Better!

Sorry I did not get back with you regarding my recent scans. We just met with Doctor Crane today to discuss the recent tests. I went last week to have chemo and meet with them but my blood counts were too low for chemo. Chemotherapy kills our white blood count. They have to be in a certain range. I was low at 1.3. Had to be at 1.5. Thank goodness we did not go through with last week's treatment. I went again today for chemo and my white count was even lower! So we could not do treatment again today. I will go back next Wednesday to see if they have increased. This is why I have been so sleepy lately. Not fatigue from the chemo. But just wanting to sleep all the time. Feel like I am 16 years old again sleeping till 11!

Anyway, my liver scans are better. We did not get details on size of tumors but everyone feels that Spongebob is working. You either want things to look better or stay the same. So I am happy with the recent results. We will continue on this treatment. If my white blood counts continues to stay low, we might change chemo to every other week. I do not like to get off my chemo schedule. I want Spongebob to get in there and kill the cancer. Not just hang out with it.

I am still having bone pain in my lower back. We know there is cancer there. Just not sure what is going on. Some days you have pain and then you wake up one day pain free. Cancer is like that. I have been so fortunate to not have had much pain this past year. The bone scans we did at Duke are not that good at detecting exactly what is going on inside the bone. There is a new PET scan that is coming out in May to help with the bones. I am fortunate enough, once again, to be able to have this new test. But until that is available, we did the old standby - Xray - today of my back. Hopefully this will tell us something. I have not had to get involved with a "Pain Management Program" yet so this is something we might have to address.

Its been a sad week. I have been feeling really good, almost normal, besides the tiredness and back pain. But one of my friends who has been battling breast cancer for about 6 years just got moved to Rex Hospice center. She is only in her late 30s with two small kids. She has shown us all so much strength during her fight with cancer. But she is tired and has been in pain for so long. Once again, cancer sucks.

Things are good over here. Trying to plan new trips to visit friends for the summer. Its hard to plan much in advance but I do it anyway. You have to keep moving and enjoy life. No matter what it throws at you.

Please continue to pray for good results. And please say a special prayer for my friend.

Love, Jennifer