Hey all,
A good day over all was had...
I don't know who I am quoting right now, but I like it:
"I can't keep the waves from crashing, but I can learn how to surf."
Well, personally, I'd never want the waves to stop crashing, but I believe learning to surf them is a GRAND idea!
I like the plan my doc and Jason and I set in motion today:
The adriamycin drug that was working well on my liver is back on my protocol, along with the aromacin which is the hormone therapy pill taken daily that is designed to combat the abdominal cells that are creating the fluid build up. Because the aromacin can take weeks to begin slowing the fluid build up, I have chosen to get a drain placed in my side so that I control when it builds up instead of waiting for weekly drains at the hospital.
I am finishing up this post today, Friday, so I lay here, having already had my drain place. After the overall soreness retreats, I know this will have been a well made decision!
I think my biggest issue right now is the discomfort of the fluid so with any luck, my biggest issue will be small soon. The draining also depletes me of proteins, which in turn makes for a very tired person. I can't replenish fast enough.
We took an AMAZING trip to Disney last week! Just the best and it was topped off with swimming with dolphins at Discovery Cove. I think Sadie and I were the closest to being mermaids that we will get for a while! Thank you to each and every sweet kind person who helped manifest this adventure and covered our tushes while we were away!
Please don't hesitate sharing this with anyone looking for an update... With the exception of the newspapers.
Thanks for listening!
Love ash
Friday, January 17, 2014
Thursday, January 2, 2014
Is that you, Demi?
Happy 2014!
Quick update... I bought a wig a while ago (a great story!) and actually tried it on today for the kids without mentioning it. Sadie thought I dyed my hair. She loved it, actually, until such time when I took it off and we talked about me needing to shave my head again. We had a really open talk about what's happening and tears as well as smiles were in abundance. Her fears of something happening to me were forefront and we explained that I am doing everything within my power to be well. My doctors are doing the same.
The day ended sweetly with Sadie and Chase shaving my head, Jason evening it out(!!!!!!) and Sadie washing and massaging my head with her coconut shampoo! While I said that me being bald may not stay a secret, I would wear my cute sassy new hair as much as possible! Sadie would rather it be a secret and Chase thinks its pretty cool for the most part!
Cheers,
Ash
Quick update... I bought a wig a while ago (a great story!) and actually tried it on today for the kids without mentioning it. Sadie thought I dyed my hair. She loved it, actually, until such time when I took it off and we talked about me needing to shave my head again. We had a really open talk about what's happening and tears as well as smiles were in abundance. Her fears of something happening to me were forefront and we explained that I am doing everything within my power to be well. My doctors are doing the same.
The day ended sweetly with Sadie and Chase shaving my head, Jason evening it out(!!!!!!) and Sadie washing and massaging my head with her coconut shampoo! While I said that me being bald may not stay a secret, I would wear my cute sassy new hair as much as possible! Sadie would rather it be a secret and Chase thinks its pretty cool for the most part!
Cheers,
Ash
Sunday, December 29, 2013
The latest scoop
To say the least, it's been a long week. Here is the scoop so we are all on the same page:
My latest CT scan has shown that the liver tumors are actually dying off and part of the liver is regenerating. I love this. What I don't love: There is a new growth more in the abdomen that we need to deal with. I will have a biopsy of this so they can target specific a treatment by finding out what the make up of it is. I have had fluid in the abdomen that has been drained and now we know why. The draining of it is wonderful; the build up of it, not so much.
In speaking with my doc, he still has treatments to throw at this so until he doesn't, I am willing to try anything. It's a yo-yo game. Something goes up and something else goes down. It sucks and I'm not sugar coating it. Way back in February of 2012, the doc threw out statistics and averages of lifespans with my type of cancer. Listening to those, 2.5 years, I am not happy to be creeping up on that. But like I said, we still have ammunition and I am prepared to use it all. I have never thought of myself as a complainer and I'm not about to start now. When someone asks me how I am and I say I'm doing well, it's because I believe. I believe in myself, and in any chance I have at beating this. I'm not going to complain because everyday for the past six years, I have been lucky enough to wake up to my family, make them breakfast, and live every day. Do I feel perfect? No. I am sometimes uncomfortable and more tired than I wish to admit, but I am here.
The people in ours lives are the most supportive, caring, loving people. Once again, I am at a loss as to how to express our gratitude. There is no way to know what to do to help in a situation like this. My wish is if you have any extra positive healing energy (no short changing yourself here) send it out there! I think a meal train has been set up for us by Sara Doolan.
We are talking to the kids about things as we see fit. There is no script for this, no way of knowing what is right and wrong. Our main goal for last week was to enjoy the holiday. This week, Jason and I plan to continue talking to them about how hard I need to fight and how big of a fight it is. This is a balancing act and I appreciate your patience with us as we navigate.
I will do my best to update this frequently, and please don't hesitate to call us and check in. I have written this to help sift through all the information I have so that you can understand it too.
With love, Ash
My latest CT scan has shown that the liver tumors are actually dying off and part of the liver is regenerating. I love this. What I don't love: There is a new growth more in the abdomen that we need to deal with. I will have a biopsy of this so they can target specific a treatment by finding out what the make up of it is. I have had fluid in the abdomen that has been drained and now we know why. The draining of it is wonderful; the build up of it, not so much.
In speaking with my doc, he still has treatments to throw at this so until he doesn't, I am willing to try anything. It's a yo-yo game. Something goes up and something else goes down. It sucks and I'm not sugar coating it. Way back in February of 2012, the doc threw out statistics and averages of lifespans with my type of cancer. Listening to those, 2.5 years, I am not happy to be creeping up on that. But like I said, we still have ammunition and I am prepared to use it all. I have never thought of myself as a complainer and I'm not about to start now. When someone asks me how I am and I say I'm doing well, it's because I believe. I believe in myself, and in any chance I have at beating this. I'm not going to complain because everyday for the past six years, I have been lucky enough to wake up to my family, make them breakfast, and live every day. Do I feel perfect? No. I am sometimes uncomfortable and more tired than I wish to admit, but I am here.
The people in ours lives are the most supportive, caring, loving people. Once again, I am at a loss as to how to express our gratitude. There is no way to know what to do to help in a situation like this. My wish is if you have any extra positive healing energy (no short changing yourself here) send it out there! I think a meal train has been set up for us by Sara Doolan.
We are talking to the kids about things as we see fit. There is no script for this, no way of knowing what is right and wrong. Our main goal for last week was to enjoy the holiday. This week, Jason and I plan to continue talking to them about how hard I need to fight and how big of a fight it is. This is a balancing act and I appreciate your patience with us as we navigate.
I will do my best to update this frequently, and please don't hesitate to call us and check in. I have written this to help sift through all the information I have so that you can understand it too.
With love, Ash
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Hello! What a surprise! Happy 2010... I hope this finds you doing well. We are all well and healthy, very thankful for a new year!
A recap of the fall:
Sadie is loving first grade, Chase wishes he could go too! Jason is busy with work which is always good! I am working 3 nights a week at Keepers and 3 days a week at Sadie's school with the after school program. Health is great. I just had my second surgery (replacing expanders with implants) and all went well. No pain and little re-coop. The doc was happy with the way my skin had held up in radiation. So here we are, moving forward and looking back only to be grateful for everything we have!
Love Ash
A recap of the fall:
Sadie is loving first grade, Chase wishes he could go too! Jason is busy with work which is always good! I am working 3 nights a week at Keepers and 3 days a week at Sadie's school with the after school program. Health is great. I just had my second surgery (replacing expanders with implants) and all went well. No pain and little re-coop. The doc was happy with the way my skin had held up in radiation. So here we are, moving forward and looking back only to be grateful for everything we have!
Love Ash
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Well, you could say it's been a while! I figured I'd write a bit to see if anyone is still out there.
We are having (note the present tense... I am NOT giving up on this season yet) a great summer. All is well... healthy, happy, and enjoying life. My hair is growing in nicely, energy is abounding, and life is good! I had a great check up in early August... given a clean bill of health! I'll make this short and sweet because I am tired!!!
Be well, Ash
We are having (note the present tense... I am NOT giving up on this season yet) a great summer. All is well... healthy, happy, and enjoying life. My hair is growing in nicely, energy is abounding, and life is good! I had a great check up in early August... given a clean bill of health! I'll make this short and sweet because I am tired!!!
Be well, Ash
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
So Good
We are back to the old me, who forgets from time to time to write in her blog. I was reminded by my good friend Jack that an update would be nice. Sorry, I didn't know anyone was still checking in!
Chemo... done.
Radiation... done too!
I finished that on June 22. All in all, not too bad. A lot of driving. The side effects were minimal. I do have a rather nice "sun burn" underneath my arm, but it is fading. I feel great, I'm working about 2-3 nights a week and trying to stay dry in between rain showers. The summer is going swimmingly so far! I have a few follow up appointments in August, but other than that, I am free! I'll catch up again soon.
xo Ash
Chemo... done.
Radiation... done too!
I finished that on June 22. All in all, not too bad. A lot of driving. The side effects were minimal. I do have a rather nice "sun burn" underneath my arm, but it is fading. I feel great, I'm working about 2-3 nights a week and trying to stay dry in between rain showers. The summer is going swimmingly so far! I have a few follow up appointments in August, but other than that, I am free! I'll catch up again soon.
xo Ash
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