Sunny Monday

I am starting to get over my cold. I bombarded it with fresh Vitamin C and it does feel like it is in retreat. Maybe I'll get out tomorrow. Hope there is some of today's sun left for me.

It is nice to finally have some new TV shows to watch.

Sunday

Still have a cold so stayed in with my library book, The Chameleon's Shadow.

Watched Canada win the Women's Curling Championship & the Canucks demolish the Flames.

Snowy Saturday

I went out in the late afternoon to the library and Safeway and was surprised to see so many cars and buses covered with snow. They were coming from downtown where I could see a huge black cloud that was dropping hail, sleet and snow. The sun was shining over Richmond.

Took Moira to the White Spot for her birthday.

Shut off my lights, TV & computer at 8:00 for Earth Hour. Listened to Buffy Sainte-Marie on my laptop (using the battery power) and read by candlelight. No wonder people used to have more eye trouble!

I still have my cold but feel better today. I don't think I'm having any side effects from the medication yet.

Sniffles

It doesn't seem fair that I have a common cold in the midst of such serious medical stuff. I am keeping warm and eating fruit & drinking juices.

I have experienced no side effects from the drugs and had a good night.

It was fun to see the blizzard outside this morning. Nothing stuck and it is supposed to happen again at various times through tomorrow.

1st Day of Trial

I went to the Cancer Agency this morning for blood tests (5 vials). Relaxation was excellent. I know when I "get it right" when it feels like it only lasted a few minutes.

Met with Debbie, the Clinical Trials Nurse Coordinator, and we went over how I was feeling and what medications I am taking. Then up to the Pharmacy to collect my pills for the next 28 days.

I have a bunch of stuff to read now and have to keep a careful diary of when I take the pills and how I am feeling.

I either have a cold or hayfever. I started my Nasonex puffer and stopped at Safeway for some fruit for the Vitamin C. Also picked up a couple of books at the Oakridge library.

Cherry Blossoms

Mae and I went to the Provence Mediterranean Grill on 10th for lunch (Mushroom Soup & fresh bread), the Cheese Shop for some cheese and Granville Island for dinner fixings. We then picked Evan up at school.

I went back to the West Side so I could take some photos of the cherry blossoms. I am sorry to be showing off Spring in to those of you not living in Lotus Land.

It was a good day to play with my new toy - a Garmin's nüvi 360 . It was on sale at the online COSTCO site for a couple of weeks ($200 less than the manufacturer's suggested retail price).

Tomorrow I go for a blood test and then get my new drugs to start the clinical trial. I just hope that I don't have too many side effects. I may have none at all so I'll not be rereading the list I've been given. Don't want to put ideas in my head!

Clinical Trial

Anastrozole Plus Lonafarnib (SCH 66336) or Plus Placebo for the Treatment of Advanced Breast Cancer (Study P03480AM4)

http://tinyurl.com/2u6nqo

Primary Objective(s):
To compare the activity (progression-free survival [PFS]) of anastrozole in combination with lonafarnib to that of anastrozole in combination with placebo in subjects with hormone-sensitive ADVANCED breast cancer.

Secondary Objective(s):
To determine the effects of anastrozole in combination with lonafarnib on objective response, duration of response, overall survival, and safety in subjects with advanced breast cancer. To assess the exposure and pharmacokinetics of lonafarnib and anastrozole in the subject population.

Anastrozole (Arimidex®) http://tinyurl.com/29n5y7
A nonsteroidal inhibitor of estrogen synthesis that resembles paclitaxel in chemical structure. As a third-generation aromatase inhibitor, anastrozole selectively binds to and reversibly inhibits aromatase, a cytochrome P-450 enzyme complex found in many tissues including those of the premenopausal ovary, liver, and breast; aromatase catalyzes the aromatization of androstenedione and testosterone into estrone and estradiol, the final step in estrogen biosynthesis. In estrogen-dependent breast cancers, anastrozole may inhibit tumor growth. Check for active clinical trials or closed clinical trials using this agent. (NCI Thesaurus)

Lonafarnib
A synthetic tricyclic derivative of carboxamide with antineoplastic properties. Lonarfanib binds to and inhibits farnesyl transferase, an enzyme involved in the post-translational modification and activation of Ras proteins. Ras proteins participate in numerous signalling pathways (proliferation, cytoskeletal organization), and play an important role in oncogenesis. Mutated ras proteins have been found in a wide range of human cancers. Check for active clinical trials or closed clinical trials using this agent. (NCI Thesaurus)
US brand name:
Sarasar
Code name:
SCH 66336
Chemical structure name:
4-[2-[4-(3,10-Dibromo-8-chloro-6,11-dihydro-5H-benzo[5,6]cyclohepta[1,2-b]pyridin-11-yl)-1-piperidinyl]-2-oxoethyl]-1-piperidinecarboxamide

Big Day

I am blogging in the lobby of the Cancer Agency. It is 13:40 and I've been here since 11:30.

The doctor had good news. I do have advanced breast cancer that has metastasized to the lymph system but it isn't in any other organs. It is strongly Estrogen positive which means that I can have hormone treatments instead of chemo.

The only negative from the tests is that my heart is down to 47% of normal - probably because of the original chemo treatments. I have agreed to a clinical trial and had blood tests and an EKG done today. My information is being sent to the company and I might be able to start on Thursday.

Easter Monday

Overdid it a bit yesterday. I am really tired and a bit sore, so I decided not to go to the Aquarium with my family. It is a day of curling and reading.

Moira and I went to Applause Japanese Restaurant on Oak Street for dinner tonight.

Sunday Drive

I picked up Sharron at 9:30 this morning and we went for a 368 km drive. This was the first time I've been outside of the city for over 8 months and I felt pretty good.

We went to Chilliwack Airport Coffee Shop ("I Fly for Pie") for lunch. I had Sour Cream Lemon & Sharron went with Blackberry Peach. Then on to Hope where gas was $1.10.

We returned on the Lougheed Highway, stopping in Harrison so I could take Sharron into the hotel. Farmhouse Cheese was closed so we made do with chocolates and nuts from Canadian Hazelnut Inc.


It is such a nice meandering drive on the north side of the Fraser and I filled up near Mission for $1.09.

We ended with dinner at the Swiss Chalet and we were both glad to be home and certainly not needing any more food!

Lazy Saturday

Have been to the library and Safeway this morning. Then treated myself to breakfast at IHOP. Now I plan on doing nothing but read and watch TV.

I am trying to keep on an even keel as I wait for Tuesday's appointment with the oncologist to plan my future.

Good Friday

Mel and her kids came to do my laundry and clean. Of course that meant that I was up early staightening up and taking out the garbage before they arrived.

Relaxation

It is Thursday I picked up Mae & we went to the Relaxation Group at the Cancer Agency. First time this week I won't be stuck with a needle! It was nice to have Liz D running the group. Her voice is as soft and magical as ever.

Bone Scan

Today is another shot at a Bone Scan. I went by myself for the radioactive tracer injection at 12:55 - no holding babies or crossing the US border for a day!

I took an Oxycodone & an Ativan so my back would let me stay still for the scan at 3:50. I couldn't drive with this drug load, so Moira was my driver today.

The scan wasn't easy. Even with the drugs, my back began to hurt and my abdomen was burning. I only had to lie still for 17 1/2 minutes, but it was hard to do. I had to use all the skills I learned in the Relaxation Groups.

We went to the White Spot at the Coast Hotel for dinner. The menu is all new so we tried the Sticky Toffee Pudding. Not much left on our plates!

Now I wait until I see the oncologist on Tuesday to see what her game plan is. Hormone therapy or chemo?

CT Scan

This morning I saw my GP and we talked about what has been wrong with me - other than the cancer. It seems that one of the problems is Irritable Bowel Syndrome. I am going to try to put some of the "banned" stuff for Diverticulitis back into my diet to see what happens - nuts, berries but not too many hard seeds like flax and sesame. For now I am to just concentrate on what the oncologist is doing. The other problems are very minor right now.

Had my CT Scan at 1:15 today at the Cancer Agency.

I thought I was so smart wearing a T-Shirt & sweats so I didn't have to change. I forgot the Toonie in my pocket. Good thing it wasn't an MRI or I'd have torn a hole in the pants.

Short trip to COSTCO for water and bagels.

MUGA Scan

Today I had the MUGA Scan at VGH. I almost made it through the 15 minutes, but had to get up after about 11. The technician said we had enough so it was fine. My veins are hard find so she left a little port hanging in my arm to put the radioactive stuff in.

I went to the Richmond Ice Centre to watch Evan play in a tournament. Mae, Sean and Connie were also there. Amazing how much energy 10-year olds have!

Picked up my Palm Pilot at Future Shop. Thank goodness I had the extended warranty as it needed major electrical work. Now I won't worry as much about missing appointments.

To Amy's for a haircut. Said I wanted it short and my hope is that I don't need to go back to get a buzz cut if I have chemo. Diane was having her cut this morning. We must coordinate appointments so we can have coffee & crib down the street.

Met Katherine and Louise for dinner at Cactus Club & lattes at Blenz (our Starbucks was blown up by an inept arsonist). Then to the Cancer Agency for our Lesbian/Bisexual Support Group. Good friends who understand what I am going through! Worth going just for the hugs.

AGM

Spent 4 hours visiting friends at the BCTF AGM. It was nice to see so many familiar faces. The same loooong debating over symantics was still going on at the mikes. It was especially good to see Mary McD! Still as feisty as ever. Joined VESTA for lunch.

Stopped to lend my new 128 GB drive to Matt - put all my photos and CDs onto it (over 5500 songs) with room to spare. Visited with my great neices. Sadie was reading a Richard Scarry book to me and Lily was just looking at everything in range.

Bought an RCA clock radio/Ipod player at Future Shop on Friday and it won't work consistently with my Nano so I took it back today.

I am tired now and have a bit of a headache. Big week starts tomorrow.

Nothing Day

A day with nothing to do and nowhere to go. Next week is a busy one so I am just going to read and watch curling and hockey.

Friday

It seems all I do is eat. I met Michelle at the University Golf Club for lunch and Moira at the White Spot for dinner. During this time of waiting it is such a relief to have good friends to talk to.

Relaxation

Picked up Mae this morning and we went to the Relaxation Group at the Cancer Agency. Sydney led it today and I think I fell asleep near the end.

Lunch at Go Fish! and then downtown to the library to do some research.

Weir visit

I am currently feeling better than I have in months. Hope it holds!

Had lunch today with Nancy and Coral at Tops. Had a short visit at school.

Wandered around Coquitlam and saw this in a park. Is it Bubba?

I bought several pairs of pants on sale at Northern Reflection. I've lost enough weight that I needed new ones.

A bunch of my favourite stores have opened at Market Crossing on Marine Drive in Burnaby. A new one that I must avoid - except for days when I need cheering up - is Marble Slab Creamery. Ice cream made on site:

Once your desired flavor has been selected, the ice cream will then be scooped onto a frozen marble slab, where your choice of fruits, nuts and candies (a.k.a. Marble Slab "mixins") will be skillfully blended in, until the whole concoction is finally piled high on the delectable waffle cone of your choosing...creating your very own, one-of-a-kind dessert.

Photography Day

I've been working on a couple of photo projects, so took advantage of the lull in the rain to drive around a bit and take some shots.

My Canon Rebel XTi is the best camera I've ever owned.

All booked!

I now have all my appointments in place. Next week is the MUGA Scan heart test, a CT Scan & a Bone Scan. I'll see the oncologist again on the 25th.

I can now hear most of the time. My ears are still waxy & need some more olive oil for a few nights.

I am behind on my Scrabulous games and will have to scramble to catch up!

I can hear!

Dr. Schmalz flushed out my ear and I can hear again. It helped that I put some extra virgin olive oil in them last night.

I am now at the Cancer Agency to see Sydney, one of the social workers, to check that my head is in the right place.

Fire

Now the fire alarm has sounded! It shut off by the time I got half-dressed. The fire truck came with just the lights flashing and a couple of men strolled into the building carrrying axes. They only stayed a few minutes so it must have been a false alarm.

Ears

It doesn't seem fair to have my ear problems come back right now. I was supposed to be driving to Whistler with Mae for the day, but the weather and my ears have cancelled that idea. It feels like the infections I had a couple of years ago.

Sadie's Birthday

I was at Sadie Blue's 3rd birthday party. Most of her presents are books, which I think is just fine. I'll post photos on Facebook.

Met Mary L for a delicious dinner at Trafalgars Bistro. Had Whiskey Glazed Wenzle Duck Breast and orange peel lentils and a Lemon Dacquoise! Obviously my appetite is back.

I have my old ear infection back. It is in both ears, but I am totally deaf in the left except for the sound of Niagara Falls. If it doesn't let up, I'll have to go back to the Ear Clinic at St. Paul's Hospital. They have magic gunk that works a treat.

A quiet Friday

Today is a quiet, inside day. I have been out to buy the newspaper for the weekly TV schedule and will spend the day reading & catching up on TV shows I've taped.

The Cancer Agency just called to book a CT Scan on March 18th at the Agency.

Beautiful rose bush just arrived from the Retired Teachers Association!

Relaxation

Started the day at the BC Cancer Agency's Relaxation Group. I have been coming on and off since it first started in the last century. Sarah's voice was mystical and took me off to magical places with eagles flying. Darline and Mae haven't lost their soothing touch and stroked my head and feet. Too bad you have to get sick to warrant such treatment.

I walked over to City Square for lunch and met another old friend from the Red Cross at the Emergency Display.

Back here to the Agency and Katherine was here with a music student who is playing the piano in the lobby. Wonderful to sit and listen as I read the paper and my latest mystery book. He played one of my favourite k.d. lang songs.



Then upstairs for a Therapeutic Touch session with Mae & Darline. Some abdominal pain made lying down hard so I moved to the chair and it disappeared. I am sure that my energy field sorely needed the smoothing out that they did to it.

Now I am off to buy Sadie Blue's birthday present and attend an International Women's Day panel on prostitution at the union office. This is a long day!

First Day at the Cancer Agency

I am blogging from the lobby of the Cancer Agency - sure different than 18 years ago!

I have had bloodwork & a chest X-ray and my first meeting with Karen. She says the chest is clear but wants to do a lot more testing - bone scan, CT, MUGA Scan (heart)...

The good news is that she is 95% sure that it is breast cancer that has been hiding all these years and is now in the lymph nodes from the heart down to the adrenal gland area. She thinks something else made me sick and it was just luck that they found the cancer. It might have been years before it started bothering me.

It doesn't look like I need chemo or radiation. If the tests and my old files confirm Karen's opinion, I should be on a hormone drug by the end of March. It might be Tamoxifen again but probably will be one of the newer ones. I am also being considered for a clinical trial and already have the information package to read.

While this is not a curable cancer, it is also not a metastasized one either. I can live for years on the medication if it controls the spread. All in all, this is a good outlook!

Dinner

Tonight I had a Legendary OOO Burger with Moira. Her job is to make me laugh!

First appointments set

You can't complain about the speed of my treatments.

I already have a chest X-ray & blood tests booked for tomorrow at 12:00 and an appointment with Dr. Gelmon at 1:30.

I am also going soon to VGH for a special heart test (yes, I have one!).

Flowers

VESTA sent flowers today. A great way to cheer someone up.

Cancer Again

Yesterday I was told once again that I have cancer!

My first lumpectomy was in 1976 and it was nothing. Then I found a lump in my breast in August 1990 - 18 years ago. The tumour was started to invade a rib so they just left it and bombarded it/me with chemo and radiation. A funny lymph node cut out in 1991 turned out to be nothing.

In 1993 we found cancer in the other breast and I had double mastectomies. There was cancer on both sides, including at the original site. Five years of Tamoxifen was supposed to wipe it all out.

A hysterectomy in 2000 revealed the beginnings of endometrial cancer and a cold sore that every doctor and dentist said was just that, turned out to be cancer in 2002 - 1/3 of my lip was cut out!. I notice the smaller mouth when the dentist tries to put the tools in.

Now the breast cancer is back. Funny to find it in a lymph node in my groin. An MRI has shown funny tissue around my aorta and kidneys. I am not really sure of what is happening and am waiting to talk the oncologist. I’ll be seeing Karen Gelmon, a top medical oncologist.
http://www.bccrc.ca/at/people_kgelmon.html

I think I see Karen tomorrow. I will certainly be going to the Relaxation Group Thursday morning and have Therapeutic Touch booked after it.

Seven Months

I have been sick since mid-July - almost 8 months!

I've had blood tests, X-rays, a CT-Scan, a Bone Scan, an MRI, 3 Ultrasounds, a Colonoscopy, a Gastroscopy and surgery to remove a lymph node. The only sure things are that I have diverticular disease, a hiatus hernia and breast cancer.

I am hoping that the doctors will agree that the attacks I had in July and August were the cancer and not diverticulitis. I want to eat nuts, seeds and berries again!