Quick update (really not so quick)
2/5/2004

Hi everyone!

Spoke to my raditation oncologist and she said she couldn't be happier about my scan and that she sees no evidence of disease. Also, got the transript from the mri specialist says "cavity appears slightly smaller in size", "no new enchancement or mass is identified to suggest recurrent tumor", but goes on to say "abnormality in the adjacent white matter which is triangular in shape. This is slightly larger than seen previously." So as you see, hard to get too excited. My surgeon is very thorough and will explain it all to me in detail, luckily I have an appt. with him next month. Chatting on the phone or exchanting emails doesn't provide the right environment for dialoge so I'll have to wait until then. Until then, I have chemo starting tomorrow for 5 days (update on that next) and another mri end of February. I'll actually have 2 mri's by then to go over with my surgeon, that will be good/

When I started chemo and radiation back in early October, I was on 7 weeks of a low dosage of chemo (110 mg) and was tolerating it well. Those 7 weeks were considered my first round of chemo and ended in mid November. My second round of chemo (300 mg for 5 days) was supposed to begin mid December. In my last couple updates I mentioned my counts were too low so my second round got pushed back to January 1, 2004. That brings me up to the third round (200 mg...lowered because neuro is afraid his is depleting my bone marrow, although 300mg is the ideal dosage for me and where I need to be) which was to begin this past Monday (February 2). My counts again are too low. This has me nervous for many reasons, the main reason being my immunity. My understanding is when the immunity is low it can provide an environment for growth. That is a question I asked my neuro onc but didn't get much feedback. Perfect question for my surgeon and nutritionist. So, we are trying to learn what helps raise counts (white, red, platelets, etc.) and immunity. And, since this has happened 2 months in a row and we are so soon out of the gate, it is nerve racking. Back to my original thought, had blood drawn on Friday last week, my counts were the lowest they have ever been (normal 140, enough to take chemo 100, mine that day 66). We were supposed to go to Palm Springs with Eriks parents but I had to opt out in fear of getting a virus on the plane with all the nasty recycled air. Had another draw on Monday, still too low. And another blood draw yesterday, this time my count are up enough (not high or very strong) and will begin tomorrow. Boy, I made that short story very long...sorry about that.

What else is going on...been doing a lot of "spring" cleaning in the winter. It's such a nice feeling to get organized, although it take a lot of energy out of you. My hair is starting to grow a little more, won't really consider it really grown in until you can't see anymore of my pink melon. In three weeks we (being Erik, my brother, his wife, their two children, my sister and her two children) are going to Alabama for an "Arquilla" reunion for mardi gras. Yes, my arquilla family, are deep southerners. My aunt Robin has a restuarant and we are going to be in the parade! I've never been in a parade...my brother is dying to pass out beads! Says it's been his life long dream :) My aunt Bari also sent me a scrapbook with old picture and dates of my family dating back to my greatgrandmother. For those of you who know me well, know what a strong affinity I have for history, especially my own. We will be staying with my dad, which will be really nice as we haven't spent much time together and will be nice to catch up. Finished all my Harry Potter books, love Harry his is my hero (half joking). He always has to fight a big evil wizard and always wins in the end. I am metophoricly Harry and cancer is the evil wizard. So I have to win in the end!! I am still working on getting in touch with everyone and trying to have a sense or normalecy.

Not much else going on, just hybernating for the winter...I can't wait for spring. I am just taking it easy until then which I think is the smart thing to do.

ps. I will keep adding picture so please check back on occasion to my yahoo link.

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