It's time for an update. I've been reluctant to state that I'm feeling so good, since I know from past experience how quickly that can change. But I've been back on chemo for about 10 days, and so far I've experienced very minimal side effects. I'm tolerating the reduced Tarceva dosage well. Next week we'll find out if that lower amount is taking care of business. Frank and I go to NIH for follow-up scans and a meeting with my medical team.
It's a relief to receive the Avastin infusions at North Star Lodge here in Yakima every two weeks, and I'm fortunate that NIH ships the drug to North Star, so that offsets a lot of the cost.
I have felt well enough to resume some quilting, and am finishing up a cute one I started months back, before I started chemo. It is pictured above. Also, I have spent lots of quality time with friends, going to lunch and laughing, as well as spending time with Frank and the granddaughters. Every day I revel in the joy of feeling good. I've also been exercising more than I could in the past few months.
It has been such a beautiful fall--every day with sunshine is like a gift, and I've thoroughly enjoyed the colors and crisp air. We have created a Bird Bistro in the backyard: 2 goldfinch feeders and 2 large pinecones covered with peanut butter and bird seed. We will add more of these later. With these cold mornings we take turns going out to break the ice on the bird bath. The little guys are so thirsty! They seem to guilt us into taking good care of them. I wonder where they sleep at night and how they keep warm?
Wasn't it a luxury to have an "extra" hour yesterday when we turned the clocks back? It seemed I had so much done and it was only 11 a.m. Frank and I took advantage of the good weather and we put up our outdoor lights, and also cleaned out some frozen flowers. I think the neighbors may think we are rushing the season with the lights, but we will be glad to have it done when the weather turns colder.
Speaking of the weather, many of you know that Frank is an amateur meteorologist. Watching the weather on the evening news can be a bit trying, as he gets frustrated with the weather reporter who doesn't even give the highs and lows. I think the guy is in the Tri-Cities, and the report is taped earlier, but Frank has to do a lot of talking to the tv. His comment is often, "Uncle Jimmy would never have done it that way!" Long-time Yakima residents know Uncle Jimmy from his many years as a tv personality and weather man. Abbie calls Frank daily to get the weather report. She keeps hoping to hear there's snow in the forecast, but has been disappointed thus far.
We are looking forward to the basketball season which starts at the end of this month. Here's the link to the Zillah High School Schedule for all you sports fans:
Hope to see you in a warm gym somewhere soon!
Much love!
Gayle
