The Day Has Come

Good Evening all my fellow soldiers!!!!!

Christopher, Jeffrey, Connie, Reggie and April accompanied me to the all important meeting with Dr. Ryan. I think when he walked into the room he was a little overhwelmed, however that did not stop him from saying immediately ... "the NEWS IS GOOD!!!" Let me tell you the news was not only good it was fantastic. Are you ready?

THE TUMOR HAS SHRUNK BY HALF!!!

I believe that the power of prayer and love have accomplished this. And that means all of you!! Thank you, thank you, thank you! I did not do this alone, it was a combined effort of us all.

Now we are on another journey together. Tomorrow I will go in to be measured for radiation and will then start the chemo and radiation combo on February 1st. Please know that I am ready for this. If we kicked ass this last round that tumor better watch out because we are really going to step up our game and do some major ass kicking!! Soooo get ready we are own our way!

Love to you all!!!
Tricia

Big Day Tomorrow!!

Monday JANUARY 18TH

Christopher and I went to Mass General yesterday morning and I had the Cat Scan I
have been waiting so long to have. I felt like it would never come and now it is done and we hear the results late tomorrow afternoon. Christopher is taking me to the Celtics tonight so the night will pass quickly.

They decided to give me another chemo bedfore I meet with the Dr. Ryan and I take that as a hopeful sign. We will be a large group. My sister, Connie, Reggie, April, and of course Christopher and Jeffrey will be with me. (Our own small army) I will post the news when I get home.

Take care,
Tricia

Januery 7,2010

To all my fellow soldiers!

Yesterday was my last chemo treatment until my cat scan on January 17th and then my appointment with Dr. Ryan. April and Christopher ( at the last minute ) were able to go with me. I as was so glad to have Christopher to be able to go with me! It was an uneventful event as everything went went according to plan. It was my last visit with Ed as my infusion nurse as he does not work on Mondays. I am sorry that I want have him. He has been so positive, kind and full of hope. I looked forward to seeing him and will miss our talks.

The most important news to share is that my blood worked showed that the markers have shrunk once again!!! According to Terry, my oncology practitioner, that is great news, but even more important she said, " The way you look and feel and have tolerated the chemo is even a greater indicator!" I will take that. She forgot to say that all of my soldiers with their prayers, love and support have helped to make this all possible. I know I have said this before, but it needs saying again...your comments, support, love and dinners have been my inspiration.

Thank you, I love you all!!
Tricia

Happy New Year

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

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

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

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!!!