Greetings My Loyal Soldiers!!!
Hard to believe that almost 3 weeks are already done. Three more to go! I wish I could tell you that it has been a piece of cake for it has been more like a roller coaster ride. One day you feel pretty good and the next day not so much. The worst is the exhaustion. It is very hard to explain because it is like no other kind of tiredness I have ever experienced. Christopher doesn’t understand when I get so mad that I am tired. What he doesn’t realize is that I am basically a nosy person and feel that I am missing something when I am sleeping!! Food too has become a bit of an issue, but I am really not complaining about that because dropping a few pounds would be a good thing! Hell of a way to do it, but again who’s complaining? Not I!!!
I am so overwhelmed and honored that there are so many members or rather soldiers on my blog. God must be saying about now, “Who is this Tricia? Ok, ok, I am listening!”. Thank you all for your love and support.
Take care,
Tricia
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Week 1 Almost Done!!!
I thought I would let you know what the week has been like so far. The radiation has not been so bad. It takes two decades of the rosary and then they come in and say, “ok, all done.” The chemo…not so much! You would think in this day and age they could come up with a pump that can distribute the chemo that weighs less than 25lbs!!! Alright, I lied, it only weighs 5lbs, but when it is hanging off your chest wall it sure feels like 25lbs!
I am very excited about all the new soldiers in my army. It gives me such strength to know that there are all these good thoughts and prayers coming my way. You have no idea how much your comments mean to me, even if they sometimes make me cry. They are good tears because I am feeling the love and encouragement. Thank you all for that.
I met with Dr. Huong, who is the Oncology Chief of Radiation at MGH and he was very encouraging. He said that the tumor shrinking the way it has is very unusual, but then I am a little unusual! All of that is a very good sign for the radiation to make the tumor small enough for me to be able to have the Whipple surgery. It is funny how life can change your outlook on things so that you are excited about having a major surgery.
Hoping week two goes as well for we are back in the kicking-cancer’s-ass-business, and business is booming!!!
Love,
Tricia
I am very excited about all the new soldiers in my army. It gives me such strength to know that there are all these good thoughts and prayers coming my way. You have no idea how much your comments mean to me, even if they sometimes make me cry. They are good tears because I am feeling the love and encouragement. Thank you all for that.
I met with Dr. Huong, who is the Oncology Chief of Radiation at MGH and he was very encouraging. He said that the tumor shrinking the way it has is very unusual, but then I am a little unusual! All of that is a very good sign for the radiation to make the tumor small enough for me to be able to have the Whipple surgery. It is funny how life can change your outlook on things so that you are excited about having a major surgery.
Hoping week two goes as well for we are back in the kicking-cancer’s-ass-business, and business is booming!!!
Love,
Tricia
Thursday, February 25, 2010
And so it begins....
On Wednesday of this week I went to MGH to have yet another cat scan which thus meant also trying to drink what they call a vanilla smoothie that has nothing whatsoever to do with either vanilla or smooth!! However, the cat scan showed the tumor has shrunk just a little bit more. Yay! I then had to sign away the life that I am trying to save. Good grief, do they have to list every single thing that could happen?
I will be starting this coming Monday. I will go to the chemo center every Monday and be connected to a pump that will last till the following Monday. When I am all hooked up and have my designer bag (hah!!) attached, I go to radiation. I will have radiation every day at 1:15pm so think good thoughts. I am also entered into a brand new clinical trial that will add a pill to this whole mixture that they believe is very promising with the treatment of pancreatic cancer.
Please know that I am very anxious to get this whole thing started. I am very sure and confident that this is the right thing for me to be doing. Please continue to keep me in your prayers or thoughts as I truly believe all of you are a big part of my success. It is so comforting to know that I am not alone in this journey.
Thank you all!!!
Love
Pat
I will be starting this coming Monday. I will go to the chemo center every Monday and be connected to a pump that will last till the following Monday. When I am all hooked up and have my designer bag (hah!!) attached, I go to radiation. I will have radiation every day at 1:15pm so think good thoughts. I am also entered into a brand new clinical trial that will add a pill to this whole mixture that they believe is very promising with the treatment of pancreatic cancer.
Please know that I am very anxious to get this whole thing started. I am very sure and confident that this is the right thing for me to be doing. Please continue to keep me in your prayers or thoughts as I truly believe all of you are a big part of my success. It is so comforting to know that I am not alone in this journey.
Thank you all!!!
Love
Pat
Thursday, February 4, 2010
February 4 Update
Good Morning my neglected Soldiers!
I am sorry I have not felt well enough these last couple of weeks to keep you posted as to what is going on. My last post gave you all the good news about the tumor and that I would be starting the chemo/radiation quickly. After I posted all of that I got a call from Dr. Ryan explaining that the new protocol that he wanted me to get into would not budge regarding the number of chemo treatments one had to have to start their program. I had to have another round of chemo with the gemcitabine (the one I have been having all along). I have already had two rounds and will have the third round tomorrow and then there will be a two week break and I will start the chemo/radiation on February 22nd. It has changed from 5 days to 7 days a week of chemo through the pump and 5 days going in to MGH for the radiation. Doesn't sound like much fun, but it does sound like a way to the cure and that is just fine with me!
I know that through this next round I will be able to feel the love and prayers of my incredible Army.
Take care,
Pat
I am sorry I have not felt well enough these last couple of weeks to keep you posted as to what is going on. My last post gave you all the good news about the tumor and that I would be starting the chemo/radiation quickly. After I posted all of that I got a call from Dr. Ryan explaining that the new protocol that he wanted me to get into would not budge regarding the number of chemo treatments one had to have to start their program. I had to have another round of chemo with the gemcitabine (the one I have been having all along). I have already had two rounds and will have the third round tomorrow and then there will be a two week break and I will start the chemo/radiation on February 22nd. It has changed from 5 days to 7 days a week of chemo through the pump and 5 days going in to MGH for the radiation. Doesn't sound like much fun, but it does sound like a way to the cure and that is just fine with me!
I know that through this next round I will be able to feel the love and prayers of my incredible Army.
Take care,
Pat
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
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
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
Monday, January 18, 2010
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
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
Thursday, January 7, 2010
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
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