Dr G, Seattle's best oncologist, was concerned enough about my spells of vertigo that he has ordered a brain MRI for next week. I've never had a brain scan before (I don't think. Neither of us could remember.). I passed his quick neurological tests - follow the finger with my eye, touch my finger to his, then to my nose -- so this is more on the order of ruling out any brain mets.
My tumor marker has jumped from the previous month, so it's possible that the reduction in tumor size I reported earlier today was due more to the 5FU than to the Megace. But that's something we can't know until we scan that site again in a few months.
The brain MRI is mid-week next week and I see Dr G to get the results at the beginning of the following week. I will report the news when I get it.
Dancing with cancer should perhaps be subtitled living with uncertainty.
Now dealing with breast cancer for the fourth time since 1999
July 15, 2009
Latest onco report
Today I see the oncologist again for a monthly check up. Last week I had a repeat ultrasound of the masses in both breasts to see what, if anything, had changed. The radiologist said that each mass was smaller than at original ultrasound - a good thing!
The questions are:
1) Will the oncologist agree? (I don't see how not, these are quantitative measurements.)
2) Is it because of the chemo which I stopped in April?
Or 3) Is it because of the Megace which I started in May?
More news later when I return from the doc....
The questions are:
1) Will the oncologist agree? (I don't see how not, these are quantitative measurements.)
2) Is it because of the chemo which I stopped in April?
Or 3) Is it because of the Megace which I started in May?
More news later when I return from the doc....
July 11, 2009
Remodel pictures
Rik got the computer where we are house sitting to read the camera photo card, so I do have pics to share after all!
This is where the washer and dryer will hook up.
The dryer vents up into a soffit, a false ceiling that hides items you don't want to look at. Our soffit will run all the way around the room and hide plumbing etc. One thing we have plenty of in this space is height!
This is the plumbing for the rainfall shower control. Note some sheetrock is in!
This is where the washer and dryer will hook up.The dryer vents up into a soffit, a false ceiling that hides items you don't want to look at. Our soffit will run all the way around the room and hide plumbing etc. One thing we have plenty of in this space is height!
This is the plumbing for the rainfall shower control. Note some sheetrock is in!
July 10, 2009
Sorry no photos
While we are the wandering Jews in Northgate (until next Friday), I'm unable to post photos of the bathroom remodel. The computer we are using this week and next doesn't have iPhoto or Photoshop, so you will just have to imagine that the sheetrock is going in today, the electric outlet boxes are all in place, including the one in the medicine cabinet, and that all will be ready for the tiler on Monday. Assuming the tile arrives today as planned.....
It's been lots of fun to watch the behind-the-scenes part of the remodel. As I told E the project manager, who has done all the work so far himself, he gets to see this stuff all the time, but most of us can barely imagine what things look like under the painted walls.
We've been fortunate so far that there were no yucky surprises other than some ants. A good bug bombing appears to have taken care of them.
I will post more photos when I can.
It's been lots of fun to watch the behind-the-scenes part of the remodel. As I told E the project manager, who has done all the work so far himself, he gets to see this stuff all the time, but most of us can barely imagine what things look like under the painted walls.
We've been fortunate so far that there were no yucky surprises other than some ants. A good bug bombing appears to have taken care of them.
I will post more photos when I can.
July 08, 2009
Bathroom update
The framing of the bathroom is moving along swimmingly. The wall and frame for the washer/dryer is up; the shower has three niches for soap, shampoo etc. (two by the rainfall shower head; one behind where the bench will go); and there is enough space for a recessed medicine cabinet.
Today Rik and I spent a ton of money at Home Depot. We found a metal medicine cabinet box with oval mirror (something I was afraid we would have to spend too much money on), towel rings for hand towels, and a robe hook. We ordered a heated towel rack from Amazon.com. The tiles arrive on Friday and the rest of the plumbing fixtures might be ready to pick up as early as tomorrow. This is particularly auspicious timing as the tiler starts work next Monday.
We are only $1500 over budget at this point. Maybe some of the other costs will actually come in under budget....
PS No more vertigo!
Today Rik and I spent a ton of money at Home Depot. We found a metal medicine cabinet box with oval mirror (something I was afraid we would have to spend too much money on), towel rings for hand towels, and a robe hook. We ordered a heated towel rack from Amazon.com. The tiles arrive on Friday and the rest of the plumbing fixtures might be ready to pick up as early as tomorrow. This is particularly auspicious timing as the tiler starts work next Monday.
We are only $1500 over budget at this point. Maybe some of the other costs will actually come in under budget....
PS No more vertigo!
July 06, 2009
Vertigo
I woke up today feeling just fine. Took a shower, stripped the linens off the bed in preparation for our move to the next place, got out clean clothes, closed the window against the draft of cold air (we are back to usual Seattle weather now) and IMMEDIATELY felt that the room was spinning, for no apparent reason.
I've had vertigo once before, after my first treatment of zometa, and it made me seriously dizzy for about an hour. This seemed to be worse. I could barely stand, staggered down the hall to get Rik, and sat upright in a kitchen chair in the hope that eating a piece of dry bread would help settle me. No dice. Even a cute one egg omelet made by K didn't help, but did taste good.
I staggered back down the hall to the sofa, cuddled up under the comforter and dozed for several hours. Finally around noon-thirty I woke up, felt hungry, and decided the vertigo was gone enough to dress and make something to eat (macaroni and cheese, my favorite comfort food).
It was a most disconcerting morning. I hope the vertigo is gone for good!
I've had vertigo once before, after my first treatment of zometa, and it made me seriously dizzy for about an hour. This seemed to be worse. I could barely stand, staggered down the hall to get Rik, and sat upright in a kitchen chair in the hope that eating a piece of dry bread would help settle me. No dice. Even a cute one egg omelet made by K didn't help, but did taste good.
I staggered back down the hall to the sofa, cuddled up under the comforter and dozed for several hours. Finally around noon-thirty I woke up, felt hungry, and decided the vertigo was gone enough to dress and make something to eat (macaroni and cheese, my favorite comfort food).
It was a most disconcerting morning. I hope the vertigo is gone for good!
July 04, 2009
The wandering Jews
Rik and I have spent a week with our friends the G's. As the wandering Jews, we are trying to be good house guests. The G's now call us family, so we must be successful.
Even the three dogs are getting along well!
We have enjoyed greeting one another in the morning, walking the dogs, cooking dinner together, and generally having fun. Last night after a delicious Shabbat dinner, we played Scrabble and K beat us all. (He had the first turn and got a bingo - a seven letter word - for the very first time in his life).
Tomorrow or Monday we continue on our wander and will be house-sitting for other friends while they are on vacation. It will be so quiet to have just Rik and I (and Pumpkin and Bob) after being in the lively G household for a week.
Even the three dogs are getting along well!
We have enjoyed greeting one another in the morning, walking the dogs, cooking dinner together, and generally having fun. Last night after a delicious Shabbat dinner, we played Scrabble and K beat us all. (He had the first turn and got a bingo - a seven letter word - for the very first time in his life).
Tomorrow or Monday we continue on our wander and will be house-sitting for other friends while they are on vacation. It will be so quiet to have just Rik and I (and Pumpkin and Bob) after being in the lively G household for a week.
Bathroom remodel update
Here are some "before" photos of our bathroom in it's most naked state. Stripped down to the studs, you can see what lies beneath the pretty veneer of a finished room....
June 30, 2009
Down to the studs
The bathroom is down to the studs, with the bathtub leaning on its side. I will try to bring the camera tomorrow and take some photos.
I went to Art Tile and chose (and paid for) floor tiles and shower wall tiles. It came to twice the estimated amount, but then again I have expensive tastes. I think I will like it when it's done!
We are enjoying our co-housing stay with the G family. All the dogs are getting along extremely well. I cooked dinner last night (halibut, rice, leftover caponata and cherry pie for dessert). H and her friend who is staying here for the week also offered to make dinner tonight. Here's hoping they remember they offered to cook!
I went to Art Tile and chose (and paid for) floor tiles and shower wall tiles. It came to twice the estimated amount, but then again I have expensive tastes. I think I will like it when it's done!
We are enjoying our co-housing stay with the G family. All the dogs are getting along extremely well. I cooked dinner last night (halibut, rice, leftover caponata and cherry pie for dessert). H and her friend who is staying here for the week also offered to make dinner tonight. Here's hoping they remember they offered to cook!
June 29, 2009
Bathroom remodel begins today
I got up at 6:15 this morning to be ready for the bathroom demolition crew when they arrive at 7:30. How do people start their work day so early?!
Everything that was in the bathroom has been moved out -- stuff we use but not on a daily basis, stuff we will donate, and the few things we use every day. After I take my shower I'll move the last few items into our suitcases, hang the wet towels in the bedroom, and pack up the bed linens for our move to temporary housing with friends.
In addition to bringing bedding, I have to empty the refrigerator of perishables and cart over any produce, open bags of cereal, etc. Plus the dogs and their stuff, including dog beds. It's like getting ready for vacation except that we'll be back every day to get the mail and check on the remodel.
Everything that was in the bathroom has been moved out -- stuff we use but not on a daily basis, stuff we will donate, and the few things we use every day. After I take my shower I'll move the last few items into our suitcases, hang the wet towels in the bedroom, and pack up the bed linens for our move to temporary housing with friends.
In addition to bringing bedding, I have to empty the refrigerator of perishables and cart over any produce, open bags of cereal, etc. Plus the dogs and their stuff, including dog beds. It's like getting ready for vacation except that we'll be back every day to get the mail and check on the remodel.
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