Christmas Eve

Well, got to sleep in some but hurried around making sure last minute things were done. We had to finish shopping at Cracker Barrell (LOL!!) on the way home from Duke as we still had not finished up. Anway, got everything wrapped, sealed and delivered. Chris and his Mom Gin cooked up our Christmas Eve dinner which was pork loin, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, broccoli casserole, sweet potato casserole and rolls. Angela cooked up the macarooni and cheese which completed the meal and we ate around 5:00. We of course ate on paper plates and used plastic utensils but it was so nice not to have to cook one thing and all of the food was delicious. Gin almost made her famous Turtle Puffs which are so good, Mom brought her famous lemon cake and we made our brownies. We were all sitting by the tree enjoying the
laughter, talking and thinking about how blessed we are. Alanna was at her home in NC with her brother and sister and we are so thankful that her surgery went so well. It does not look like she will have to be on insulin long and her liver has already started doing the processes the pancreas had done before, so we know she does not miss the pain! I will be starting my chemo soon which will treat the liver, bone and breast cancer all at one time. It has been a fast Christmas and all of the snow went away in one day! Temperature was 54 degrees today and it all melted. Hope everyone had a blessed Christmas and will look forward to a wonderful New Year! Love, Janice & Danny

12/26/09 Late Update

Sorry for the late update. My internet has been down since the snowstorm and just got fixed today. We had intermittant internet and it worked when it wanted to, not when I wanted it too!
Anyway, last Monday, ended up being a 2 day trip. I had my last radiation treatment then saw my doctor. I had to review the new clinical trial being offered called ABC then I found out I was not having chemo. Apparently, I needed several tests before I could start any chemo so they wanted me to go ahead with the tests and schedule the chemo for Wednesday, 23 Dec and it did not take me very long to say no way! If I've waited this long for chemo, then another week would not make a difference. I would have any tests that they wanted but I wanted to come home Tuesday and not be home on Wednesday night and then possibly be sick for Christmas. So, my doctor agreed to let me take the tests, which were a brain scan, a heart ultrasound, a biopsy of the breast again and some blood tests. I was unable to schedule all of the tests that Monday so I had to have my heart test on Tuesday but we got home around 5:30. By the way, I got to go with my friend Joy and her husband to see the Rockettes on Wednesday, 23 Dec at 4:00 p.m. in a borrowed wheelchair, which was great. But with the snow still hanging around, I needed snow tires and a seat belt (LOL!!!) boy, did we make some memories. I never laughed so hard in my life trying to get over the snow in a wheelchair that did not want to go! We were supposed to be on 23L which is up a lot of steps but since I was in a wheelchair, we got to sit a lot closer in a special area for wheelchairs. I'm so glad that the radiation worked so well and most of the pain in my left leg is gone...it's 90% better and I can get around so much better, if I just had the energy. Anyway, I have to go back this Tuesday, 29 Dec for my first chemo treatment. Bloodwork is at 0755 a.m, doctor at 830 and chemo at 930. We have decided to go on up Monday night and stay so neither one of us has to get up sooo sooo early. Hopefully, we will be able to come home Tuesday afternoon and then go back next Monday. I'll post Christmas Day on another blog so stay tuned!

12/19/09 Happy Birthday Stacy

Happy Birthday Stacy! Glad we got to see her yesterday for dinner as I don't think anyone is going anywhere today! LOL!!!! Supposed to be going on a limo ride tonight for what they call in Richmond, the tacky light tour. I guess the only tacky lights we will see will be on tv tonight!
I know where I was 30 years ago today - delivering a very sweet, blond hair, blue eyed girl!


HAPPY 30th BIRTHDAY STACY!!!

Love,
Mom & Dad

Update from week of 12/14/09

Well, been on a lengthy trip again which I did not have plans for. When I got to Duke on Monday, I was given 3 options due to my leg bone pain:

(a) Immediate admission to hospital for IV pain medications
(b) Start radiation to pubic bone
(c) Start chemo treatment

By the time I got to duke on Monday, my treatments had changed again. The liver biopsy showed that my tumor markers had changed
so I was no longer acceptable to the clinical trial which I had been contemplating. My only treatment now is for pure chemo called ABC
which is given on a weekly basis. I decided to go with option B above as radiation would help shrink the size of the tumor (unable to
determine size of this tumor) and help with the pain. So, Monday afternoon I was sent to the Radiation clinic and they did some initial
cat scans to determine the areas where chemo would hit, then scheduled me for radiation at 11:30 on Tuesday for 5 days. We have
been looking at the same 4 walls for 5 days so finally got home today and glad to be here, especially since they are calling for snow.
I have to return on Monday for final radiation treatment @ 11:30, appointment for bloodwork at 1:00, 2:30 with my doctor and 3:30
for chemo treatment. Hopefully, we will be able to return home on Monday evening, but do not know that for sure. I'm so grateful
to Duke for suggesting the liver biopsy as the biopsy showed that my tumor markers had changed from Estrogen negative to
Estrogen positive and is breast cancer related, but I know for sure that I am getting the right treatment as the Arimidex I had been
taking was no longer treating the cancer. Sneaky little cancer cells, aren't they? Even though I haven't started my chemo treatments, I have had weird tastes and a lot of nausea and they have changed my nausea and pain medications. Angela says she is
going to come spend the weekend with me, since I have alcohol and plenty of pain meds, between the two of them, we won't care
about the snow! Just kidding. So, will start on the chemo road again which I thought might be later down the road, but guess
I kept my wig and hats for some reason. I'm donating all of them this time! Hope that I will be able to update everyone on Monday
evening as I love being at home. There is nothing like your own bed and pillow. Merry Christmas to all.

Sat, Dec 13, 2009

Well, on Thursday afternoon, I started getting sick and could not keep anything down and was having bad pain in the pubic area. So, I called Duke and they said I had to go to a local ER. Since I was being so sick, I went by the emergency crew. Danny could not drive and take care of me too. Anyway, they could not find a nausea medication that would work and I kept going to sleep until I got sick again. Finally, phernergan worked and then the xray did not show any fracture or anything, so I was sent home on percocet. I don't remember getting home, eating supper or going to bed and not much of yesterday. Today, is a little better, at least I'm not getting sick any longer and the high temperatures are gone. I called Duke again on the pain and they said just keep taking the percocet, yea, right, and keep on being doped up. Not if Tylenol for Arthritis works, that's a good medicine believe me. I can't take Motrin or Aleve. So here we go with the Tylenol again. I have an appt. on Monday because of my tumor markers changing so my medication will change but I bet they will also be sending me for 5-10 days of radiation therapy for the bone pain. We shall see. One of my doctors at Duke, Dr. Kimberly Blackwell was written up in the paper today on Duke's discovery of two drugs that work better together for breast cancer. Alanna, my grand daughter, is doing better I believe, poor baby, she has really been thru it. She's a very brave 14 year old. It's something when you lose your gall bladder, pancreas, spleen and appendix all in one surgery. She was on a medically induced coma but woke up anyway....shows she a real fighter like her Nana! LOL!!! Well, guess I will sign off for now and probably update again either Monday or Tuesday.

Monday, 12/7/09

Bloodwork at 1:30
Doctors appt at 2:30
Treatment at 3:30

Danny and I left around 9:45 so that we could stop along the way to rest and eat after we arrived in Durham. We got to Duke around 12:45 and I had my bloodwork around 1:15 and then we waited. Too many patients and not enough rooms so the doctor saw me at 4:15. The liver biopsy showed that the cancer was breast cancer and the same type I had the first time. So, the program changed to Aromasin, which is a pill along with a possible clinical trial. In the meantime, because of my bone cancer pain, I was sent for an IV treatment which I can take twice a year. It does have side effects as I found out on the way home. Anyway, we discussed the clinical trial some but was advised that the nurse would call me for that and I would have to go to Duke North for some additional tests to be done on an outpatient b asis. I was scheduled for hip xray and EKG. Anyway, we could not find out where to get the EKG done and by this time, it was after 7:00 so we decided to stay the night. Looks like most everytime I go, I will have to stay the night. We got up Tuesday morning and went to the clinic for the EKG and then came home. On the way home, I started getting chills and could not get warm. Once I got home, my temperature was over 100 and this is two of the side effects along with bone pain. I had heel pain this morning and my temperature at 4:00 a.m. this morning was almost 103 so Danny stayed home. One day at a time! sorry this email is late but have not felt like sending anykind of update. Am still awaiting word from Duke on the clinical trial and thinking I will have to go back next week. I checked out the train schedules but its 3 and a half hour by train due to the stops I guess. Anybody got a small plane? I don't mind planes but I'd have to leave Danny at home. LOL!!! Anyway, hope to be much better tomorrow, so keep me in your prayers. Janice

Visit to Duke Hospital, Durham, NC

Monday, Nov 30 - 12:00 lab work, 1:00 appointment with Dr. Erica Hamilton

First, lab work was done, then my weight, blood pressure, etc. then we waited. We got there at 10:00 a.m. because we were not sure where we were going and it gave us time to eat. Around 1:30, we got in the back and Dr. Hamilton came in. She's very young, new and graduate
of UNC. She went over my file with me, asked some questions, then stated that her and her team leader would go and look at my CD's that I had brought and then come back in to discuss. About an hour later, Dr. Hamilton and Dr. Blackwell, came into the room. Dr. Blackwell is a graduate of Mayo and her internship was at Duke. She advised that some of the breast cancer cells were left in the tissue from my lumpectomy and had returned. Over the years, I have been on a cancer drug called Arimidex which has held off the cancer and had done a very good job. She told me I should not be concerned about the cancer cells being left, as that could have also happened at Duke. She also advised that the largest tumor had been
in my lymph nodes, size 3.5 cm and 10 out of the 17 lymph nodes were cancerous. I did not know that the largest tumor was in the lymph nodes, I did know about the # of lymph nodes involved. She also wanted to proceed ahead with the liver biopsy as that would show what the tumor markers were and the type of cancer in the liver. A bone biopsy would not show this as there are too many layers in the bone. Dr. Blackwell advised that she was
a medical oncologist with her specialty being breast cancer and that a team would be meeting to treat my entire body, not just the breast cancer. They wanted to move right away based on my decision whether I wanted to be totally treated at Duke or work thru MCV. The treatment she would recommend is to receive treatment from a cousin drug to the Arimidex which would be via a shot that I would receive every two weeks. She does not recommend chemotherapy at this time. Based on the results of my ultrasound guided liver biopsy, will determine how they will treat the liver and bone cancer. I could also be considered for some trial drug treatments if I become a good candidate based on my tests. She wanted to redo the bone scan and a cat scan to the abdomen and pelvic areas. During my treatment, I will be retested and have scans at 8 and 16 weeks. I felt a calm come over me since I would not be taking chemotherapy - no sickness, no hair loss, no port needed and I would be going every 2 weeks
for the shot. I decided to go with this treatment as Duke is a Cancer Center - there are only 10 in the United States and I will have a team that will treat the entire body not just the breast cancer. Yes, there is a chance that the cancer in my liver and bone is the same as the breast cancer, but in order to treat those 2 areas, you have to know for sure so a biopsy was needed. MCV did not want to do a biopsy as they were pretty sure it was breast cancer related. But suppose it does not have the same tumor markers as the previous breast cancer which was Her2 negative? Then if I become Her2 positive, I would need to change from Arimidex to Herceptin. There is a difference in the treatment. Sorry, this is so long but wanted everyone
to understand. Danny, Stacy and Joy were with me and we returned home Monday evening by 8:00 p.m. awaiting a call for the tests to be set up. Tuesday morning I got up and at 10:15 they called, and said that my liver biopsy was scheduled for 2:00 p.m. that day and I needed to get there by 1:30. Angela decided to take me and the trip takes 2 hours, so we arrived at Duke North Hospital at 1:35 p.m. But guess what? They called about 10 minutes
before we got there and said my cat scan and bone scan were scheduled for the next day at 8:00 a.m., so we decided to stay the night. Good thing because my biopsy took 1 hour and 2 hours in recovery room. We got out of the hospital at 5:45 p.m. and went straight to the hotel that Angela had booked. I had my CT scan at 9:00 a.m. and my bone scan at 10:30 and we left from Duke at 11:05 p.m. We stopped and ate and got home around 2:30 p.m. yesterday.
Needless to say, I'm very tired but I know that I have made the right decision. All of the doctors, nurses, assistants at Duke are wonderful and I have to go back on Monday for the test results and my first treatment. So, I'll try to keep everyone posted on my blog or via separate emails. It's very odd that because I had no chemotherapy treatments that I'm able to have this treatment at Duke. I was wondering why it had taken me almost 5 weeks to
find someone that would move forward with no second thoughts or changes. Dr. Blackwell said that if I had started chemo that she would not have been able to help me......God works in such mysterious ways! I'm so glad he is on this path with me. Jesus Is The Reason for The Season!

Tues, 11/24/09

I'll be covering yesterday and today with this blog. Yesterday, I talked with my oncologist about my continued nausea and she advised that my liver enzymes and calcium levels were a little high which needed to be rechecked but she would order me something for my nausea. She called me back and advised that the calcium levels were a little too high and I could either come in that afternoon or in the AM. I decided to go in Tuesday morning. In the meantime, I had an appointment in Hopewell with Dr. Lee in regards to my biopsy site coming open and all he did was put a bandaid on it, told me to let it drain and told me to come back to see Dr. Antonio on Tuesday. I called Danny and he picked up my nausea medication on the way home. Now, this is very important!!! I did not check my medication bottle when Danny brought it home closely enough and my oncologist had prescribed "compazine" for me, which I am highly allergic too (it causes my tongue to swell). The bottle had the generic drug name with underneath written in very, very small letters saying compazine. I was talking with Joy, reading it to her and she yelled, you're allergic, which yea, I knew and she said, call your doctor NOW! So, I called the doctor after hours which she advised to take 50MG of benedryl and go to the ER. I also called the pharmacy and they did not have in my records that I was allergic to compazine, so my important message is to check your allergy listing with the pharmacy every year because I know it had to have been on there, as I've been allergic to that for almost 30 years! Guess my oncologist did not check my allergies when she prescribed. So, after 3 hours in the ER, prescription for prednizone and pepcid, I am recovering. Today, I went to my oncologist and she apologized for her error, of course that doesn't pay the ER bill. Anyway, my bloodwork was redone and my calcium levels had fallen so nothing needed to be changed on that. Then I had an appointment with Dr. Antonio which he prescribed sulfur for the opening, which I have to change twice a day until a decision can be made about the pelvic ultrasound that's tomorrow and MRI on next Tuesday, which I just found out about today. It's been 4 weeks tomorrow since I had my PET scan so I hope these tests will decide what they can do. I may have to stay in North Carolina on Monday after my testing, but don't know at this time. I just know they need to start my chemo soon!!!! I'm beginning to feel as if I'm jinxed! First, my biopsy incision pops open then I'm given a drug I'm allergic to and end up in the ER! I believe that I could write a book now! I just know that God is walking beside me right now and if I get too tired, he will carry me. Love to all, Janice

Sunday, 11/22/09

Since I usally write about our health, thought I would talk about some fun things for a change! Stacy will be turning 30 on Dec. 19th and we have always talked about the Tacky Light Tour so on her birthday, there are 8 of us going out to eat for her birthday and then the "stretch limo" will pick us up for the 3 hour tour in Richmond of the Christmas lights. WOHOO!!! Can't wait!!
Then, on Dec. 23rd, I'm going with Joy and her husband Dan to see the Rockettes in Richmond
with their Christmas Spectacular show. And Danny and I plan on going to Sanibel Island which is on the gulf coast of Florida for a week, either 1 week before my chemo or when I finish my chemo. We have been trying to go for 4 years and they say, once you've been, you want to go every year so you can get the "Sanibel Stoop". The sanibel stoop comes from stooping over to gather all of the seashells, which are very plentiful on the West Coast. Have you ever watched Jeff Dunham, a ventriloquist who comes on Thursday nights on the Comedy channel? My favorite puppet of his is "Walter", who calls everybody a dumb ass. It's so funny and whenever someone pulls in front of me when I'm driving, instead of cussing them out, I just call them a dumb ass and laugh hilariously. Try it sometime! LOL!!! Till next time, Janice.

Sat., 21 Nov 09

Well, got up this morning and had blood on my pajamas....what in the world? My incision for my breast biopsy popped open, so I had to call my surgeon. He advised me to keep it clean, put neosporin on it and cover it with gauze and come to see him Tuesday. I did get to go to lunch with Angela & Stacy though and then to the movie, "The Blind Side", which is a really good movie by the way. While I was away, the mice will play as they say, and Danny cut the front yard...wants to get ready to put out the Christmas decorations. It will be here before you know it! Anyway, been covering alot about me on the blog but Danny heard back on removal of
a mole off of his chest and it came back as basal cell carcinoma so he had to go back on Wednesday to have additional skin surrounding that area removed and had stitches which will be removed in 10 days so he is supposed to be taking it easy too. Anyway, we are both hanging in there and never know what what will come up every day. Love to all, Janice

Fri, Nov 20, 2009

I had my consultation with the radiologist oncologist today from 900 to 11:30. At this time, he does not feel that I need radiation to the pubic bone. He seemed more concerned with the pain in my back in the pelvic bone area. Therefore, he has scheduled a ultrasound to the pelvic area being given by my GYN on Wed, Nov 25. Also, he will be scheduling me for a MRI at SRMC, Petersburg of the same pelvic area maybe before the 30th but are not sure because of the Thanksgiving holiday. Based on those two tests, he will evaluate those and decide whether I need a biopsy of the pubic bone or the liver. This is a very smart, compassionate and caring doctor and boom, boom, boom, I have appointments that I know will get me the care and proper treatment that I need. He also thinks that I am entitled to a second opinion and that Duke University is great. I have picked up all of my mammograms and CD's of all tests taken and am ready to go! A lot of information from the doctors has also been faxed over to Duke and they have already called me twice for information and a breast cancer care specialist has talked with me about how I will be seen in the clinic. Duke has even asked for the glass slides where my original biopsy were performed from. I have heard from many people that Duke has the most caring individuals that give you expert treatment and I've been very impressed from what I have seen so far. So, hopefully between Dr. Drew Moghanaki, MCV, Assistant Professor and Duke University I am covered. Thanks for you emails, cards, prayers and concern, they are appreciated by the entire family. Love to all, Janice

tuesday, 17 Nov 09

I know in a previous blog that I had mentioned getting a second opinion. I talked with my oncologist at MCV and they have agreed that they do not have a problem with my getting a second opinion. Therefore, I made several calls and I was looking for a fast appointment, not one where I need to wait several weeks. Duke University answered my call with an appointment for November 30. I still plan on going to my radiation consultation for this Friday and will determine at that time whether to start the treatment or wait until 1 Dec 09. I will do whatever the radiation doctor wants even if I have to go to a treatment that morning before leaving for North Carolina. My girlfriend Joy who is a nurse is planning on going with us, so we
should be able to cover all bases. Joy went to all of my previous chemo treatments and has been down this long road with me all the way. I know that a lot of people have been praying and I had been having trouble getting an appointment that was not until Mid December or January, and
when i called Duke it just fell right into place. I have already received my confirmation email from Duke, talked with my oncologist and am getting copies of my tests and reports. Not only did Duke get me right in but I received a call this afternoon from John Hopkins in Baltimore, MD and they have me on a cancellation call list or if I want another opinion, I have a direct number for the oncologist nurse. God does work in mysterious ways and is providing me with a way to fight this, not only with one major medical cancer treatment center but two. I was very down last night because I had no answers and prayed for a call. I did receive a call from a friend in New Jersey who asked me to call Sloan Kettering and I could stay with her, but no appointments were available until January. So, God answered my prayers today with 2 calls. Remember, friends, God does answer many prayers. May God also bless you all! Janice

Mon, 16 Nov

Well, time to check on those second opinions. I have faith that God will lead me down the correct path even though it may be many turns and twists. I contacted Sloan Kettering and they cannot see me for 3-4 weeks so I called John Hopkins and they will be calling me back within 24 hours. Maybe it is not meant for me to fly anywhere as it is only 3 hours and 18 minutes to
John Hopkins in Baltimore. My current oncologist says okay to obtaining second opinion so we shall see. My first appointment with my current oncologist is for radiation therapy and that will be in Petersburg on Friday, which will be my initial consultation with the radiation therapist. I need a warm, fuzzy feeling right now and I'm not getting it with my present information. I will update later as it is time for my nap. I can't believe how tired I get and this is before I even start radiation or chemotherapy.

Friday, 13 Nov 09

Dr. Hackney, my oncologist, contacted me today to discuss the results of the bone scan. At this time, the cancer is only in the pubic bone and has not spread to any other bones, thank God! So we all need to keep positive thoughts and I'll keep everyone posted. My surgeon has not contacted me but wanted to perform a liver biopsy and Dr. Hackney says that i have had a PET scan, CT scan and bone scan and she really does not feel that a liver biopsy is needed. So, we have a difference of opinion here so Dr. Hackney said she would talk with Dr. Antonio and I will also be contacting himto get his feelings about the bone scan. My first radiation treatment for the pubic bone is scheduled for next Friday in Petersburg where I had my other radiation. Dr. Hackney says that this will only be 5-10 treatments, which if it is for 10 treatments would be for 10 days. Usually the first appointment is for discussion of the treatment to be performed and for schedule setup. After completing the radiation, I will then see Dr. Hackney the first week in December for my chemo treatments to be set up. I will be finding out more about that treatment later. I am a little confused about my treatment right now since both doctors don't agree so am waiting until they discuss and I talk with my surgeon...maybe it will just take some time for them to agree together. I just want to feel good about whatever decisions are being made and if I feel that I need a second opinion, I will seek it. Love to all! Janice

Wed, Nov 11, 2009

Today, I had to be over in Richmond in this messy, rainy weather but it is still a great day to remember our veterans for all they have done for us. Danny and I met when he was still in the Navy and he still proud of that today! Go Navy! Yea, USS John F. Kennedy as that was the ship he was stationed on in the boileroom, no wonder he has never minded the heat that much! The testing went pretty well today and they were able to get good, clear pictures of my entire body.
MCV stated that we should have the results by Friday. I would love to hear back from anyone that wants to respond on my blog. I got a lot of wonderful responses thru facebook. Love to all, Janice

Tuesday, 10 Nov 09

Okay, Stacy just posted my blog for everyone to read so thought I would update. Today, I went back to my surgeon to check the surgical scar from the biopsy, which was okay and to get the results of the biopsy. The biopsy does show that the cancer has returned to my breast and is the same type of cancer that I had before. There was no lump this time just the lesions which have increased in number in the last week. I am also scheduled for the bone scan in the morning at 9:00 a.m. I'm sure that it will be several days before we get the results of that but my surgeon has already advised that he will setup the liver biopsy which will be done by him which most likely will be a surgical procedure as soon as he gets the results of the bone scan. Will keep everyone posted - just check my blog.

Friday, Nov 6, 2009

Well, had my breast tissue biopsy on Wednesday. Hoping for a report from the path lab for
today, but it didn't happen. Got to see my "wonderful" oncologist today. The first thing she said
to me was that she was mad as hell that my cancer had returned. How many doctors today really take the time and care so much? My oncologist is part of the MCV Massey Cancer Center and as far as I'm concerned "TOPS" in her league. Anyway, since we did not have a result from the breast tissue biopsy, we preceded to look at my PET scan where the three bright spots on the scan show that I have two cancers inside of my liver and one on the pubic bone. After 4 years of surviving stage IIIb breast cancer with a lumpectomy and removal of 19 lymph nodes,
it has returned! Now, whether it is a recurrence of the breast cancer at this time is not known.
What's next step? Bone scan my friends. This will help determine maybe what type of cancer is in the bone without having to do a liver biopsy hopefully. Who knows? Next step - 5-10 treatments of radiation followed with 2-3 months of chemo. Then, another PET scan. If that shows that the cancers have not shrunk, then we will start over again...chemo then radiation. My entire family and I have a long road ahead of us and I'm sure that there will be a lot of friends with us on that long road. At this time, the oncologist is saying that the bone cancer is treatable. I know that I will continue to fight with everyone's prayers and well wishes. I so appreciate everyone's love, prayers and concern. I will continue to update my blog as I find out more about my treatments as so many people have called, written and prayed.