May 8th

Hello All!
Gosh, the months have flown by and I haven't given an update! Well, let's see.. where do I begin? Instead of trying to back track, I'll just give you the latest. I have had 3 mths of Doxil (once every 3 wks), and had 9.2 liters of fluid removed in the last 8 weeks, at 2 different intervals. I'm holding up surprisingly well. No bad side effects from the Doxil, and my recent scans showed things to be stable. (I'll take that!!) So, at this point, we are continuing with the Doxil and Zometa for at least 4 more treatments, and crossing our fingers that the fluid will stay away so we won't have to repeat the pericentesis too often. Apparently there could be problems with having it done too often. I have been so relieved each time I have had it removed, besides looking and feeling like I am 7 mths pregnant, and having so much acid reflux, it was unbearable! Had a treatment today and all went well except for the big wait time to get back to the treatment room. I'm starting to feel like I am always waiting at the wrong bus station! Can I change my direction here??? oh no..you are on the bus, you gotta keep going!!!

I'm settling in at home more, trying to enjoy it after working for 25+ years. The Spring has been beautiful and I have been able to enjoy planting some flowers on my deck, curl up on the days of rain with my sweet dog, Tanner, and finally sit down with a cup of coffee and read the newspaper! I was so out of sorts for months, but I guess I finally realized I could try to make the day what I wanted it to be! I have beat myself up for days I've had to go back to bed, but I know I have needed the rest too.

I hope everyone is doing well! I want to thank everyone for their cards, prayers, friends and family who have graciously had me over for lunch and/or brought dinners for me and my family. It has meant so much to have the support of my family and friends. I love you all! I promise I will try to do better at updating this blog.

{Hugs~Leslie}

February 15

Thought I would give you the latest update: went back to the dr. this week to go over my scans, and did not get the greatest news. There has been slight progression in the tumor nodes, so we're changing the ammunition again! My dr. is also referring me to a surgeon at Wake Forest Baptist to discuss a possible "debulking" operation, something that is quite complicated and the recovery time I hear is very long. Anyway, that is still in the discussion stage since we will have to see what that doc says. Since I still have quite a bit of fluid from taking the trial drug, my dr. also suggested I could get that removed. Again, based on the last mishap with the needle biopsy, you can imagine I'd be nervous about another needle! Other than that, I was extremely dissappointed (as you can imagine) that I didn't have better results from the last 8 week treatment. I still have so much to be thankful for, my organs are still clear, but there are a few possible weak bone spots in my left hip area and lower lumbar area. They don't seem to be overly concerned about those areas since I'm getting the bone building drug Zometa. My schedule will be once every 3 weeks, starting this past Friday with Doxil, and so far, so good, I have felt ok. Looking forward to heading out to visit my sister in Nags Head on Thursday to celebrate my nephew's 2nd birthday. At least with this schedule, I can at least put it out of my mind for a few weeks in-between!

Wish I had better exciting news to share with you all but there isn't much to tell! I'm trying not to get down in the dumps over all this, but some days it is hard to run from the bad thoughts. Thanks to you all for your continued love and prayers, they mean so much!

I hope you all are well!
Take care, {Hugs}
Leslie

Christmas 2008--My boys, Evan and Adam, and my sweet nephew Aidan

HAPPY NEW YEAR!
So sorry to be out of touch for so long! So much has gone on in the last few months. As of the last entry I made, I lost my job on 11-5, continued thru November on the clinical trial, ending up with some complications when I had the final biopsy. It has been a long road back, but I am finally feeling better. The mishap with the biopsy was not something anyone expected to happen, and was a rare thing, but I would have been more satisfied if I had hit the lottery. Since quitting the clinical trial, I am back with my oncologist, and back on weekly Abraxane treatments, and monthly Zometa since Dec. I'm starting to feel like I don't quite know where to go from here. I guess I should start on that "to do" list, for all the things I haven't had time to do when I was working.

Christmas was rather low key this year, as I hear it was for many. It wasn't a disappointment either. Everyone in my family understood each other's situation and we were able to enjoy our times together, without all the gift giving. I think it took alot of pressure off of everyone, because we still had good times together, and isn't that what it's all about? Maybe this will set a new tradition for us all keeping the real reason we celebrate in check.

Here's wishing everyone a HAPPY, HEALTHY NEW YEAR! I promise to be better on updating and will post more pictures! Thanks to everyone for all their prayers, love and support this past year!
Love to all~
Leslie