Hello again!

I realized it has been awhile since I posted. This is a good thing – no news is good news! I have been moving slowly through each day, trying to take things slowly and listen to my body. I am still healing and cannot begin a chemo treatment yet. I won’t complain about a break from the chemo, but as the days go by I feel anxious about not having the treatments. I worry about the tumor(s) growing again.

I continue to receive vitamin C treatments at KUMed twice a week. I am also taking vitamin and mineral supplements and am following a diet designed to stop feeding the ‘sugar hungry’ cancer. This approach (including chemo) is showing some positive results for some of the ovarian cancer patients in the study. I have great hope that I will be able to beat this cancer with this approach.

As I have gotten stronger physically, I have also regained my equilibrium and feel like I have crawled out of my depression. The first 2 -3 weeks out of the hospital were very hard. I was weak physically and mentally. As the weeks have passed, I have begun to believe I can make it again and that’s a great feeling.

This past week, I sent Richie to Bozeman, MT for a holiday. Our friends live there and they welcomed him with open arms. He had three days of skiing, four nights of good friends' company and came home relaxed and happy. Bozeman was good, good medicine. We are slowly, but surely coming back to our ‘normal’ lives. It feels good to be back among the living.

Madeline and Charlie are doing well – as well as anyone would be with a mom having cancer. I know they are sad and angry sometimes, who wouldn’t be? School and friends keep them busy and we try to help keep their lives as normal as possible. I love having them around. They are wonderful medicine.

I return to the doctor in about two weeks and hope to have more to share at that point. Thanks to all who have helped us to maintain in these past few months, this year. Times have been tough, but you have all made us feel wrapped in your arms. We feel very blessed.

Love,
Maggie

I continue to get better every day. Yesterday I drove for the first time since December 17, 2008. It felt really wonderful and gave me a taste of the independence I crave and will have again soon. It was wonderful to pick up Madeline and Charlie and see their smiling faces. We went to the bakery for a loaf of bread and a treat to celebrate.

I am working hard to try and do something everyday, like make the bed, load some dishes in the dishwasher, feed myself. The good thing about the help we've been getting is that I didn't have to do much for myself. The bad thing is I could really get used to that - for a while anyway.

The last oncology visit was really uneventful. During surgery they found more tumor growth on my ureters. I had to have repairs done to the bladder and it has still not healed yet. I anticipate having to keep the catheter until the Spring. This is good and bad. I believe the tissue will heal so I am not afraid of any additional problems, but the catheter makes going out and about a bit of a chore. So, for now, I prefer to stay home, it's easier.

I struggle daily with the depression. Some days I feel very strong and know I am going to survive this cancer and other days, like today, I feel poorly and my mood reflects that. I either had a touch of food poisoning or a touch of the flu last night and didn't sleep at all. I had stomach cramps most of the night and day and stayed on the couch. This getting healthy thing is hard work.

Thanks for all the good wishes, meals, and help these last couple of weeks. We are so appreciative and know you are all out there pulling for us.

Maggie