Update February (!) 2011

This gorgeous photo of my children, Elliott (21) and Martha (23), was taken on Christmas Day at the annual Farris Christmas Dinner that we have the honor of attending each year with dear, dear friends.

Time flies. It's been said too often, but it really is true, isn't it? I have not posted since last summer - and I'm not sure why. No really horrible news to avoid sharing - but I think that sitting down and talking about the status of my health is just something I seem to try and avoid. Not in the "avoiding reality" sense but in the avoiding it because I am too busy living.

So on this first day of February (FEBRUARY ALREADY!!) I want to bring you up to date:

The pill chemo (Xeloda) that I was on combined with the controversial Avastin seemed to be working well for a while. However, I got to the point with this side effect called Hand-Foot Syndrome where I could barely walk or use my hands. At about the time that I was feeling I could not continue this regimen and maintain the quality of life that was important to me, I had a scan that revealed that it had stopped working. I had some growth in my liver so it was time to switch up the game again.

This was in December and we changed to a regular chemo drip (not pills) of Abraxane (a form of Taxol which I had back in 1998) combined with the Avastin I had already been on. I had surgery to put a port in my chest that makes IVs a cinch and began the new treatment December 20.

After only one chemo session, my tumor markers dropped dramatically and some irregularities in my bloodwork that related to the liver improved significantly or became normal.

So I am once again in heaven! Even though the FDA has canned Avastin, those of us that are on it still get to take it (and have insurance pay for it, thank GOD). Rather than being on pills all the time, I go in once every three weeks for the drip. That first week I don't feel 100%, but weeks 2 and 3 I feel pretty great, particularly the farther I get from the chemo date. By the time they hook me up again, I am feeling the best I've felt since this whole thing began.

My family is amazed at my energy when compared with how I was on the previous drug. I'm pretty amazed too. It DID take all my hair but my sister Dawn gave me her wig from when she was on chemo (I had given away mine from my first time around to the American Cancer Society).

I have a bald head but I'm ecstatic about the great state of things right now, and how wonderful I feel two weeks out of three.

As my daughter Martha said when I gave her the good news about this new chemo and how well it is working: "Who needs hair with news like that?"

So on I go. Still loving my work, traveling a lot - connecting with family as much as I can and appreciating MOST days (with the goal of appreciating EACH day).

It has now been 3 years since my new and quite serious diagnosis. I feel better than I have in 3 years, and it appears that me, my doctor and the meds are doing an absolutely splendid job of attacking this nasty disease right now.

With love to all of you and untold gratitude for your prayers and support,

Dana