Next to LAST

So here I sit in my recliner, watching chemo drip, drip, dripping into my port...savoring the last hours of chemo. After today's treatment (which is almost over), there is only ONE more!! I will miss the team of nurses here who are amazing beyond belief! However, I will not miss the wee annoying side effects that have been my constant companions. Grateful today for more "normal" lab work. My body has been so faithful to do all it can to stay strong in this process. The nurse I have today shared with me that her brother died of colon cancer 17 years ago, three weeks after diagnosis. They just didn't have the miracle drugs available today for treatment. I am SO grateful for all the bright minds of researchers and pioneer patients who were willing to be "guinea pigs" to test and refine the drugs I benefit from today. I wouldn't be here without them.

Sorry, no great pictures to share today...however, there will be more to come as I take off on my "road trip" in January. First comes retirement (24 more days), then holidays (my favorite time of year...because we get to see at least some of the "kids" :>), then off with my trusted buddy, Jenny (my lovely Jeep pictured above :>).

Thanks for all your continued prayers, thoughts and gestures of support. I appreciate each and every effort to aid in my healing. You truly make a difference!

Shrinking, shrinking, shrinking...

Picture is from my recent weekend near Lincoln City, Oregon (great time with family), but not many good photos as it was raining most of the time (big surprise!)  That is such a beautiful coastline...

Quick update after my CT scan today: Good news-tumors continue to shrink away. Had a discussion about evaluating my status for possible radiation of remaining ones. Will see a radiation oncologist soon to see if I would be a good candidate. Only 3 treatments left!! Color me happy!! :>)

If I haven't mentioned it before, I LOVE the nurses at MDA! They are totally awesome! Fun to have an ongoing relationship. :>) They are my "new best friends"! I'll miss them when I'm not a "regular".

Have a retirement date of December 21 (also arrival of the Apocolypse I'm told). WooHoo! Then the holidays...my favorite time of year. Then starting to plan (loosely) a road trip around the West in January/February. Have a wild hare that maybe I might want to explore purchasing a tiny travel trailer...It's cold in winter, and doubt I would be comfortable camping (my original plan).

Happy Halloween everyone! Bet you've never seen a pumpkin birth before! :>)

Rolling into retirement...

After a wonderful photography trip to Secret Canyon and hiking near Kanab, Utah a couple weeks ago, decided that rather than working more, I need to hike more! (And do other things like spend time with family and traveling! :>) So after nearly 29 years of practicing midwifery (and some 13 as a Labor and Delivery nurse before that), I decided to hang up my "catcher's mitt" and retire in December. Sweet memories I'll be taking in my heart of an amazing career filled with tender, magical moments with women and their families. I've been privileged to witness power, strength and tenacity of women as they give birth. They have taught me so much. Not to be forgotten are many comrades who have shared their journeys with me...mentors, wonderful midwives, incredible nurses and assistants, wise consulting physicians, kind housekeepers and unit clerks...so much to be grateful for!

Now a few pictures of the type of scenery that's calling me...

Wedding therapy works!

Just in case anyone needed verification of the effectiveness of wedding therapy...

My initial tumor markers were off the charts at 24,000. After only 3 treatments, they were down to a little over 1,000 (a dramatic and impressive drop)! After wedding therapy, this week's numbers are 200. Another dramatic and impressive drop. We are shooting for under 4-5, so have a bit more work to do, but confident the trend will continue.

Planning a hiking/photography therapy trip this next weekend to Utah. Then next month, planning a family therapy trip to Portland to visit my niece, Linda. :>) Got to have those things to look forward to! :>)

Life is good!

Wedding (Joy) Therapy

Joy, Joy...

The Happy Couple

The Gavette Family

First kiss as Mr. and Mrs. 

The Hickey Family

The brothers do their best...

So...just got home from some of the best therapy sessions anyone could have-quality time with my precious "children". I am so grateful for my incredible sons and their amazing ability to pick wonderful women! We all got to celebrate with Matt and Catherine as they became the newest Mr. and Mrs. Gavette. What a joyful week of watching them make public their commitment to one another. Such loving families. We are so blessed to now be part of the Hickey family, too!

The beautiful bride

Such a sweetheart!

The Handsome Groom!

The men in her life...

Her sisters and His brothers

Awh...

The Gorgeous Girls

Catherine and her new mother-in-law

NEWS Flash!!

So anyone who doesn't believe in miracles, you might want to re-think that possibility...

Got CAT scan results today and the primary (4cm) colon tumor is GONE!! The oncologist asked the radiologist to take another look (I don't think she could believe they couldn't find it...) and nope, no tumor visible!! I think that qualifies in the miracle category!! And besides that, liver tumors have shrunk to 1/2 the size they were - with only 4 treatments!

AWESOME!! GRATEFUL!! MIRACULOUS!! WOOHOO!!

Met another sweet nurse soul today. Talent and compassion in staff at MDA seems unending. Love those nurses!!!

CHEERS!! (with apple cider, of course! :>)

It's WORKING!!

Returned from the islands and back to chemo...GREAT news from lab work today. The doctor was very surprised and pleased to tell me that my tumor markers have plummeted from 23,000 to 1,000. Quite a fast response after only 3 treatments. I know all the prayers and healing, positive energy sent are making a huge difference. Thank you all for your amazing support. Will get a CAT scan later this week that should confirm the shrinking of tumors. We are thrilled! It's working just the way we'd hoped (actually I think we're ahead of schedule).

Thought I'd add a few pictures from our vacation (the "island therapy"). Next we move on to "wedding therapy", "hiking therapy" and there's the constant of "work therapy" that feeds my soul...all important adjuncts to the chemo.

I am so GRATEFUL for all your loving support.

Thank you.
XO