I know its been awhile since I told you guys what was going on with my cancer but until last week there really wasn't anything new to say. I've been handling the treatments very well. Radiation is done and I'm now 2/3rds of the way through chemo. I get fatigued for about a week after each treatment which is a drag but way better than cancer.
The good news is that the two main masses, the one in my brain and the one in my rib appear to be completely gone according to Thursday's MRI results. The not so good news is that they saw something else in there. The doctor called it an "artifact" in my Cerebellum that nobody can explain. It's about 4mm and only showed up on one slice of the MRI so it is very tiny but it does affect my balance and can cause me to have dizzy spells. The other thing they found that was new was little granules "like pretzel salt" was how the doc described tit to me, in my spinal fluid. The other doc did not feel the need to do a spinal tap to determine just what these things are, which I am thankful for. We'll find out in another 2 months if the next 2 treatments of chemo will knock those buggers out as well.

Happy Turkey Day everyone. Going to the Beacon tonight for Black Wednesday if any of you want to see my lovely face now that i can move it again.

So I'm finally finished with the radiation portion of my treatment. I've got a week off until I start chemotherapy. Still in good spirits and feeling positive. Thanks to all the support from my family and friends. To be honest I haven't had a moment to relax. Million things to do every day, it doesn't feel like I stopped working at all!

So I'm keeping very busy, playing with the new camera and computer I got for my birthday, making clothing, doing alterations for Katie's wedding, etc,. So busy I don't have time to get down, which is a good thing.

Thanks again to everyone for their neverending support. I feel very lucky to have all of you in my life.

 

 

So here I am up at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN to get the tumor zapped out of my brain. I am very hopeful that this treatment will work really well for me and I will be able to start feeling my face again maybe even right after it's done.  Of course that won't be the end of treatment for me. It's more like the beginning. I'm about half way through the full brain radiation (12 treatments total). So once I get back from here I will take about a week and a half to finish up that part. At the same time they will also be treating the tumor in my rib with radiation as well. They think that those are the only 2 spots that it has spread so far. Once I'm done with radiation it will be moving on to the chemo portion which will be one treatment every 3 weeks for 18 weeks total. (6 treatments). Then we'll see where we're at. More testing I assume.

We have also found out that it is the same cancer as before. They had found it in some of my lymph nodes last November and I guess it must have gotten into my blood stream because spread it did. I have a tumor about the size of a quarter sitting next to my brain stem, pressing on the pons and invading my cavernous sinus (for those who know brains) It is pressing on 3 of my cranial nerves that control eye movement, facial sensation, and facial movement on the right side of my face which is what's been giving me all the problems since May when I first started complaining about all this stuff. The crazy thing is that with all the tests they did on me since then, it never showed up until now. 

The Gamma Knife surgery is a super targeted radiation treatment where they shine 201 beams of radiation through a big helmet type thing into my head to kill the tumor. I will be having this done on Friday with all luck. I will also be getting 4 set screws in my head to hold the frame in place. (they will come out as soon as it's all over and yes I will take pictures)  

Once it's all done I can pretty much go home right away. Sucks that I'm here for my 30th b-day but at least I may get some relief from this. If it works well it will be the best birthday present I've ever gotten. But I did have to buy myself a fabulous purse at the gift shop today. A girl only turns 30 once after all. And god knows I deserve something nice about now. It's sparkly.

Tomorrow morning I'll meet with the Neurosurgeon and get more of the lowdown on what Friday will be like but I do get my actual birthday off; free from doctors entirely.

I'll be home Friday night so if you're looking for me, that would be the time. Thanks to all the people who have shown their love and support. I've heard from a bunch that were pleasantly unexpected. It's very nice to feel appreciated and loved. I have the best friends ever. Thanks for that...

I'll post again after the procedure and let you all know how it went. Wish me luck!!!

 

Apparently I didn't kick cancer's ass hard enough last time. It has returned for more. I am just home from the hospital where I was told that the cancer has now spread to my brain. I have a tumor about the size of a quarter right next to my brain stem. This time it is inoperable because of the location of the tumor, so I started radiation therapy yesterday and will go through another round of chemo once the radiation is done. It's a good thing I've already got the wigs because now I am going to need them for sure.

One of the hardest lessons to learn from all this is that some people who you think are your friends, just aren't. Anyone who can ignore you or tell you their girlfriend's jealousy or whatever is more important than being there for you when you have an inoperable brain tumor was never really a friend, no matter how close you thought you were to them. Tough lessons to learn.

The other crappy thing to come of this is that I can't go to India like I was planning in October. That sucks. I was really looking forward to becoming a world traveler. I will still get to go but I'm not sure when it will happen. As it is I'm off work until November 7th at least. Company is welcome at least until the chemo starts making me feel awful.

I am currently accepting donations of cash, flowers or good drugs. Cash because cancer is expensive and I'm broke and flowers and good drugs just make you  feel better. I will also accept food and wine, but only if it's the kind I like.

It's been a tough year. Here's hoping that 30 is a lot better than 29.

So it all went off on Saturday without a hitch. The fashion show was amazing and empowering and I was so glad to have all my friends there. Thank you guys so much for all your support, through this and everything else I've been through recently. If it weren't for my girls I don't know where I'd be. Your love and unwavering support brought me through cancer and made me stronger for it. Whether you know it or not it was your love and support that gave me the strength to accomplish this amazing show. You are all my inspiration. Thank you all.

 

Video to be posted as soon as it comes back from the videographer. Pics coming too.

You won't see my pretty face, but you will see my clothes. Channel 5 came to the rehearsal today and we did a mini fashion show that was taped. 3 of my designs were featured and will be on the 5:00 news on Channel 5 on Monday.

Remember to contact me if you would like to come to the full show on Saturday, April 26th. Tickets are 20 bucks in advance and 30 at the door so get them early!!!

I'll post video as soon as it comes out... and I figure out how to do it...

I have been dreading what will happen tomorrow for 9 years since I found out he had hip dysplasia when he was just a puppy. Bear has had a very good life and many people to love him and feed him table scraps. He loves that. Tomorrow I will be taking him in to have him euthenized and it is the hardest thing I've ever done in my life but he's at the point where he can barely walk and all he does is sleep all day. I need to help my baby and this unfortunately is the only way I can. I'm gonna miss him something fierce, he's been like a child to me, as anyone who has ever met him can attest.

I love you Beardog. You will be missed.

....REPOST......

Tomorrow is the final day of my cancer treatment. So I will be celebrating at the Beacon for all who would like to come buy me a shot to celebrate no more cancer.

We will play cards and drink cheap beer and possibly watch B try to climb into the celing or possibly lose her pants. Hooray!

Also check out the new Studio519 site. It's still not complete yet, a lot more content to come, but the teaser page looks incredible thanks to all of Re's hard work. Amazing as usual. And keep checking because the bulk of the site is coming soon.

Studio519Chicago.com

I figured I'd post something on here about what's been going on with me lately.

First off there was the cocktail party which was amazing. Thank you to all 90+ of you that showed up for the 11th year. There were some new faces in the crowd this year too which is always nice to see. Pictures are posted if you would like to see.

New Years Eve was a blast as well. I went to the Sims bowl DPHC bash as usual. And as usual had a great time even though I generally have way too many exes at that party for comfort. This year a few of them didn't show due to weather and wives.

Fashion shows. There are 4 in the works, the first is coming up in May so I will be up to my elbows in fabric. Good thing I got a dress form for Christmas, makes it a lot easier to design.

And finally, cancer treatment. Generally it is going well, though in the last week I've noticed that I've been feeling tired a lot, taking many naps and such. But I had my 4th chemo treatment today, 2 left to go and 3 weeks of radiation and this whole nightmare is over. With a few not small and very lasting consequences, but over none the less. I will be very glad to get back to work and my normal life.

It also looks like I'll be moving in April due to some landlord issue such as him not paying his mortgage. Not sure where to yet. Could be anywhere really with my job being all work from home and travel now. The world is my oyster. Too bad I hate oysters. Why do they have to be so slimy anyway? Gross.