SO Frustrated

Well, last week my tumor marker went down 7 points.  We were hoping for a downward trend over the next couple of weeks, but unfortunately it went up 30 points this week.  We're back in the 300's.  Well, isn't that just the pickle on the crap sandwich that is my day?!  Seriously?!?  What in the hell is this tumor marker doing?!?  I guess at this point there's no sense in fretting about it... I'm feeling good and my side isn't hurting so that's a good sign.  We're going to check the tumor marker again the week after next so maybe it will start going back down... we were wanting to give this new cocktail a 6 - 8 week time frame to start doing it's thing.  So as frustrating as this is, I can't get wrapped up in the tumor marker fluctuating the way it is.  So alas, we wait.  Hmmmmm, deja vu!!!

In the meantime I'm going to enjoy this next week... an amazing opportunity in the OBX w/ my hubby!  That would be the Outer Banks in N. Carolina.  Thanks for the lingo Steph and thanks to Little Pink Houses of Hope (LPHOH)!  I'm starting to love their motto...

Live Stronger.  Laugh Harder.  Love Deeper.

Live Stronger. Laugh Harder. Love Deeper.

Can you believe it has been almost a year since I was diagnosed?!  Well, I can't believe I was diagnosed PERIOD, but I surely can't believe it's almost been a year.  I remember the last day of September 2010 getting that unbearable pain in my side, Jason dragging me to the ER and then scheduling that first appointment w/ Tx Oncology.  Wow!  A lot has happened since then!  

 

Well, as y'all know, I tried my luck with applying for a weekend retreat called Casting for Recovery.  Unfortunately I wasn't accepted, BUT since it's such an amazing program and opportunity, I'm looking forward to applying next Spring.  In the meantime, I heard about another incredibly amazing nonprofit called Little Pink Houses of Hope (LPHOH) which offers week long summer retreats in the Carolinas.  No harm in applying right?!  Well, as Tommy Boy would say... "Holy Shnike!"  I WAS ACCEPTED!!  

At the end of the month Jason and I will be spending a week long, all expense paid vacation in Nags Head, NC.  I was a little hesitant to post this amazing news earlier... we weren't quite sure if the retreat would be postponed or cancelled due to Irene.  From what I understand, the retreat is on and we are ready to go!!  I'm excited!  I'm giddy!  And to be quite honest I'm in awe of the volunteers and the power of donations that make these retreats possible!  

Yes, this is an incredible opportunity for Jason and I and I think it's crazy that the timing of the retreat is exactly one year from the day my liver was screaming at me "hey, there's something wrong."  As much as I'm looking forward to this trip, you have no idea how I wish it was on different terms!  But I have no doubt in my mind that I will...

 

Live Stronger. Laugh Harder. Love Deeper.

Another Tumor Marker Update

My tumor marker is down 7 points, from 278 to 271.  I have an appt w/ Dr. H on Tuesday so I'm anxious to see what she has to say.  We'll also be checking the marker again next week so I can only hope that it continues to go down.  Until then I hope everyone has a fabulous weekend!!  TGIF!!!

Challenge Accepted IV

Woohoo!!!  More CfR pics!  Y'all are awesome!!

Annah
Estes Park, CO
Summer 2011
"Escaping the TX heat... Fly fishing in CO"

Jason & I with Riley & "Shuff-u-lin' Sam"
Wanna Wanna Bar
"Labor Day 2K!  LET'S DO THIS!"

Ruth... & Mary Poppins
9/9/11
"Excited to be at work on a Casual Friday"

Brian
9/9/11
"Couldn't wait to get out in a stream to model... in the mean time it's Casual Friday"

Tumor Marker Update

Okay, I'm getting a little behind on my blog updates... to catch you up to speed, last week there seemed to be an upward trend w/ my tumor marker.  NOT quite the news I had wanted to hear.  On Aug 1st it was 160, on Aug 17 it jumped up to 245 and on Aug 29 it made another jump up to 315.  (To refresh you memory on what the tumor marker is, refer to my 6/11/11 blog entry).  Dr H is still thinking this is a part of the "flare up" from the new drugs I'm taking.  Which might be the case... this week the tumor marker went down to 278.  Not where we were, but it's going down... I'LL TAKE IT!!!  Dr. H was wanting to give this new drug combo about 6 - 8 weeks to "do it's thing," so hopefully in the next week or two it will start doing it's thing!!  We'll be checking the tumor marker again next week so my fingers are crossed that it continues to go down.  I'm obviously hoping this new drug combo works, but if the tumor marker for whatever reason doesn't continue to go down OR for whatever reason starts going back up, then we of course have a backup plan in mind.  So alas, we wait!!

JOIN MY TEAM - Casey's Cancer Kickin' Krewe

I recently accepted the challenge to raise funds to support the Austin Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure in its efforts to END BREAST CANCER FOREVER.

I invite you to join me in this important mission by becoming a member of my team, Casey's Cancer Kickin' Krewe! Together we can raise awareness and funds to save lives and find a cure. So yes, I'm asking for your help in several ways: 1) join my team for this great event, 2) help me reach my fundraising goal, 3) DO BOTH!!

Join me:

Becoming a team member is easy! All you need to do is click the Join a Team button on the Race Registration page to register for the Komen Austin Race for the Cure® and "Join a Team". Select "Casey's Cancer Kickin' Krewe." It's going to be a fun day... we have plans for a fun Mardi Gras theme with crazy hats, big sunglasses, beads, lots of beads, fun team shirt and big after race get together (details on team shirt and get together coming soon)! ;) Oh, and the more the merrier! Invite your friends and family to join us for a fun day and great cause!!

Support me:

You can help me reach my fundraising goal by making a tax-deductible donation. Any little bit helps... $10! $25! $50! $100! But please don't stop there if you can afford it! ;) Together we can make a difference! Komen Race for the Cure accepts cash and checks, but to make a safe online donation with your credit card, go to my fundraising page and click the "DONATE" button above the thermometer. Your support will help us get another step closer to a world without breast cancer.

Thank you for your support!

XOXO,

Casey

Click here to visit my personal page.

http://austin.info-komen.org/site/TR?px=10422721&pg=personal&fr_id=2282&et=9azn3vgcH3_ZaODoNXVcWA..&s_tafId=82339

Click here to view the team page for Casey's Cancer Kickin' Krewe

http://austin.info-komen.org/site/TR?team_id=175688&pg=team&fr_id=2282&et=AD0Umzw9aGhfiD67PE7LAQ..&s_tafId=82339

Target Now Update

After a few comments from friends this week I realized I never updated my blog from last week's Drs appt.  Oops!  Basically, the "Target Now" from my liver biopsy results are in!  This is a new test that can target a specific area and tell you what drugs would best treat that area.  Pretty amazing if you ask me!!  Anyway, they were not able to complete a few of the tests, BUT Dr. H is pleased w/ the analysis they were able to do... meaning I won't have to have another liver biopsy at this time.  WHEW!!!  The results of the analysis they were able to complete are pretty much in line w/ the recent drug changes Dr. H made... laying off a few of my IV drugs (Herceptin & Ixempra), while increasing the rest of my oral drugs and adding the anti estrogen drugs.  The plan is to stick w/ this for a 6-8 week period and then reevaluate the situation (using lab work, tumor marker, etc)...

Now speaking of the tumor marker, last week my lab results indicated that the tumor marker increased from 160 to 245.  Ya, not quite the direction we were aiming for!  I'm not going to lie, my heart sunk into my stomach after hearing this news.  BUT Dr. H seems to think this is a "flare up" due to the recent changes in my medications.  Which makes sense... the tumor marker has had it's "flare ups" in the past when I've changed my meds so it makes sense we'd have another one.  So next week I'll have another Drs appt, another tumor marker test (which will hopefully drop back down) and I'll be getting only one IV infusion (the Zomeda for my bones).  Fingers crossed that this is winning combo!! 

 

Tha tha tha tha that's all folks!