Happy Holidays!

Time FLYS!

Since the PurpleStride fundraising walk last month it seems that I have been so busy with work, eating, sleeping, socializing, eating, sleeping, watching my favorite newsman, Brian Williams  and of course, continuing with my weekly infusion therapy.  I am feeling great, other than some fatigue on the 3rd or 4th day following my treatment. My appetite continues to be healthy. Myself, my girls, their "kids"  spent a wonderful Thanksgiving at my dear friend, Marianne's.  Her sister and her son and girlfriend joined us. It was a very nice time with everybody. They all played some Wii while I "relaxed" as illustrated in the picture :)   

"relaxing"

PurpleStride Portland 2010

I had a wonderful time at the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network's PurpleStride 2010 fundraiser walk at the Portland Zoo. I was joined by my daughters and many loving friends. I am proud to have received an award for the 2nd highest fundraiser! I am also honored to be 1 of only 8 participating pancreatic survivors. I hope more events like this help to raise awareness and money to help with funding more research so that the number of participating survivors continues to increase each year. Thank you to everybody who supported me in this fundraiser event.Your generous donations and your undying love and support has been deeply felt.

My Tumors LOVE Gemzar !!

Yes, it is true, today I received the most fantastic news - my tumors are shrinking!!!! They have shrunk 30% from their original size! So for now, my treatment plan remains unchanged. I will continue with weekly infusions plus the Xeloda, and in another 6-9 weeks I'll have another PT scan to again evaluate how my tumors are responding.  

God is so good.

Please don't forget that I am participating in Pancreatic Cancer Action Network's event, PurpleStride Portland 2010.  The fundraising walk is November 7, 2010.  I invite you to join me on the walk or make a donation on my website @  PurpleStride Portland 2010.

Pancreatic Cancer Action Network: Be a Hero in the Fight Against Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic Cancer Action Network: Be a Hero in the Fight Against Pancreatic Cancer

Lavender Pillow by Adrian

My daughter, Teri, has many wonderful employees who care about her and me too! One of them, Adrian, who is also a herbalist (as well as a landscaper, a loving father and devoted husband..) made me this wonderful aromatic lavender pillow.  Last month Adrian had made Teri a lavender pillow for her birthday and I loved it so much that he thought it appropriate to make me my own!!  God bless him.  I just love it!

Just Another HARD Day At Work!!! ??

HaPpY BiRtHdAy to ME!!!

Family

My sisters, Ling & Edi visited me this past week and we had such a wonderful time together and with my girls.

The week started with a delicious gourmet dinner at my daughter, Billie's house. The dinner included fresh caught salmon (thank you, Worth!), BBQ chicken and home-made crepes (thank you, Janice!) with special port wines for desert.

We stayed at a friend's beach house in Neskowin for a few days and my sister, Edi got her wish... she wanted to see rain!  Being from San Diego she only sees sunshine.  It rained only one day, just for Edi and the rest of our visit we were blessed with sunshine. We spent our days eating dungeoness crab, steamed clams and walking on the beach.

We were treated to wine tasting especially for us at one of my daughters favorite winery's, Methven Winery in Yamhill County.  Teri, Billie and Edi enjoyed the delicious wine (so much that they left with a case of some of their best blends!) while Ling and I enjoyed the fresh air and beautiful scenery from atop the vineyard.

We explored the many mountain lakes along the Century Drive loop and spent a relaxing afternoon at Elk Lake Resort.

We closed the visit with an experience at the Alpaca farm in LaPine, Oregon. We all learned a lot and of course, we took home a few alpaca-fur-spun souvenirs :)  (my eyes are shut in this picture - but they were open when it counted!!)

My sisters could not stop commenting about the beauty of the Pacific Northwest, the scenery and the fresh clean air.  Edi could not stop commenting how "clean" it is.. meaning no graffiti - which apparently is common decor in San Diego.

Visitors

I must share a wonderful sight we had the pleasure of seeing this afternoon in our own backyard.  

Hello

Goodbye :)

My Fish Head

Somehow I was convinced to wear this silly fish hat while at McGrath's Fish House celebrating my daughter's birthday.   OOOOOOhhhhh the things I do...

A Pleasant Day

My oncologist told me today that I was doing "exceedingly well!" and he attributes my progress to my otherwise good health, including healthy eating habits, and my positive attitude towards my condition, my life and my diagnosis.  My weight is maintaining and my appetite is with me all the time!  In fact, I couldn't wait for the infusion to finish so I could eat - even though I ate home-made blueberry pancakes and bacon before my infusion (YUMM!).  My treatment proceeded smoothly and this was the second infusion in a row where we were all treated to the peaceful melodies of an acoustic guitar.  He played wonderfully.

After my infusion, my daughter, Teri and I went to the Olive Garden for their soup, salad and breadsticks special.  Pretty good deal for "all you can eat" but the first serving was satisfying so there was no need to keep eating - well... except for .... 

TIRAMISU!

Our waiter insisted that their Tiramisu was one of the best and he was RIGHT!   It was the perfect dessert to complete our delicious meal :)

Stand Up To Cancer: Katie Couric Reports on SU2C's Pancreatic Dream Team

Stand Up To Cancer: Katie Couric Reports on SU2C's Pancreatic Dream Team

2009 - Dr. Randy Pausch Testifies Before Congress on behalf of Pancreatic Cancer Action Network

cOcONuT!

skinning a young coconut

spooooooon out the meat

drink the rewards   CHEERS!

Sushi 4

Sushi 3

Sushi 2

Sushi 1

Having Fun with Wig

Mariners Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Day

Teri, Lisa & Sharon heading off to the 
Mariners Pancreatic Cancer Awareness
game in MY Hummer!

Salvador, Kelly, Chris, Teri, Sharon & Lisa
standing in front of Teri's favorite (aka CUTEST) Mariner, Franklin Gutierrez.
LOOK, Mom!  I got you a T-Shirt :)

CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO: 
Making Sushi (California Rolls) !

Gifts! Gifts! Gifts!

What a wonderful day at work. My friends, Dawn, Candice, Roxanne and Jeanna surprised me with a basket of gifts; fresh farm eggs, garden zucchini, romaine lettuce and snap peas, and a "pancreatic purple" (that's a real color now in case you didn't know!) throw, piano classics music CD and a beautiful angel engraved with Psalms 148:2-3. I am so blessed to work with my friends. Thank you so much!

Saturday in Sunriver

Saturday I spent most of the day in Sunriver with my girls and friends, Marianne, Babs and Jonah.  We listened to classical pianist, Di Wu's recital rehearsal. She plays beautifully and with such grace. I had the pleasure of meeting her and she even autographed my program!  She was also gracious enough to allow me to have my photograph taken   with her. She is a talented, beautiful lady.

After the recital rehersal we enjoyed lunch on the deck at the Meadows.  We also took this opportunity to extend a "birthday toast" to Marianne who celebrates her ??? birthday on Monday. 

 

 Happy Birthday, Marianne!

Feeling Good!

I had a wonderful visit with my oncologist on Friday. My platelets are UP - they doubled from last week! As expected, my red and white blood counts are low, but not abnormal considering the treatment. My low red blood counts help explain my incessant cravings for Wendy's cheeseburgers! Taco Bell's crunchy tacos are pretty good too :)  My oncologist says that he considers me in the 95th percentile of how i'm responding. This is great! My next infusion is Monday, August 30. I will also start taking Xeloda, a pill form of chemotherapy. I will be taking this pill daily while having my weekly chemotherapy infusions.  See this link for more info:  http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/212DCE.htm.  Until then, I'm enjoying feeling full of energy and grateful that my appetite seems to be insatiable. I'm also looking forward to a productive week at work with my Bend Surgery Center family!  Thank you, Deb Harris for the delicious soup from the Village Baker - it hit the spot!   

Cycle 1 FINISHED!

On Friday, I completed my first cycle (3 total infusions)! WHEW - now a much deserved break!  Cycle 2 (3 consecutive weekly infusions) begins Monday, Aug. 30. My plateletts went up so it seems that we have found the right dosage of Gemzar. I am also pleased that I'm in no pain so no need for pain medicine!  I thank God that the infusion residuals seem to be much less than last week. I lost 3 lbs but I am off to a good start gaining back because I am eating anything my girls put in front of me, including some delicious crab bisque that my friend, Marianne cooked especially for me.Some more good news is that my 2 sisters (one from Las Vegas and the one from San Diego) will be visiting next month. The three of us are planning a respite on the Oregon Coast at the end of Cycle 2 (3 total infusions). Thanks to our generous friends, Rick and Janice, they have opened their beach home to us.  They are so kind.Tomorrow (Tuesday) My girls are leaving for a couple days to tend some business at their jobs. I am so thankful that both my girls are blessed to have good jobs with Oregon and Washington State. They both will be back on Friday just in time for my afternoon appointment with my oncologist. Thursday I am going with my friend, Marianne and her sister, Pauline to listen to Chinese classical pianist, Di Wu at the Sunriver Great Hall. This should be an audible treat!

 

Fun in the Sun!

My girls having fun in MY car while I'm at home recuperating from my Friday infusion!

"Too Cool For School!"

Thanks to my daughter, Billie, I have these new sunglasses! According to Teri, I'm "stylin' and profilin' " (whatever that means).