Yesterday, I had my last chemo for 2009. Reggie, My friend for 48 years, and Jeff, my son for 32 years, went with me. It was a good day and so far am feeling pretty good. I scheduled my last chemo for next Wednesday and then my Cat scan. The cat scan will be on Sunday, January 20th and I will get the results on Tuesday, January 22nd. That will be a long 2 days, but I am extremely confident the news will be good because you see I have this wonderful group of soldiers that I know keep me in thoughts and prayers. How lucky can one person get.
I look forward to this coming decade with all of you by my side, how can I go wrong. My friens the Jerrys are coming back to my today to celebrate the New Year!! I wish you all wonderful and great things in the coming year. Thank you all for what you do for me. Please know that I too keep all of you close to my heart and keep you in my prayers.
My love to you all
Tricia
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Friday, December 18, 2009
Last Chemo for Christmas
Had Chemo today. It was a long day. April and I left the house at 8:45 and did not get home till 4:30. Everyone was running late today, but that is ok because everything went great. Saw Dr. Ryan and he seems quite pleased with my progress. I learned a little more today about what will becoming up next. If they find that through my cat scan that the tumor has shrunk and that could mean even a little, then I will be eligible for the next phase. It doesn't sound that great but it will mean that my little pac man will still be working hard. All we have to worry about is that the tumor did not grow. All things point to that not being a possibility. Soooo the next step will be chemo through a pump Monday - Friday 24 hrs a day and radiation every day. They warned me that this will tough, but a litle pain will be worth all the gain. (ok it is late and I am tired) I will need your thoughts, prayers and love to kick into overdrive then, because I don't intend to be a matyr with this stage!!!
Please be assured I am strong and confident about this next phase.
I will wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year now because my wonderful Jerry's are coming in this Tuesday and celebrating Christmas and New Year's Eve with me. How terrific is that! Next Chemo Wednesday, December 30th.
My love and best wishes to you all!
Tricia
Please be assured I am strong and confident about this next phase.
I will wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year now because my wonderful Jerry's are coming in this Tuesday and celebrating Christmas and New Year's Eve with me. How terrific is that! Next Chemo Wednesday, December 30th.
My love and best wishes to you all!
Tricia
Monday, December 14, 2009
December 14, 2009 off to New York City
Good Morning All,
Just a quick note to let you know that tomorrow morning at 6:20 AM!!!! Jeff and I will be zipping down to NYC on the Accella train. Branden is there for work so we will hook up with him in the evening. We are staying a the new W hotel and got upgraided to a beautiful suite overlooking Time Square. On Tuesday night, we are seeing the new broadway play "A little Night Music" with Angela Landsbury and Katherine Zeta-Jones. I hope we will be able to do a little star gazing as it will only be the second night of the show. On Wednesday, Jeff and I have tickets to see the Rocketts Christmas show. That is something I have always wanted to do. And I am sure we will be able to squeeze in a little Christmas shopping!
My Chemo will be on Friday morning at 11:30 so get ready to wave your magic wands, rev up the Pac Man and off we will go for another round. I think of you all when that liquid gold is cursing through my veins and how much you uplift me. Thanks for you love and support.
Have a great week-end all.
Tricia
Just a quick note to let you know that tomorrow morning at 6:20 AM!!!! Jeff and I will be zipping down to NYC on the Accella train. Branden is there for work so we will hook up with him in the evening. We are staying a the new W hotel and got upgraided to a beautiful suite overlooking Time Square. On Tuesday night, we are seeing the new broadway play "A little Night Music" with Angela Landsbury and Katherine Zeta-Jones. I hope we will be able to do a little star gazing as it will only be the second night of the show. On Wednesday, Jeff and I have tickets to see the Rocketts Christmas show. That is something I have always wanted to do. And I am sure we will be able to squeeze in a little Christmas shopping!
My Chemo will be on Friday morning at 11:30 so get ready to wave your magic wands, rev up the Pac Man and off we will go for another round. I think of you all when that liquid gold is cursing through my veins and how much you uplift me. Thanks for you love and support.
Have a great week-end all.
Tricia
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
TWO FOR ONE DECEMBER 9, 2009
NUMBER ONE
OK, So the Bahamas were absolutely beautiful. Branden Jeff and I had a wonderful and relaxing vacation. The cottage on the beach was just amazing. My bathroom was almost as big as my kitchen! When you sat on the deck you could hear the waves lapping on the shoreline. Talk about white coral sand and aqua blue water...just heavenly. We went to a little island called Harbour Island for a day. It reminded me a little of Nantucket, with victorian houses all painted pretty pastel colors. The homes on the water were spectacular and sold for millions of dollars. They drive on the left hand side of the road and you rent golf carts for the day to get around. That was fun. I drove for a little bit, but it was very nerve wracking. The islanders just zip around the curves. We went to the Pink Sand beach for the afternoon. It is ranked one of the top ten beaches in the world. I can certainly understand why. The sand felt like you were walking on talcum powder it was so soft. The beach had great waves and I had a ball body surfing!! I must have had at least a pound of sand in my suit when I took it off! Just great, great, great!!! Pictures of vacation to to follow.
Number Two Post
Had second chemo of round two today. April and I got up at 6 and were in there by seven thirty. Had my blood drawn and they all came back great. They are very pleased with my progress. That is good news. The chemo went great and it's so good to have the porto-cath. It makes it so much faster and easier. I will have my next treatment next Friday and then be off for Christmas. They have decided to add two more chemo treatments after that because I seem to be responding and tolerating it well. I find that to be good news. When those treatments are done then I will have the dreaded CAT SCAN. That will tell us whether I will have more chemo and add six weeks of radiation. I am praying for that. I hope you are having my pac man do his job!!! Thank you all for your cards, prayers, dinners and support. My hope lives on because of all of you!!!
OK, So the Bahamas were absolutely beautiful. Branden Jeff and I had a wonderful and relaxing vacation. The cottage on the beach was just amazing. My bathroom was almost as big as my kitchen! When you sat on the deck you could hear the waves lapping on the shoreline. Talk about white coral sand and aqua blue water...just heavenly. We went to a little island called Harbour Island for a day. It reminded me a little of Nantucket, with victorian houses all painted pretty pastel colors. The homes on the water were spectacular and sold for millions of dollars. They drive on the left hand side of the road and you rent golf carts for the day to get around. That was fun. I drove for a little bit, but it was very nerve wracking. The islanders just zip around the curves. We went to the Pink Sand beach for the afternoon. It is ranked one of the top ten beaches in the world. I can certainly understand why. The sand felt like you were walking on talcum powder it was so soft. The beach had great waves and I had a ball body surfing!! I must have had at least a pound of sand in my suit when I took it off! Just great, great, great!!! Pictures of vacation to to follow.
Number Two Post
Had second chemo of round two today. April and I got up at 6 and were in there by seven thirty. Had my blood drawn and they all came back great. They are very pleased with my progress. That is good news. The chemo went great and it's so good to have the porto-cath. It makes it so much faster and easier. I will have my next treatment next Friday and then be off for Christmas. They have decided to add two more chemo treatments after that because I seem to be responding and tolerating it well. I find that to be good news. When those treatments are done then I will have the dreaded CAT SCAN. That will tell us whether I will have more chemo and add six weeks of radiation. I am praying for that. I hope you are having my pac man do his job!!! Thank you all for your cards, prayers, dinners and support. My hope lives on because of all of you!!!
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
November 24, 2009 Thanksgiving Eve
Today I started my second round of chemo. It went extremely well as they were able to use the new porto-cath. Piece of cake. As usual everyone was so nice and cheerful and actually made the day kind of fun. Reggie and April came with me. It is so nice to have people I love so much with me. It helps make me feel invincible.
Now for the best news...when they draw my blood they run a test that shows the markers of the tumor. When Dr. Ryan blew into my room like a tornado the first words he said, "Well, great news the markers have shrunken!" I knew immediately that that meant the tumor had shrunk!!!!!!!!!!! And what that tells me, my loyal soldiers, is that we are certainly doing some ASS KICKING! GOOD JOB EVERYBODY.
Tomorrow when I sit down to my dinner I will be most thankful for all the wonderful, supportive soldiers I have to help me fight this dreaded disease. I can not thank all of you enough for how you are lifting me up and carrying me forward with hope.
My love to all of you and have a very wonderful Thanksgiving!!
Today I started my second round of chemo. It went extremely well as they were able to use the new porto-cath. Piece of cake. As usual everyone was so nice and cheerful and actually made the day kind of fun. Reggie and April came with me. It is so nice to have people I love so much with me. It helps make me feel invincible.
Now for the best news...when they draw my blood they run a test that shows the markers of the tumor. When Dr. Ryan blew into my room like a tornado the first words he said, "Well, great news the markers have shrunken!" I knew immediately that that meant the tumor had shrunk!!!!!!!!!!! And what that tells me, my loyal soldiers, is that we are certainly doing some ASS KICKING! GOOD JOB EVERYBODY.
Tomorrow when I sit down to my dinner I will be most thankful for all the wonderful, supportive soldiers I have to help me fight this dreaded disease. I can not thank all of you enough for how you are lifting me up and carrying me forward with hope.
My love to all of you and have a very wonderful Thanksgiving!!
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Hospital Trip
After I wrote the post on the 19th I found myself back at MGH with a fever of 101degrees and generally not feeling that great! They thought that I had developed an infection from the porto cath they put in. Luckily, it was not, but I had to go through some miserable tests to find out that it was an infection from the tape they used to cover up the port site. My skin is extremely sensitive to tape. That is actually stating it mildly!!! However, today is a new day and I feel great.
I will start my next round of chemo tomorrow morning at 9 am for all those of you who are invisioning my little pac man/woman taking rather large bites out of the tumor. I will have my pac man socks on!!!
I am so lucky to have such wonderful people in my life. All of you and my friend of 49 years, Reggie Peters. She was with Jeff and me to start my first round of chemo and she is coming again with April and me tomorrow. She has to leave the Cape by 6am. She is a mighty soldier.
Hope they give me that same steroid cocktail as last time!!!
Lots of love
After I wrote the post on the 19th I found myself back at MGH with a fever of 101degrees and generally not feeling that great! They thought that I had developed an infection from the porto cath they put in. Luckily, it was not, but I had to go through some miserable tests to find out that it was an infection from the tape they used to cover up the port site. My skin is extremely sensitive to tape. That is actually stating it mildly!!! However, today is a new day and I feel great.
I will start my next round of chemo tomorrow morning at 9 am for all those of you who are invisioning my little pac man/woman taking rather large bites out of the tumor. I will have my pac man socks on!!!
I am so lucky to have such wonderful people in my life. All of you and my friend of 49 years, Reggie Peters. She was with Jeff and me to start my first round of chemo and she is coming again with April and me tomorrow. She has to leave the Cape by 6am. She is a mighty soldier.
Hope they give me that same steroid cocktail as last time!!!
Lots of love
Another small Victory Thursday November 19, 2009 Not posted till 11/24/09
Today I was at Mass General with Jeff at 6:30 am to begin the process of inserting the porto-cath into my chest wall. Everything seemed to move very quickly and before I knew it I was strapped down on the table and everything was ready to go. I must say once again how very kind everyone was.
The procedure took a little over an hour and I was back in the recovery room at 9am. I was definitely ready for a cup of coffee. As soon as they took an x-ray to see that it was in the correct position I could have the coffee. Jeffrey had it ready and waiting for me as soon as I got back. I must tell you, it was one of the best cups I have ever tasted.
Sitting here now, it is a little sore, but they said that would only last a few days. At this stage of the war…What’s a few days!!!!
I do have some other very exciting news. Two weeks from tomorrow (December 4) Jeff, Branden and I will be flying to the BAHAMAS!!! We are going to the Eluethera Island and renting a cottage right on the beach. You can walk to the ocean about 30 feet from the cottage. How very exciting. It will be a nice break not to think about cancer, chemo or anything else. Hooray~
Today I was at Mass General with Jeff at 6:30 am to begin the process of inserting the porto-cath into my chest wall. Everything seemed to move very quickly and before I knew it I was strapped down on the table and everything was ready to go. I must say once again how very kind everyone was.
The procedure took a little over an hour and I was back in the recovery room at 9am. I was definitely ready for a cup of coffee. As soon as they took an x-ray to see that it was in the correct position I could have the coffee. Jeffrey had it ready and waiting for me as soon as I got back. I must tell you, it was one of the best cups I have ever tasted.
Sitting here now, it is a little sore, but they said that would only last a few days. At this stage of the war…What’s a few days!!!!
I do have some other very exciting news. Two weeks from tomorrow (December 4) Jeff, Branden and I will be flying to the BAHAMAS!!! We are going to the Eluethera Island and renting a cottage right on the beach. You can walk to the ocean about 30 feet from the cottage. How very exciting. It will be a nice break not to think about cancer, chemo or anything else. Hooray~
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Sunday, November 15 5:00 Am
Yesterday was an off day, but today seems to be starting out much better. I have been asked how you all can get these postings automatically as I post them and at the time I did't know because this was all still new to me too. Towards the bottom of the page it asks if you want to subscribe by email. If you click on that I believe you will receive them automatically. I have also enjoyed reading the comments that have been left. They certainly raise my spirits. I thought I could automatically respond to them, but you can't. Please know that I read them all and they make my day. I hope you all know how much this all means to me. I really don't feel like I am in this alone.
One round of Chemo down means we have one at least one battle so far. Let's keep this going. Porta cath will be put in on Thursday at 7am which will be a good thing. No more whiggling for veins!!!
Hope all have a wonderful Sunday and GO PATS!!!
Yesterday was an off day, but today seems to be starting out much better. I have been asked how you all can get these postings automatically as I post them and at the time I did't know because this was all still new to me too. Towards the bottom of the page it asks if you want to subscribe by email. If you click on that I believe you will receive them automatically. I have also enjoyed reading the comments that have been left. They certainly raise my spirits. I thought I could automatically respond to them, but you can't. Please know that I read them all and they make my day. I hope you all know how much this all means to me. I really don't feel like I am in this alone.
One round of Chemo down means we have one at least one battle so far. Let's keep this going. Porta cath will be put in on Thursday at 7am which will be a good thing. No more whiggling for veins!!!
Hope all have a wonderful Sunday and GO PATS!!!
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Round One, Done!!
November 12, 2009
Today I finished the last of three treatments in this cycle, next week I am off! Thanks to any and all of you who said prayers that they would find a vein quickly today, they did on the first try with just a little wiggling! My army of 5 was with me and it was great for them to meet everyone that I talk about each week and put a face with all the names. It was good for them to see what great care I get at MGH. My infusion nurse Ed is back from vacation, he is such a wonderful guy with a great sense of humor.
Special thanks to Molly for my cross, I have had it with me at every treatment and it gives me strength, faith and hope. It also means a great deal to me since it came from her.
I am feeling a lot better than I did last week; so far all the nausea, vomiting and fatigue have not appeared. They gave me a steroid cocktail which seems to be doing the trick!
Jeff took today off and we went out to breakfast, did some shopping and ran a few errands, it was a nice relaxing time. The day was topped off by a great family dinner of spaghetti and meatballs with dessert made by the girls at Chris’ office, thank you for that!!
That’s all for now, I am still feeling great even at this hour and am off to bed.
Take care,
-Tricia
Today I finished the last of three treatments in this cycle, next week I am off! Thanks to any and all of you who said prayers that they would find a vein quickly today, they did on the first try with just a little wiggling! My army of 5 was with me and it was great for them to meet everyone that I talk about each week and put a face with all the names. It was good for them to see what great care I get at MGH. My infusion nurse Ed is back from vacation, he is such a wonderful guy with a great sense of humor.
Special thanks to Molly for my cross, I have had it with me at every treatment and it gives me strength, faith and hope. It also means a great deal to me since it came from her.
I am feeling a lot better than I did last week; so far all the nausea, vomiting and fatigue have not appeared. They gave me a steroid cocktail which seems to be doing the trick!
Jeff took today off and we went out to breakfast, did some shopping and ran a few errands, it was a nice relaxing time. The day was topped off by a great family dinner of spaghetti and meatballs with dessert made by the girls at Chris’ office, thank you for that!!
That’s all for now, I am still feeling great even at this hour and am off to bed.
Take care,
-Tricia
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Veteran's Day
November 11th
Chemo Day number 3 coming up today! Today, I will have an army with me. Christopher,April, Cameron,and Branden are all going to be joining me. It should definetly make the day go by faster!!! I will have my blood drawn and then meet with Terry (my nurse practioneer)to discuss how the week has gone. The week was a little more difficult than the first one, but certainly not as bad as it could have been.
I would like to thank all of you who have joined my private army and also a thank you today for all the soldiers who are serving our country all over the world today.
Our thoughts and prayers are also with you today.
Hope for a good vein today!!!
Chemo Day number 3 coming up today! Today, I will have an army with me. Christopher,April, Cameron,and Branden are all going to be joining me. It should definetly make the day go by faster!!! I will have my blood drawn and then meet with Terry (my nurse practioneer)to discuss how the week has gone. The week was a little more difficult than the first one, but certainly not as bad as it could have been.
I would like to thank all of you who have joined my private army and also a thank you today for all the soldiers who are serving our country all over the world today.
Our thoughts and prayers are also with you today.
Hope for a good vein today!!!
Thursday, November 5, 2009
November 4
Treatment number 2 Done.
Going to MGH yesterday I found myself a little more apprehensive, even though the first treatment had gone so well. I think because I know the chemo is cumulative that I was a little more worried. I met with Terry, my nurse practioner, and discussed how the week had gone. We were both pleased that my blood work looked excellent. May that continue!!! Terry is wonderful. She is so easy to talk to and listens very well. Then it was off to chemo. That whole process takes about an hour and then you are done and free to go home.
Jeff and I went to the Liberty Hotel for lunch. I had the best seafood chowder I have ever tasted. We were then off to the Apple Store where I finally entered the 21st Century as Jeff got me an IPhone. So with that said...I am off to play in the world of texting, music and emails!!
Treatment number 2 Done.
Going to MGH yesterday I found myself a little more apprehensive, even though the first treatment had gone so well. I think because I know the chemo is cumulative that I was a little more worried. I met with Terry, my nurse practioner, and discussed how the week had gone. We were both pleased that my blood work looked excellent. May that continue!!! Terry is wonderful. She is so easy to talk to and listens very well. Then it was off to chemo. That whole process takes about an hour and then you are done and free to go home.
Jeff and I went to the Liberty Hotel for lunch. I had the best seafood chowder I have ever tasted. We were then off to the Apple Store where I finally entered the 21st Century as Jeff got me an IPhone. So with that said...I am off to play in the world of texting, music and emails!!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Recruiting all Soldiers!!!
Today I am announcing, although some of you already know, the sad news that I have inoperable pancreatic cancer. There I have said it. Now we get on to the purpose of this blog. I am very optimistic with the help of Tricia's Army that I can destroy this tumor. It has been done. Why not me? I know that there are plenty of you out there that will pray and think of me. I am also asking you to join my Army. Every Wednesday about mid day (For you West Coast Soldiers much earlier!) please close your eyes and envision a pac man cursing through my veins and attacking this tumor.
I am going to use this blog to keep all of you informed with my treatment and what is going on in general. I welcome any comments, suggestions or ideas that you may have. However, as most of you know I can be a little on the stubborn side, so I may not take any of it :)!
What has happened so far; I had my first round of chemo on Wednesday, October 28th and will have it again this Wednesday, November 4th and next Wednesday, November 11th and then there will be a week off! Then they will start the cycle again with three weeks of chemo and one week off again. My team at the MGH Cancer Center will then reassess, and determine if the tumor has shrunk at all. If it has then they will do radiation and chemo. The goal is to be able to operate and remove the tumor. That is not possible now as the tumor has encased the hepatic artery which makes it too dangerous to operate.
I firmly believe with the power of prayer and faith and a whole lot of love we can conquer this insidious disease. I need your help. Please join.
I am going to use this blog to keep all of you informed with my treatment and what is going on in general. I welcome any comments, suggestions or ideas that you may have. However, as most of you know I can be a little on the stubborn side, so I may not take any of it :)!
What has happened so far; I had my first round of chemo on Wednesday, October 28th and will have it again this Wednesday, November 4th and next Wednesday, November 11th and then there will be a week off! Then they will start the cycle again with three weeks of chemo and one week off again. My team at the MGH Cancer Center will then reassess, and determine if the tumor has shrunk at all. If it has then they will do radiation and chemo. The goal is to be able to operate and remove the tumor. That is not possible now as the tumor has encased the hepatic artery which makes it too dangerous to operate.
I firmly believe with the power of prayer and faith and a whole lot of love we can conquer this insidious disease. I need your help. Please join.
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