other activities going on in town), so I'm glad I had this week off from chemo.
I have to scoot. Suzie, my sister and maker of my dreams coming true, was here this week and she needs to leave, so I need to get going.
More Later! Thanks everyone.
Just up here in Colorado enjoying the beautiful scenery and sunshine!
Hope all is well with everyone out there.
Sincerely, Caroline
Monday, May 28, 2007
A Quickie From Caroline
Hello Everyone -
I have so much to tell everyone, but I've needed to catch up on bookkeeping, book orders, organizing new businesses, doing my film with my film class, training Robert on some bookkeeping, trying to rest, sometimes I don't have a choice - the chemo takes over.
With Suzie here next week, I hope we can post some pictures on the blog. I have so much to tell you about our trips.
A quick note to Vicki McNair and Liz Potts from Skyline High School. It was so good to see you and my dear friends Sarie and Elaine Dial. So much more to say and people to thank on our various pilgrimages.
I have to get to bed now! Oops, it's midnight. Gotta go do some mouthwash.
Just up here in Colorado, with hummingbirds and snow. The snow melted earlier this week, but I could still hear some hummingbirds. I think everyone mowed their yard this weekend after the snow melted. We got our lawnmower fixed, thanks to Elwood our employee.
Sincerely, Caroline
P.S. I think this cancer has messed with the wrong woman.
I have so much to tell everyone, but I've needed to catch up on bookkeeping, book orders, organizing new businesses, doing my film with my film class, training Robert on some bookkeeping, trying to rest, sometimes I don't have a choice - the chemo takes over.
With Suzie here next week, I hope we can post some pictures on the blog. I have so much to tell you about our trips.
A quick note to Vicki McNair and Liz Potts from Skyline High School. It was so good to see you and my dear friends Sarie and Elaine Dial. So much more to say and people to thank on our various pilgrimages.
I have to get to bed now! Oops, it's midnight. Gotta go do some mouthwash.
Just up here in Colorado, with hummingbirds and snow. The snow melted earlier this week, but I could still hear some hummingbirds. I think everyone mowed their yard this weekend after the snow melted. We got our lawnmower fixed, thanks to Elwood our employee.
Sincerely, Caroline
P.S. I think this cancer has messed with the wrong woman.
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Caroline is doing ok ....
Howdy ya'll - that's Texan for hello you all. This is Suzie again. Caroline is doing fine - she's off her steroid high and therefore has less energy.
I'm so happy to have my "real" little sister back. I can hear it in her voice - it's truly Caroline! I'm wondering if any of you caretakers have experienced this with your loved one. She's finally sleeping, which means Robert is getting more "good" sleep. I kept thinking about the time one of my best friends was in the midst of a horendous tragedy. We were at the hospital and my friend could not sleep or eat. The nurse told us her getting sleep was more important than her eating. I was beginning to think Robert would get up one morning and find a little pile of ashes where Caroline had finally burned out.
Caroline is getting physical therapy on her leg and she believes it is really helping, although I don't believe she can yet really use that thigh muscle. Robert said she can bend the leg a tad. She continues to have mouth and throat sores and sometimes she can't even take pills.
This is really getting her down. Caroline, as I'm sure you've come to know, has always been extremely active. She was involved in so many things and she worked at the same time. After moving to Ouray and marrying Robert, she jumped into the community with both feet. To not have energy and to feel so sick is depressing. She questions whether it's all worth it. Apparently the affects of FOLFOX are cumulative so she'll probably feel even worse after the next treatment. I'm going over on Tuesday to spend some sister time and give Robert the time to do some rockhounding. Robert is great at finding beautiful crystals. I swear, he knows everything about Colorado minerals. Caroline and Robert were a good match - both being geologists and continuing their interest and enterprise in minerals.
I'll travel to Grand Junction with Robert and Caroline next Thursday for her doctor appointment. Hopefully all the tests will give the go ahead for FOLFOX chemo. She's coming to the end of this chemo regime and we're all extremely anxious for her to take a scan and see what the FOLFOX has accomplished. Caroline and Robert have a friend who has undergone this chemo regime for a different type of cancer. He's shared his experiences while undergoing FOLFOX which has been extremely helpful to Caroline. His sharing of experiences and his support has helped her get through this.
I'd better scoot - have a million things to do before I leave on Tuesday.
You go FOLFOX ..... kill those cancer cells!
Love to all,
Suzie
I'm so happy to have my "real" little sister back. I can hear it in her voice - it's truly Caroline! I'm wondering if any of you caretakers have experienced this with your loved one. She's finally sleeping, which means Robert is getting more "good" sleep. I kept thinking about the time one of my best friends was in the midst of a horendous tragedy. We were at the hospital and my friend could not sleep or eat. The nurse told us her getting sleep was more important than her eating. I was beginning to think Robert would get up one morning and find a little pile of ashes where Caroline had finally burned out.
Caroline is getting physical therapy on her leg and she believes it is really helping, although I don't believe she can yet really use that thigh muscle. Robert said she can bend the leg a tad. She continues to have mouth and throat sores and sometimes she can't even take pills.
This is really getting her down. Caroline, as I'm sure you've come to know, has always been extremely active. She was involved in so many things and she worked at the same time. After moving to Ouray and marrying Robert, she jumped into the community with both feet. To not have energy and to feel so sick is depressing. She questions whether it's all worth it. Apparently the affects of FOLFOX are cumulative so she'll probably feel even worse after the next treatment. I'm going over on Tuesday to spend some sister time and give Robert the time to do some rockhounding. Robert is great at finding beautiful crystals. I swear, he knows everything about Colorado minerals. Caroline and Robert were a good match - both being geologists and continuing their interest and enterprise in minerals.
I'll travel to Grand Junction with Robert and Caroline next Thursday for her doctor appointment. Hopefully all the tests will give the go ahead for FOLFOX chemo. She's coming to the end of this chemo regime and we're all extremely anxious for her to take a scan and see what the FOLFOX has accomplished. Caroline and Robert have a friend who has undergone this chemo regime for a different type of cancer. He's shared his experiences while undergoing FOLFOX which has been extremely helpful to Caroline. His sharing of experiences and his support has helped her get through this.
I'd better scoot - have a million things to do before I leave on Tuesday.
You go FOLFOX ..... kill those cancer cells!
Love to all,
Suzie
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Hello from Prescott, Arizona
Hi ya'll, this is Suzie once again.
Caroline is doing fine - she's just really busy and has once again discovered SLEEP --- thank heavens!!!! Being on the road with her during our Gray Girls' Texas Trek, I came to truly appreciate what Robert is up against. The steriods really throw Caroline into a manic state and although she was decreasing the dose during our trip, she still fought sleep. She would be sitting on the bed in a hotel room fooling around with something in her hands and would fall asleep mid-whatever she was doing. Diane and I would tell her to get in bed and she'd say "I just need to finish this" --- and on it would go. Diane found her asleep in the bathroom one morning about 2:30 am. One morning after such a night, I made her write a letter to herself (to give to Robert to use when needed) reminding her how hard headed she is and that her caretakers need sleep even if she doesn't. I have no idea where the letter is - I'm not sure she ever delivered it to Robert. Soooo, we're thrilled she once again, at least periodically, is going to bed at a reasonable time.
She had the FOLFOX chemo this week although she had to have a blood transfusion due to her continued anemia. She told me Dr. Bergen seems to be more optimistic - he has to be as we really weren't sure she'd be here last Christmas and he told us prior to our Texas Trek that she might die in the car. He was so concerned Diane and I would be really upset with him - we told him it would be ok as Caroline would be doing something she truly wanted to do. I am so impressed with Dr. Bergen. I believe the mix of God's grace, Dr. Bergen's excellent doctoring, and Caroline's will is the reason she's still alive and living OUTLOUD.
She is continuing with her video and of course she got really behind with their businesses while out of town so much the past couple of months so she's working very hard to catch up prior to the upcoming summer season in Ouray.
As always, thank you for all of your love and support. We all need and appreciate it.
Suzie Gray West
P.S. We're thinking Caroline will be attending my 40 year high school reunion this September in Duncanville, Texas!
Caroline is doing fine - she's just really busy and has once again discovered SLEEP --- thank heavens!!!! Being on the road with her during our Gray Girls' Texas Trek, I came to truly appreciate what Robert is up against. The steriods really throw Caroline into a manic state and although she was decreasing the dose during our trip, she still fought sleep. She would be sitting on the bed in a hotel room fooling around with something in her hands and would fall asleep mid-whatever she was doing. Diane and I would tell her to get in bed and she'd say "I just need to finish this" --- and on it would go. Diane found her asleep in the bathroom one morning about 2:30 am. One morning after such a night, I made her write a letter to herself (to give to Robert to use when needed) reminding her how hard headed she is and that her caretakers need sleep even if she doesn't. I have no idea where the letter is - I'm not sure she ever delivered it to Robert. Soooo, we're thrilled she once again, at least periodically, is going to bed at a reasonable time.
She had the FOLFOX chemo this week although she had to have a blood transfusion due to her continued anemia. She told me Dr. Bergen seems to be more optimistic - he has to be as we really weren't sure she'd be here last Christmas and he told us prior to our Texas Trek that she might die in the car. He was so concerned Diane and I would be really upset with him - we told him it would be ok as Caroline would be doing something she truly wanted to do. I am so impressed with Dr. Bergen. I believe the mix of God's grace, Dr. Bergen's excellent doctoring, and Caroline's will is the reason she's still alive and living OUTLOUD.
She is continuing with her video and of course she got really behind with their businesses while out of town so much the past couple of months so she's working very hard to catch up prior to the upcoming summer season in Ouray.
As always, thank you for all of your love and support. We all need and appreciate it.
Suzie Gray West
P.S. We're thinking Caroline will be attending my 40 year high school reunion this September in Duncanville, Texas!
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Quick Update on Caroline
Hi all, this is Suzie, Caroline's big sister again. Al and I just returned from a week in Oregon. I spoke with Caroline briefly today and she wanted me to post and say she's doing fine but is really, really busy. Her leg continues to improve for which she's very thankful and encouraged. She is having trouble swallowing --- sores in her mouth and throat from chemo. She will see Dr. Bergen today (Friday) and then she and Robert are off to Moab with a long time friend, Dick, who lives in Grand Junction. She said she's continuing to calm down as the steroids are decreased. I spoke with Robert while we were gone and he told me she'd gotten really good sleep a couple of nights/days --- believe me, she needs it. She just goes and goes and goes --- I keep thinking she's going to burn up like a shooting star. I know they'll have a wonderful time and she'll absorb the beauty and peace of Moab.
Thank you for all your love and support of my little sister. She's a truly amazing woman and is fighting for her life.
Suzie
Thank you for all your love and support of my little sister. She's a truly amazing woman and is fighting for her life.
Suzie
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