Good Morning Friends,

This past Monday I had an appointment with Dr. Baidas & Dr. Lori Kaiser for my results of the pet scan taken a week ago. Like I had mentioned in the last post I was hoping for total shrinkage because it had shrunk so much with only 2 treatments. Unfortunately, it only shrunk a little less than 1 cm. Acually .7 cm in technical terms. They also found what Dr Kaiser called a bone island attached to the lower iliac bone?? Which she explained has nothing to do the with the lymphoma, And is more than likely a benign bone island. I liken it to a bone spur. It wasn't there last pet scan and it's not in my bone marrow. They will wait for the next pet scan to keep an eye on it.

So basically they've added two more chemo's onto my treatment plan.

I have another pet scan scheduled for the 14th. And a muga scan (heart) scheduled for the following friday.

I also have an appointment with Dr. Nanda, a radiation doctor Monday the 22nd before Tim.

I'm also thankful for nothanksgiving to explain possible radiation after my additional chemo's are completed.

My take away from this appointment was at least it's shrinking and I'm on the down side of the bump headed for the end.

I've got a good team of doc's at MD Anderson who speak through video face to face talk with the MD Anderson Houston Texas after each of my appointments/treatments to discuss future treatments. So I've got a true team of doctors looking after me.

I had my 5th chemo after my visit with the doctors and of course everything with smoothly. I am thankful for that. In my room (of 4 chairs) there were two patients that were having problems with there ports. They could be flushed but wouldn't except the chemo. A man was there when I got there and was still there when I left. And he had a radiation appointment to go

to next. I felt so bad for him. I'm also thankful for not getting sick and not having any other serious side effects that other patients have experienced.

I get tired but that's manageable. I still play tennis a couple times a week. We get out on the weekends for Arts Festivals or just walking and or play tennis with friends. I recently have gone to a couple of my nephew Jake's base ball games (one last night, burr it was cold!) they were a lot of fun. So far they are in 1st place. And exciting to watch.

And believe it or not I've been wanting to post a picture of my wigs but haven't had the opportunity.

Our computer has been at Full Sail having work programs loaded on to it for Kevin's work. It's been gone for a week and a half. So I promise by this weekend we will have that posted.

I'm still looking forward to the holidays this year. Before with no more chemo's, but even with the extra treatments added on the holidays will be one of giving thanks and appreciating my core of family and friends that continue to surprise me with gifts, cards and support.

You know you never expect the out poring of people that really care until your faced with cancer.

I now know I am truly loved.

Make it a great day!

Love to you my friends.

Patsy

Hi Guys!

It's been too long since I've posted. I always think something needs to happen for me to write something. And people/friends comment the fact it's been so long. What's going on?

The fact is I'm doing remarkably well. I met with Dr. Baidas last Monday before my 4th chemo treatment. And he's scheduled another Pet Scan for 1 week (two weeks at the time) That will determine how much the tumor has shrunk. If it's shrunk down to nothing, he will consider me in remission & if it's being stubborn & some part of it's still hanging around he will add two more treatments. My reasoning is it's already shrunk from 11.5 to 4 in two treatments. Then 4's nothing in just two treatments. I have NO doubt that it's going to be gone if it's shrunk that much already. Remission here I come!

These last two chemo's have knocked me out. I've slept practically the whole time. Then the rest of the day when I get home.

Still no nausea or ill feelings. To that I'm amazed. The stories I hear about it "collecting" in your system just hasn't happened & I only have two more to go. I am truly blessed.

I feel SO good. Tired toward the end of the day but still playing tennis a couple times a week.

Kevin and I celebrated our 9th anniversary this past weekend in Mt. Dora where we were married. We stayed at a friends 100 year old cottage right on Lake Dora, 1 mile from downtown.

We had lunch at the Frog and Monkey Pub right in the heart of downtown. It was packed from the Art's Festival activity. But the food was good and it was air conditioned!

Saturday my sister Lori and her husband Bill came over for dinner at The Goblin Market. I don't know if you've ever been there. If not, you must make a point of going when your in the area. The food is unbelievable, and the atmosphere is even better. They decorate for Halloween and it's really cute. We laughed and shared stories way into the night and ended up at Pisces Rising listening to the band playing and watching drunk people dance. It was so much fun.

The whole evening was wonderful.

The next day we awoke to a beautiful view across the lake. Had breakfast with Lori and Bill on the long back porch overlooking the lake and laughed and shared some more stories over coffee and waffles.

It was a wonderful weekend, one I will never forget.

Today I'm going to lunch with two of my favorite designers, Jose' Caberea and Susan Ettinger. Then we're going to Ritzy Rags to get fitted for a wig. I've been looking forward to it all week. They will be one of the first to see me bald. My neighbor girlfriends Jamie and Lucy have seen me. Of course I strip off whatever I've worn on my head all day off when I walk into my house. So if you come over you will too! ha ha. Fuzz head. My sister said what she was most suprised was that it was grey. You never expect the color to come in like it was when it fell out I guess.

I wasn't thinking grey, but then I did color it at even a hint of grey. Not realizing how much I had. All vanity goes out the window, I'll tell you that much.

Off to start my day.

Make it a great day too!

Love you all. Patsy

It's Shrunk!

Yesterday started early. 7:30 dropped off the jeep for it's 18K tune up (by the book for warranty)

Then off to MD Anderson for labs @ 8:00 and meet with Dr. Baidas at 8:45.

When he walked into the room I knew it was going to be good news. He was wearing a smile ear to ear. Or at least that's what I saw. He's a very serious doctor.

He sat down and started reading that the tumor has shrunk down from 11.5 cm to 3.65 x 3.11 x 3.34 cm!! AND the ones in my back are completely resolved! GONE.... Findings are consistent with s significant response to the chemo therapy. Quoting him.

He thought the one in my belly would be smaller by now. Kevin and I were elated that there been SO much shrinkage.

He said it's being stubborn.

Where we go from here....

We complete the 6 therapy's for one. But after the fourth chemo he wants to do another Pet Scan. If it's still there. He'll do one of two things. Increase the therapy to two more or radiate the area. I think it's going to be significantly smaller and they won't have to do anymore than the 6 originally diagnosed.

So I have to thank you all for the prayers and support, because there working! Clearly!

Chemo was only 5 hours this time because I had to get my labs done on another floor earlier so the doctor could read them before we met with him. One of my counts were down by one point but the nurse said it was still safe to do the treatment.

I slept pretty much the whole time, this time. That probably had something to do with getting up so early to shower, do Dillion's insulin and eat breakfast. Kevin studied the entire time. The class he's taking is extremely difficult. It seems that's all he does is study.

We went to Krissy's on Sunday for a going away party for Rachael's (2009 Ms. Florida) She's moving to Nashville with her older brother and finish college. She's been casted in a few exercise videos. Not a huge surprise. She got abs of steal. The house was filled with family and friends and a lot of Rachael's beautiful girlfriends. We had a huge cookout with more food I've seen in forever. The kids (of age) and some older adults played beer pong and flip cup on the back porch. Which didn't get loud like my neighbor's when he has party's. There were some on the trampoline and some just hanging out talking both inside and out. It was a really nice day. Kevin's family hadn't seen me since I'd been diagnosed & started treatments so they had all sorts of questions. Which you know me, I was all to happy to answer. We were there until 7:30 & I didn't get tired at all.

It was a great day!

Off to work,

Make it a great day!

Love, Patsy

Hello My Freinds

It's been a while since I've blogged. Several people have asked me what's been going on.

Well, since my hair fell out, I've been doing really well! I haven't felt nauseated at all. The third day after the chemo I have an uncomfortable day in my stomach or back. But that goes away after a day.

My nurses & doctors have my med's layered so well that I don't get sick at all. Or so far, so good. They say it builds up in your system so we'll see what happens later, but I'm not worrying about it. It will be what it will be. I will let you know. The only side effect is hair loss. And I'd much rather have no hair than be sick.

Work has been slow but by the grace of God I've had customer's coming in to do small projects. And Kathi & I are working on a huge house that the lighting package is the value of my whole house. Now that's crazy in this economy but I'm not complaining! They're stimulating it as far as I'm concerned.

I've just had my house cleaned last Monday YAY! It's an organization called "Cleaning for a reason" It's a christen based company that only takes 50 customers at a time. My friend Michelle that lives over on the coast sent me the information. And my wonderful husband kept going into the site everyday until an opening finally came open and an application popped up. They are cleaning company's spread out all over Florida. The company "Covenant Cleaning Services" owned by Shelly Powell. After coming over to interview me and look at the house she sent two girls over and they were here for 4 hours. I walked in to a fresh clean smelling house, what a feeling!

I have the service once a month for 4 months which means throughout the chemo treatments. What a blessing! Thank you to Michelle & Kevin for making it happen. Mostly because there are things I can't do while going through the chemo.

Kevin has stepped up to the plate and done whatever I can't do & more. He is my rock.

My days are long and I get tired. But I love what I do and wouldn't trade it for anything. Well....maybe the lottery--Ha Ha--

I went to the Eden Spa this past Tuesday for a "wig" fitting. I have up to this point not wanted to do the wig thing. Just because I thought they'd be hot and uncomfortable. That was my mind set when I went to the appointment. Which Linda Pellegrini set up for me. (one of my custom builders).

Well after the education class about how they are made, hand tied and see through (the top) and light as air. I'm leaning on going with one. The stuff I always heard was they were thick and hot and just laid on top of your head. Quite the contrary. They are really like your real hair. My insurance (cancer policy) pays $200.00 toward it and she said I could make payments toward the balance. Can't beat that.

Kevin thinks I should get one because when we go out to dinner or function, I would not stand out wearing a scarf or hat. He's always think about how I feel. It's fine when I'm at home. I walk around bald at home and he could care less. He calls me his incredible edible egg.

I played tennis last week. I was ruff for not playing for so long. But my tennis friends are very forgiving and patient. I played again last night and was back to myself. I played for 2-1/2 hours and loved it! I'm planing on playing again tomorrow night. I want to get in as much as possible while this weather is so wonderful and before my next chemo.

I had lunch with my "Hot Chicks" on Sunday afternoon. And had a wonderful time with Franki, and her two baby's, Pam and Mary. It was a really nice day.

The last couple of Sundays we've gone to the Maitland Open Market and walked the lake, picked up some plants and fresh veggies. Last Sunday we met Jennifer, Hensley and Peter. We fed the turtles and ducks bread and watched Hensley get all excited. The weather has been so beautiful. They have live music that changes week to week. It's really nice early in the morning before it gets hot. The arts festival is coming in a couple of weeks. It's such a nice location circling the lake. We all will definitely be there.

I had a pet scan yesterday. I will get the results next Monday when I go in for my third Chemo. But I already know that the tumor has shrunk because I'm not in pain. I'm not on pain meds anymore. He wants to see how much it's gone down. He also said shrinkage doesn't shorten my Chemo treatments. I will have all 6 Chemo's. Which last through November.

I just wanted to let you all know I'm doing unbelievably well so far. I feel good, healthy and strong.

Until next time,

Make it a great day!

Patsy

Good afternoon everyone!

Phase two is complete. My hair has officially fallen out. I hadn't washed my hair in 3 days because it was coming out little by little. My doctor said it would fall out in approximately 2-3 weeks maybe 4. And on the way to work on Wednesday I was fixing it in the rear view mirror and my fingers came away with some hair between them. That's when I called Kevin and told him it was beginning. So I washed it that next morning and basically patted it down in to a helmet which I continued for the next two days. Saturday at work it was driving me crazy all day. I felt that it was just laying on top of my head. Some hair was in at the root and the other where being held in by those few. I called Kevin on the way home and told him that "tonight is the night". I got home and immediately took a shower. When I touched my head with my hand, it just rolled off. It's hard to explain. But one thing was for sure. It felt SO good to be getting it off. The itching was driving me nuts! Long pieces came off easily and shaved the remainder as close as he could. Kevin took a pictures of it in my hands.(pictured below) So today, we went to the farmers market at Lake Lily and I wore a hat I made a while back. It's a little big (and hot) but it did the job. We walked around, ate some fresh dumplings, I got some boiled peanuts and we also bought some green tomatoes to make fried green tomatoes for lunch. I go in for my second Chemo on Tuesday. So far so good! Love to you all and Make it a great day! Patsy

First Week

Good morning everyone,

Well it's Sunday morning, and the first week since the Chemo last Monday. And no nausea, YAY! My doctors and nurses have me taking my nausea medicine a combo of layers so that doesn't happen. Or so, we hope not. I've had some stomach twisting and turning this week (like a washcloth being wrung out) But my thinking is that's just the Chemo twisting out that cancer! At least that's what I'm sticking with. I've worked all week, not full days but enough for a paycheck. And as long as I can "stomach" the issues I will continue too. I slept 11 hours last night. I came home and my husband and I prepared dinner together. And I promptly fell asleep on the couch for a hour or so and finally went to bed at 8:30 and slept until 7:15 this morning. See I am listening to my body and stopping when it tells me too! It's a beautiful Sunday morning. Looking forward to spending it with my husband walking around the Renneger's Extravaganza just outside of Mt. Dora. I'm sure we'll walk around downtown Mt. Dora and take in the whole experience.

Hope your having wonderful weekend.

Love to all of you and,

...Make it a great day!

Patsy

IV Fluids

Good Morning,

I had 3 days in a row of IV fluids at the hospital for hydration. Which took about 2.5 hours each session. It was a breeze. I just sat there and watched the Today's Show and caught up on balling up my yarn for the next blanket. It seemed to go by really fast, mainly because chemo day was so long, plus I was in a single room by myself. Which was kind a cozy.

I've been working each day after I get my fluids. It ends up being close to a full day. It's hours for a paycheck and I love what I do and love to see my friends at work and my faithful customers.

So far so good my friends.

Love to you all,

And make it a great day!

Patsy

Chemo Day One

Well,yesterday started at 9 a.m. for check in. The chemo room is chosen by a random computer spin. The rooms are glassed in walls with pane windows with blinds. The rooms are all on a curved wall that circles the entire floor. The chairs for the patient are recliners with a chair for the visitor. The rooms have four patient chairs with a nurse in the middle who checks vitals throughout the procedure. We were escorted to our room by a nurse assistant. She explained the lunch menu and beverages available for the day. Then she told us about the fresh sugar free cookies the volunteers would bake and bring around for snacks. Then she left to grab a selection of gifts. One was a beautiful quilted blanked made by "the quilting ladies". The other was a large bag for carrying my "stuff" for my visits along with an insulated mug for water. I then met the nurse who explained the process for accessing the port in my chest. She then sprayed a very COLD numbing spray and inserted the needle that had butterfly wings (ha-ha). She took a vial of blood and then flushed my port. She took the vial of blood and told me it would be a half hour for the blood count to come back from the lab. It came back and of course everything was perfect! She then showed me each of the IV bags and made sure I saw they all had my name on them. Then she started me on the first IV fluid which was the Benzedrine and some other anti nausea medications. Then after that we began the chemo. During that time she increased my IU's every thirty minutes. I started at 50 units and increased to 100, 150, 200, 250, 300 and finally 350. It will take less time next time because we will now start at 300 or 400 to see what I can take. I kept myself busy the entire time talking with other patients who had breast cancer or lung cancer. They told me stories and I explained mine. Everyone was really nice and positive. I also started a ball of yarn to begin more crochet. If I had to go to the bathroom I simply wheeled the IV bags with me. The nurse told me I could take a walk down the hallways if I wanted which reminded me of the movie Bucket List where Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson walk around with their IV stands. I had to laugh at that. There was a TV and headset for me and Kevin brought his laptop to do some work stuff. Kevin was patient for the seven hour day grinning at me from his chair. I was thankful for that (yes the grinning too) that he was able to get some valuable work done while waiting so many hours with me. Finally we started the next series of IV's which took us all the way to 5:30 p.m. Eight hours later, we left the hospital. It was a very long day but, I'm better for the experience. We finished the day at home where we met my sister after dinner. I talked with my nephews about what I was going through to clear up any confusion they might have. My mother brought over a hand made quilt she made for me and we laughed and talked. So, that's it for now. Please stay in touch. I love your prayers and wonderful comments. Kevin has taught me how to upload pictures and type in my comments so I will update as often as possible. Take care and remember to make it a great day!

Test Results...

Hello Friends,

I got my test results back for my PET Scan yesterday (Thursday) afternoon. They were better than expected! There was no lymph nodes involved from my spleen (rib cage) and up. So....NO CANCER anywhere but the abdominal area. However, we found the reason I'm having such intense pain in my back. I have several angry lymph nodes back there. So many that they have bunched together and are pushing back as well as the front tumor in my belly (to the left of my belly button) pushing back and up.

My doctors said I may not get instant relief like first predicted with the first Chemo treatment. But....WE ARE going to fry all those cancer cells together.

My take away from this news, is that it's contained to my mid area of my body. Not in my legs, chest, neck or arms. And for that I'm psyched!

My first Chemo dose is this Monday the 16th @9:00 am. So say a little prayer that morning that I'm able to take the whole dose at one time. I will be there for aprox. 7 hrs. Then God willing, I''ll be up and around and back to work a couple of days.

My schedule of treatments are on the right hand side of the blog. And if you sign in with your email. You will be notified when there is an update. I will continue to journal through out this process.

I can't thank you all enough for the thoughts, wishes & gifts. I am SO blessed to have you all in my life.

Make it a great day!

Patsy

Tests...

Hello Friends,

I had the last test this past Monday. I'm glad it was my last. It was a PET Scan. I arrived at 8:00 am to check in. The girl behind the desk noticed my carbonated water sitting on the counter & called up to the PET Scan department. I wasn't concerned because the nurse had told me the night before I could have water. The girl looked up at me and said I'd have to reschedule. As you all know I'm off on Mondays and that's it. And at this point I didn't have any Mondays left before Chemo starts. After discussion back and forth we agreed I could have the test @ 2 pm.

Now I haven't had anything to eat since 10:30 the night before. But at this point I had no options. My back has been hurting now for about 2 weeks. My doctors have been trying to keep me comfortable until chemo starts. Which is supposed to relieve the pressure.

They think the tumor is growing at a rapid rate and pushing out and up. Which leaves me little room for food as well.

So sitting in the waiting room was going to be a challenge.

I couldn't leave the waiting room because they may have been able to work me in earlier. I found a recliner in the corner and asked for a blanket and slept for a couple of hours....2 down and 4 to go. I can do this I kept saying to myself.

I have some pain med's but couldn't take anything, again because of the test.

I was being tested for sure, ha.. ha

Finally around 12:30 they called me back, only 1-1/2 hours (test time)

I was so close to the end now , it didn't matter.

The test went off without a hitch. The male nurse inside the scan unit apologized & said they couldn't take the chance and have to repeat the whole test over again.

So.....I chalk it up to patience and NOT having carbonated water before a procedure again.

I had a dentist appointment yesterday (Tuesday) morning before work, to have my gums checked. Chemo does a number on your mouth.

So....I'm ready for this Monday!

Thank you for your continued prayers & support. I knew I was loved but had NO idea how much..

I talk to the Father a lot. He walks beside me and I can feel his arm around my shoulder. He pats my shoulder & says your going to be fine. Stay strong, we can beat this together.

I feel fortunate to have already had a relationship with our maker. And didn't have to go "find" him.

A friend at work, (after telling my work friends) turned to me & said.....WHY?

Why does this happen to good people?

I thought for a moment, and smiled through tears (because she was bawling)

Because good people are strong, if it happened to bad people, just think about it we either wouldn't have any bad people left in the world to challenge us or....it would teach them a lesson and they wouldn't be bad people anymore.

It made her giggle & then I said it happens to everybody. I'm not in control, God is. And that's it.

Most walk through life thinking they can do it without him. Reality Check!

Make it a great day!

Patsy

"Lord, whatever I encounter today, I hold onto this one truth:

You will walk beside me, every step of the way."

(A girlfriend from Sarasota sent that to me in a card)

The regimen...

Patsy has picked up her regimen of pills for the Chemo. They are to help with Nausea and stomach. It's a lot of pills to look at.

A week of tests...

Patsy has been through a lot this week. She had an EKG, a Mammogram, a MUGA scan, which is a test to evaluate the function of the right and left ventricles of the heart.

She also had a power port (image to the left) implanted yesterday. This device was surgically put in to allow the chemo to be put directly into the arteries as opposed to using veins. The veins would eventually collapse from over use so this helps alleviate that.

Next week she will have a PET scan. The PET scan takes an image of the cellular function of the human body. This helps the physician to get a more complete picture of the cancer and diagnose the problem and treatment.

Patsy is positive as usual and going to work this morning. She is a strong woman. Keep the prayers coming! Patsy reads the Blog daily and loves hearing from everyone.

Patsy's bone marrow test came back and it was clear! That was some great news!

I was teaching at Full Sail yesterday and I started the class by telling them about Patsy. During a break in class a student came to me and said "I'd like to pray for you and your wife." I said "Thank you, and if you have a prayer group please add us." I thought he meant he'd pray later. He just stood there and looked at me. I said " Did you mean now?" He said "If that's alright with you." I said "Okay, sure" Before he started he said "I suck at this." But then he began one of the most thoughtful, heartfelt prayers I'd ever heard." When he was finished I said "Thank you." As he walked away I said "And by the way, you don't suck at that at all." He smiled and walked out the door.

A new haircut.

Patsy got a short haircut to prepare for the hair loss she will experience during Chemo. She said, "I might as well get used to it being short." From what we've heard, one month after she finishes treatments (six months from now) her hair will start to grow back. And, it might be very different. Might be pretty cool:)

In the meantime we found some cool places that sell great hats. Patsy's not into the wigs so we'll probably go with that.

Also! Patsy's bone marrow test came back and it was clear! That was some great news! Now onto the PET scan which will let us know if the upper part of her body is clear as well. If so, we only have to treat the tumor itself!

I was teaching at Full Sail yesterday and I started the class by telling them about Patsy. During a break in class a student came to me and said "I'd like to pray for you and your wife." I said "Thank you, and if you have a prayer group please add us." I thought he meant he'd pray later. He just stood there and looked at me. I said " Did you mean now?" He said "If that's alright with you." I said "Okay, sure" Before he started he said "I suck at this." But then he began one of the most thoughtful, heartfelt prayers I'd ever heard." When he was finished I said "Thank you." As he walked away I said "And by the way, you don't suck at that at all." He smiled and walked out the door.

Today we begin...

Hello everyone,

Thank you for visiting my blog. Kevin and I decided this would be the easiest way to keep you all informed on this season of our life.

First, my prognosis. I have been diagnosed with Stage 2 type B-cell lymphoma. This was discovered during a routine exam with my primary doctor. She found a mass in the stomach area. I then had an ultra sound followed by a CAT scan. The doctor decided based on the CAT scan that we needed a biopsy to determine what we were dealing with. I received a call on Wednesday confirming that is was malignant. My doctor called to say it was a 9 x 9 cm tumor, the size of a mango. (These were my words not theirs.) She feels it is isolated and not attached to any other organs but, we will do a PET scan to reveal that.

Kevin and I went to see the Oncologist yesterday and after a three hour session which included blood tests, bone marrow extraction (including bone) we were told I needed chemo therapy for six months.

The good news is that it is treatable and the oncologist said there is a 70-80% chance that they can shrink or eliminate it ! He also said the prognosis for the future looked good, with a 40-50% success rate. I will begin treatments of Chemo therapy starting on the the 16th of August for a period of six months. We will post all news as it becomes available, Please sign on to this Blog to keep up to date. We will have the Blog posted on the phone as we will be a little busy to answer phone calls and emails.

Tkank you for your understanding and prayers.

And as always, "Make it a great day." (Because it is what you make it)

Love Patsy