Saturday, January 25, 2014

More Billboards

I know a lot of you know this story, but I realized the other day when my cousin said she saw me on a billboard in WI that the billboards are still out there.

The short story – my friend Holly took some pictures of me when I was bald with my first or second chemo after I was diagnosed stage 4.

I thought nothing of it except cool free pictures and it is good to remember this.

Well, chemo brain kicked in and I didn’t remember it for long.

At some point Eric’s parents saw me on a billboard in MI and told us, and I them there was no way it was me.

Then after my 1st brain surgery I talked to Holly (the one who took the pictures) and told her about Eric’s parents saying this and she said she had put them on this site to show off her work…she had told me this at one other point in time.
Photo: I am a little bit in shock but a high school friend of mine sent this to me saying my face is everywhere in Seattle...even on light pole hangings.



 
And I guess I am still on the web site (I just checked) https://www.fhcrc.org/en/how-to-help.html
 
So there you go, for those of you who didn't know...my 15 minutes of fame!

Thursday, January 23, 2014

Spinal tap and more


I had my spinal tap on Monday.  Now I “thought” this was going to be easy breezy, a small poke and fluid draw…I thought WRONG.

The PA did it, so she went lower because that is a less riskery area and come to find out a harder area to get.

The numbing poke didn’t hurt too bad.

So I was supposed to be all numbed …I wasn’t.

She had to dig around to hit the fluid – in the process a few nerves were hit and I am pretty sure that was the worst pain ever and that is what sent me over the edge.

I don’t know how many digs into my spine later she got me some good drugs, let those kick in, got the Dr and bam – he got it on the first stick.  He went up higher on my spine  which is risker but I didn’t feel it due to the new pain med kicking in.

So after all that, I could barely walk out due to the meds and shots.

I went home and passed out.

Then later in the week I found out it was all worth it – ALL IS GREAT!!  No cancer cells lurking around.

I have a follow up MRI next Thursday but I am starting to feel better. My head just hurts when I am tired, but it hurts less than it did!!

I am going to start driving the parking lot this weekend and practice that and hope I don’t get car sick and the 2 leg driving comes back easily!

So all and all, this are going well.

Thanks for all the prayers and love.

Thursday, January 16, 2014

A little update


I know, I know – y’all have been wondering what is going on.

I haven’t felt like writing, I haven’t felt like much.  My head hurts all the time unless I take pain meds which loop me out…it is a hard place to be.

We still aren’t sure if the new chemo is shrinking the narcosis (I need to call to see when my apt is).

I don’t know – this pain sucks, not being able to drive sucks, not having any feeling in leg is tiring, blah, blah blah.

This is honestly why I haven’t written…I don’t feel I have anything positive to say.

I want to paint and write again but then again I don’t feel like – it is a hard place to be.

I will try to do a better job with the updates but no real promises!

Saturday, January 4, 2014

Another Update on Renee- Clear PET!

Hi all- It's Eric writing for Renee again, wanting to update everyone on how she's doing.

She started off the new year with a PET scan on Thursday the 2nd, and a follow up with Dr H yesterday.

Even though we were really worried about her bones & lungs because of some pains & issues, the PET was clear!  That was the best possible outcome, and we had to hear it a few times to believe it, and are thanking God so much for what seems like a true miracle.

As expected, they weren't able to get a lot of information about her head from the PET, just from the way the PET actually works.  But that wasn't a big deal, and we'll just take the good results from the previous MRIs.

Her symptoms are unfortunately still there, and she's feeling very run down & still has some pain in her body & her head.  But, we're still very stoked to know the scans are looking good, and are looking forward to getting everything figured out and her feeling better.

Based on the scans, the working assumption is that her symptoms are caused by necrosis in her brain from her surgeries & radiation, as well as some symptoms from the side effects of her steroids.

So, she's getting off the steroids, which will hopefully help with the energy levels & some of the body pains.  Then she'll also be starting a new treatment of Avastin next Friday, which should help with the head pain & help her deal with the necrosis.  She'll also stay on her current chemo.

All in all, it's a great start to the new year, and we're looking forward to having her feel better.
We thank everyone for all the help, thoughts & prayers as we get things back on track.