Jamie Clobbered Cancer

Fight Like A Girl...

2010-07-26T22:43:00.000-07:00

Kathy sent me this great shot of Anne and Jamie at the finish line of the SummeRun... I love that they are still smiling after running 5K in the hot July sun. Beautiful. I adore their shirts too, because fighting like a girl says it all... tenacity, strength, smarts, and style.

Congrats to Jamie on her first 5K, and to these fabulous sisters for a great run!!

Ready to Run...

2010-07-20T01:08:00.000-07:00

What are you doing this Sunday? Jamie's running in Swedish Hospital's SummeRun to benefit the Marsha Rivkin Center for Ovarian Cancer Research! If you're not running or walking in this event, why not support Jamie's efforts in the 5K by donating to the cause (I did!) — just click right here!

C'mon... you can do it!

I'm an 8!

2010-04-17T21:31:00.000-07:00

Once again, CT scan, blood draw and examine all went well. CA-125 holding steady at 8 for over 7 months now. It's becoming easier and easier to go to my check ups. I even got to have the new improved solution before my CT scan this time. No more Barium smoothies! The SCCA has been using a solution of sterile water with the same contrast that goes into your veins mixed in. No unpleasant taste, just a lot of water to drink in an hour prior to the scan. What an improvement! That's one thing about continuing advancements in medicine and being treated at a place like the SCCA, they move with the times and continually make medicine better.

Things are pretty normalized around the old homestead. We pretty much have the house buttoned back up and are moved back into our "master" bedroom (really the room that is closest to the bathroom)! We are overwhelmed with chicken eggs, many of you have benefited from the ladies bounty!

We are planning a trip to the east to see the newest member of the Crase-Martinez clan, Brendan! Congrats to Ali, AJ and Gillian and of course Gramma Sharon and Grampa Pete! Can't wait to meet him!! Hope to also see some of our other East Coast friends and family while we are back there!

Enjoy the spring weather!!

Thanks Aunt Jamie!!!

2009-12-28T21:00:00.000-08:00

A big Thank You to Jamie for yet another magical Nutcracker experience!

Happy Birthday to Jamie!!!

2009-10-20T11:05:00.000-07:00

Best wishes for a rockin' fun day, and a splendorous year ahead —

Happy Twenty-17th, Jame!!

Love, Katrina (and J,M&E too)

Please Support Ovarian Cancer Research

2009-07-09T14:00:00.000-07:00

Jamie and Katrina are participating in the 2009 Swedish SummeRun benefiting the Marsha Rivkin Center for Ovarian Cancer Research.

Ovarian Cancer can affect those who least expect it. Research into detecting Ovarian Cancer in its early stages is key to curing the disease. Support us in our efforts to raise funds!

Every person who runs, walks, pledges or volunteers is helping make a positive impact on ovarian cancer research.

You can join me at the Swedish SummeRun by clicking right here: Join the Swedish SummeRun. You can also help by sponsoring either Jamie or Katrina. It's easy to make a gift, just click on our names, and pledge!

Please, and Thank You!

Introducing....

2009-05-07T18:55:00.001-07:00

The Twins!

We have two new young ladies, I mean, hens for our flock. We've had them for two days and they have already settled in quite nicely. They are about a year old and we adopted them from the animal shelter, via a lady who worked there.

They are very different from RC. Spry and slender, which RC is not. The lady at the shelter showed John how to clip their wings, as they could easily fly out of the yard. Apparently if you clip just one side, they have a hard time staying balanced, thus really can't fly too well. RC is so heavy and large, we have never had a need to clip her wings.

So far the girls have been very productive and given us an egg a day. In just two days, we have half a dozen eggs! Don't be surprised if we just happen to drop a dozen or so by. The twins produce a whitish colored egg, slightly smaller than RC. It will be interesting to see if they are different inside.

Yes, we are now officially Crazy Olympia People!

Follow a Friend

2009-03-22T10:10:00.000-07:00

I am helping to author a new blog for my dear friend, Brittany. Some of you have seen a few earlier posts, where I briefly introduced her. She has agreed to let me help get the word out regarding her battle with cystic fibrosis.

This past week, she made a giant leap across the country from Seattle Children's to Duke University via Airlift Northwest. She is undergoing an evaluation to be considered for a double lung transplantation.

She has had a "minor" set back this week and had to be put on a ventilator. In her case, this isn't a horrible thing, but it does mean she will need the transplant sooner than later. The ventilator is helping to get oxygen into her lungs, so that her body can work to rid itself of CO2. Her levels were way too high, and something had to be done. She will undergo a surgery to place a trach tube so that she will be able to talk and eventually start her physical therapy regimen to get her strength up so her body can withstand the surgery and recovery.

I invite all my devoted supporters to take a look at her journey, and encourage you all to give her words of encouragement and support as you did for me through my battle with cancer. I don't know if you all will ever know how much it meant to me to read all your comments of love and support. When I was feeling low or just plain yucky, I could always log on and read all the wonderful things my friends and family wrote to encourage me to push on! I know many of you still check regularly for updates and I can't tell you how much it means to me. Brittany is a special girl and could really use all the encouragement and support we can give her. I think it is also so important for her family and friends as well.

Follow Brit's journey at www.brittanybreathes.blogspot.com

By the way, I am not sure when the healthlink special will air. I, like you, are anxiously awaiting its premier!

9 and a 5

2009-02-27T08:53:00.000-08:00

The 9 is for my new CA-125 number!! It went down a couple of points from the last check, so Dr. Goff said that was a great sign and nothing to worry about! I'm up for another CT scan in 3 months, along with the standard blood draws and another CA-125. She said all "felt" well with my other unmentionable exam (hehehe).

So prior to this appointment, which was rearranged a couple of days, Dr. Goff's wonderful nurse, Heidi, called to ask me if I would participate in an interview with Dr. Goff regarding her grant she received from the OCRF (see link below). Since she is my personal "hero" I of course agreed.

So here comes the 5! I will be on KING5 news healthlink series on Wednesday March 4th!! It was a really fun and cool experience. I'm guessing it wasn't exactly the experience Dr. Goff was used too, as she said "that's it???" when the camera man said "I got it!" It was really informal and we just talked with the reporter and really didn't realize we were being interviewed. I hope I was able to pull off the "natural" ease with which Dr. Goff talked, but I do have to say I was a little nervous and really excited.

The grant is helping to further research in detecting ovarian cancer in its early stages. It is running over two years, and is trying to enroll 12,000 women (a lofty goal) to participate in a symptoms screening questionnaire prior to getting examined. Dr. Goff is hoping that general practice doctors will understand the symptoms that women present with and get them treated early. As we all know, the earlier you can't this crazy cancer, the easier it is to kick it to the curb!!

Congratulations Dr. Goff !!!

2009-02-09T13:15:00.000-08:00

My Mom told me about this link to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund website, where Dr. Goff has been named to lead the OCRF Ovarian Cancer Symptoms Study. Follow the link below to learn more:

http://www.ocrf.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=305:oc-symptoms-study&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=422

I still think about how lucky I am that she is my Doctor. I just wish other women were as lucky as me! I can't wait to see her again at the end of the month. I have my three month blood draw next week and three month check up a week after that. Time just seems to be flying by! It's great to be healthy. I hope all is well with everyone.

Also, I will be letting everyone know about the Relay for Life soon. I got my invite in the mail and will get our team started shortly...posts to come soon.

A Wish Come True

2009-01-19T20:39:00.000-08:00

Brittany was able to go on her "Make a Wish" outing this weekend. Here's a sample of what she had in store for her!!

http://www.komonews.com/home/video/37848389.html?video=pop&t=a

I can't wait for her to tell me all about it tomorrow!!

Brittany

2009-01-04T18:58:00.000-08:00

As some of you know, John has a second cousin Brittany, who is here at Seattle Children's Hospital. She is a super courageous kid, well, teenager (everyone under the age of 25 seems like a kid to me!) I've been lucky to be able to get to know her through her stays here at the hospital. Today, I hope I was able to be of some comfort to her as she had to undergo an emergency procedure to put a chest tube in to drain out air that had escaped from her lung into her chest. She put on her brave face and had the procedure, which has successfully let the air out so her lung could regain it's shape and start working again.

I am still amazed by the health care we have here in Seattle. Her nursing team was awesome today. She had a nurse, Brittany, who went the extra mile and stayed with her, past her shift, to make sure she was being taken care of. It reminded me of one of my favorite nurses on 7SE, May, who worked tirelessly to get my pain under control after surgery and went the extra distance to always make me feel like I was her only patient. I was always surprised to know that she had roughly two other people she was looking after. And also Michael, Christy, and Jennie, who were also the best and saw me through the chemo. I also fondly recall Dan, my chemo nurse at SCCA , who told me exactly what to expect and when to take meds so that I would feel the best I could after chemo.

I'm glad I can be in the position I am right now, slowly rocking in the chair beside Brittany's bed, looking out for her as she sleeps off the anesthesia. I'm so glad she is comfortable, and her breathing is so much better. I wouldn't probably be able to be in this position without my "team" which includes my wonderful husband, my best friend Katrina, my amazing family, and all my great friends who supported me while I was down. I'm excited to look towards a wonderful 2009, knowing that I am well and all the cancer is behind me.

Sugar & Spice, and Everything Nice...

2008-12-28T20:54:00.000-08:00

That's what little girls are made of... or so goes the rhyme. Many thanks to Aunt Jamie for an amazing "girls only" day out at the ballet!

And today, all of our sweet girls were full of the sugar and spice that the magic of the Nutcracker, and adorable holiday dresses seem to bring out of little ones. Thanks for the magic, Jame!

Let it Snow, Snow, Snow!

2008-12-21T14:14:00.000-08:00

Can you believe the weather we are having? We have been having so much fun in the snow. John and I took a little "drive" last night all around the county (doing exactly what they have been urging not to do!) We are so naughty.

John has had to clear off RC's chicken roof two times already for fear she would be lost in a collapse. Shorty is having a ball, although he has been naughty too. We decided to go to work on Friday, and let him out of the truck. He started bounding through the snow to attack a large truck at the business across the street. I was most of the way through the retention pond before I got to him, boy was my heart pounding. He loves to jump like a rabbit and burrow his head into the snow. He also enjoys munching the hard crusty stuff.

Our power was fading in and out last night and transformers were popping, but we never did lose power. We have roughly 14 or so inches of snow and it is still falling. John is out sort of clearing the driveway so that it is not a solid block of ice when it starts to thaw. I believe I hear him driving the Suburban now. I think he just can't stand to be idle, always has to be doing something.

I hope everyone is safe and warm and ready for Santa! I wish everyone a safe and healthy holiday. I will try to post a Shorty video soon.

Perfect 11

2008-11-25T17:14:00.000-08:00

Just a quick update. Yesterday's "all clear" report from Dr. Goff gave us the go ahead to celebrate a year of remission. Despite having successfully maneuvered through two rounds of chemotherapy without vomiting, Jamie apparently does not have similar resistance to Mai Tais. But still the Blues Travellers at the Showbox was a just the right way to let go of the anxieties of the week between scan and exam.

I can not think of anything else I could be more thankful for.

2008-11-17T22:30:00.000-08:00

Today was another all day stretch at the UWMC and SCCA. Jamie was scheduled for her 6 month CT scan, so we coordinated our follow up with Mercy the genetics counselor for the same day.

Now that we have Jamie’s primary care under control, it is now time to ask “why”? Genetic research is a hot topic of course and the UW medical machine appears to be keeping up with the trend. A few weeks ago the Jamie, Jennifer, Christie and I met with Mercy to discuss procedure and objectives. Jamie, eager to benefit her immediate family as well as society in general gave consent imediately. This meant a simple blood draw, coordinated of course, with Jamie’s regular port flush.

So today was the follow up and discussion of the results. Initially they are looking for a mutation of the BCRA1 and BCRA2 genes. Jamie’s test shows that she has neither. While this itself is good news as it appears to eliminate the most common genetic link both maternal and paternal, the work has not yet ended. If Jamie’s relative’s will be kind enough to let someone shove a camera up their bums and then share the results, we will be able to investigate the possibility of what our able clinician referred to as “Lynch” syndrome, which is not to be confused with any impulse to carry out capitol punishment. Those looking for more on the science can simply use google as regurgitation of facts is not the purpose here. What I will bring, and my audience now expects, is the story behind the story.

Now I must be tactful and withhold many of the juiciest of details as it was revealed to me on sunday that our professional team holds a connection to someone within our intimate circle.

During our initial consult with Mercy, introductions between the women were the usual superficial “very nice to meet you” with femininely limp hand shakes and multiple nods. But when she turned to me, our hands clutched and there was a brief pause. With that ambiguous, one eye row raised look the said “oh, you’re the husband, I have heard about you” and turned away.

My mind raced. Was it some sort of security warning in the file about me and my inclination to wander down dark halls and peek in unsecured cabinets? Or was I the topic of discussion at one of those after hours nurse parties at the little Mexican cantina on Boat street where the put on their “dress” nurse uniforms of short skirts, v neck top and little white hat, and do shots of tequila in various most erotic ways (trust me this has been self censored already)? Or maybe the SCCA staff has misread my previous writings not as whit, but as critique and black listed me?

But today Mercy was all business, except a brief lapse where she talked about how cute Brian and Katie’s kids were, (and who doesn’t already know that), and really proved her scientific skill. Despite my attempts to throw her off guard with the inevitable engineer geek questions about the arithmetic of genetics, she was rock solid. As I probed she remained unaffected and then laid down her trump card. A perfectly drawn, symboled and annotated family tree for Jamie. I was intimidated. Straight lines, archaic symbols, room to write additional notes. Truly admirable.

So still searching for answers as to my status in the UWMC community, we left the CHDD complex with our parking ticket validated.

Jamie, knowing that the agony of a procedure such as a CT scan would not fulfill her sadistic needs, agreed to make the most of our two hour break and accompany me to Recycled Cycles. She once again proved her love to me by standing by while I tried on every fluorescent yellow jacket, plus a couple of standard hues, comparing zippers, stitching and armpit vents. After accepting advice from a modestly pierced clerk and making my clothing selection, I could tell that Jamie wanted more. So next was neoprene shoe covers. Mountain bike style, or the more simplistic road biker’s? Or maybe just the over the toe types? Wait should I go to the car and get my cycling shoes and try them on? Why not? What about gloves? If I buy women’s because I have small hands will that make me look gay? Are you having fun honey? It was a true test of her endurance. And then wait, maybe none of these is what I want as the clerk and I discuss fenders and how they actually might be what I really need. So with apparel behind me, onto the real focus of the store “parts”. But I knew I had gone too far. So one quick lap and to the register to cash out.

It was nearly 1 pm when we arrived at the SCCA and straight to floor 2 we went. In their usual efficiency we were swept through reception and into the waiting area. This is the worst part for Jamie. She is veteran enough to know what is coming. Despite my jokes about her berry (really read barium) milkshake, I decline a sample when offered. We do get some relief though as a Joan Rivers like character reflects with her daughter on the excessive botox use of a friend. “Why would you want fat lips?, I only get it in my forehead”. “Can you move your eyebrows mom?” “ Well dear I think so, but I guess I haven’t tried” “You know so and so has it done every few weeks, I only go every other month. You can’t get rid of ALL of the wrinkles, that would be just crazy” “Did you know that botox can cure migraines?” “ So if you just tell your Dr. you get really bad headaches you can get your insurance company to pay for your botox!”

If you are outgoing, the waiting area can be a great place to meet all sorts of colorful people. When Jamie went back to get her port accessed, I invited a fellow to join me on the couch. He was a bit crippled and walked with a cane, but smiled continuously none the less. Soon it became apparent that his physical disability was only minor compared to the barking from his companion, who rode an electric scooter. She repeated several times that “I am going to wait up front” in a sort of anticipatory tone, but he ignored her as he was apparently much more eager to exchange pleasantries with me. Well, before she could get fully u-turned, the nurse called her name. The man let out a sigh of relief and made himself comfortable.

Now his story started out innocently enough, asking me where I went to school and then elaborating on his youth in Seattle and his champion high school basketball team. But like most of us, no matter how casual our story seems, there is always an underlying theme. So high school championship leads to a community college scholarship. That leads him to Kent. Eventually he and his girlfriend find themselves traveling on 320th in Federal Way late one night. And coincidentally some jack ass decides to cram a bunch of Busch into his gut and then four people into the cab of his pick up. They smash a couple of other cars up before plowing into this guy’s Toyota. Now based on the story teller’s hair I put the story in the 1970’s. The physics are pretty obvious. 70’s Toyota = tin can. 70’s pickup = large chunk of iron.

To quote him “that day changed my lie forever”. Although he can walk, it is with great effort and not without a cane in is one functioning hand. His companion fared no better (note she is not the same woman present day) as he says a broken back has left her in a wheel chair.

So once again we leave the SCCA with our challenges in perspective.

By the time we pull out of the parking garage it is nearly 5 o’clock and thus heavy traffic. I had been promoting the lobster special at Anthony’s for a couple of days now and Jamie agreed that a decent meal sounded better than a traffic jam. We turned to our trusty navigation system and eventually found our way through the Norwegian ghetto of Ballard to the Anthony’s at the end of the ship canal.

I felt conspicuously underdressed, not having my musty corduroy sport coat or faux leather Velcro shoes. But they seated us none the less, just in time for the sunset dinner special. We enjoyed our meal as we eavesdropped on thrilling conversations as “the good thing about my medication is that I don’t have to get up to pee so often” and other such intricacies of the golden years.

Chuckling as we watched old men pick the raisins out of their rice, (we will admit we found the taste weird as well), we unwound from our busy day and reflected on our gratuity for Jamie’s health and the time we have enjoyed together.

36!

2008-10-25T10:01:00.000-07:00

Nope, that's not my CA-125 number, it's my age! Hard to believe eh? The wonderful "giant cookie cake" you see there was provided by none other than my crazy (I say that in the most enduring way) baking friend, Katrina. Five layers of cookie goodness (Martha Stewart recipe) with cream cheese frosting in the middle. Unbelievable! John also furnished a made to order Cherry pie! (my absolute favorite)

Thanks to all that celebrated with me this year! It was my best birthday ever. Friends, Family, what more could I ask for.

Sidenote: Dr. Goff has asked me to be a part of a panel discussion at a special event for UW donors, doctors and others entitled "Cinema in Science". I am so excited to help her in any way that I can. If I can get the word out and allow other women to find this crazy cancer early, I'm all in. We will be screening the movie "Wit" with Emma Thompson. For those of you who haven't seen it, be prepared, it is a tear jerker. I would like everyone to know, I did not ever feel or was treated as portrayed in the film. I hope that is not what other women think treatment is like. I will update more once the discussion is over, sometime after Tuesday the 28th.

I'm off to get my 5th haircut!!!

Congratulations!!

2008-10-05T00:54:00.000-07:00

As many of you know, we are celebrating the marriage of our friends, Phong and Hoa Hong, here in Westminster CA, otherwise known as Little Saigon. We have been so fortunate to be included in such a special event. The services have been beautiful, but not as beautiful as the Bride. I'm not sure I have seen such a pretty bride in all the weddings I have attended. Hoa Hong, in her quiet way, sparkled like the brightest star today. Poor thing was up at 5 or so, to go get "made up" for the events today. She was continuously going even after we left at 11pm or so from the reception. She had to change her outfit about 3 or 4 times and have her picture taken and was video taped all the while, the whole time taking it like a great sport! I hope all of you agree with me in how fantastic she looks.

Tomorrow we head to Disneyland! For me it is like the commercial where the brother and sister are talking at night and their parents tell them they have to go to sleep and the little boy says "I'm too excited to sleep!" I am such a kid at heart and I am crazy about any rides. Emily and I plan to ride all the roller coasters and scary rides that we can tomorrow. We've talked about the "fast" pass and what we would like to do. We are going to have a blast!

I will have to update you all with some pictures of our adventures, but for now I will leave you with just a couple of the bride and groom.

Their smiles are worth a million! How cute are they?

Did you HEAR that??

2008-09-12T07:39:00.000-07:00

We've been getting a steady take of one egg per day since our first post, with the exception of the very first day where we got the two eggs pictured in the first post. We knew that RC was definitely the laying girl, as she was the oldest of the two gals. TC is filling out quite nicely, but is still very young, so we've been cutting her some slack.

It's been a about a week since we have been letting the girls have free roam of the "dog" yard. They seem to really enjoy their free time roaming about, scratching for worms and bugs, and taking the glorious dirt baths they both really enjoy. Shorty has some reservations about his "yard" being taken over and has given the girls a little chase or too, but for the most part, he is his Shorty self and has pretty much ignored the ladies.

I was playing tether ball with Shorty yesterday when I heard something. I thought maybe one of the girls was laying an egg. I looked into the "coop" but didn't see either of them. Both were happily scratching in the dirt. I had to think closely at what I just heard. Did I hear a cockle doodle do? No, I must be hearing things I told myself and went back to playing with Shorty.

This morning John decided to drive the Suburban to work. As it has been rather toasty at night, we had the windows open to our bedroom. I heard the Suburban fire up, just as she always does even though she just gets short occasional spins around town. I dozing in and out listening to Adam Corrola, when all the sudden John bursts back into the bedroom. "Did you hear that?" he wakes me. "What? Huh? Are you crazy?" I give him the stink eye as I usually do when he wakes me up too early. "Did you hear that?" he asks me again. "Yes I hear the Suburban!" how could I not, she is quite distinguishable. "I think we have a Rooster!!! I just heard a crow!!" I suddenly jump up in bed and proclaim, "I thought so, I heard it last night!!"

We believe our young gal TC, is not a gal after all, she is a HE!! No wonder we aren't getting any eggs from him. The first two eggs (pictured below) have to be from RC! So, we are probably going to have to give "her" back to the pound, as there is a "rule" about roosters living in the city. TC is filling out quite nicely, but is also finding his voice, and the neighbors may not appreciate that too much.

I guess this is the chance you take, when getting young chickens from the pound. Maybe since we adopted "two hens" from the pound, we may be able to keep him. Time will tell. We will keep all of you faithful Blog readers updated with all the crazy happenings on the little piece of land we call our farm.

First Eggs

2008-08-26T22:11:00.000-07:00

I had just resolved myself to being satisfied with just having pet chickens when to my great surprise I found our first eggs while tidying up the chicken habitat tonight.

It was just after dusk, having returned from our post Weight Watchers dinner out with my parents, I was going through my evening routine of feeding, cleaning up various varieties of poop and settling everyone in for the night. While I had made time to get the newspaper pellets for the rabbit’s litter, I have yet to remember to get the wood pellets from the lumberyard, which according to Urbanchicken.com, make some sort of magic base for a stink free composting chicken floor. While skeptical about the author’s claim of only semi-annual cleaning, I do think that this material may well suited and of course is far less expensive than the material I am using for BB and GB. I had intended to procrastinate on cleaning out the “coop” , which nothing more than an old dog crate filled with local hay and two small litter boxes likewise filled for nests, until the proper material was procured. But my compulsiveness required at least a minimal effort and some straightening up.

I found the boxes a bit askew, and as I pulled them back to position the larger of the two eggs was readily visible. This prompted further search which revealed the second, buried behind in the hay floor. The hens sat above my head on top of the box, patiently observing me but making no motion. I carefully carried my treasure into the house and deposited them on the counter. I returned to find my wards contently snaking on a few greens I left behind. The girls obviously wary from their day’s efforts seemed eager to go to bed and only TC gave a lighthearted squawk as she hopped from my grip and into the crate.

Despite recently receiving an unsolicited opinion that “chickens don’t drink water at night”, I fashioned new water and food dishes that attached to the crate door, hoping to preserve the new paper litter I used to replace the soiled hay as a reward for their efforts. While Red Green may have dust tape, a strong but only temporary connection in almost all circumstances, I use the more technologically advanced and despite common myth, also readily reusable, zip tie. With the careful insertion of the tip of my pocket knife, I frequently save this trusty and most versatile plastic wonder from an unnecessary and unwarranted early destruction in all facets of daily life. Find yourself a little short? Connect two or more into a plastic chain that can bind a tarp, hold up your pants or keep your fender from flapping in the wind.

Feeling that I had made a good effort to comfort my now egg producing hens I left them in peace in hopes a that this marks a strong and steady production of eggs for some time to come. I returned to the house to find that Jamie had already placed them in a carton and prominently displayed them on the kitchen table. Eager to share my success I dialed Katelyn and described our yield in detail to which she responded by assuring me that “the big one is for you and the small one is for Aunt Jamie”.

Unfortunately all this success and revelry is not without consequence. Jealous of the chickens, the rabbits have begun acting out, chewing on the new mdf trim in the basement . This has brought great wrath from Jamie, their former supporter and friend who is now suggesting that they may need to move outdoors and is thus proposing some sort of conglomerate chicken / rabbit duplex enclosure in the new barn yard. Although he feigns a look of concern, Shorty takes no real action, merely lazily watching them perform this gratuitous act of defiance without so much a nudge or bark to scold them. Thus I am left to be their sole disciplinarian as well as defender. I am going to first try a squirt bottle in an effort to deter them and may also try to install some clear plastic corners over the edges, although some have expressed concern regards aesthetics.

So while chicken is off the menu, I fear that rabbit stew may not. My hope is that this phase will pass or maybe I can call on the rabbit whisperer to reason with them.

New Arrivals

2008-08-20T21:19:00.000-07:00

In anticipation of omelets everyday, Katelyn ambitiously met me at the door this morning with an empty 18 egg carton. Her silence on the drive to animal services was a clear sign of both her excitement and anxiety for what lay ahead.

Yesterday on my way to Aberdeen I absentmindedly answered my cell phone, and was instantly confused by the woman on the other end. She said she was with animal services. I paused to look over my shoulder to see if Shorty was still behind the seat in his usual “dead dog” position. There he was.

Could it be Nick’s dog Sarah? Had she run off again and somehow I had become one of her emergency contacts (yes I know that sounds insane, “oh please don’t call my parents, there not home, call my friend Shorty’s dad, he will bail me out”)? Certainly the days of the bark complaints had gone to the grave with both Ryder and our neighbor George, who both died of cancer within a year of each other. Plus Shorty had been on vacation the past few days and hadn’t spent a moment home alone in almost a week.

So in the sort of broken, “huh did you say fricken’?” kind conversation we all now enjoy with this "new hands free, still ok to be mentally oblivious statute", I eventually comprehended what she was trying to convey to me.

It all began very innocently after the death of both Ryder and Miles in the fall of 2006. While at the shelter donating some of our remaining dog food, misc. medications and some odds and ends left over from Kay’s cat Lucky, I inquired about their signup sheet for dogs. Jamie of course was still partial to the Border Collies but somehow Corgis were also being given consideration. I always thought them an odd sort, but after seeing a PBS special on the Queen and her own pack of this stubbed off breed, I figured if they are good enough for her, fine by me. So on the list for dogs our names went, with our specific requests noted.

But my curiosity was not yet curbed and so I began to investigate what else I could request. Goats, donkeys, pigs and sheep all have their appeal, but I felt that I might be mocked at Slater Stables if I showed up with any of these looking for another stall to rent. My family and long time friends know I have had rabbits and a rooster as pets and so they seemed ideal choices based on experience as well as our current living conditions.

So like a TLC series we first adopted GB and BB. Then Shorty. And now I was on my way to add two more to the roster.

As we pulled in to the parking lot Katelyn asked if Shorty could come in. With very little effort I convinced her that he would prefer to just wait this one out in the truck and was grateful that I did not have to give the shelter and overly negative connotation by using the term “doggy jail”.

We waited only moments and then were called to the counter where I enthusiastically announced our intentions to pick up the chickens. Trying not to be too rash, and affirm that I was committed, I asked if we could first see them. With some hesitation it was indicated that it was possible, but we were offered some pictures which they hoped might suffice. I was skeptical at first, but as you can all see, these gals are very photogenic and thus I relieved us all of my earlier request and accepted them without further inspection.

I filled out the endless pre adoption questionnaire, which is an earnest attempt in the animals’ interest to keep the ignorant and irresponsible from taking home a pet they cannot accommodate or know where to keep (that was how Shorty came our way). When I came to the questions about how many pet’s you have had in the last 5 years and what became of them, I had to fight the urge to comically write “BBQ”. But my professionalism prevailed and I rendered my $6 in adoption fees and was handed two cardboard carriers.

Katelyn eagerly took her charge , I mine, and out the door we went. We loaded the boxes into a large hay filled dog kennel in the back of the truck and then proceeded on to our next stop; the feed store.

At the feed store we quickly parlayed our $6 bargain into a $60 credit card receipt as we procured feed (organic of course), oyster shell, feeder and water dispenser. Katelyn assured me that the chickens would also need some special bird toys, but I convinced her that they would love our own hand made versions just as much as any store bought chicken toy, even though I am still unsure just what is considered “chicken appropriate”.

As we left the lot I went a little too speedily over the speed bumps and got nothing more than a skeptical glance when I said “looks like we will be getting scrambled eggs this week”. Unwilling to succumb to tall tales, Katelyn turned her focus to Shorty for more intelligent conversation on his new chicken friends and their plans when they arrive home.

After a brief stop at the bakery for nourishment we backed the truck up to the rear gate of the dog yard. After a lot of fussing, assembly and re arranging we were finally ready for the big moment. Already showing partiality for the lighter colored of the two, Katelyn selected her box and joined me in the newly converted dog kennel and we closed the door. As we opened the tops our new friends just stared up at us. I grabbed the red and she graciously let me lift her out. I tried to guide Katelyn to do the same, but at the last moment and showing good judgment, she left the task for me. Being an experienced hand, I had no real troubles but there was a bit of squawking and flapping.

We watched them for a moment and then closed the gate behind us as Katelyn rushed to get Shorty out as she assured me that he was eager to meet them. Already rabbit tested, I have no real concerns about Shorty other than his presence might cause the hens undue stress. Although excited, he merely showed genuine interest and trotted around the two accessible side of the kennel, intently observing the two birds. Keeping a polite distance, he kept a watchful eye, but never a bark or any sudden moves which might unduly roust them. And when it was time to go, he left willing to Katelyn’s lead.

As of now the two still remain unnamed. Numerous have been suggested, Chocolate and Sweetie, being repeated numerously as well as some suspiciously masculine names such as George and Roger. As many of you know I try to avoid anything too human as there is nothing more awkward than hosting a BBQ and realizing that some acquaintance or family has brought offspring with the same name as your family pet. However celebrities, politicians and royalty are exempt from this rule and thus this may afford me some relief although with neighbors with so obviously different political concerns than my own, this might also be avoided despite an inclination to name one of them “Madame Gregoire”.

Best Buds

2008-08-18T00:29:00.000-07:00

Ten of the many reasons that I'm blessed to have Jame as my best bud:

She remembers the face of someone she met five years ago at a party (who doesn't recall meeting her).
She's wonderful to talk to about anything at all.
We have similar taste in food and beverages, hmm... clothes and well, lots of other things.
Our 26-years of history means I sometimes even forget things we've done (and like Jamie, I have a freakishly good memory) but she remembers the things I've forgotton, and vice versa.
We do new stuff. Like she introduced me to the Lemon Drop Martini not that long ago.
She loves my kids unconditionally, and is marvelous with them. She loves Joel too, and is good at arguing with and teasing him.
She married John, who like all excellent partners, makes her better and stronger. Well, and we all love John too.
She and I have made each other better too, and the minor tussles we've had over the years have only made us better friends.
Yeah, and she's a kick-ass sous chef to my mess-making self.
I don't have a sister, and I sometimes wished I did when I was a kid, but now I'm glad that I don't have another sibling. I've got my Jamie instead, and she's way better.

Three Months Down

2008-08-07T21:52:00.000-07:00

I had my three month check up with Dr. Goff on Monday. Everything checked out great. My CA-125 was 10, well within the "normal" range. I had my Mammogram the week prior and all was well with that too. No need to get another for a year!! All you ladies who put that off, don't! Make sure you get checked. Try to get into one of the new digital ones. They don't have to squeeze as hard :)

So I am free for another three months, when I will get another CT Scan, CA-125 test and regular blood counts and of course my ever so favorite "exam"!

For those of you that I haven't told, the women's clinic at the SCCA, has a regular GYN doctor. Her name is Dr. Hipps and she sees "regular" patients. I got my sister to go up and meet her, and she will now be my sister's regular GYN. What's nice is you can have all your stuff done right there--mammogram, blood draws, and anything else they might want to do and with state of the art equipment (ie: the digital mammogram). Well worth the drive once a year!

P.S. I also got my 3rd haircut on Tuesday!!!

Found!

2008-07-16T19:53:00.000-07:00

One pair of black sunglasses were left behind at the Relay...

Are you missing them? Describe them, and they'll be returned to you!

#2 In The Top Teams!

2008-07-08T23:16:00.000-07:00

More Relay Pics...

2008-06-23T15:03:00.000-07:00

These are pics from Katie's camera. To see the rest of her photos, just click right here.

Go Team!!

2008-06-21T15:21:00.000-07:00

There's another 2.5 hours of the Relay left to go, but here are a few photos from last night and earlier today.

A huge thank you to all the supporters of Jamie's Team — at last count, the fundraising total is up to more than $3,000.00!! And, Kenny had fired up the grill (lunch by donation and he did dinners by donation last night too... $300.) and, Katie fired up the kids bouncy house for $1 donations as well this morning, while the McL grandkids were out in the infield promoting the team's carnival games.

Brian was finishing lap #176 when we left, with only 24 more laps to go in his goal of 200. Yes, that's 50 miles, folks!! And, we had warm (if muggy) weather and no rain drops. An excellent event. Looking forward to seeing the final team total for donations to the ACS.

If you wanted to donate, but didn't get a chance yet, just click right here to do it quickly online. Thank you!!

At The Relay...

2008-06-18T18:27:00.000-07:00

Jamie is getting teal T-shirts (the color symbolizing ovarian cancer) for the team, and we'll be adding a team logo to the shirts. We're also encouraged to decorate our team campsite area with balloons, etc. so if you've got some festive additions, feel free to bring them!

Set up for the Relay starts at 9:00 am on Friday (although official campsite set up isn't until 3:00 pm), and anyone who shows up early to help with set up gets dibs on camping spots... so, if you're camping out for the event, try to get there as early as possible on Friday.

Stuff to Bring
Cards or Games
Cooler and Ice
Food Snacks and Drinks
Flashlight
Extra clothing
2 Pair of shoes
Sunscreen and Hats
Umbrellas and Rain gear
Quarters for Quarter Lap
Crazy Hat for Crazy Hat Lap
Tricycle for kids who want to participate in the Tricycle Race

And, if you’re camping out…

Toothbrush, towels, soap, etc
Tent and sleeping bags

And, here is the schedule for the event (there is a lot going on during all 24 hours):

Relay For Life Schedule
Friday, June 20^th

3pm Campsite set-up
4pm Accounting and Registration
5pm Survivor Registration
6pm Opening Ceremony
National Anthem
Presenting of the Colors
Pledge of Allegiance
6:15pm Survivor Ceremony (reception following at Survivor Tent)
6:15pm - 8pm Team Pictures
7pm Team Captains Lap
7pm Dawson Family Jugglers
8pm "Redemption Band" - Christian Music
9pm Accounting Closes
9:15pm Cakewalk
9:30pm Tent Decoration Contest
10pm Luminaria Ceremony
11pm - 2am Karaoke

Saturday, June 21^st
1am Crazy Hat Lap and Tug of War - Round I
2am Song Request Hour and Three Legged Race
3am Rock n' Roll Hour and Tug of Way - Round II
4am Country Hour and Water Balloon Toss
5am 80's hour and Tug of War - Finals
6am Dancin and Groovin
7am Oldies Hour
7am-9am Pancake Breakfast
8am Bed Head Lap and Scavenger Hunt
9am Accounting Opens and Rise N Shine Exercise
10am Tricycle Races
10am-11am "Blitz" the Seahawks Mascot
11am-2pm Face painting/balloon artist
11am Father's Lap
12pm Seattle Seahawks "Seagals", Hot dog-eating contest and Sports Lap
1pm Limbo contest
2pm Mr. Relay, Baby Boomer Lap and Blue Thunder Band
3pm-5pm BINGO
3pm Incentive prize fundraising deadline and Field goal kicking contest
4pm Accounting closes
5pm Hula Hoop contest
6pm Closing ceremony

The Check's In The Mail

2008-06-09T13:45:00.000-07:00

Got people who'd like to pledge, but don't want to do it online? If they want to send you a check (or you're reading this and you want to mail a check) — here's what they (or you) need to do:

Just click right here to print out Jamie's donation form from your computer. Then, write a check and mail it to this ACS office:

American Cancer Society
1313 Broadway Ste 100
Tacoma, WA 98402

That's it! Easy as pie!! Or at least click, print, sign, address and stamp...

Only 11 days until the Relay... gather those pledges!

Update From Our Team Captain, Katie

2008-06-06T08:45:00.000-07:00

For those of you who may have missed this email update from Katie, here it is:

Hi Team,

We are only a couple of weeks away from the big event! Hope you are all getting your walking shoes ready! Thanks to all of you for joining Jamie's Relay team! This will be such a wonderful opportunity to get together to celebrate Jamie's victory over cancer (and to contribute some funds to cancer research while we're at it).

I spoke with one of the event coordinators, Leigh Ann Breer, earlier this week. I was glad to learn that she has some Carnival type games and prizes that she would love for us to operate as a fund raiser for our team. She mentioned specifically a dart and balloon game (which I know Jamie will love ;-)) and a duck pond game that seems like it might be entertaining for the kids. I am going to pick up a couple of these games from her at the next Team Captains meeting next week. Of course any other ideas you all have for fund raising at the event are welcome, just let me know!

I know Jamie's dad and brother were considering a BBQ fund raiser, which I thought was a really good idea. Leigh Ann informed me that there are two groups planning a hot dog stand/BBQ on Saturday, so we might consider Friday for this if we decide to go ahead with it. Also, whoever is manning the BBQ would need a Food Handlers permit through the Health Department. It doesn't look too difficult to get this permit but it would be a bit of a hassle to get to Seattle or Renton for the class. See the following link for more information .... http://www.metrokc.gov/health/foodsfty/schedule.htm Also, if this is a serious consideration, please let me know so that I can let the event coordinators know as they are trying to organize the food aspect of the Relay. If not, no big deal. We don't need a permit to sell prepackaged food. Leigh Ann suggested that if we could get prepackaged sandwiches (or something like that) donated on our teams behalf, we could sell those at the event. Anybody have any connections in the restaurant industry??

We are in need of a canopy/tent for our team headquarters at the track. Does anybody have one we could use? Also, we need a relay baton. Any creative folks out there that would like to craft a special baton for the Jamie Clobbered Cancer team?

I have heard form several folks that the ACS website has been creating some headaches. I am sorry about this. I know there are people who have tried to sign up for the team and have spent there $10 but are not showing up on our roster. If any of you receiving this email notice that a teammate is not included on this email, please pass this information along to them. I am sending this out to all of the folks I have emails for (generated from the ACS site) but I know it is incomplete.

Sorry for the long email. I will stop here with more to come in the next couple of weeks. please feel free to email or call me with any questions.

Best,

Katie Stoll

Walk The Line...

2008-06-02T01:21:00.000-07:00

After the Opening Ceremonies and the Survivors Lap at 6:00 pm on Friday, June 20th, team members can hit the track. There will be people from the team at the track the whole time, and all team members are welcome to camp out at the event, or show up whenever. Our team captain, Katie, thought that it would be good to have general walking shift times, but have the "sign up" be more informal, so I've posted a "poll" on the right side-bar so people can choose their preferred walking shift. (If you can only walk one hour, then choose the shift that includes that hour.)

Take a look, and take a second to vote on the walking time that works for you. You can choose more than one shift as well. If you're very flexible on when you can walk, this will let you choose a time when a lot of team members are walking, or when nearly no one is and we need someone on the track! It's a fairly informal way for us all to know when we'll be heavy or light on walkers.

Also... the "theme" for the event is "Carnival," and teams are encouraged to have a booth with an additional fund raiser (related to the theme) going on. Katie's got some ideas for this, but if you've got a good idea (you know, like maybe we need a cotton candy booth, or a pie toss booth, balloon animals, ooh or all three!), add it to the comments or tell Jamie or Katie. Thanks!!

Just Ask... Spread The Word

2008-05-29T09:23:00.000-07:00

The countdown continues, and we still have three weeks left to get pledges for the Relay!

The number one reason people do not donate is that no one ever asked them! Your goal is to reach out to as many people as possible, and simply ask if they'd like to be involved. Most people's lives have been touched by cancer in some capacity, and they'd like the chance to help in some way — to honor, to remember or to celebrate. Below are some great fundraising tips from the ACS to get you started:

Fundraising Tips for Individuals

Sign up
Sign up to use the Relay For Life^® online fundraising Web site and make your own personal Web page. Start by clicking right here to Join Jamie's Team!! We'd love to have at least 11 more walkers!

Email Your Friends and Family
Send emails to everyone you know using our easy and fun-to-use email tool. Import your address book, use one of our email templates or create your own, track results, and follow up. Soon, credit card donations will start rolling in. Really, it is so fun to see the subject line for incoming email read: "A Donation Was Made On Your Behalf". If you need help importing your address to your Relay Team Member contacts, or figuring out how to email contacts, just email Jamie, Katie, or even me, or comment on the blog. Help will come your way!

Make a List and Check It Twice
Make a list of potential donors. Include everyone you know. Start by making a donation to yourself online. Your gift will set the tone for others to give.

One a Day
Ask a different person each day to make a contribution. If you get four $25 gifts, you will have raised $100 in less than a week. Don’t be afraid to ask for larger gifts. Cancer is an issue that affects us all, and most people are happy to donate.

Double Your Money
Many employers offer matching funds programs. Your $50 donation could turn into $100. Inquire with your personnel/HR department to complete the paperwork required to get your gift matched. Visit our Matching Gifts page.

The Mighty Pen
Send a letter in the mail to friends, family, and co-workers asking for their support. Include a printed off-line donation form (find the link on your personal Participant Center page). Let them know if you are walking in honor of someone. Explain why the cause is important to you; heartfelt messages get the best response. Don’t forget to send a thank you note to people who donate.

Bring It Along
Take your Web site's address and contribution form everywhere you go and ask everyone you interact with to sponsor you. Remember, the fight against cancer is a great cause, and most people want to help.

Talk It Up
Ask for a few minutes on the agenda of any meetings you will be attending. Explain why you are walking and ask for everyone’s support. If you are dedicating your efforts to someone who has had cancer, tell that person’s story.

Blog It!
Post details about the Relay on your personal blog, and link to your Relay Participant page so family and friends can easily pledge (for example).

Offer Food
Offer healthy treats to your friends, family, and co-workers for a small gift to the American Cancer Society. Most people can be tempted to donate.

Clean House
Clean out your garage or home and set up a Relay For Life^® donation booth in exchange for your finds. Ask your friends and neighbors to donate their stuff to you, explaining that all proceeds go to the fight against cancer.

Celebrate
If a birthday or holiday is coming up, tell your family and friends that in lieu of a gift, you would like them to make a donation to the American Cancer Society for your Relay For Life^®.

Pin It Up
Post your Web site address or walk paper on the bulletin board at church or temple, in the office, at the gym, or at school. Make sure to highlight your name, phone number, email address, and team Web page address

Send the Message
Change the recording on your voicemail or answering machine to mention Relay For Life^® and how callers can make a donation. Then, when you call people back, ask them to sponsor you. When emailing friends, add a “PS” asking for their support.

Call Us
Your local American Cancer Society office has more helpful hints on raising support so don't hesitate to call or email to make this the most successful Relay For Life^® yet!

Jamie Clobbered Cancer - Come Celebrate By Walking!!

2008-05-19T12:39:00.000-07:00

So here's the skinny on walking in the Relay — it's $10 to register online right here, and the online registration wizard only takes a few minutes.

Once you've joined Jamie's team, you get your own participant page where you can send out emails to get donations, or you can just donate something yourself and come on down to talk with Jamie and walk the track for an hour (or two or three...).

C'mon... summer is coming, and we can all use more exercise. You know, keep the heart healthy and look good in your summer wardrobe. Speaking of which, you get a groovy new T-shirt when you join the team!

Can you think of any more excuses not to join in the fun? Isn't the 20th Father's Day Weekend you say? No, Father's Day is the weekend before the Relay. Registering online is confusing, or too much trouble? Just email Jamie, or leave a comment here that you'd like to walk — registration help will come to you via email or phone. I want to walk, but I can only walk at 5:00 am on Saturday morning (or 8:00 pm Friday night, etc.) —some specific time... First sign up! Next, leave a comment on this blog (or send email) telling Katie the "shift" you want to walk. That's it. Easy. Anything else?? Oh, you're worried about burning too many calories?? Well, no problem, I'll be sure to bake up some delicious cupcakes to have on hand at the track so no one has low blood sugar issues. Umm... and I also know an almost 3-year old who's joining the team and will be walking the track... Seriously, don't let a preschooler show you up!

There you go. No excuses. Now you have to come and walk.

Just do it.

Cancer Free Perks!!

2008-05-12T22:34:00.000-07:00

We got to help Katrina celebrate her Birthday on Friday night with a wonderful dinner at The Barking Frog in Woodinville. As you can see from the photos I was able to partake in the fabulous wine and under cooked fish!! We took a taxi there and back, so no one had to be the designated driver.

I'm going to continue to remind everyone about the relay for life. We need more walkers!! If you can, please sign up so we can see how our team is shaping up. If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail or call me! (If you click on the relay for life label below it will take you to the relay info post or you can scroll down to the original post and click the links!!)

Also, Check out The HAIR!!

Great News

2008-04-29T22:48:00.000-07:00

I had my appt with Dr. Goff on Monday. All Clear!! All my tests came back negative and she doesn't know why I'm having the pain. Her best guess is my nerves are working double time and driving me crazy. She prescribed an anti-seizure medication that is used to calm nerves. I have to work up to the full dose and have to be really careful coming off the medication as well. Hopefully it will help with the neuropathy in my feet as well. I don't have to have a blood draw for three months and no scans for six months--what a relief!

I had my first hair trim today!! Thanks Wendy for squeezing me in. It feels great, but we have all agreed my hair is strange. I call it "baby puppy fuzz". Wendy thinks maybe it is trying to be curly, but it gets confused. Oh well, at least I have hair to trim :)

I hope many of you can come join us in the Relay for Life. It's going to be great fun, and would be even better if all my loyal readers were to participate. I will try to keep reminding all of you to sign up!! See post below for details.

Relay for Life — Come Walk with Jamie!

2008-04-21T21:14:00.000-07:00

Katie Stoll (of Katie and Brian) started a Relay for Life team in Jamie's honor to get Jamie's "team" together to celebrate her success in clobbering cancer. Sign up right here!

Relay for Life is a 24-hour relay fund raiser for the American Cancer Society. You can find more info about it right here. I've participated in the Relay before, and it's a really fun and inspiring event. Team members (walkers) are needed for relay shifts, and at the event you can camp out overnight, or just show up for a walking shift and visit the campers.

The event begins on Friday, June 20 at 6:00pm and will last until Saturday, June 21 at 6:00 pm. It will be in Tacoma at the Franklin Pierce High School Track - 11002 18th Ave. E.
Tacoma, WA 98445-5200. On Friday night there will be a survivor lap at 6:00 pm for cancer survivors, and a Luminaria Ceremony of Hope at 10:00 pm. Walkers who circle the track all night walk by the light of the luminaries.

You can make a Luminaria donation to the event or to Jamie's Team in honor of anyone whose life has been touched by cancer — just click right here.

Join Jamie's Team to participate in the Relay at her Team Page — get there by clicking right here. If you're interested in joining the team to walk, but have yet to sign up, please leave a comment on this post so Katie knows how the team is shaping up. Anyone can join the fun, so mark your calendars, and get ready to lace up your walkin' shoes! We'll see you there!!

Lost Modesty

2008-04-21T20:09:00.000-07:00

Today I had my "aspiration" at the UW radiology department. Well that is what it was supposed to be. I ended up having a biopsy instead. After mapping the area on my tush, with many rides in and out of the CT machine, no fluid came out of my "pocket". Instead the Dr had to change strategies and take a core sample from the lump that is pushing on my bum area as it was not a fluid pocket as was suspected. And as you can see I can be very detailed about this, because the anesthesia did not work and I was pretty conscience thru out the entire procedure. Believe me, I wish I wasn't. They actually had to stop in the middle of it to request the use of more drugs, because they had already surpassed the normal dosing for most people. I still hold the staff at the UW in high regard, but today was not the greatest of procedure days.

I had to stay after the procedure in the recovery area for a little bit, where I scared a nurse by dosing off which caused my oxygen levels to set the alarm off on the machine. Once I was somewhat stable, they sent me back down to 4 South, to wait out the after effects of the drugs. I guess I really was a special case today, because the nurse told me to order lunch, which John did only to have the nurse rush back in to tell me they didn't want me to eat until about 5pm and I needed to lay still until that time as well. Mind you I hadn't eaten since 9pm the night before, I was pretty hungry. All this while during the recovery, I had to keep baring my bum, so they could check on it. It's getting to the point, it doesn't bother me to have male nurses. I've lost all my modesty. One day I hope it will return (LOL)

Last Thursday, many of you know I had a PET scan, which came back clear with no indication of activity in the "pocket" in question. We had a bit of a snag when the nurse was trying to put my folic catheter in. In the end, I did the PET without it and found out the Nuke Techs actually prefer to run the PET without one. I'm hoping the good outcome of the PET will be some sort of indication that all is well with whatever they took out today.

I will try to post what I find out soon, but I have my three month check-up with Dr. Goff on Monday, so I may not find anything out until I talk to her. My nurse, Heidi will probably call and give me an update. She is so great about making sure we know all the details as soon as she finds anything out. I love that about her...always thinking about the patient and their state of mind.

I hope all is well with all of you--I will let all of you know any info I get as soon as I get it!!

Lots of Love,

Jamie

Minor Setback--Fast Action

2008-04-11T22:16:00.000-07:00

I'm sorry for not posting a picture. I need to get John to take a photo to post. The hair is coming in strong!!

I've had a minor setback this week. I started having some pain this week and the usual drugs were not cutting it, so on Wednesday I called my favorite nurse, Heidi. As usual, she responded very quickly and told me I needed to come up and be seen. The next morning at 10am, I was being examined by Barb Silko, a very competent nurse practitioner, who sees patients during recovery after surgery, so you don't have to see the "boss" every time you go in. Barb did a "thorough" exam, and proclaimed she couldn't "feel" anything, but wanted to discuss the option of having a CT scan with Heidi.

I was on my way out of the office, when I got sidetracked talking to Tina, the team coordinator, regarding a change in my next scheduled blood draw. We were just about to leave, when Heidi caught us. She had wrote the requisition for the CT scan, and had Tina call downstairs to get us in that day! Talk about service. About 20 minutes later, I was chugging down the Lumen (barium smoothie) which was less thick than the regular stuff. At 12:30, I was laying on the table getting ready to start the scan.

Today, I got a call from Heidi with the results. She assured me they didn't see anything suspicious, but that I've had a pocket of fluid by the area where they did the bowel resection. It has always been very small (17mm x 19mm), but that it has grown a little bit (23mm x 24mm) and that it was likely causing the discomfort that I have. Dr. Goff looked at the scans and wants me to have a Pet Scan to make sure nothing "lights up", since my last one in November. She also suggested that the scans be sent down to the interventional radiologists to look at to see if they will be able to surgically drain the pocket. She is somewhat skeptical that they will be able to do it, because of its position, but wanted it to be the first choice. I think she would have to go in surgically if they can't do anything about it.

I am so grateful that I was lucky enough to find Dr. Goff and have her involved in my recovery. She and her team are the most wonderful people out there! I highly recommend the SCCA to everyone I talk to. I don't know where I would get such great and fast care like I receive from the SCCA.

I will keep you all posted about what I find out this next week. Wish me luck!!

Nice Brows!

2008-03-31T22:42:00.001-07:00

So here's the best I can do for a recent-ish "close up" from a trip to the ocean the first week of March. You can't see Jamie's hair (it was cold!), but you can see the return of her great eye brows. Yeah!

Just click on the pic to get a closer look.

Lucky Number 8

2008-03-03T16:48:00.000-08:00

Hello All!! I thought I would give you all a brief update post chemotherapy. I had my first blood draw (one whole month has gone by!!) and all is "spiffy"! My CA-125 is the lowest it's ever been at a cool low of 8. After starting out well over 4400, I will take an 8 any day.

My hair is coming in pretty strong now. I was worried for a little while because it was falling out again, but that seems to have past. I'm starting to lose the "steroid" puffiness in my face too--thank goodness. My eyebrows and eyelashes are coming in as well, so I'm starting to look more like myself.

I've been doing twice weekly deep water aerobics with my sister, Jennifer and Mom. The Club has just added Tuesday and Thursday to the schedule so I am going to do those classes as well.

I will try to post a picture soon :)

Happy New Year!

2008-02-11T19:55:00.000-08:00

Katrina here, with a brief Crase update. Jamie and John spent the weekend with us, and we celebrated Chinese New Year in the International District on Saturday. As usual with any of our joint ventures, big or small, we had a glorious time.

To kick off the weekend, I heard John chopping something in the kitchen Saturday morning. Turned out to be pineapple, and he was making Eggs Benedict for breakfast. It was absolute heaven. We also had an amazing dinner in on Saturday night, and with Jamie as my sous chef, we are unstoppable in the kitchen (and don't end up buried under dishes). The guys had picked up groceries on the way back from a bike ride. Good food, good friends, good conversation, some casual travel discussion—a very nice start to the Lunar New Year.

I think it's very cool that 2008 is "Jamie's Year" so to speak, since her Chinese sign is the Rat. This year promises "Great renewal, success and adventure," for her. Sounds good to me!

Jamie's looking great, feeling fabulous, she's sporting a gorgeous new hat (knit by Ali), and is Madeline's new "best friend". They played together a lot this weekend, and on Sunday M said, "I just want Jamie and John and Shorty to stay with us all the time now, OK? " If only we could all just hang out and have fun all the time... the perpetual holiday. Although with John and I cooking for all of us all the time, we'd all need to invest in some new mountain bikes (and ride them a lot)!

Gong xi fa cai! Wishing you prosperity! (Happy New Year!)

Return Home

2008-01-29T13:07:00.000-08:00

Feeling pressure from the impending snow storm, we left for Seattle yesterday a couple hours earlier than normal. I had gone to the office early that morning, finding the side streets with a modest inch or two of snow, but the main streets only wet and the interstate in good condition. On my return trip, my concern increased as the temperature dropped and the traffic on I-5 seemed to thicken.

As we headed north unimpeded a little before 9 AM, we forwent our usual coffee stop in DuPont, still feeling apprehensive about what lie ahead. Tacoma was soon behind us. As we left Federal Way and approached that non descript segment, Mid-way, the skies darkened and I felt the truck slip a bit as we went over a patch of ice.

Then it was over. South Center was bone dry, and our entrance into downtown Seattle revealed only wet streets and the rhythmic metallic percussion of chained up busses.

So we gave into our caffeine cravings and had coffee and treats at the Eastlake Starbucks. Still, there was time to spare so we went for a drive around the neighborhoods to the east of the freeway, eventually looping back through Capitol Hill. On our return route, the winter storm seemed to regain strength, as frozen rain and then snow fell, so we hustled to the SCCA to get parked and make our appointment.

Dr. Goff was her usual enthusiastic self while breezing through Jamie’s exam and giving us the results of the latest CT scan and lab test. All good news. Jamie’s CA-125 score of 10, was followed by an “all clear” account of the CT scan except a minor blemish in her lungs, readily explained by the recent cold. Dr. Goff countered our list of questions with earnest yet concise replies (can she eat Sushi, return to Weight Watchers and Etc.) and soon we were on our way out.

So the next year looks like this; blood draws and port flushes every 6 weeks, consults with Dr. Goff every 90 days and CT scans every six months. Jamie will keep her chest port for about a year, Dr. Goff admitted some time ago that she was a bit superstitious about their removal and tended to leave them be for as long as possible.

Although snow and ice had retracted, we were still left with a cold afternoon which we spent eating pho in the international district followed a ride on the SLUT (South Lake Union Trolley) to a matinee. With Dr. Goff’s approval, dinner of course was Sushi, a treat welcomed by both of us as we had been limited to California rolls since last spring, both for very different reasons. After dinner we took the hotel shuttle for ice cream, where amongst other things, the driver revealed that the acronym SLUT had been officially banned by their corporate policy.

We slept well last night, such that even I was startled awake at 7:30 AM by the alarm clock from a deep slumber. Jamie lounged a bit while I readied myself and snuck off for a bite of breakfast, heading Jamie’s warning not to taunt her by bringing food back to the room.

The three minute commute to the clinic was a breeze as yesterday’s warning of a snow storm were a farce, giving credence to Jamie’s claim that if the Seattle meteorological profession predicts it, it will never come. As we watched the news this morning I chuckled at a reporters attempt to make a live report out of a pile of slush and a cameraman’s attempt to dramatize a street crossing thru slush so thin, a pair of flip flops would have been permissible.

When the nurse called Jamie she stepped up quickly and trotted back to the surgery room without hesitation or looking back. The removal of the abdominal port is a relatively minor procedure and now a veteran, Jamie declined nurse Pat’s suggestion that I might accompany them in the prep area and thus I was left to finish my book.

On the 2nd floor, radiology, there is a very large waiting area that has been recently rearranged with a large variety of couches, chairs and end tables. Unfortunately, this new décor also included the removal of all but one of the coveted recliner chairs. The remaining chair is located in the far corner, where the view of Lake Union is best, but the glass and its remoteness make it a bit chilly. Not minding such conditions, as soon as Jamie was gone I moved towards my favorite spot only to find a women settling into the recliner. As she arranged her things and began to read, it was apparent that she was unaware of what was beneath her behind.

I alerted her to the luxury at hand, and as she gratefully leaned back I made an offhand comment about waiting for her to leave for the restroom and then buried myself in my book.

Engulfed by the author’s tails about capturing pigeons and using them to convert his vegetarian girlfriend to omnivoreism, I barely acknowledged the woman’s comment 90 minutes later, about the temperature in the corner. Being at the end of my reading I delayed my move for a bit, only to hear “Mr. Crase” called out from the front desk.

I found Jamie lying comfortably in the recovery area attended by the familiar Pat. Jamie was smiling and recounting her encounter with Dr. Hickman (he was not today’s surgeon however) and the fact that she discovered that he was now 83 years old. On the second telling of this identical story, I tried to convey that she had already told me that, but on the third, I relinquished and said “oh, how interesting”, as I also did when experiencing some variation of déjà vu in the parking garage 30 minutes later, when the same factoid was once again presented.

The trip home was uneventful, and after some crackers, cheese and carrot sticks, Jamie quickly settled into nap position with her travel neck pillow in proper place. Her sleep must have been light, or her instincts keen, for as we approached Dupont, my interstate daze was broken by instruction to pull off at the Starbucks.

After a quick detour through the drive thru followed by a near collision with a Lincoln Town Car adorned with dozens of beanie babies and handicapped plates, we finished our uneventful journey home.

We arrived home to find the rabbits content and doing what they do best, pooping and tearing their habitat apart. Shorty’s whereabouts popped into my mind as I fed the fish and it was soon discovered that the door to the kennel was shut. Although Jamie could not observe him from the kitchen we were certain this was a sign he was home as well after his sleep over at Katelyn’s. As I approached the kennel he sleepily appeared from his den in typical lazy Shorty style, seeming unconcerned about anything.

Jamie is now resting comfortably, and in good spirits, watching the modern version of Pride and Prejudice for probably the 1,000th time. If it is possible to wear a DVD out, I think she may do it, as this and the BBC series of the same title are perpetual comfort favorites, like mac and cheese or a well worn blanket and fluffy pillow.

It is good to be on the return side of this journey, but I commented to Jamie in the waiting room that I could now comprehend the concept of post traumatic stress or a soldier’s return from war. Despite my glee for Jamie’s recovery, it is a little awkward envisioning a week or a month where this will not be the priority of our lives. This has been so emotionally intense for me, that I feel a great sense of relief, but also fatigue. As for Jamie, she shines brighter than ever, seemingly empowered by the whole experience. As I watch her I try to empathize and support, but find myself always being reinforced by her strength and positive energy.

Hooray Jamie!

2008-01-09T16:18:00.000-08:00

Cheers!

2008-01-07T22:30:00.000-08:00

Round six was as smooth as any of the first five as the day just sailed by. Jamie, slightly encumbered by tummy ache (attributed to angry gyros) was otherwise in good spirits and took on her tankerload of fluid with the usual gusto. Our nurse today was Christie, significant not only because she has become one of our many friends on 7 SE, but also because she is the same charge nurse who gave us a tour of the wing just before Jamie’s surgery. She deserves a lot of credit for our confidence when we started with the SCCA as her outgoing persona and earnest descriptions of the challenges ahead helped both Jamie and I feel that would be getting the best care possible.

Only Jamie can truly describe the feeling of completing the 6 + 6 rounds of chemo and receiving the continuing positive praise of Dr. Goff. So I will leave further commentary and details on what is to come for Jamie when she is ready to post in a day or two and instead leave you with just a few details of our modest post-chemo celebration.

Although her brief ailment prevented this occasion from being marked by a waterside hotel view of the Space Need Fireworks, tonight was special. We are staying at our usual post hospital abode, the Silver Cloud, where once again the Wood family treated us to an evening of upscale picnicking including some celebratory champagne. Erik dazzled us with his ever improving table manners and Madeline of course was as good as any two year and a half year old could be. After tasty desserts we retired to our room for a little hotel bed gymnastics and playtime. The kids outlasted all of us and Katrina brought things to a close when she proclaimed clean pants and pajamas for all.

Close Encounter

2008-01-06T23:54:00.000-08:00

Will tonight be my last night of the familiar roll out sleeper chair? Will there be no more early morning visits from eager young residents looking to poke and prod Jamie for no apparent benefit?

Could be, as we sit her in the first half of Jamie’s 6 of 6 IP chemo sessions.

After a few weeks off over the holidays followed by another weeks delay due to the flu, I questioned Jamie if she was committed to continuing on or if she felt that she had pushed far enough. Her speedy conquest of the flu should have given me a better insight into her resolve, as without a quiver she said she would finish the prescribed 6th round. So with the full support of Heidi, saying that it is this week or never, we prepared for our last IP trip.

I almost got cut from the roster, feeling the threat of the post Christmas bug lurking around the corner. I hastily tried to bolster myself Friday with a concoction of Porter, Wiskey and a full dose of Nyquil before bedtime. This appeared to tip the scales the wrong way as I awoke Saturday feeling weaker and foggy.

Applying my father’s own remedy, a little manual labor, things cleared up and I went to bed Saturday night without the aid of any “medicines”. I awoke to Jamie’s prodding in the morning refreshed and ready for the day, further charged by a long hot shower.

Much to Jamie’s dismay, I was in no particular rush to gather things up and leave, now being a veteran of this routine and having realized that our prompt arrival has often been followed by inordinate amounts of waiting in our room for the process to be initiated.

After a misguided trip to the office to get my laptop chord, then back home again to retrieve it from the front seat of my truck, we were pointed north. Traffic was light and it was just 9:30 as we pulled into the parking garage. Admitting had to work a bit to get us in, the week delay having cause a little confusion. But in the end Jamie left with another set of yellow duplicates giving various levels of consent for everything from being listed in the patient phone directory to whether of not you want a priest present if the call is from St. Peter.

Today moved along at a good pace, with Christine as official day chemo nurse, but familiar Jenni doing the port access while cheerfully gloating over her travel plans to Costa Rica next month. There are few nurses we don’t recognize and tonight’s nurse is Mary. I will disappointed if the shadow like Rodger doesn’t make a late night appearance as well, always acting as my alarm for a mid night snack.

My inaccurate anticipation of foul weather let me leave my bike behind, so today’s adventures were on foot and thus a much smaller radii than I normally roam. I started at Recycled Cycles along the ship canal, making two full laps around the shop ogling the bikes and revising my every increasing want list of gear.

I then headed up the hill towards the “Ave” finding myself standing in front of a Tudor style building marked as the University Inn. As I walked along the storefront and then to the rear corner, I saw an inviting stair to the basement of the building and clearly demarking the entrance to the pub shrewdly hidden below.

Thirsty from my shopping and walking I entered, finding the low ceilings and dark woodwork as authentic as anything in the old world. I ordered a pint and then asked the barkeep the location of the “head”. On my return trip I passed an older gent who as I then walked passed the TV, asked me if I could turn it on to the football game.

I returned from the bar with my glass and the remote, and soon his Gaelic accent had charmed me into joining him. Dr. Sweeney is an 80+ year old Catholic Scotsman who now splits his time between Seattle and his family estate near Glasgow. As conversation progressed another pint was in order as I received lessons on everything from the pay rates of a WWII Captain in the English army ( A mere $2 per day) to the current political state in South Africa and the middle east.

As most of you know my past encounters with his creed have been somewhat tumultuous as many a time have I been charmed by their hospitality only to find myself poisoned by excessive amounts of drink. Now in England I am fine, with their Norman heritage they are people of moderation, but the Gaelic tribes are much more devious. Such perils I have faced amongst the secretive guttural language of the Welsh, the jolly folk music of the Irish or the seemingly sensible charms of the Scot, lured in under friendly terms only to find myself sickened beyond reason by their alluring Whiskey, Scotch and beer.

I can’t say that I wasn’t warned, as the Christian and Muslim worlds were preparing to rip each other apart on September 11th 2001, I sat in the Anchor Inn in the un assuming Welsh village of Ruthin. A lone Englishman told me of the woes of mixing with such a crowd and the deep conspiracy which they heralded. My youthful ignorance and the extreme thrusts of my traveling companion Joel, led us to dismiss such warning and continue on well into the night. On the trip home all seemed jolly as we stumbled to Ms. Ransons’ welcoming inn.

But alas in the morning the Englishman’s prophecy came to be, as breakfast was as difficult to push down as the daylight was to face.

But today, my new acquaintance, allowing his medical ethics to overcome his ancestral instincts released me from his spell, emptying the last of his glass in a single gulp and wishing my wife the best, got up to leave unimpaired and at a reasonable hour of the afternoon.

So off I went fulfilling an earlier request for Starbucks. As I marched along, hot cup in hand, I first smelt and then spied the familiar spindle of meat that marks a gyro café. Sticking my head in the door I inquired as to when they close and got a prompt “1:30 AM”. Marking this as my evening dining spot I quickened my pace back to Jamie.

Enticed by the thought of a gyro, Jamie eagerly shunned the hospital fare and sent me off a few hours later to gather our gyros. Wanting to hasten my return and avoid a possible encounter with an Irishman, I drove the truck, finding parking close enough by on this Sunday eve. As I entered the shop I was reassured by the smell and basic configuration, meat, grill and three middle eastern men vigorously working in a tight space in perfect harmony.

What I wasn’t prepared for was the dark atmosphere of the place, with the political posters, and then gruff reception at the till. These were not the gay Greeks of Kirkland, selling a commercialized version of their local fare while daydreaming of their annual, and ever increasing in duration, winter vacation in their homeland.

No these were embittered men from the other side of the Mediterranean, angrily pushing meat and onions into a dry piece of flatbread only to monotonely call out “two regular gyros to go”. Now they weren’t terrible, as we both ate our gyros in their entirety back at ther room, but they weren’t fabulous either. And thus the truth comes forth, no matter where you are from, happy people make good sandwiches. Anger and bitterness will at best leave you full but unsatisfied.

The Home Stretch

2007-12-30T21:19:00.001-08:00

Today was set to be Jamie's final (hooray!) IP chemo treatment (#6 of 6), ringing in the New Year finished, but she picked up a post-holiday bug of some sort on Friday, so this treatment will be slightly delayed until she's up for it. She's already on the mend and feeling a bit better today, which is great. This last treatment had been delayed a little already since it would've fallen on December 23/24.

All has been well since the last post with Jamie and John chugging along side-by-side at work, and doing their usual busy holiday activities. Aunt Jamie also started a great tradition this year of taking all her sisters and their daughters to The Nutcracker in Seattle, and it was an amazing and simply magical holiday evening. We loved it and are already looking forward to next year!

Here's to a wonderful, healthy, and adventure-filled 2008! It's already starting off perfectly with Jamie in remission, and with only one more treatment to wrap up. Here's to a Happy New Year in '08 that'll see Jamie & John ringing in 2009 in sunny Sydney, Australia!!

Evening News

2007-12-03T20:44:00.000-08:00

Ironically an early start yesterday to avoid an weather delays has transpired into the latest discharge time yet. We checked in just before 9 am. There was little snow on the ground north of Olympia and traffic was light, making for a speedy trip. After rejecting our first room due to a poor cleaning we moved down the hall only to find our selves in dimmer circumstances, as only one of the lights worked. Even though patient load was light, staffing was even lighter and the first bags from the pharmacy didn't get plugged in unitl after 3 PM. Chemo got going while Ken and Chris visited, as I snuck out to the School of Architecture Library to do a quick study on pressure treating glu-lams.

Still plagued by second day drop of my DSL connection at UWMC, I haven't worked up much of a post. I interogated Christine, today's chemo nurse for good gossip despite her own personal desire for Grey's Anatomy like drama to spice here work life up (or at least McDreamy like surgeons).

So Jamie made it through #5 OK, cheered on by visits from both our parents last night. Thanks for the Vietnamese dinner Mom C.

Tonight Jamie is bloated and seems a little rougher than ussual so I will round up some take out ASAP and start pushing the pills. Spirits are pretty good though as we can see the end coming.

The Wood clan is in quarantine, recovering from some sort of kid bug so we are without their company. We wish them a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing them soon in full form.

I hope all have survived the storm. My thanks to Jaon for checking on the basement. I worry little about the house, but feared that GB and BB would be using their litterbox as a life raft, drifiting around the basement.

Good night.

Tooting my own Horn (Again!)

2007-11-19T20:32:00.000-08:00

Most of you know I had a PET and CT Scan on the 8th. I've been waiting for the "official" results from Dr. Goff before I posted. We still have to talk about them, but Heidi her nurse, described them as "beautiful" with nothing on them. She wanted me to know first hand and to keep up the good work. They don't really have a baseline of my lymph glands, so they wanted to do a scan to see where they were at. I am still going forward as scheduled with all six IP chemo's, per Dr. Goff's recommendation. I guess according to Heidi, I am the first patient to go thru all six dose dense chemo's and all six IP chemo rounds. They are quite unsure what to make of me LOL. They wanted to make sure my bone marrow was keeping up with the IP and it all looks good. It's taking me about a week to feel good after IP, but all in all, it's worth it. Cancer has come a knocking and I'm kicking it to the curb for good.

4th Down

2007-11-12T16:38:00.000-08:00

We arrived yesterday without incident, Jamie swiftly admitted and assigned to Room 7348. I followed Jamie into the room, deposited our bags in the closet and set to find a sleeper chair. After pirating one from the adjacent room, I left Jamie to settle herself and went to the lobby to return a cell phone call.

When I came back, the room was vacant and Jamie was now next door with someone from facilities fidgeting with the TV control. Apparently our original room had an annoying mechanical rattle in the ceiling and she had requested a new room, only to find the TV was not tuning all available channels. This would have been a minor issue if it were not channel 41, agitated and unfashionable midget TV, that was not available.

Our diligent “engineer” as the nurse called him (I refrained from correcting her) spent the next hour re programming and swapping out those special TV / light / call controllers while trying not to get in the way of the nurses and the med student going through the pre treatment rigors. Finally Jennie our nurse took control and asked if we could just have a standard TV remote so we could key in number 41, the hot rod and tattoo channel, ourselves. He said he didn’t think he had one but would be back.

He was gone for some time and both Jennie and I began to speculate as to his whereabouts. I having been a maintenance person myself new the perils and demands of his profession and assumed that he had been called to one of those post executive meeting clean ups where he and his custodial equivalents eat leftover croissants and cookies, after being tipped off by some high powered executive assistant who will later ask for an “extra” bulletin board or other chore done off the record.

Alas I was wrong however, probably because it was Sunday and our engineer was obviously faking his cordial reply when I saw him across the cafeteria cashier line and he said “I will be back in a few minutes”.

But true to his word, he did return and after trying one more bedside controller, relinquished a standard TV remote. By this time Jamie was being accessed and although I assume that he is not squeamish, still he seemed glad to be moving on.

I had seen nurse Christie on the sidewalk last Thursday, from behind easily recognizable by her uniform bright red Dansko shoes and blue scrubs. She was actually off work and returning from class the school of nursing. She said that she was on duty for the coming Monday and we should expect at least a brief visit if she was not assigned to Jamie.

Monday has come and no Christie, but Jennie has proved herself to be equal in skill. A Yakima native drawn to Seattle by both work and the outdoor lifestyle, she seems pretty typical of the younger nurses here. As a surfer, bicyclist and hiker she exchanged tips on both Westside and eastside camping and I got good directions for a future ride to, and around Green Lake.

With the same nurse both days, we seem to be moving along at a good pace. It is 11:15 AM and Jamie has her abdomen accessed and has already started the pre hydration. The first IV chemo bag went well, although we were awakened every two hours as usual by the pump alarm as the bubbles started to accumulate.

I was certain that we would see, Dr. Goff but last night her peer Dr. Swenson made evening rounds, introducing himself as her co-worker who was working because Dr. Goff was not. Dr. Swenson has that sort of wiry gray hair and bald top, that gives him a sort of fuzzy winged look, thin rimmed glasses and designer jeans that only a teenage daughter or overly zealous wife with a Bon Marche charge card would purchase. As with all doctors, he had his own way of conducting business which was very thorough and warm. We asked him about Jamie’s recent PET and CT scans so he promptly pulled them up on the computer. After reading them top to bottom, with me looking over his shoulder he reported that there was nothing of significance from either of them. Good news, which I now hope we will have the opportunity to have Dr. Goff elaborate on during our next consult.

For some, today is a recognized work holiday and the UWMC is no exception. With this came a reprieve form the early morning residents call, as they had no surgeries they didn’t start rounding until 8AM. The team has rotated once again and this morning came with the attending, Dr. Swenson with them. Pretty straight forward and brief as I find myself becoming more distant from them with each rotation. I will forever seem Dr. Unger, Dr. Sementi and the rest of their group as our team and the rest the come and go as just acquaintances. Liz from the second rotation was always enjoyable, but she seems to have gone before we really got to know her.

I need to review my past blogs and make sure I mention everyone in them by name so I can use them to keep track of all those that come and go. It appears though that I will not be forgotten as I met a nurse in the stair last night who asked me if I was leaving and when I replied that I was going to the store for snacks she said “no shellfish or sushi”.

Our nighttime nursing assistant Roger was exceptionally talkative last night, giving us more personal information than before. He has been here since our original visit in May and works a steady night shift schedule such that he has always been here for the IP. He said that he actually prefers the night shift as he can come and go, doing his work with little interruption. My first recollections of him were of a midnight shadow, coming in quietly and leaving with barely a word spoken. But if initiated he can be quite conversive and I now know that he lives with his mother and has worked this shift for nearly five years.

We also saw Michael last night, and although he is not a chemo nurse he always makes time to visit us.

Now we are on the flipping phase and thus I had best keep my closing comments short. There was a bit of spousal tension this morning as we debated when to press the call button as the first bags emptied so as to ensure that Jennie did not have to re prime the line. When it came to the pre hydration I got clearance to close the clamp if Jennie did not return promptly. I never got the opportunity to prove my skill though, as Jennie returned with just a few mL left in the bag.

Since our last visit the meal system has changed, the hospital now using a call in room service available from 6:30 AM to 7:30 PM with a promised delivery time of 45 minutes. Both quality and service have been good up until this point, as an hour has passed and no lunch. Hopefully this delay will result in lunch arriving in the next 3-5 minutes, finding Jamie in the heads up position, the best way to start.

Great luck! I heard the cart in the hall at 1 pm sharp and Jamie is now enjoying her salad, saving the chicken & pasta entrée for the first side position. Coordinating both the meal and operating the bed, will take my full attention so I better put the laptop aside and focus on my jr. assistant nursing duties.

Thursday Quickie

2007-11-10T07:31:00.000-08:00

During her visit to the SCCA clinic last week for her regular blood draw, Jamie was told that Dr. Goff had requested a PET scan for her. As usual a hesitant scheduler at the UWMC nuke department was becalmed by Goff’s name and by the following Thursday we were back at the hospital, me learning my way around a new floor.

I will spare you guys some of the grotesquities, and preserve Jamie’s modesty, but basically they inject you with glucose with a radioactive isotope that the cancer cells are attracted to. They run you through some sort of scanner that I imagine to be like the wheel on Stargate and the cancer cells, if present, light up on the image.

As usual the staff in the nuclear medicine department were all most accommodating, but we will never forget Pam, the third nurse to try and be successful with Jamie’s IV who says “just like the cooking spray” and then giggles in that unique way of SE Asian women. After “non-stick” Pam, we had Rusty, 4th daughter of a Russell who had no hope of sons, and finished Jamie’s prep.

After Jamie retuned from her scans she was ravenous and so down to the basement for a quick bite before our 3 pm infusion appointment on 8 SE.

Again new territory for both of us, the 8 SE outpatient clinic is located directly above our home wing 7SE. Staffed by what can only be described as a silly group of women slightly older than the 7SE crowd, they made for a very light and comical atmosphere in what is otherwise a more open, sterile type IV-infusion room.

In an hour we were out of there, thanks to a diligent nurse whose name evades me, but I will remember her as “patient hog” as described by her co-workers. When we entered the clinic Jamie announced that she had a Power Port that was already accessed and this woman literally elbowed her way in.

Afterwards, traffic and our stomachs directed us eastbound 520 to the Wood’s where Joel
provided us with scrumptious Santorini gyros. Although frequently mis-pronounced by some, these are always a favorite of Jamie and mine.

After dinner we were entertained by what can only be described as Madeline’s performance and of course Erik’s new walking skills. Katrina also dazzled all with a fantastic 100% from scratch pumpkin pie.

So it was back to work for one more day before Saturday chores and then pack it all up again for IP chemo starting Sunday. More later.

Back in The Saddle

2007-10-29T20:38:00.000-07:00

Well, I have gone back to work. Only it's with John at Tectonix. His bookkeeper left, so I have officially taken over the duties. I've worked a couple of days before chemo and today after chemo and I'm getting the hang of it. I think it is a great stress reliever that I am there and he can keep a watch over me and me over him (hehehe) We'll see how we do in the long run. My Mom and Dad have been able to do it all these years, so far so good for us!

Happy Friday!

2007-10-26T15:42:00.000-07:00

Talked to Jamie this afternoon, and she's feeling a little better after IP treatment #3 than she did post treatment #2. She even went out to lunch with her parents today. And, she's got her niece Katelyn's birthday party this weekend, so thinks she'll even be up for a little partying by then. Yippee! Wheeee!!!

3 down (almost)

2007-10-22T14:06:00.000-07:00

Yesterday’s tenuous start, ended well with a pseudo surprise party prepared by my Mom, Sharon and Anne. Of course the men folk came too, like a horse follows the feed wagon. Wilson shocked everyone and flattered me, by calling out and bounding into my lap as he entered the room. He did as well as any toddler could be expected as I understand his desire to pull on Jamie’s tubes and press the IV pump button.

Last night’s entrée was Vietnamese sandwiches from the famed Seattle Deli, along egg rolls and spring rolls and other unidentified but tasty treats. For dessert we baited Jamie to the basement cafeteria with the most flamboyant and delicious cupcakes from Trophy in Wallingford. Of course there was a backup carrot cake as well, just to ensure that there was enough for the whole hospital.

There were leftover cupcakes as well, and after Jamie selected her favorites to be saved for later, I offered the balance to a couple sitting off in the corner of the dinning area. She was a striking woman with a heavy colonial Africa accent while he was a very dorky, white wall haircut, heavy cell phone user who I had earlier encountered in the family lounge with their stroller bound child. As I offered the cupcakes, he still jabbering on the phone, she took control of the box, slapping his hand and saying none for him. At first I thought her actions jovial, but her stare quickly confirmed her conviction. As I backed away saying “that is between you two”, she began to indulge herself in the first cupcake with a very eerie smile.

I donated the carrot cake to a group best described as a clan which has been encamped in the 7SE lobby since our arrival. Mothers, sons, husbands, grandmothers and infants all mingling about in a mass of toys, Doritos and cellular phones. The most junior of the tribe is confined to a baby walker and literally spends hours banging on some sort of flashing, Old MacDonald blaring toy, while the men antagonize the older children and the mothers holler at both of them. They are sort of a NASCAR sort of crowd, baseball caps, goatees and a few tattoos.

When I offered the cake to them, one of the men earnestly thanked me and vigorously shook my hand. The matriarch was equally grateful and informed me that I was only looking at a fraction of their group and that the entire portion would be rapidly dispersed and devoured.

When I was awoke at midnight by night shift nurse when she came in to do her start of shift stats and medication, I slipped grumpily out of the room to hydrate a cup-o-noodles I purchased earlier from the late night snack cart. When I passed through the lobby, the group was still there, a sea of white hospital linen lumps, sprawled out on all available chairs, couches and for the lower ranking members, the floor. A few of the men were conspicuous by their absence, but latter encountered in the stair, probably returning from their routine jaunts to the smoking area.

Although I have mocked both these groups, in writing and in spoken word, such comments are mostly in jest. Albeit outwardly annoying, I have spent enough time here at 7SE to know their purpose. Someone in their family is dying. You can readily tell the difference between the groups here to celebrate like our guests yesterday and those here to witness death. Those here to celebrate are upbeat, organized and come bearing balloons, gifts and favorite foods.

The death watch is a more ad hoc gathering, engaged in an instinctual self deprivation with no bearing in time or space. Change the costume, language and geography and this ritual would probably be the same in any part of the world. Death as one of the most basic components of the cycle of life draws people together in a primalistic way that transcends individual character.

I am eternally grateful to still be part of the healing group. During Dr. Goff’s early morning rounds we discussed several subjects including Jamie’s interest in a Stanford study on preventing re occurrence of ovarian cancer (see the link on Jamie’s prior post). Dr. Goff in her open minded way gave us good instruction on how to find out more about this study and others, but also cautioned us to make sure Jamie qualified as many require that you currently have cancer or your cancer is reoccurring. She was quite emphatic that Jamie is considered in remission based on her normal CA-125 levels and CAT scans results.

Dr. Goff also emphasized that Jamie’s current IP regiment is considered a “bonus” and that she has fulfilled the standard treatment protocol. Not meaning to diminish the value of the treatment, she just wanted to re assure Jamie that the six sessions were an ideal do objective and that if the side effects became unbearable, she could opt out without remorse. This is not a new subject for Jamie and me, but as usual she faces the challenge with strength and resolve to do them all.

Today is progressing well, as Christie has returned to be our chemo. Making up for lost time with her charm and professional efficiency, I now write as we are in the timed flipping phase, Jamie once again taken on a supertanker worth of fluid to her abdomen. As I tilt the bed first to the head down position, Jamie once again pushes herself further and tauntingly instructs me to keep going past her original limit of ten to the bed’s full limit of twelve degrees inclination.

Tonight’s after party is being catered by the Lucero’s at our favorite post chemo hangout, the Silver Cloud University District. As we continually push the hotel staff’s patience I only hope that the leftovers from Vince’s cooking will be enough to bribe them as our party size will nearly double and is now demanding use of the pool. Poor Madeline has been subjected to watching other children frolic in the pool from the confines of the adjacent dining area. Tonight we will go all out, justifying our behavior because we have stayed at the hotel many times, but never utilized the pool.

Post B Day

2007-10-21T12:06:00.000-07:00

Once again Katrina came through on the birthday plans for Jamie. As most of you know, she is the super duper best friend who has not missed a single year for longer than I have been around. Even when I tried to swoop Jamie out of the country, Katria hunted us down in the Irish countryside.

Last night after the girls returned from their massages, Joel and Katrina treated us to an excellent dinner at the Trellis in downtown Kirkland. The menu was excellent, Jamie had the salmon, while the rest of us went with varied selections of beef. Katrina selected what the waiter described as being the "butcher's cut", apparently significant because there is only one of these per cow. Joel and I speculated as to what exclusive anatomical component it might be, but no matter where our imaginations might lead us, in the end the bite I tried was delicious. Dessert was fabulous as well, each of us selecting our own platter of treats and then mixing and matching between the four.

Also thanks to Grammy and Ukki (that's Finnish for grandpa) for babysitting. Not that we mind the kids at dinner, it is just that Joel and I are enough for Jamie and Katrina to manage in such atmosphere. But we did our best, I always used my silverware, Joel didn’t lick his dessert plate and nobody drank straight from the bottle.

We came home to find Madeline running about unclothed but happy and so enjoyed second dessert of fruit tart with Doris and Vessa as well.

We slept well in the rec room and awoke to a quiet house. Joel, attempting to detain me, had locked the gate between the house and garage, forcing me to tiptoe around the yard, past his bedroom window and out the side yard. After several trips without any sign of his clan, I thought I was in the clear. Then I remembered leaving my cell and Jamie’s purse in the living room. I silently opened the door to the kitchen, and then winced when the floor squeaked when I stepped inside. I listened for a cry from Erik or rustlings from the kids’ room, but still silent, so I daintily crept across the linoleum into the front room. As I glanced about for our belongings, I switched on the floor lamp and was startled by the mechanical sound of some Halloween trinket growling. But still the Woods slept and I exited undetected.

We breakfasted at a nearby Starbucks and of coursed enjoyed an easy commute via 520 to the hospital. Jamie was a bit glum, anticipating the after effects of chemo, but she perked up when Dr. Allison said that her peer resident Dr. Liz was on duty in maternity and would try to drop by for a visit. Although doctors are not supposed to have favorites, as we all know, Jamie’s charms are difficult to resist.

So here we are; me in my sleeper chair and Jamie watching the TLC channel. Our nurse today is Katherine, obviously seasoned at her trade, but also disappointingly disparaging about travel to Australia. Apparently she feels that the culture there is chauvinistic, describing it as ”a man’s country”. So I ask what is the problem with that? They have giant cans of beer their don’t they?

Today we are visibly short of staff, so I will forgo the debate and be extra co-operative. I saw the poker faced but efficient Amy on duty, but none of the other regulars are here. Christie of course is most conspicuous by her absence, as apparently there is no one here who has experience with Jamie’s new fangled Power Port. Now before the nail biting begins, be assured that they have plenty of experience on models of similar function but different name, and all have just been trained on the specifics. So with a little guidance from Jamie and the training I received from Dr. Hickman himself, we have the situation under control. We rejected the first needle they brought in, as Jamie did not recognize the color. So after confirming the necessary specifications, we sent Katherine to procure the next size up.

Probably of little consequence, as the black 22 ga. needle will likely deliver the agonizingly (psychologically, not physically) slow 20 hour taxol drip, but why mess with success, we will wait for the yellow 20 ga. We literally have all day.

If there is one lesson I can share, it is that to make the best of any health care, the patient and their family must be control. I will never slight the competence or dedication of the staff here, but still you in the end are responsible for your own care. Last visit Jamie was given her first dexamethazone (a steroid used for nausea control) via IV instead of the pill form she had used before. The results were unpleasant and by voicing her opinion openly and repeatedly we can ensure that such discomforts won’t re occur. The staff are happy to oblige, and there is not a hint of resentment or consequence by mentioning it to every nurse, doctor and resident we encounter. I am certain that a satisfied patient and spouse are far easier to care for. Plus it gives you something to do besides watch 600 lb tattooed midgets give birth while remodeling their home on cable TV.

Happy Birthday to Jamie!

2007-10-20T09:13:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Jamie!! Wishing you a glorious day, and a year of adventure, much joy, lots of love and continually improving good health!

(A massage, and a great dinner at a fabulous new restaurant is in her very near future, so she's going to have a great start.)

Crazy Fun Adventures

2007-10-16T18:01:00.000-07:00

John and I have had a couple adventures in the last couple of days. We decided to go camping last weekend and travelled out to Westport Friday night. The weather turned out to be wonderful and the cranberry festival was going on. John went for a couple of really long bike rides and we quickly toured the cranberry festival. We had a peaceful, restful time.

Over the weekend, a tractor and trailer was stolen from the lumberyard in Olympia. John and I were on our way to dinner last night with Pete and Sharon, when John spotted a cargo trailer load of truck parts that looked suspiciously like the parts off the truck that was stolen. So, we began to follow the truck down I-5, while talking to the county sheriff. We followed the truck towards Bucoda, when the truck suddenly turned into a driveway. Being the cautious guy that John is, we turned around and waited for the cops. The whole time our adrenaline was going crazy. I keep telling John, get closer, don't lose them. He keeps saying we should turn around and stop following...it was exciting. The cops showed up rather quickly and checked out the load. The guy had some story about having the parts in storage...blah, blah. I still think they were the parts, but the cops took pictures and checked out his story. It still remains to be seen, but they could be the parts. It was some of the most excitement we've had in a long time...it was like being a detective. The best part was that Pete and Sharon were willing to wait for us to have dinner, even though we were over and hour late. Thanks guys.

Other good news, I got the results from my last blood draw and my CA-125 was back down to 12. I was rather surprised, because they had prepared me for it to go up (it did go up to 17 after the first IP round). IP is really rough, but I think it will be worth it in the long run. It takes about a week and a half to start to feel human again. I have a large stock of anti-nausea meds and I used them all this last time. I've been swimming again too, it's such a relaxing activity for me, as well as beneficial exercise.

For those of you who are interested, I saw this blip on King5 about a treatment for ovarian cancer survivors. I am going to ask Dr. Goff about it this weekend and am interested in becoming part of the study if she thinks it's a good idea. I'm young and willing to try anything!!

http://www.king5.com/sharedcontent/VideoPlayer/showVideo.php?vidId=182538

Just The Girls

2007-10-11T15:54:00.000-07:00

I finally found it! I love this photo. Just the girls hanging out on a day trip to Sedona, AZ in October 2004. The guys were hunting in Montana and Jamie & I were enjoying the 90+ degree weather for a week at her parents' place in Arizona. We explored, shopped, swam, got massages, etc.—girl stuff. Fitting that I found this today since Jamie was witness to my photo sorting when she made a pitstop here on her way home.

After her morning blood draw at the SCCA today, Jamie came by for lunch and a visit. Lunch, catching up, fun—as usual. She's doing well today, and (as always) looks great. Oh! Her eyebrows and lashes are already growing back, and a little peach-fuzz on top of her head too. It's very blond... maybe it'll be gloriously curly and blond. That would be cool. She's hoping for curls.

This time after IP chemo (#2) was harder than the first session. More aches, and the joint pain was back again which moving helps, but then she tires herself out with the remedy of walking. But, swimming has helped and she's gone in to work to keep busy too. John's (as usual) busy too, and they're finishing up the basement as well, and both looking forward to some R&R together this weekend. Hmm... that's all I know for an update, everything else is just two gals catching up on an ordinary day in October. Sedona, Seattle—besides the weather, it's all the same when you're hanging out with your best girlfriend...

Two-out-of-Six Down!

2007-10-02T16:32:00.000-07:00

Here's a down n' dirty update for the faithful readers... Yesterday, Jamie completed IP Chemo #2 (out of six total). She has IP every three weeks, so will finish up at the end of the year. So far, she's doing great with IP, although she says that it does take about 2 weeks to feel back to normal again after a treatment, then she has one good week before heading up to the UW again. IP #3 will be October 21st—the day after her 35th birthday.

We had dinner last night with Jamie and John at the Silver Cloud and Jamie was in good spirits. A little sleepy, and she reported feeling full (obviously a little uncomfortable, since she has 3 extra liters of fluid in her abdomen after treatment), but she did enjoy our Whole Foods picnic, and was her usual upbeat & positive self.

Other than that, she's been swimming, walking, and even working a little when she's not driving up to Seattle for physical therapy for lymph edema, or blood draws (that I hear are much more pleasant through her port than by the conventional needle-in-vein method they could do in Olympia). She even popped in for lunch at our house a couple weeks ago when she was up at the SCCA for PT on her first solo trip up without John!

**A note about Comments—all comments that you post are automatically sent via email to Jamie, no matter who posts an update on the blog (me, John or Jamie).

True Blue (Tarp, that is...)

2007-09-16T21:00:00.000-07:00

Another camping adventure—NW style—a little overcast, some rain, a nice blue tarp and a big, big fire. It's not supposed to be quite so wet in Sequim, but that's OK. On Saturday, we enjoyed some wine tasting at the Olympic Cellars Harvest Party and Grape Stomp, bought wine and had two great days of camping. A good late-summer adventure, and Jamie was doing great.

Belgian waffles for breakfast...

A proper fire—John's style. Shorty hangin' in the trailer. The best dog ever!

Third Time is a Charm

2007-09-12T20:00:00.001-07:00

So I guess the world is waiting to see how things turned out.

Shortly before noon, our day nurse began to set things up to access Jamie’s abdominal port and get things rolling. After three attempts, and with the help of our now favorite chemo nurse Christie, they got the needle set and flushed the port for the first time with a little saline. Over the next few hours Jamie took on three liters of fluid to her abdomen, along with plenty more via standard IV (chest port).

The whole shaking table was a cancer myth, but once the chemo portion of the infusion was done, Jamie spent the next two hours changing positions, head up / feet up / roll right / roll left, at 15 minute intervals.

While running an errand between turns, I had the opportunity to speak with nurse Michael. He seemed genuinely happy to see me and made absolutely no mention of the sushi-vomit episode. He accompanied me back to the room and he and Jamie caught up a bit, Michael sharing a few tidbits from his female companion’s cancer experience and how she made best use of being bald at Halloween.

Note; Michael actually uses the term “partner” to describe this woman, but I used the above phrase for the benefit of our more rural constituency who might interpret this to mean “gay” which Michael obviously is not.

Anyway, Michael is just one of the many genuinely caring people who have helped us at UWMC. I saw him again in the hall as I ferried our personal effects to the car and he was returning from the family lounge. Michael had washed one of his patient’s clothes because he was a transient with no family or friends to assist him. I am touched by how these people who are already doing a demanding and often unpleasant job, go even further to bring comfort to their patients.

We got things wrapped up a little after 4 pm, and stopped by to informally check out with Christie who was charge nurse for the day. Among other gossip we were sad to here that May is no longer at UWMC, as she moved to NY shortly after her wedding this summer. We wish her the best and can not thank her enough for her efforts. I just hope that she somehow gets word about Jamie’s recovery and knows what an important role she has played.

So from UWMC, it is just a couple of minutes to the Silver Cloud, our favorite cancer vacation hotel. I got Jamie settled in, truck unloaded and headed out for a quick ride on the Burke-Gilman trail towards Fremont. Although I did not encounter any nude cyclists, I did see many other intriguing things, a Vespa shop, the Hales brewery, and a score of other interesting business, construction sites and parks.

By the time I got back to the room, I had just a few minutes to relax before Joel, Katrina, Madeline and Erik arrived. The kids were fascinated by my bike, which was parked in the room and so soon Katrina was wiping chain oil off of Erik’s hands and face. For now he is harmless, but his obvious lust for the mechanical will make him a threat once he learns that you can tear anything down with an adjustable wrench and pliers.

We ordered pizza online from Zeeks and then Joel, Madeline and I set out to buy some beverages. Despite her generally adventuresome persona, Madeline has obviously been scarred by our past outings and whined for her mother for a good 15 minutes. Once she became confident that she would not be forced to operate heavy equipment or engage in some other frightening activity, she regained her confidence and soon was running up and down the aisles of QFC.

After dinner Katrina left us with some candy sushi and great cookies, so after I did some sampling we settled into bed for a restful night’s sleep without residents and nurses. We both slept well and come morning I was refreshed. I ate the free breakfast and then returned to the room with a waffle for Jamie. She ate it all, but was still sleepy, so I let her go back to bed for a bit. I went out on my bike again, exploring a bit more then stopped at the Metropolitan Market to fulfill Jamie’s request for fruit.

The ride home was uneventful, Jamie slept most of the way home and then unloaded and went straight to bed. Despite some prior discussion about a delay in symptoms because of the absorption rate of the IP chemo, she is on the same “schedule” as the previous regiment. Both the remainder of yesterday, through the night and today have been spent sleeping, with only short breaks to eat, take meds and have a little conversation with me.

Tomorrow I made her promise we would go to Starbucks and lunch, and hopefully we will turn the corner for the week. As much as I hate to see her suffer, I think we were encouraged by last weeks CT scan results and feel positive about pushing forward.

Shorty has been at my parents’ house since Saturday and apparently has made no indication of wanting to return home. I am sure he is enjoying company of Sammy and Stella as well as a few extra “cookies”.

Thanks to both Jen, Katelyn and the Healy’s for taking care of GB and BB. I also want to thank Joan specifically for helping with Jamie’s injection last night. Although capable, the task is still a great effort for me and so her professional touch is always appreciated by myself, but probably even more by my patient.

IP No. 1

2007-09-10T08:50:00.000-07:00

It is a little eerie or maybe just surreal checking into the hospital under these conditions. You go to admitting, sign a couple of pieces of paperwork and then under her own power Jamie takes the regular elevator to 7SE. When we get to the room she plops on the bed and idly chats with the nurse and med student as they get things rolling.

Being back here brings clarity to my memories of our first day here, Jamie in agony as they try to gingerly transport her on her bed from recovery. Residents and nurses were hustling around our room, trying to control her pain and keep her vitals under close watch. Jamie was unable to even adjust her position in bed.

As we sat and waited for the first chemo orders to go through yesterday, Jamie, stretched out on the bed asked me to look for something in the closet. Somehow the circumstances had temporarily debilitated her until I pointed out that she was not hooked to any machine and she was more than physically capable or reaching her goal. We both burst out laughing.

Like all intense experiences, the people and places become very attached to you and so coming back gives you that sort of reunion feeling. Our nurse for this first day was Christie, who gave us our pre surgery tour and was of course here during Jamie’s recovery. Christie represents what I like most about the nursing staff here; they are young, energetic and see very much like one of “us”. Christie is also a world traveler and outdoorswoman, so there is always subject for chat when she has time.

We are here for just one night and two days. Jamie is starting her second treatment phase which is “IP” chemo. This starts with a very slow 20 hour infusion of standard IV chemo via here chest port, followed by the literal flooding of her abdomen the next day through her stomach port. There are lots of little IV bags tossed in as well, hydration, anti nausea and other support drugs, so Jamie has become very adept at visiting the loo with her IV pole in tow.

This morning our nurse is Karla, a new face to us, but obviously a veteran here on 7SE. Dr. Goff has already been here as well both days, making sure things are going per plan.

I am back into my old habits already, bike riding the Burke-Gilman trail, visiting the cafeteria and hanging out in the family lounge on then 8th floor. Today I spoke in depth to a friend I made last May who is here from Alaska with her adult son. Unfortunately their 8 year battle is coming to a close as death, and finally relief from suffering, is certain for Tom any day now. I really enjoy this woman’s company as she is both wiling to talk about her cancer experience but somehow can intermingle details about life and family that shed a positive light. Her son’s struggle brings our current situation in perspective, and shows that you can cope with what looks from the outside to be the most dark and bleak circumstances.

During this morning’s visit we both discussed our new discovery of the midnight snack cart which roves from the ER and then through the various floors feeding staff and guests alike. I had seen a schedule posted in the cafeteria at lunch time, so around 10 pm last night I returned to the bulletin board to refresh my memory before tracking it down. I found my way to the 6th floor in the Pacific Tower, where another visitor and a nurse were patiently waiting. I watched them begin to salivate like hungry dogs as we heard the cart rattle against the elevator car on it’s way up.

The doors parted and we were in awe (you only understand this if you have spent a few restless nights here) of this massive conglomeration of semi fresh foods, drinks and desserts that rolled out. I waited patiently for the first two to make there selections when a frantic looking man appeared from one of the closed off wards. I knew we were in some sort of birthing or maternity ward from all the screaming and crying I heard. This man reached into the cooler and pulled out what I instantly recognized as a Vietnamese sandwich, but he was perplexed. As both the cart tender and I tried to explain what it was, and of course I was giving a hearty endorsement, he blurted out “I just had a baby and need a sandwich”. He then swapped it for a more conventional model and swiftly was on his way. I was eager to pick up his first option, and at a substantial discount from my earlier one at lunch, enjoyed my favorite late night snack. Dung would be so pleased as every night in Vietnam he would send me to bed with a sack of no less than four sandwiches, which apparently his own personal standard of consumption.

This morning is another beautiful fall day in September our room looks out towards the Mountlake cut and 520. Both the Cascades and Olympics are in clear view of here and it is readily apparent why so many people relocate to this area. Jamie is a bit grumpy this morning, as the nightly routine of continuous nurse traffic and IV alarms, which never coincide, leaves you with but a few winks at a time. Just when you finally become exhausted and the quiet of the end of the nurses shift seems to be allowing you a couple interrupted hours, the over eager residents pop in. I am sure they are just ambitious, trying to stay ahead of their mentor, but I was less than pleased by their appearance today.

July is when the rotation starts, so unlike our last group which were by May seasoned professionals, this shy group of school girls looked like they might scamper out like bunnies if you made too sudden of a movement. Yesterday I thought the med student (lowest in rank) who was interviewing Jamie was going to shatter into pieces like glass when the nurse asked her if she was the nutritionist. But they are all polite, appear intelligent and I am sure will flourish professionally, especially under the tutelage of such great persons as Dr. Goff.

So there is no rush today, just leisurely chemo and then a night at the Silver Cloud in the U district. Unsure about how long it would take, how Jamie would feel and what her level of hydration would be, we did not want to be committed to traveling home. Being released early would be of greater risk than being late, as I could imagine my own mental state as we negotiated rush hour traffic through Seattle and then Tacoma with Jamie bloated with an extra 4 liters of fluid in her.

Good Report

2007-09-05T20:40:00.000-07:00

Today marks another milestone in Jamie's recovery. After taking six aggressive rounds of chemotherapy, she had a CT scan today to see how her body was responding. According to Dr. Goff the results were reassuring with significant reduction in size for all lympths previously marked as abnormal and no sign of new masses or other unusual growth.

This gives us the all clear to move ahead with the IP chemo which starts this Sunday at the UWMC. This is an inpatient procedure, starting late AM Sunday through the afternoon the next day, so I imagine I will have time to both research and write again on the behind the scenes drama of 7 SE. After watching several episodes of Grey's anatomy during Jamie's recuperation, I now have a better idea of what to look out for.

Summer has flown by, consumed by work, trips to Seattle and as Jamie's strength returns more and more fun. Ironically traveling to Seattle for appointments is one of the least stressful things in our lives. We have mastered (or at least overcome) mass transit from Tacoma to Seattle, eaten many Vietnamese sandwiches, racked up scores of points at the Silver Cloud Hotel, tried and rejected the Marriott, done a little bicycle shopping, visited friends and received great care from all the staff at the SCCA.

Last weekend was our aniversery (#11) and many of you heard of our ambitious plans to hike to Lake of the Angels. Well despite our success at Dosewallips, Jamie did have a few side effects the following week, and thus we opted for a luxury weekend in our favorite urban getaway, Portland.

Jamie booked the Hilton in lieu of our standard favorite the Westin because it had a pool. When we arrived at the main complex in our 4x4 truck we were diverted into the Executive Tower where the garage did not have as severe height restriction. This worked out well because despite the claim that the Hotel was booked to the max, it was for the most part quiet and pleasant as it appeared that all the Prius drivers and noisy families were in the main hotel down the block.

For dinner we opted for something new as well, and I booked the Ringside, touted as Portland's best steak house. I was further encouraged by the fact that I had limited options when I called for a reservation, and thus we were set for a 5 pm dinner (after 11 years no sense in dragging it out, we could dine, drink and still be back for a reasonable bedtime).

As we drove up in the cab, all seemed well, good neighborhood, nice brick exterior. As we entered, the ambiance was perfect for a nice dinner and the captain seemed both genuine and professional. We were seated and soon introduced to our wait staff.

Our waitress was a stout sort of brusque woman with a butch haircut. She strongly recommended their onion rings for an appetizer, which she claimed they were famous for. I restrained myself from responding with "only if you also have mini corndogs and cheese whiz" and politely asked what brands of good bourbon did they have at the bar. She said “what do you call good bourbon" demonstrating either her ignorance or lack of interest. Knowing that I needed to take control or possibly face a glass Old Granddad, I asked for Nob Creek on the rocks.

We ordered an appetizer, not worth describing, and despite our waitress’s pushy approach ordered salad as well before committing to our main course. Recollecting our gluttony at El Goucho last year and the subsequent indigestion we did our ever more frequent 50/50 approach where I ordered a lobster and the asparagus while Jamie selected the fillet and potato, intent on sharing each equally. The lobster was adequate, but the steak was truck stop grade. We ate leisurely which must have really set our waitress off. Once we made the slightest gesture that we might be finished she quickly cleared the table and returned with a “complimentary” desert rivaled only by a sundae I once ate at the Harbor Landing as a child. No desert menu, no after dinner drink, coffee, nothing. Just finish you f%&#ing free ice cream and here is the check. She was however kind enough to ask the captain to call for a cab, which came so fast that I am convinced that they just keep one on standby to help keep their tables turning.

Portland however redeemed itself, for after a long day of bicycle accessory shopping (there is no sales tax you know) we stumbled onto the Windmere Brothers Brewery and dropped in. Despite being pretty busy I used our sob anniversary dinner story to gain the waiter’s sympathy (he said the service at the Ringside was terrible) and we had a good pub dinner with appetizers (and no we were not offered onion rings), a few pints for me (one was on the house) and a better desert for 1/3 the price of the prior night even with a huge tip. I ate the pork schnitzel (pretty fancy word for a breaded pork chop I found out) and a pasta side which I can only compare to that of my mother’s home made mac and cheese. Jamie had an excellent pulled pork sandwich and salad, not the big sloppy fair kind, but the soft Kaiser roll bun piled high tender pork with perfect BBQ sauce on top.

So I guess we are off the fancy food and back on the pub circuit.

Happy Trails

2007-08-27T00:43:00.000-07:00

Excellent hike along the Dosewallips River this past weekend with the Crases. Great weather, fabulous company and a beautiful setting. It was very relaxing with the sound of the river lulling us to sleep at night, and Jamie even slept in on Saturday morning until about 8:30. The only negative of the site was the mosquitos, but once John got a fire going the pesky bugs left us alone. Seems like this trail was a good practice run for Jamie and John's next hike. Here are some photos...

John & Jamie hit the trail!

Saturday Morning Campfire

Don't mess with Jamie and Erik!

Yeah, OK, so they look more feisty than menacing...

10's a Magic Number

2007-08-22T20:42:00.000-07:00

Well, I didn't break double digits, but my CA-125 is down to 10!! I was pretty elated and Heidi my nurse was very excited too. She said she didn't expect it to get that low.

For IP chemo the number will fluctuate as the proteins are moving around in my abdomen. So I'm supposed to expect that the levels will go up. I'm glad she told me, otherwise I might have been worried.

Physical therapy is going well and I got my first pair of compression stockings(the panty hose type) today. We're going hiking this weekend for an overnighter, so it should be interesting trying to put on the stockings in the tent. I'm sure you all get the picture. In my head I'm laughing hysterically.

Yippee Ki Yay!

2007-08-21T01:10:00.000-07:00

Hooray! As of Friday, August 17th, Jamie's all done with her first round of chemo!!

She gets a break until September 9th when IP chemo starts, and will post her latest (steadily dropping) CA-125 numbers when she gets them.

Yee Haw! "Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition."

Super Woman

2007-08-09T07:24:00.000-07:00

Okay, not to toot my own horn again, but I was told yesterday that I am super stud (my interpretation). I guess that I am somewhat of an anomaly at SCCA. Of those they have put on the protocol study, only two people have been able to make it through. Me being one!! Dr. Goff said I was doing remarkably well and feels like my IP chemo will also go well.

She warned me that it's 20 hours of Taxol followed by a couple of hours of Cisplatin (different from the carbo I am getting now) followed by shaking in the bed and rolling over and lots of bathroom breaks. All told I should be at UW for about 36 hours. She plans on giving me 4-6 courses of IP, which she is pretty confident I will be able to take all six, three weeks apart. She said she didn't want to kid me, it will be tough, but what she has seen me do this round, she's pretty sure I will make it.

Heidi, the nurse extraordinaire, also said I was a power woman and tooted my horn some more. She said I looked great, and had a great attitude. I hear it from all of you who comment, but it is nice to hear from someone totally objective too. All in all, yesterday was a pretty big ego boost for me. Even with the joint pain, I left Seattle feeling pretty elated and promptly came home and went for a swim!

New Numbers

2007-08-06T16:01:00.000-07:00

Not to overshadow the previous post, but the physical therapist today let me sneak a peek at my CA-125 number it was 16!!! (this is prior to chemo #5)

I met with the physical therapist for my lymphedema, which has retreated with the cooler weather and my swims at the pool. She was so excited that I was a swimmer and felt well enough to swim at the pool. I can honestly say, I notice marked results when I swim, so I will be keeping that up. She also taught John some massage type technique to help with scar tissue around all my incisions, especially the groin area where I had the most trauma. He could feel a difference in just a few minutes of manipulation. It will help to spread the fluid away from the scar tissue and distribute it throughout my body. Next session we will learn some massage techniques. I think we will continue to take our flexible appointments up at SCCA until we feel confident enough with the plan to move down here to another therapist.

Wednesday is a big day as well. We see Dr. Goff for the first time post surgery. I'm excited to hear what she has to say about my progress and pester her with questions about IP chemo as well. I start IP on the 9th of September at the UW. I really do not know what to expect of how it's going to effect me. It will just be nice to get a baseline of where she thinks I am. She is the boss!!

We are trying to plan some hikes after my last round of chemo. A short overnighter with the Wood clan and a longer hike into the Olympics, possibly with the Mills, or maybe alone if it doesn't work out. I think John is determined to make things normal. The Olympic hike would be over our 11th anniversary...what a way to celebrate!!

Less Than 21

2007-08-05T15:48:00.000-07:00

Had dinner and cake with Jamie and John Friday night after chemo #5, and Jamie's CA125 level was 21 before chemo #4. She's only got one more to go! Then IP chemo follows. The two weekends between this initial 6-session chemo round, and IP chemo she'll be hiking. As always, it was great to hang out with them! Jamie and I are betting that her CA125 level was around 9 before #5 on Friday, and will hopefully be something very near zero before #6.

Here's to Jamie's CA125 levels being in the normal range of 0-35...and continuing to plummet!

Campin' Out

2007-07-30T17:35:00.000-07:00

Just like any other summer...camping with Jamie and John is always a great time. Well, and we always love to see Shorty too! We've camped, travelled, hiked and co-habitated with them enough that we are a great team in any situation, but especially on the road. It was a pleasure to lunch with them at their trailer Saturday, have such efficient help with organizing and "tidying up" around camp, and cook breakfast under the trees with Jamie on Sunday morning. An enjoyable and relaxing weekend at Tolt MacDonald campground, and we look forward to hiking later in the season!

Little Tidbits

2007-07-26T07:18:00.000-07:00

So we are getting ready for a first of the season camping trip to celebrate Madeline Wood's second birthday. We are making it a longer weekend by camping Friday night as well as the planned Saturday night festivities.

I've been battling joint pain for the last couple of days. It's to be expected with the double dose of blood cell boosters I got this past chemo round. My friendly personal pharmacist counselled me as to what I could take and how much. After trying to control the pain on two advil every six hours and constant soaks in the tub...I knew there had to be another remedy. Take more advil and closer together. So far so good. I got a few hours of sleep last night without the aching. Hopefully tonight will be better. I'm hoping this is gone before camping, as the tub in the trailer is a wee bit small for soaking(not to mention the hot water doesn't last too long.)

I've ordered a swimsuit online in the hopes I might take up lap swimming again. My sister and Katelyn have been swimming every morning at the Valley Athletic club. Maybe I should join. Maybe just feeling of weightlessness will help with some of the issues. Funny thing is, walking when my joints ache actually helps too. You would think it would be the opposite.

I'm becoming a morning person I think. This morning as I was up at five, John and I decided to go out to breakfast. We ventured to Shari's. We were the youngest couple in the establishment. The waitress was friendly, the food was good, and she didn't mind me doing laps while I waited for breakfast to be served. There are some benefits to sleeplessness.

Test of Strength

2007-07-20T12:40:00.000-07:00

Back in Seattle. I decided to once again test the strength of our marriage and not heed Jamie’s warnings to make a reservation at the Silver Cloud well in advance. Who would of thought that I wouldn’t be able to simply call up the night before and get a room. It is only July, and I am trying to get a room at a value priced waterfront hotel with a pool in Downtown Seattle.

So the Marriot it was. No free breakfast, no free parking. I did get a SCCA rate though. I am getting good at prodding the reservation clerk for a better rate. And cancer has obviously given Jamie the same new perspective and patience it has given me. Only a very mild scolding followed by a brief critique and comparison to the Silver Cloud. Just enough to prompt me to get that reservation for our next visit set up today.

With Jamie’s strength growing every day, we find our trips to Seattle include a little more fun and leisure each time. Last night Katrina and Joel introduced us to the Kangaroo and Kiwi, a public house on Aurora. Great little joint with a barmaid imported from Down Under along with lots of AUS/NZ beers and menu. The girls had chips and Aussie pie, while Joel and I were a bit adventurous and let our hostess select. So it was pizza and wings for us.

Now those that know Jamie and I well, are probably looking quizzical right now, as they are aware of our shared distaste for chicken on the bone. But even a short trip to SE Asia will cure you of any apprehensions you may harbor about food texture. So with a pint or two down already, I had BBQ sauce on my chin and was happily sucking the meat and skin off the wings, mostly because I am almost certain that this is in fact chicken.

As the evening wore on, several other patrons began setting up for beer pong, a game where you try to toss a ping pong ball into an array of beer cups set up in front of your opponent. It is one of those drinking games where who is truly the loser and the winner is a subject of much debate, because if your opponent makes his target, you must drink. For me the only downside would be an adversary that was a poor shot and took several tries as they cycle through the same three balls each, giving them only a quick dip in a bin of water after they hit floor.

The crowd was very congenial (or perhaps ignored me) as my in questioning soon turned into satirical commentary as I asked “why don’t you they fill the cups up further” or “real men would use whiskey (which would be more sanitary as well)”.

We left shortly thereafter on our own accord and unharmed as well, both Joel and I thankful to have our wives as our designated drivers. After dinner I presented Joel with his M&M bar shirt, a gift from my mother. Knowing just his size and fashion taste, I am sure Joel will get good wear out of it. I have one as well, and thus we will have to be a bit careful. Despite our bond as hunting partners, dressing in unison is a little bit too much and outside the circle of those familiar with Butte may be misinterpreted.

It is now a bit passed noon and thus we are through more than half of today’s session. Jamie is watching “Dream Girls” on her portable DVD, thankfully with headphones on, while I catch up on this and other computer related chores. First set of lab reports for today’s blood draw have all come back good, with just a small drop (30% compared to 33%) red blood cell count, initiating a simple Darepoetin injection for a boost (like some pro athletes have been busted for according to nurse Dan). CA-125 values are plummeting as well, but in this case it is a good thing. Pre surgery levels exceeded 4,000, but after the July 6th labs we had 51. We are still waiting on this morning’s results, but seem to be getting much closer of the desired “norm” of 25.

Jamie looks as strong and beautiful as ever. During our consult yesterday, we got the go for increased activity such as yoga and swimming, with approval for some hiking if she feels up to it in the future. Carrying a pack is an issue because the shoulder straps can conflict with the catheter on the power port, but our Nurse Practitioner, Barb Silko, is an active woman herself and thus able to offer some practical advice on pack types as well.
This is great news for both of us, as we are eager to return to as much normalcy as possible and enjoy the rest of the summer. I even brought up the subject of bicycling, approved if Jamie feels able, and am certain I will enjoy my new bicycle even more if Jamie is riding alongside me.

Narrows Bridge Walk

2007-07-15T17:48:00.000-07:00

Today we braved the crowds and set forth and conquered the New Narrows Bridge. I had heard you could walk across the bridge today and decided it was one of my goals. John, Anne, Wilson and I waited for the shuttle at TCC and rode to the bridge. There were lots of people and a suspicious package when we arrived at the top of Jackson street where the bus dropped us off. We walked down the hill and were finally allowed to start the trek across the span. It was pretty neat. Some people know that my Great Grandfather was an electrician on Galloping Gertie and the Narrows bridge and was one of the first to walk across the top catwalk, so I felt it was something I wanted to be able to say I did...on the bridge deck of course.
The walk was great. I always seem to get a side ache on my left side when I walk and I developed one on the way to the Gig Harbor side, but it soon went away. The crowds were thick, so we weren't able to walk very fast, which was probably a good thing for me. We made it to the GH side and turned around to walk back. Just about to the end we ran into Becky, Dawson, Claudia and Claudia's husband and got to chat before we decided not to brave the shuttle line and walk all the way back to TCC by foot. John kept asking me if I could make it and I surprised myself by saying I could. I felt great! Just hungry. We picked up lunch at MSM deli, which was delicious, and ate back at Anne's house.

John also got his new Cannondale bicycle today. We had forgotten about Olde Towne Cycles in Olde Towne Tacoma. The guys there were very knowledgeable and fitted John with his new mountain bike. They are opening a new store in Olympia, so he will be able to take advantage of their service plan as well. He's like a kid in a candy store...so excited. The first thing he wanted to do was read his manual, so he will be ready to take it on the trails. Hopefully this will keep his mind off Diesel trucks for a while.

Getting Easier

2007-07-10T10:25:00.000-07:00

Well as far as chemo goes things do seem to be getting easier. I haven't had as much nausea this time, perhaps from the bright instruction from Dan to get the meds on board sooner rather than later when I'm starting to feel bad. Seemed to do the trick. Now if I could just get the achy joints to follow suit. Ibuprofen is allowed this time around and does seem to help. Tylenol Pm is still a go to for bedtime.

I met a gal in my neighborhood who's name is Laura and she is going thru breast cancer treatments as we speak. She is very nice and upbeat, amazing because she gets chemo every Wednesday, despite having two children ages 3 and 8months. She got diagnosed in December. She is a trooper that's for sure. Had a nice chat and hope to have more with her. Like me she is 34 years old as well. She taught me how to tye my new scarves..they have insect repellent built in...for me who gets buggy.

John and the boys put down a bunch of new sod in our yard. With this hot weather, we have to water, water, water like crazy, which means Shorty goes crazy too. He loves the sprinklers and has a great time chasing the streams of water whenever he can. He gets pretty worked up, so I have to get him back in the basement for rest periods.

I have been venturing out a little in the car too. I went to Starbucks this morning for a tasty treat. We even went to a restaurant last night for dinner...El Sarape..very good hit the spot. I've also been trying to do chores like laundry and dishes, so John doesn't have to worry about those as well as the other stuff he has going on in is head like trail bikes and diesel trucks.

Hope all is well with everyone reading! I thank you all for your posts and encouragement..it's the first thing I do when I wake up..check the blog!! Thanks again

Phenomenal Woman

2007-07-08T23:53:00.000-07:00

Sundays have usually been one of the roughest days for Jamie following chemo, but today she was feelin' groovy—as you can see. She and Erik enjoyed charming each other and hanging out in the sunshine when we visited this afternoon.

Chemo #3

2007-07-06T13:49:00.000-07:00

Chemo session #3 is almost over. With surgery weeks behind, the power port installed and a couple of trips under our belt, things seem to go pretty smoothly. Jamie was a bit nervous about her first conscious port access this AM (the access last time was done right after the install when she was still under anesthesia), but she had her lidocaine on 30 minutes prior and the needle went in with no pain. Our able technician Reggie had her vials filled and things rapped up in just minutes.

Nurse Dan has become an old friend, and we constantly find our “tool talk” interrupted by Jamie’s need for chemo. A both outgoing and attentive nurse, he is always trying to take over my duties. If he would just focus on giving drugs and taking vital signs, I can handle the hospitality service myself.

Jamie gets stronger and more independent by the day. This session she is getting up by herself and taking her IV pole with her to the restroom without my aid. She even sent me to Starbucks down on Eastlake this morning once her IV got underway.

At home, we are becoming more and more active, and I often come home at lunch to find her finishing up the dishes, laundry or the bills and ready for lunch and our walk. Our walking route is getting longer every time, as I am excited to explore the new trails in the neighborhood with her and Shorty. Hopefully she will be strong enough, and receive approval from Dr. Goff to do a short hike in August or September as long as she carries very little load.

Her weight was up a couple of pounds this week, showing that my diligence and our friends and family’s cooking is working. I have been forced to return to my Weight Watcher’s fundamentals and combined with some exercise should be able to reverse the effects of all the cookies and trips to Big Tom’s drive in.

This afternoon we are off to Kirkland, with a brief stop by a bicycle shop. Another testament to her strength, Jamie patiently sat at REI for over an hour while I test road a few mountain bikes. Hoping this will distract me from diesel pick ups for a while (which apparently all of my cool friends now have), she has been encouraging me to shop and agreed that such a purchase will improve both my physical and mental health.

We are also hoping to bring the rabbits home this week, bringing our daily life even closer to normal. Being home this summer has not been all bad though, we are enjoying our yard, picnic table and new BBQ. The grass in our expanded yard has grown in and gives Shorty extra room to play, if only he would learn to come back when called.

A Tidbit of An Update...

2007-07-03T12:32:00.000-07:00

Had a lovely gab session on the phone with Jamie today—quick update for the blogaddicts:

First, she sounds great and is feeling really, really good!
She drove herself in to work yesterday and enjoyed it.
She's loving the 5-minute showers and easy care of her new 'do.
They're spraying for ants again today (they've returned).
She's been enjoying walks all over the neighborhood with her sister.
And, she's pouring over her Australia travel books and scheming up some good adventures!
Oh, and Dr. Goff was quoted in the July issue of Oprah magazine (pg. 122) in a brief article about understanding the symptoms of ovarian cancer.

Baldy

2007-06-27T17:20:00.000-07:00

Well it's official. I am losing my hair in a huge way. John is taking me tonight to get it shaved. It hurts as it's falling out, so I think it will be for the best.

I think I am pretty much over the chemo downslide. I have been up since 12am this morning, despite having taken two sleeping pills, with one short hour long nap between 5am and 6am. I'm not sure how many times one person can watch Pride and Prejudice, but I think I may be setting a record. It's usually my go to movie to put me right to sleep, but for some reason, it's not working.

Anne visited yesterday, brought me so cute sun hats and lunch. We went for a healthy walk around the neighborhood, I can't believe how tired I get. It is nice to get out. John took me to the wetlands park in our neighborhood today, and we met a neighbor who is working on their old house, by way of Shorty running away. Kenny came over in the afternoon and I did one work thing. Best to ease into working again I guess.

Matthew, Lisa, Kelson, and Mackenzie Mills came over for an afternoon, early evening visit and made a delicious dinner. Homemade mash potatoes are the best at 3am!! It was great to see everyone and have a little visit. We even got to eat dessert on the new picnic table assembled by John and Pete on Sunday (the frame was courtesy of Joel and Katrina).

Post Chemo Update

2007-06-25T19:06:00.001-07:00

Just a quick update post chemo. Things are progressing as many said they would. I am losing my hair in smallish clumps, not really noticable, but none the less it is falling out. I am still a bit on the chemo downhill, with Sunday being my worst day so far. Pretty much had to lay around and moan for that one. Today has been slightly better, but the muscle aches I could do without.

Don and Judy Mills visited today and brought tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches for lunch. It was very nice to visit and kind of them to bring me provisions! They brought us tales of all the happenings on Vaughn bay. It was fun to catch up. Tomorrow we will meet with the younger Mills clan on their way back from the ocean. Can't wait.

Thanks to all who comment. I love reading and re-reading to lift my spirits. I love you all

Ported

2007-06-22T13:23:00.000-07:00

We seem to be settling into our routine. It is surprising how such adverse circumstances become normalized and you just sort of meld them into your life. We already are scheduling both our personal and professional lives using the term “chemo week” and “non chemo week”.

So here we are, it is chemo week and we left with our full outfit about noon yesterday for Seattle. First a blood draw at the lab on floor (1) and then up to the 3rd for our bi weekly consult. The nurse practitioner had a spill while jogging that AM, but our regular RN Heidi filled in.

I always enjoy our visits with Heidi, she has a warm, chatty personality that seems to make you comfortable while still making sure the appointment is productive and not over length. Estrogen was a major topic, both for Jamie’s health as well as my sanity. We will be making some adjustments, switching from the patch (which I call the “crazy patch”) to daily pill form. All of our other concerns were swiftly addressed as well, and we left with a cadre of instructions and a list of other medications to pick up the following day.

The Silver Cloud has become our hotel of choice, as they have properties close to both UWMC and the SCCA on Eastlake. We arrived a little after 3 pm, to find the lobby in a bit of chaos as the reception staff was trying to check in a herd of touristy looking types while coping with a cleaning staff that was behind schedule.

I waited in line patiently, and when I finally made my way to the front, I began to carefully relay my concerns about my reservation.

Three nights ago I had called the reservation hotline armed with my Silver Rewards Card to cash in my bonus points for a free room. Despite her cordial manners, the woman on the other end was unable to confirm that I had enough points. Disappointed, but tamed by my caner spouse experience, I figured I could reconcile this later and asked for a room at the SCCA or UWMC rate. She said this offer was “closed” and that I could not get a discounted booking. Undaunted, I accepted the standard rate and jotted down my confirmation number.

Well about half way through relaying this to the very patient counter staff at the Hotel in person, one of the previously mentioned tourist herd walked up and said “can I interrupt, I just have a quick question?”. Before I could even think, little alone say “f%$& you, how about I just kick you in the balls instead”. He began rambling on about since they were waiting would it be faster if unloaded his luggage onto a cart and brought his luggage into the lobby and then went up the elevator from the lobby, or should he just wait until the room was ready, gather a cart and use the elevator tower in the parking garage. Sensing my disgust (probably the death stare I was giving this guy) the counterwoman tried to be brief and said he could bring his stuff into the lobby if he wished, that two of his rooms just came available, to which he replied something like “that seems like a lot of bother I think I will just wait in the lobby for the rooms all to be ready”.

Now that I rightfully had this woman’s attention again, she confirmed that I only had 400 points showing in the computer and that neither of the discounted rates I requested were available. She did however offer me the corporate rate, which seemed satisfactory and began to assign me a standard king room. As she did so she said that it would not be, ready for an hour (due to the delays described above), which I responded to her with “when is check in?”. She confirmed what I already knew which was that check in was after 3 pm and it was nearly 3:45 now. Unwilling to wait the estimated hour, citing my wife’s need to lie down and rest, she offered me a double queen room (apparently an upgrade) at the same rate.

I accepted room 511 which had an excellent view of Lake Union. Our neighbors Joan and Leo had recently recounted their past stay at the same hotel for a previous 4th of July. Certainly with the view and the spaciousness of room, it would be an ideal spot to view Seattle’s firework display.

With dinner on our minds, I got our luggage in order and left Jamie to seek some take out. I drove around the end of the lake, spotting nothing of interest, so I turned around in the Kenmore air parking lot and headed back towards the SCCA. After wandering a couple of blocks I recalled an Irish pub I had seen on a past trip to the neighborhood, scrolled through the addresses stored on the truck’s navigation and found the entry that had originally guided me to that same block some weeks before.

I parked at the curb and walked into the pub, taking the first available stool at the bar. Thinking I was trying something new, I scanned the happy hour menu, only to find that it was in fact the original Paddy Coynes, the clone of which I had visited in Tacoma with my sister and Dave just a few months prior.

I placed my order, along with a pint to kill the time and started the typically chatter with the bartender. “Where are you from?” I asked. “Ireland” he replied. “No shit?” I said. I suppose he probably gets this a lot, but I expected a more specific answer, which I eventually got. “County Atrium, where they shoot and blow each other up”. That over with we discussed his most recent trip to Hawaii and his experience diving in the shark cage. Although extremely susceptible to sunburn (he described his head feeling like it was on fire most of the time despite spf 50 sunblock), this particular Irishman has a fascination with sharks and now plans to visit South Africa and / or Australia where he can repeat the experience with great whites.

We left the sharks to discuss his choice of Seattle which eventually lead to his complaints about house prices. I said he should come to Olympia and open a pub down there, where I promised to be his best customer. He said that it would take $300k to start such a venture, to which I responded with some brief math on mean house price in Seattle vs. Olympia, and how with the same $ he could probably afford both for the same net sum in Olympia. Either lost by or uninterested in my scheme, conversation turned to a recent “encounter” with a young woman from Olympia to which I inquired if she shaved her legs. Thinking that this would really narrow the field to just a handful of candidates, he replied with “yes, but not her moustache”.

I returned to the room with a loaf of soda bread, salad and a Shepard’s pie. Although the pub’s conversation was superb, the pie was not and was soon rejected by Jamie. So back on the road again to fulfill her request for much simpler fair, cheeseburger, onion rings and chocolate shake. I had spotted a typical drive-in along Eastlake during our hospital stay, but it was closed, probably for Memorial weekend. Well this time they were open, and I was not disappointed. Dinging interior with quirky cartoons on the wall, accommodating but stoned looking staff, and good greasy food.

Stomachs full, we lounged around watching HGTV and other reality TV shows. I went down to the workout room about 9 to try to burn off some of the grease. I returned to the room to find Jamie still watching shows about stupid people, so I took a shower and prepared for bed. Jamie was restless through the night despite trying a sleeping pill for the first time. Although assured that Friday’s port install would be a breeze, she was still anxious. I slept well slept for a few hours and arose early without an alarm to ensure timely arrival for our 7 am appointment at SCCA radiology.

Our guide for this leg of the journey was Pat, an excellent nurse who gave us a complete (and very accurate) run down of the morning’s procedures. When we mentioned being from Olympia and in the construction industry, she said that her brother was a contractor and of course I recognized him as a Tectonix customer. Although I did my best to like Pat, she was not as accommodating as the infusion staff. In her post Op instructions, she was quite clear that Jamie should not make any important decisions or sign any documents for the rest of the day, explicitly including new diesel pick ups.

After Pat’s review and a couple of attempts at installing IV’s we met the famous Dr. Hickman. He is the primary installer of ports her at the SCCA, so such devices are commonly known around here as a “Hickman”. He began repeating the basics of the port devices and their use with both of us, and then as they completed the IV, he went into greater depth of detail with me on its use and maintenance, ensuring that if the need came outside of the SCCA, I would be able to supervise its access and use. If we travel at all, we will also be issued a couple of spare needles as outlying hospitals may not have them in stock.

For those unfamiliar with this device, it is about the diameter of a quarter and 3/8” tall, with a long tail which is the catheter. It is installed on the chest below the collar bone, but above the breast tissue just beneath the surface. The catheter is routed up towards the next where it travels down the jugular and into the first heart chamber. They select this route because it exits into a high volume of blood ensuring almost instant dilution, thus minimizing the toxic effects of the chemo drugs. The device has a life span of several years and in Jamie’s case her model is compatible for use with any IV fluid including that used for CT scans.

The port access itself is compressed, self healing siliconized rubber. The access needle is a non coring type, with a slight hook to it. As Dr. Hickman demonstrated for me, you simply locate the port center beneath the skin with your fingers and push the needle through the skin into the port until you feel the needle hit the back side of the port. If needed, the area can be numbed a few minutes beforehand with topical anesthetic.

The installation procedure is fairly straightforward with Dr. Hickman selecting his route beforehand using an ultrasound (which he again demonstrated for me). It is all done under local anesthetic along with sedation, much like wisdom tooth removal. Jamie was in and out in under an hour.

After the procedure, Dr. Hickman guided me through the haul into one of the labs where he showed me her chest x-ray. You could clearly see the port outline in the picture as well as the catheter. He also pointed out an obvious gas bubble in intestine and suggested I burp her as soon as possible.

When I met up with her in recovery, Jamie was happily sipping on cans of juice and eating Lorna Dune cookies while chatting with Pat. A bit dizzy still, Pat supplied a wheel chair so we could return to the dressing room.

With an access needle still attached, the whole outfit quadruples in size, as the needle and short tube are covered by a large dressing with a clear window through it. It was obvious that the geometry was not favorable for wearing a bra, so Jamie decided to go Olympia Co-op style for the infusion appointment. This now obvious issue fully explains why I see so many women around here wearing low cut shirts. Who knew that cancer would be so sexy. I will be sure to get Jamie properly outfitted with an assortment of tube tops.

With my laptop and Jamie’s comfort basket already in hand, Pat graciously helped us up to the 5th floor for infusion. After a brief wait we were called to berth 12, not quite as private as room 23, but definitely larger and thus more comfortable.

As promised, Dan is our chemo nurse again, and even though we are on just our second visit, he and I got Jamie settled and things rolling like a well orchestrated ballet. While he handles the medical stuff, I went to the nutrition station and got lunch rolling, pillows out and slippers on her feet.

It’s about 1 o’clock and we are through with the primer drugs and into the Taxol. We have both lunched and Jamie is resting comfortably and looking a bit sleepy. Once all the set up is done, the actual infusion time is quite peaceful and relaxing, giving me time catch up on email, type this and let Jamie catch up on her fashion and decorating tips via the TLC and HGTV networks.

Once we wrap things up here, our routine is east on 520 to Kirkland, apparently one of the only uncongested routes out of the city on Friday afternoon, for relaxation and dinner with the Woods. Once our bellies are full and Jamie is rested we will hit the interstate late evening, hopefully with little or no traffic to slow us down.

I think I have failed to mention that my cookies did arrive from NJ more than a week ago. They scored as follows;

Presentation = 10

Form = 10

Taste = 10

Another fine job Ali, your skills have only improved with age. However there was no bill of lading in the box, how am I going to verify my shipment AJ?

Gearing Up

2007-06-19T19:24:00.000-07:00

I thought many of you would like an update. I am completely off all the pain meds except tylenol, which has actually made me feel much better. I still have muscle pain, but it is not unbearable. Hopefully this will make my second round of chemo a bit easier to stomach.

John and I will be travelling to SCCA on Thursday for a blood draw and a meeting with a nurse practitioner Barb Silko. We haven't met her yet, but do I have a million questions for her. I have an early appt on Friday for the installation of my port-o-cath, which will make getting chemo and blood draws much easier. It is a permanent line to my vein. It can stay in for many years. My arms are so bruised, it will be a welcome addition. Friday will as be chemo #2!!

John has been like a drill Sargent this week. He expects me to be up and ready for a walk by 11:15. We had to skip the walk today, due to the fact I can't roam far from a bathroom facility. I think the laxative is finally working, maybe a little too well. We sat out in the front yard and watched Shorty run around and scratch his back on the grass. We tried to get him to play fetch, but he was having no part of it. I think he is really missing going to work. Although on days like today, I think he had a good time roaming the yard.

Today we went to an afternoon Tea at our neighbor's house for Kate's graduation. What a wonderful party. It is very exciting to hear of Kate's upcoming trip to Prague and her future enrollment at WSU. I don't feel as if I am getting too old, but when we moved into our house, Kate was in elementary school. John and I had only been married for a couple of years. Hard to believe we will celebrate our 11th anniversary later this summer.

My friend and hairstylist Wendy stopped by yesterday to drop off some frozen meals. Thank you I think I will be eating one tonight. She just had a surgery on Thursday and I'm glad to say everything went A-Okay!! She's one tough cookie!! Thanks for the visit.

This weekend we went to an awesome party thrown by John's parents. Joel and Katrina and the kids also attended after spending Friday evening at our house. As per the usual, there was amazing food, friends and family in attendance. It was a long day for me, but it was good to get out. As John says, "you can't be recluse. You have to get out". He's good about getting me rolling, even when I don't want to roll. I'm looking forward to some more summertime get-to-gethers. I'm sad to say tho, July 3rd won't be one of them. I guess there will not be fireworks at the lake. I'm kinda bummed, but understand that the family who puts on the show, doesn't want to fork out the 25-30 thousand it costs each year. Maybe we will still have to have a party anyway.

I'll let you know how things go on Friday!!

Brief Update From The Trenches

2007-06-14T00:12:00.000-07:00

Jamie's fabulous doctor, Dr. Barbara Goff (photo at left), was featured in the NY Times yesterday (tip from Ali). I thought it was fun to put a face to the name, especially since John describes Goff as a "fiesty red-head"... I love Dr. Goff.

Jamie had tomato soup for lunch today (and a very good time) when she went out with her dad. And her brilliant dad also recently hired a part time gal to help with Jamie's job. This is easing Jamie's mind and lowering Kenny's stress level (he was covering for Jame).

She's also been keeping busy by weaning herself off the really good pain meds (Oxycodone - usually kept under lock and key at the hospital). But, just saying no is allowing her longer stretches of sleep (although maybe fewer technicolor-crazy dreams).

John's Aunt LeaAnne also brightened Jamie's day, and gave her some very good advice and insight today when she visited. LeaAnne just clobbered Inflammatory Breast Cancer herself, and was also on an aggressive 15-day chemo schedule.

Getting Through

2007-06-11T18:11:00.000-07:00

Well, sorry I haven't posted for a bit. John was very busy this weekend trying to keep me sane. Chemo is tough. I think I am finally over the rough patch. I have my moments however. To all the people out there who have survived cancer and chemo, I commend you. I have to keep reminding myself that the nausea will only last a few days. And soon enough I won't need to have chemo, because I will have no cancer left.

I have to give a huge thank you to my neighbor Joan, who graciously agreed to give me my shot on Saturday (and she didn't even mention how bad I smelled!) I was dreading it, but it really wasn't bad. I also realized that it cost $2740.20! At least that is what the prescription tag said. I can't even imagine what this whole ordeal would be like if I didn't have great medical insurance.

John has been trying to get a wireless printer network set up at the house. I think the printer we have is not compatible with the router. I think he is trying to get things ready so I can work a little bit from home. He literally spent most of the weekend working on it, except for the times the timer was going off reminding him to dose out one of the many medications I take. It's weird to go from taking one multi-vitamin a day to an around the clock drug regimen. I'm pretty sane, but it is difficult for me to even keep track. John is my rock, keeping me on track and listening to me babble when I am going a little crazy. I have to give the biggest I Love You and Thank You to Him.

I also have to thank the elder Crase's for the portable DVD player. As I can't lay on my side yet, it has come in handy in the bed. It is just the right size and I can enjoy a episode of Sex and the city before I drift off to sleep. I also have to thank Pete and Sharon for the tiny pillow cases for my new wool travel pillow and the drawers for the bathroom. I also have to thank my Mom for finding me some more nightgowns. Thanks Beth for stopping by at lunch to watch me eat some of your wonderful corn chowder and bring me girl movies (as my brother calls them.) I know it's a huge load off John to be able to lean on you all. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

As for the new do...it has come in handy. Thank you Wendy for giving me such a stylish new do. It is so much easier to take care of and if I don't want to I don't even have to blow it dry. Today John insisted that I take a shower (personal hygiene was not high on my list Sat or Sun, sorry to those who stopped by and had to smell me) today and it was great. I did style my hair just a bit, but promptly fell asleep and have bed head.

Thanks again to everyone who comments. I don't always get to look at them in a timely manner, but I enjoy going back and reading all your kind words. I am looking forward to getting some advice from John's Aunt LeaAnne who just clobbered breast cancer herself. She will be here shortly and plan to get all her coping strategies for chemo.

A Formidable Force

2007-06-09T23:43:00.000-07:00

Friday evening we were treated to Jamie's smiling face, and John's hilarious stories at our dinner table when the Crases made a traffic-break pitstop in Kirkland as they headed back home after the first chemo session. I just have to say that seeing them Friday reminded me again of what a formidable force they are—strong and prepared, with their senses of humor firmly in place.

Jamie looked amazing, even though she claimed to have "bed head" from laying down during treatment. It was wonderful to see her laughing, walking around, and in "civilian" clothes again. And, it was fun to see John's "Jamie comfort amenities" packed in the truck—he takes such wonderful care of her.

Just a quick first-hand account to tide over all the blog-hungry addicts out there (I count myself among you)... until the next missive from one or both of our Dynamic Duo!

First Chemo

2007-06-08T15:39:00.001-07:00

I got us packed and on the road by 8:45 this morning. We felt pretty rested now that we are sleeping four hours straight at a time.

It was an easy trip north this morning. Although I assured Jamie that I could navigate by memory at least as far as Seattle, she turned the navigation on as we pulled out of the driveway. It must give her that piece of mind that someone will be chirping at me giving directions even if she nods off for a quick nap.

We arrived at the SCCA with time and spare and got parked. After a brief misdirect to the third floor, we found our way to infusion on the 5th. Once Jamie let the receptionist know this was our first appointment, she happily gave us lots of instruction on where and what to do. She also apologized for things being a bit busy, but hoped we would not be too delayed.

Well they must consider 5 minutes to be a delay here, because we barley sat down and she was calling our name, and pointed us down the hall to room 23.

Jamie and I really did not know what to expect or what the process would be like. Our only frame of reference is that one “Sex in the City” episode where all the girls went with Samantha to one of her chemo sessions. My recollection of that scene is that the patient sat in one of those recliner chairs in an open clinic type setting, with the guests on folding chairs forming a semi circle while they all simulated oral sex on popsicles.

We found room 23 to be a fully enclosed mini hospital room with bed, guest recliner chair and all the other standard hospital accoutrements. Today’s nurse, Daniel, entered eagerly introducing himself and asking us what we knew or wanted to know about today’s agenda. Although I had received and read a fair amount of information on the drugs to be given while we were at the hospital, Jamie was a bit foggy at the time and thus needed a refresher. Daniel was happy to share, giving her a complete run down on the day’s medications, including handouts.

Daniel, a former 7 SE nurse himself, knew many of our caretakers from just weeks ago. This also explains why he was sure to share the Infusion nourishment center policies to me, which to my surprise were described as “liberal” and “open”. He actually encouraged me to visit and feel comfortable looking around and exploring.

Forced to contain myself long enough to help Jamie eat her lunch and get settled with her first IV’s, it felt like Christmas morning when I finally got the opportunity to go down the hall. Out in the open, unencumbered by walls or doors, is a small kitchenette, complete with microwave, refrigerator and cupboards full of tasty snacks and beverages. I returned to #23 to share my news, but found Jamie groggy from her Benadryl and frankly a bit disinterested.

As of 2:15 we are through the preliminary stuff; Zantax, Benadryl and a steroid and now into the first of two chemo drugs; Paclitaxel (Taxol). They started her off at a slow rate, but as there was no adverse reaction in the first hour, she is now sucking it up at full pace. Once we get through then it is on to the Carboplatin (Paraplatin).

Daniel his very outgoing and we soon found that we all had lots in common; guns, dogs, trucks and power tools. Daniel grew up in Sunnyslope, which many know is just a few minutes from where Jamie and I grew up. His family had horses and mules as well as a few head of cattle. Much of his outdoors time was spent in the Olympics, a favorite spot of ours.

During Daniel’s discourse on the medications he was dispensing, he was sure to emphasis those which would impair Jamie’s reasoning skills and thus presented the best opportunity to get approval for a new power tool purchase.

At first we discussed the 24 volt lithium batteried Milwaukee cordless tool set. “Oooh the one at Costco”, he replied. He said that he had the Craftsman 19.6v set and was quite please with the power and felt that the cordless feature greatly improved his efficiency on home projects. I concurred and mentioned my most popular and obvious argument which is safety. With corded tools there is always the chance that you could get tangled up in the cord, wrapping it around your legs and tripping yourself. Or even worse, getting a loop around your neck, slowly strangling yourself. Being a health care professional, he certainly seemed to want to endorse the safety argument, but was frank and said that it was not obvious to him how the strangulation scenario would actually be initiated.

But quick to recognize an opportunity, I am holding out for a GMC Durmax diesel, a comment which of course turned our conversation on trucks. He conferred that the Nissan Titan was a good ½ ton truck, which at the time we both purchased, was definitely superior to the F150, GM 1500 series and of course the Toyota Tundra in terms of power, comfort and available options for the $. His only complaint was fuel mileage, but there is always a price for being cool, and frankly I know that our12 mpg pisses Al Gore off. I wonder if Al drives a Prius around to all these movie promos?

Now more than an hour into the Paclitaxel, and a few trips to the bathroom Jamie is doing ok. I have heard a few complaints about bloating and a little sweating, but it feels hot in here to me as too. Our little room is a bit of a green house, with glass partitions on two sides. From where I sit this affords me a good view of the main hall as well as the nurses’ station. The nurses keep pulling the curtains closed to supposedly to maintain Jamie’s modesty, but I know it to keep me from spying on them.
One other item I need to share before Jamie sends me out on an errand is that all the room and station sinks are foot pedal operated. I told Jamie that I would like to add this feature to our home and she replied “sounds like something Martin would do”. What the hell does that mean? Sorry Martin, but I am not sure that was a complement.

On the Road Again

2007-06-06T22:07:00.000-07:00

After only one night home together, it seemed too soon to load up and go back to Seattle, but apparently cancer waits for no one. Jamie took her first shower at home this AM using a shower bench I bought for the tub upstairs. I am sure glad we got that finished up this year. I couldn’t imagine her trying to use that dark and dirty unfinished bathroom downstairs we loving refer to as the “construction bathroom”.

As for the shower bench, it wasn’t cheap, so I am going to try to sell time shares. All you guys over 50 should really think hard about it. For $10 buy in plus annual maintenance fees, you could get full benefit of this high quality appliance, at a fraction of the total purchase price.

So, back to today’s voyage;

Being the sort of organizational nut that I am, I insist on traveling fully equipped to make Jamie comfortable under any circumstances that may arise; including spur of the moment overnight stays. Thus I have laid out a comprehensive strategic plan that includes,

Overnight bag; with spare clothes, medication bag and toiletries

Entertainment back pack; with DVD’s, laptop, I pod, headphones, magazines, crossword puzzle book, paperback novel

Comfort basket; blanket, pillows and neck pillow

File box; includes medical records, hotel maps and other misc paperwork

Zippered pad folio / binder; with business card organizer, notepad, pen and current med list and other paperwork

Snack cooler; Food and beverages to ensure hydration and a full stomach for meds

So I load all this up, not forgetting the most important item, Jamie. With plenty of time to spare and the clinic address pre programmed into the navigation (we have only been there from the north side via UW), we set off. Jamie was a trooper, I did my best to give her a smooth ride, but with every bump in the road I could see her grimace and clutch her stomach.

We made it to the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) in a timely fashion and proceeded directly to radiology on the second floor. Thinking that we were early, I left Jamie in the waiting area and stepped around the corner to make a couple of calls. Still a few minutes before her schedule appointment, I returned and found her gone. A bit frantic I went to the receptionist and asked her if I could join my wife in the back. She phoned to whatever room Jamie was, but was told that it was too crowded. I took a seat right next to the door, and attempted to calm myself by reading a USA Today I found on a coffee table (apparently both the housing market and the pornographic DVD markets are both a bit slow, stocks are on the upswing though). After half an hour I am just about over the edge and a technician walks out the door. He strolls right pass me and when he is about 2/3 of the way to then opposite end of the waiting room, I think I hear him call “Crase”. I don’t know why I hesitated, but it took a minute before I replied “right here”.

He escorted me to an interior room where I found Jamie comfortable reclining in the medical equivalent of a lazy boy, covered in warmed blankets. Apparently the nursing staff had taken pity on her and allowed her to stay in the back room, instead of sending her out to the lobby to “enjoy” her berry / barium smoothie.

I was offered a folding chair alongside, where for the next hour I got a first hand look at the efficiency and professionalism this place has to offer. I won’t beat up our local outfit too much, but compared to our first experience her in Olympia, this was the difference between first class and Greyhound. Jamie got her Barium down, IV in and then she was whisked off very briefly for the CT scan. Although she had to remove anything metal, unlike Olympia where she was forced to disrobe and wear one of those revealing hospital gowns, she could wear her normal clothes in. After the scan they pulled the blood directly from the IV, thus minimizing needle pricks. A few minutes of observation and we were off to have a sandwich in the cafeteria.

After lunch we met with Heidi form Goff’s office, where she gave us a good briefing on the next week’s chemo and gave us a calendar for future visits over the next few months.

Although this week has been a bit hectic, it looks like for the rest of the summer we will be spending every other Thursday afternoon and Friday at the SCCA. So hopefully we can have some fun and try a few swank downtown Seattle hotels while we are at it. Any recommendations?

Dinner tonight was ala Martinez, keeping us right on track with the feeding / med schedule when we got home. It was nice to come home to a little fresh food in the fridge and not have to shop right away. Thanks Sharon and Pete. Jamie is enjoying the candy as well, although I have to abstain, apparently all those cookies have caught up with me for my pants are a bit tight.

As Jamie said in her post, our sleep schedule has been a bit screwy making sure that Jamie gets medication every 3 hours on a full stomach. And being the sort of worry wart she is, she sleeps for about 90 minutes before she starts asking me “what time is it?”. Then for the next hour and a half, she flops around, anxious that she will over sleep and let the pain get ahead of her.

So for tonight I have applied my managerial skills and invested in a digital timer. Hopefully this will give Jamie the piece of mind to sleep a little more soundly, knowing that she won’t sleep too long and I won’t be so grumpy.

We are glad to be back home and be with Shorty again. However he has not taken the presence of his stuffed imposter well, and I am told when he first entered the house and saw it on the back of the couch above Jamie, he went crazy, trying to climb over her and attack it. Just a warning Get Well Bear, you better steer clear as well.

There's No Place Like Home

2007-06-06T08:43:00.000-07:00

My first official night at home was amazing. I didn't have to wake up to "let's check your vitals" or "time for meds." Unfortunately, my internal clock is still waking me up every three hours or so to take medication. I feel bad for John because I'm sure he was expecting to sleep a little longer than three hours at a time. Hopefully soon I won't need the pain meds and I too can sleep longer.

Today we head back up to the SCCA for a CT Scan. I thought it was going to be scheduled for Thursday, but I guess there is some red tape telling us my scan has to be transmitted to the East Coast by Thursday at noon for the study. John is a little bit worried that we might be pushing to hard with the study and not thinking enough about my well being. Dr. Goff has all the confidence that I will be okay, so I have to trust her.

I start chemo on Friday. Today I will find out all the particulars as to what this all entails. I guess for the first round, I will not have a port-a-cath put in. I sure hope they will be able to find a vein that will work for the chemo. Most of them are pretty used up, so it may be the most challenging aspect of this journey. I'm going to find out why I can't have one yet.

Our kitchen table looks like a pharmacy. For a person who went into this just taking a multi-vitamin, it's a bit crazy to see all the meds. My mom lovingly labelled all the bottles so I would know what the pills were. The pharmacy just labelled the containers with "as needed". I asked as needed for what? Soon I'm sure the names will be ingrained in my brain, but for now, my brain is still a little hazy.

I will try to post a little more often, as it is easier to type at the kitchen table than my hospital bed. I would like to thank all of you who have sent cookies, love, support and the much needed encouragement. I'm excited to start chemo and have this yucky bug out of my system.

Homeward Bound

2007-06-04T22:51:00.000-07:00

Well it happned tonight about 7 pm so now Jamie gets to go home in the morning.

I just want to say thanks to all the great people at UWMC 7 SE who have been our caretakers and our friends thorugh this first battle in our war against Jamie's cancer. Even more than your profesional care, your personal time to talk, listen to us ramble about Shorty or tell us about your lives really helped. Jamie and I have been together a long time and thus in such circumstances it was difficult to talk( or think) about anything but her cancer, thanks for helping us see a little sunshine through these dark times.

I also want to send my love and support to all those other pateints and their family and friends who I met in the hall, elevator or family lounge. I may not know all your names and our conversations may have been breif, but I want to thank you for giving me that nod or comment that let me know you understand. Many of you have also made Jamie and I feel fortunate as we have seen others in even more dire circumstances than ours, and taught us that no matter what happens, stick togehter and don't give up. Thank you.

And to all our friends and family, thank you for keeping us in touch with the oustide world by reading and commenting on our blog, sending treats, gifts, visiting or just thinking positive thoughts.

Good night.

Getting To Know You...

2007-06-04T18:06:00.000-07:00

Or, rather, how you know Jamie... Several people have asked me about the connections of people commenting here on Jamie's blog, so here's a fun post if you'd like to share how you know Jamie (and John) and perhaps your favorite thing or memory about her (or them). Comments get emailed directly to Jamie, so send her some love. I know, I know, it's hard to pick just one great memory/story!

Here's a photo from one of mine—this is the Guinness Brewery in Dublin, 2003. Jamie and I've been best buds since 4th grade. We were each other's "Best Woman" in our weddings. She's like my sister. She's also been friends with my husband Joel for quite a long time. Then John came on the scene in college, and we have one of those great relationships where all four of us are friends. I could blather on and on about why I love them, but it all boils down to the simple fact that we consider them our family. And, the bonus is that by claiming the Crase/McLaughlin clan as our own, we get so many more great people in our lives too...not to mention some excellent family recipes!

All quiet on the SE front

2007-06-03T22:53:00.000-07:00

Dr. Goff returned this afternoon from her trip to Boston. Although Dr. Tamimi had covered her official duties this morning, she came by just to check in and get a jump on her work for the week. I certainly admire her dedication to both her profession and her patients.

Once again May was our day nurse, which always raises Jamie’s spirits. May has to be one of the most efficient people I have ever met. I don’t know how she cares for (3) patients, yet always attends to Jamie in an unhurried style, with plenty of time for general conversation.

Becky Maffei paid us a visit today, barely out of here herself after having two knee surgeries. She recovered just two weeks ago one floor below where we are now. Becky replenished my cookie supply ensuring that I continue to receive proper nutrition while also having treats to reward our fabulous nursing staff. She also replenished our library and I am grateful for I just finished the book I brought, only to discover that some of our outside guests have been tearing pages out of our magazines.

I had to go do a little shopping and get some Starbucks, so I missed most of Becky’s visit. This is most disappointing as I had hoped we might compare notes on the 6 NE nourishment room and that of our own wings.

We also got a package from Boston today, thanks Lita for the tasty walnut dream bars—they traveled very well and are an excellent complement to my cookie ensemble. I haven’t seen any sugar cookies from New Jersey though. Going to let your sister-in-law show you up?

Reconciled that our departure may still be a couple of days away, I figured I have gotten all the mileage I could out of the two pairs of shorts I had (we are talking outerwear, maybe later I will go into detail about my super-duty travel boxer shorts) and decided that it was time to do laundry again. Luckily the family lounge has a washer and dryer, a stacked unit that reminds me of that in our first apartment, both in appearance and performance. I waited until well into the evening to start, just to avoid disrupting the other guests, but found the lounge occupied when I arrived. Despite several attempts, I was unable to get my load balanced. Re-counting every item, right down to my socks, I tried to apply my engineering skill and place my garments in perfect symmetry, two shorts, four t-shirts, six socks and two pair underwear. Each time the machine came up to speed it started rocking and howling as if it were going to hop across the room and jump out the window.

Whether it was my self consciousness or actually the noise itself, I found the ruckus intolerable. I apologized to the other guests and promptly left hoping they will allow it to run full cycle and won’t leave me with soap in my undergarments.

Although now Okayed to wear civilian clothes, Jamie has developed a preference for her hospital garb, enjoying both their freedom and economy. I have considered making a similar switch; however I am concerned that the staff may not be so accepting and could use it as rationale to revoke my linen room privileges, placing further restriction on my movements.

Jamie has been healing well and is in excellent spirits. With her increased mobility and independence our lifestyle has transformed from one of intense medical care to more like a stay in a Finnish youth hostel or rural Vietnamese motel, the major differences being most of the TV is in English and nobody rides their motorbikes down the hall.

We have both hit the wall with the institutional food, just high grading Jamie’s meal trays and relying more on outside sources. Our family (which includes the Martinez faction) has supplied us with a steady supply of rations, which I supplement with goods from the local QFC. Several times a day I go to the family lounge to change the cold packs in my cooler and rotate the stock with that in the refrigerator. I have commandeered an entire drawer for our cache, keeping things well marked with our name, room number and date in accord with the posted regulations. Several outsiders have asked me if I fear food piracy, but it seems that people here to support family members battling something as serious as cancer are unlikely to engage in such behavior purposefully.

Tres tortillas por favor

2007-06-02T23:41:00.000-07:00

Today we waited, walked, waited, walked some more and waited for the big event that will buy us our freedom, Jamie’s first post op BM.

So today was quiet and restful with Leanne and Krystal from Tectonix coming for a visit and bringing us a feast from the Claim Jumper. Anyone who has been to this restaurant knows the magnitude of the portions, and can visualize how I was able to both gorge myself and still feed the rest of our wing.

Ken Sr. also paid us a visit today, delivering several short sleeve shirts. Although hopeful we will depart shortly, this summer weather has caught me a bit off guard. Ken also swapped cars with me, thinking that Jamie may have an easier time getting into Chris’ sedan as opposed to our 4x4 truck when our release finally comes. Thanks for helping coordinate this Jen, I was feeling self concious about my limited wardrobe.

Food is the ultimate ice breaker and I have learned from my Mom and Sharon to be an effective food pusher. Whenever I am in the Cancer Library, heating up a snack or organizing my inventory in the communal fridge, I offer up some sort of tid-bit to whoever is about.

In the elevator today I met our neighbor Debbie who has been here with her husband for over two weeks. Debbie was a willing recipient of some of our food and I was able to introduce her to Jamie while on our evening walk. Debbie and her husband are from Brewster (north of Wenatchee) and have been here for over two weeks as he fights advanced colon cancer. Tonight is their wedding anniversary. Before our cancer experience I would have thought, “oh what a terrible place to pass such an event” but now I see that under these conditions pomp and circumstance have little appeal, as you are just grateful for another day and the opportunity to be together.

Hopefully Debbie and I will cross paths again tomorrow and I can share one of Jennifer Nichols’ fabulous enchiladas with her. Very tasty lunch Jen, especially when combined with some left over black beans from the neighborhood Mexican restaurant.

This little restaurant is just west of the UWMC in an old house on the shore of Lake Union. Its name eludes me, but it is apparently well known as it has been recommended by several people both in and out of the hospital. It has served well as cantina for Joel and I as well as alternate dinner spot and now is the source of one of Jamie’s favorite snacks, tortillas and cheese.

We have been diligent about Jamie taking her medication on a full stomach and thus avoided nausea for over 24 hours. So after dinner tonight I walked down the back side of the hospital, along the lake to refill our supply of this super snack. It of course was Saturday night so the place was packed and I was discouraged by the line for “to go” orders which spilled out the front door and onto the street. Well, it turned out that about half these people were misguided diners trying to get a table, so before I knew it I was standing at the till. Behind the counter was a woman probably ten years my senior and obviously stressed out by the chaos of the Saturday night crowd. I ordered a side of (3) flour tortillas and then attempted to describe to her my requirement for three small sides of cheese, not unlike what a young man had given me in this very same circumstance the night before. She stared at me blankly and then fumbled with the till before turning to ask another for assistance. Grumbling away she hit a few keys and requested payment of $7.22. Feeling a tinge of sticker shock, but also acutely aware of the pressure of the line growing behind me, I tendered a $10.00 bill and eagerly collected my change.

After I received my change, the women briefly disappeared, returning with (3) ½ pint containers. It took me a while to find the words, but I eventually was able to convey to her that I was requesting three very small portions in the small salsa cups (much like you might get tartar sauce in), just as the man had given me the night before. Looking disgusted she asked me just exactly what kind of cheese I was looking for, and I replied jack or cheddar, emphasizing that only one of these large containers will do. She again disappeared to the back, but returned momentarily with my cheese. She then asked me to wait around the corner, placing me directly in the entrance to the kitchen. As the waitresses pushed around me I could see her in the kitchen where she was shouting and waving a fistful of tortillas in the air. A waitress recently impeded by my presence returned to the kitchen and immediately recognized the problem, promptly handing me the package of tortillas that the cook had already prepared for my order.

The cashier retuned to her post where I attempted to delicately ask her if I would be getting a refund now that we had settled on a much smaller quantity of cheese. She pounded the touch screen and as the till popped open, she tore three $1 bills from the drawer. Not to be outdone, I tipped her a dollar in similar style, purposely avoiding the obvious tip jar and throwing it on the counter.

My initial reaction as I stepped out onto the sidewalk was one of anger and disgust. I thought to myself, “what was the big deal, my wife has cancer and wants tortillas and cheese, why is this woman so uncaring?” However as I plodded along back towards the hospital, I reflected on my own situation and realized that there may be more going on than just tortillas and cheese for her as well. This past month has been a humbling experience, as I often wondered what made people cut you off in the grocery store or sit at a traffic light dazed for several seconds after it turns green. Maybe they are having some other issue. You can’t tell if some one’s spouse has a serious illness just by looking at them can you? Maybe they are sick (knowingly or unknowingly) or are experiencing some other sort of catastrophe or hardship themselves. You never know. So maybe we should err to the conservative side and cut them some slack, back off and just help them instead of letting our negative emotions take control.

In the (chocolate) chips again

2007-06-01T23:38:00.001-07:00

Today began like any other day, after a night of interrupted sleep I was awoken by the bustle of the doctors outside our door. Boy will it be weird at home without all those people standing in my bedroom.

With Goff in Boston for a few days, her peer Dr. Tamimi is supervising Jamie’s care. While Goff will always be seen by us as “#1”, I was very impressed by Tamimi’s warm but confident approach. It is also nice to know that Goff is well supported and that in her absence Jamie’s care will never be compromised.

Much of the past 24 hours has been spent discussing Jamie’s legs swelling. Although the consensus has been that it is standard fluid build up, Tamimi recognized our concern and ordered an ultrasound. The results were negative for blood clots and thus we will return to the “TED” stockings and massaging air wraps. Dr. Ulger (she is member of the regular morning troupe) also came by later to talk with us and emphasize that this is an expected symptom of the lymph node removal.

May was the hero of the day again of course. I went off to the 8th floor today to use the guest shower and when I returned to 7 SE, I heard the shower running and the two of them yammering away like school girls in Jamie’s bathroom. Figuring I was not needed I took the opportunity to take my dirty laundry out to the truck and return a few phone calls.

After battling nausea through the night and early morning, food has become even more emphasized, to ensure that Jamie does not take a single pill without food in her stomach. This makes my new found knowledge of the nourishment room most fortuitous, as it give me reason to explore the true magnitude of its inventory.

With the beautiful weather I have been trying to convince Jamie to let me take her outside. With May’s concurrence and supply of a wheel chair she final signed out of 7SE for the first time in over a week.

Jamie was obviously nervous about my lack wheel chair experience, and had difficulty relaxing on the elevator ride down. We rode to the first floor, where we rumbled across a lobby surfaced with brick pavers, and then out through the automatic doors, briefly hanging up on the threshold until I turned around and went out backwards. As we crossed the walk and driveway to the other side, Jamie grimaced with every bump and joint in the pavement. Once across the street we stopped along a grassy area where a very tame mallard and hen sat, just watching the people and cars go by. Jamie took a brief look around, and being eager to get back to her room before May left for the day, promptly asked to return.

Despite my attempts to avoid the hazards, my nerves made me fumble even more as we crossed back to the entrance. Convinced that I would get her squished in either the automatic swinging doors or the elevator, Jamie tried to help me steer the chair. I told her that as long as she kept her arms and legs within the envelope of the chair, we could actually use it to hold the doors open. She failed to see the humor so I promptly pushed the button for floor 7 and whisked her off to the room.

We got back to our room just in time to see May, who although at the end of her shift wanted to make sure Jamie got her pain pills without the delay that often comes with the switch. Having just returned from our outing, we of course first needed a snack, which May patiently provided.

Jennifer Nichols also came this afternoon replenishing my cookie supply and leaving me with some delicious looking enchiladas. But mostly she brought Jamie some great conversation and a break from the routine.

Feeling a bit tired from yesterday’s marathon, our walking was greatly reduced to a few moderate laps around the complex. However she is more mobile than ever, getting in and out of bed and walking to the bathroom on her own. My only responsibility now is to push the pump on the hand sanitizer on the return trip.

During one of my brief absences, Dr. Goff’s nurse Heidi came to tell Jamie that she has been accepted to participate in GOG 9919, the trial group for the 15 day chemotherapy cycle. Jamie will undergo a CT scan and then get her first chemotherapy next Friday, June 8th. Although not without risks, we are still very positive and see this as Jamie’s next step towards complete wellness. Heidi is obviously the woman in the know, and we both appreciate her willingness to answer our questions both in person and via email.

I of course am becoming a real veteran of the UWMC, offering guidance and information to other guests as I move about the complex. Having been in the same circumstance just days ago, I can easily pick them out by the confused look on their face as they play a sort of “einy-meeny-miny-moe”, in the air while trying to select a button in the elevator. Half elevator operator, half tour guide, I am there to share my knowledge and get them on their way.

I have a little too comfortable here and thus I was ejected from the nurses station today, apparently crossing some mythical line defined by the HIPPA regulations. Apologizing profusely, I left with my tail between my legs, committing myself to behave better. Still I get tempted to explore, but have forced myself to moderate a bit, and thus far resisted the urge to open the door marked “tub room” every time we passed by on today’s walking route.

I have seen Michael several times in the hall the last couple of days, and although he was not assigned to our room, he always had a few moments to chat and just say hi. He also stopped by at the end of his shift to let us know that he would be off for a few days. Unfortunately this leaves us in a conundrum as we are wishing for Jamie’s discharge this weekend, but also sad that we won’t be here long enough to see our new friend one more time.

Our evening nurse is Thomas, who is obviously a man of great efficiency and also this months winner of the wing’s Daisy Award (I think this is like nurse of the month). Although his nursing skills appear to be excellent I am most impressed by the wealth of accouterments he carries in his apron. I have seen others wear these, as they are similar to my tool belt, but certainly his is superiorly outfitted. If I were to take up the trade I would certainly follow his example.

Late today Jamie’s IV gave out again, a situation that always gives me great anxiety because I know it will be a struggle for them to find a willing vein. Many a nurse has been fooled by her apparently hospitable veins, only to be vexed after several tries. Tonight they called the IV nurse, and in moments she had installed a new IV port in Jamie’s arm, hopefully sparing Jamie’s stomach from a few more pills. Unfortunately Thomas tried to use it a couple hours later and it appears that this tap has failed as well.

After dinner tonight we were treated to a visit by the Wood family. Joel and I took the kids down to the local taco shop and got some take-out while the girls stayed in the room to chat. Katrina presented Jamie with a beautiful quilt sewn by Lora Wood and quilted by her own hand. She also brought some delicious cookies, apple bread, jelly and Jamie’s favorite: Finnish sweet bread (pulla) made by Doris.

But tonight’s adventures didn’t end here. Just as we were settling in for the night the nurse announced that Jamie would be getting her stables removed momentarily. Worried that without them her stomach would tear open and her guts spill out, she fretted terribly while nurse Lisa fetched the proper tool. I consoled her by telling her the rabbits had their staples removed with little fan fair and not to worry as it would be over in just a few minutes. She did a great job, even though a few were stubborn and required a bit of twisting and a yank to come out. I stood by studiously watching the nurse, subtly hinting that I would like to give it a try, but neither the nurse nor Jamie extended the invitation.

That over it is finally time to settle in for the night. We are just waiting for the next nurse to come on shift so I can give her our wake up and snack requirements for the next 8 hours.

Unchained

2007-05-31T21:56:00.000-07:00

Today marks Jamie’s first full week here at UWMC as well as her release from the bonds of the IV pump. After breakfast this morning she took her first regiment of oral pain medication and within an hour they were disconnecting the IV pump and taking away her PCA button.

The detachment of the IV also made her first shower of the week possible, not only cleansing her body but also visibly refreshing her spirit. Showering was done with the assistance of Nurse May, who always knows just what to do to make her feel her best. I am now constantly living in her shadow, receiving comments such as “That isn’t how May does it…” as I fumble with her gown or the bed controls.

With discharge in sight, I took one last shower at the Silver Cloud before packing up and relinquishing my room, planning to stick it out with Jamie for the last few days. Don’t worry, there is a shower in the guest lounge on the 8th floor, so I promise not to let my hygiene slip.

Buzz and Nona Reynolds came this afternoon to bring Jamie some excellent lounge wear and a few childhood photos of the Reynolds / McLaughlin gang. I always enjoy their company and was particularly touched by Buzz’s empathy for me regards my recent change in hair cut professionals. I also found out that Nona has been purposely keeping Buzz from using the internet so as to prevent him from viewing Craigslist. Buzz, come on buy next week and I will give you some personal instruction. As Ken Sr. will tell you, once you discover Craiglist, you will no longer feel the need to sleep. And don’t the women worry about us spending too much $$, there is plenty of good stuff for free on there.

Sounds like the Reynolds clan need their own blog site just to publish all the news from their side of 302; congratulations Jeff on your engagement.

The transition from the IV was a success and Jamie spent most of midday day circling the halls of our wing beaming like a kid on a new bike, dazzling doctors, nurses, patients and guests alike with her ever increasing lap times. I love to see her smile.

With increased activity comes a better appetite and I can no longer rely on Jamie’s leftovers for nourishment. I did however have enough foresight to get her to mark the PB cookie and some milk at lunchtime for I knew she would readily give it up. Yes, this is a hint as to my current cookie status; I have resorted to eating commercially made cookies.

Tonight Jamie’s dinner came, which included everything but macaroni and cheese. So I trotted down to the cafeteria to procure some and to my disappointment they appeared to be out. Eager to please, I decided to ask. The woman behind the counter began to explain that they sold out when she was interrupted by a heavily accented man, who asked “is this for a patient?”. I said yes, for my wife and he said “why doesn’t she just ask for it to be served to her?”. I attempted to explain to him that she had filled out the menu herself the prior eve and that she had ordered macaroni for lunch and now desired it again. He seemed perplexed and pointed to a container on the counter, indicating that the woman should give it to me. She hesitated, but he nodded and I gleefully put it on my tray. I thanked him and before I turned he continued to elaborate on how each floor of the hospital has a “nourishment” room which contains an array of foods such as cheese & crackers, ice cream, cereal and even microwavable macaroni.

I had heard of this mysterious nourishment room, but was sternly warned by the nursing staff to stay out, with the explanation that some quarantined patients had entered the room thereby compromising others’ health, forcing them to close it to non staff members. I explained this to the man in the cafeteria and he rebuffed this idea and said that this area should be accessible to all and that the food was for the patients.

Have I stumbled across some great conspiracy on 7 SE, where the nurses are keeping some plethora of tasty snack hidden from me? Has my reputation as a perpetual snacker scared them? Or maybe it was my vomiting that has kept them quite, based on a fear that I might gorge myself and then just puke it up in the hall.?

I promptly returned to our room to find the evening nurse medicating Jamie. I immediately started interrogating her, “why have you been keeping this information from us?”, “where do you keep the ice cream and macaroni?”. She was skillfully evasive and indirect, solid as a rock, unbreakable. She responded in a polite nurse tone with “all you have to do is ask, I would be happy to get something for you” and “we might have some frozen Lean Cuisine, but it is not as good as the cafeteria”. Tomorrow I will try a different approach using Jamie as my ally……

Jess and Shane came tonight for a long visit, and I watched Shane squirm as Jamie recounted the prior month’s events in vivid detail. This of course reminded me of myself not to long ago when watching a blood draw or an IV being installed would be more than I could handle, forcing me to sit down and focus if I was to remain lucid. Funny how circumstances quickly harden you and we rise to the occasion, especially for the ones we love. I thought I would have difficulty looking at Jamie’s incisions or watching the nurses work. But both necessity and the hope for a positive outcome have re shaped my view, and I find the uncompromising strength to be by her side to comfort her through these challenges.

Jess and Shane brought a nice bundle of magazines (which tastefully did not include Oprah) as well as a huge bag of Tootsie rolls, a sort of methadone to get me through these cookieless nights. Thanks for the mags, they do a great job of filling the expanse of time that comes with the healing process, and are an excellent sleep aid when you are hyped up. Good luck on day 3 Shane.

A Little Slice of Heaven

2007-05-31T14:28:00.000-07:00

Well I finally feel well enough to post. I am sitting up in the most uncomfortable chair, but it will do. I have the most amazing view of the montlake cut. I have been up for most of the day, walking the halls or sitting on the edge of the bed.

Today I awoke to my favorite nurse May saying "Good Morning!" Boy was I glad to see her. She has been a lifesaver since the day I was admitted. She takes such good care of me. She listens to how I am feeling and helps me to decide how we should proceed.

I had a rough night last night with the nurse insisting that I would be taken off the PCA and switched over to oral meds. True to form, I refused to take the meds until I had breakfast and the nausea had subsided. I realize that this is the only way I will get to come home, but I am unwilling to be convinced at 5:30 am that is time to switch meds. So needless to say, I waited until I ate breakfast and I am off the IV machine. I can now roam the halls free as a bird. It is also a million times easier to go to the little girls room by myself.

May helped me take my first shower. I kept saying to her it was like heaven and she just says "I bet it is" and laughs. I love her laugh. She is so genuinely kind. I got to wash my hair and my body...I smell a bit better now. I still have a slight "medical smell".

I was kinda sad not to have Michael as my nurse as well. He has also taken such great care of me, but sorry Michael, I'm a bit more comfortable with May giving me a bath :)

I'm definitely on the road to recovery. I am starting to feel human again. Although I just got weighed and I weigh more than when I came into this place. I am retaining a bit of fluids, which has decided to plant on my thighs and bum!! Hopefully that will go away soon, because I don't think I will be able to fit into any of my pants.

I would like to thank everyone for all their great comments. Some days when I can't read them myself, I make John or whoever is here read them to me. The really lift my spirits and calm me when I am feeling anxious. It is so nice to know that I am so loved and supported.

Tiny Bubbles

2007-05-30T23:26:00.000-07:00

Despite Jamie's bout with severe gas pains sometime after 2 AM this morning I actually think that last night had to be one of the more restful I have had in weeks. I think it must be my conscience at ease, knowing that Jamie’s trajectory is now one of healing.

After morning inspection by the residents (I barely bother to sit in bed when they come in anymore), I had another ok cafeteria breakfast of a biscuit sandwich and cinnamon roll. Last week there were fried eggs over easy, but despite promises by the holiday weekend crew they have not re appeared these last two days.

Jamie got a double breakfast order this AM, first the familiar array of “clears”, followed by what is known as the “soft” menu. She again snubbed the peach Jell-O, but poked at the cream of wheat and drank the juice. The “soft” Lunch was only slightly more appetizing, so I augmented it with vegetable broth and cherry Jell-O (ala Sharon of course). Lunch also included a very familiar looking biscuit which I was compelled to steal half of. Jamie has also been receiving a small carton of milk with her meals, which I ferret away in my personal in room cooler. This strange compulsion reminded me of my first grade teacher Mrs. Arnold and her cohort Mrs. Lowery (who was to have me for second grade) , who used to collect un opened milks and half eaten fish which sandwiches for their cats as we turned in our trays at the end of lunch period.
Thankfully I was spared an institutionalized lunch, again due to Sharon’s generosity, and ate a lovely burrito smothered in salsa.

We returned from our first walk of the day to a large parcel on the bed. Inside was a plush replica of Shorty. This was a welcome addition to our room for both of us, as I think the one thing we miss most from home is our comical little companion. My mother arrived later in the day with some photos for the bulletin board as well as some digital video of Shorty fighting the lawn sprinkler. Thanks mom, you read our minds and brightened our day.

This afternoon was well marked by the removal of Jamie’s epidural catheter, thus bringing back “sensation” to her torso and abdomen. They also terminated her continuous dosing of hydromorphone, leaving her to use her PCA augmented by oral Tylenol and an occasional shot of toradol via IV.

For dinner Jamie was served a lovely chicken and pale pea dish with a side of pasta, salty soup and a dry roll (reincarnated biscuit?). Inspired by my parents presence I felt a wave of frivolity come over me and accepted my Dad’s invitation to go to the cafeteria. Like father like son, we lined up at the hamburger grill and both ordered some burgers which actually were quite satisfying. I also picked up some rice and mashed potatoes for Jamie, allowing here to avoid the “soft” entrée.

Things in our ward seem very quiet tonight, and after getting Jamie settled in for a bit, I snuck out for a brisk walk at dusk. After a loop around the building I was satisfied and returned to find Jamie gabbing to Katrina on the phone. I was happy to see her so well engaged, such distractions can at least briefly remove you from the day’s discomforts.

Tomorrow will mark even more milestones for recovery, but I will leave that for later, lest I run out of things to talk about. Good night.

Jamie Calling

2007-05-30T23:06:00.001-07:00

Jamie and I had a great phone visit tonight. She called me from her room for a late-night editorial meeting. Actually, she really just wanted to find out how my dad's doing because he's in the hospital too. Yet another example of how great Jamie and John are — concerned about others in the middle of her recovery. Anyway, here are a few fun details that I learned tonight, to keep the blogger fans going until John's next great post:

Jamie had fabulous mashed potatoes and gravy for dinner tonight and loved them
She's cruisin' the halls like an old pro
She gets to take a shower tomorrow — especially exciting after all the hallway racing she's been up to lately.
She gets IV pain meds stopped tomorrow and moves on to oral (since she's eating soft solids now).
And, she sounds great and is looking forward to heading home...maybe as early as Saturday!

Go Jamie — kickin' butt just like I knew you would, my amazing friend. Love you! -K

The First Supper

2007-05-29T19:50:00.000-07:00

Today was a good day. So far Jamie has taken two long walks around the wing and even sat in the guest chair to surf the net and read her email. She got her first hospital meal today which the anesthesiologist said was UWMC’s standard test for nausea. This first tray was a simple affair; Jell-O, juice and some lemon Italian ice. She picked at it bit but didn’t find it appealing, so I dashed to the hotel to get some of the goods we used during surgery prep hoping to tempt her appetite.

Well apparently the food was not the issue, it was the service, because shortly after our morning routine, Pete and Sharon showed up and Sharon was stuffing Jamie like a holiday turkey. She ate her Jell-O, broth and a package of crackers Sharon ordered for her. Not to be left out Sharon restocked my stores as well and I had a nice burrito lunch.

Pete and Sharon also brought two care packages, one of their doing and another from the Stoll family. Both brought a bounty of feel good and comfort items, but mostly I think it is the positive thoughts of love and friendship that they represent that Jamie enjoys most. Sharon also graciously loaned us a few pillow cases for Jamie’s personal pillow as she has found that the hospital version is ok for propping yourself up or resting your feet on, but she prefers her sheep’s wool stuffing from home.

I think I have also forgotten to mention the balloons Fred and Kim sent previous, as they do a great job of saying you care without taking up precious floor space. Our little space is starting to look like a dorm room and based on the fact that they gave us a wall fan yesterday, it must be starting to smell like one to.

Hard to believe that tomorrow is day 7. It has all happened so fast. With Jamie’s activity level up the days seem to fly by. By the time we wake up, have our morning inspection from Dr. Goff and team, walk, bath and nap, we have just enough time for visitors then I am rushing to the cafeteria to get a last bite before it closes. Sleep is still a bit disrupted with nightly vital checks and IV changes but it works.

We can’t say enough about the great staff here at UWMC 7SE and Dr. Goff’s team. Everyone has been so helpful and supportive. Even after being in surgery since early AM, Dr. Goff still found time today to check on Jamie and bring us some copies of paperwork I asked for. The nursing staff has been excellent as well and no matter what the shift or how long they have been on duty we always get 100% from them. The combination of professional skill and compassion here is inspiring.

Excuse me, excuse me, from the bottom of my heart...

2007-05-28T15:03:00.000-07:00

We made another milestone today: Jamie passed gas. Not only does this mean that the surgeon in fact hooked everything back up correctly, it also means that Jamie will be eating and drinking soon. I unfortunately was not here for the event, as I was having a grilled cheese sandwich in the cafeteria. But those present recounted it as a most jubilant occasion with Jamie’s eyes lighting up like a child’s on Christmas morning.

I think this also marks Jamie’s readiness for regular guests, but please be courteous and let us know when you plan to arrive to prevent overcrowding and wearing Jamie out. She has consistently been walking and doing her daily hygiene around 9:oo or 10:00 a.m., so late morning is not convenient.

Jamie’s walk this morning was epic, with nurse Hallie taking her clear to the end of the wing, around the nurses’ station and back to her room. Afterwards Chris and I helped Jamie with her morning routine, and both Jamie and I settled in for a long nap.

We also met with Dr. Goff this morning, who has proposed that Jamie join a trial group that undergoes chemotherapy at a more aggressive pace. Instead of the normal 21 day cycle, Jamie would receive chemo every 15 days, along with a drug called Neulestra to boost her immune system. The primary drug mix is the same, with the only exception being that the Neulestra is given initially, instead of around the 4th cycle under the normal course. According to Dr. Goff Jamie could be ready to start this as soon as one week following discharge.

As for me, I have had made my self infamous by vomiting in the hall outside Jamie’s room last night. Last evening, with Ken and Chris here I thought I would take a couple of hours to run some errands and have a meal off campus. I got my chores done, showered up and went to what had been my favorite neighborhood sushi joint for some culinary adventure. The event being still clear in my mind I would prefer not to recount my menu choices, but let’s just say I pulled my usual and asked the chef “what's good tonight”. About 4 hours later I noted that I was feeling a bit nauseous so I went downstairs to walk a bit and buy a soda. The first soda machine took my money but gave no product (a bad omen which I did not recognize at the time), so I found another machine down a side corridor by the service elevator. I returned to the room, took a few sips of Sprite and started to relax. Then it hit me. I lurched for the in room trash can, but restrained myself. Thinking I could overpower it, I went out into the hall. Soon overwhelmed, I grabbed a small trash can but missed; spraying all over myself and the hallway. I momentarily regained focus and went back into Jamie’s bathroom, where I continued to heave. Jamie was startled awake, and hit her call button. By this time things had subsided. I swabbed up what I could and then went to find Michael to confess (I had been touting my sushi eating skills to him earlier). Michael who was literally minutes from the end of his shift (in his steadfast way) assured me that this was one place I did not have to be embarrassed about bodily functions. Jamie soon demanded my removal from her room, and I called Chris to take my watch. I returned to the hotel (wretched a bit more) and then slept. I awoke his morning a bit shy of appetite, but later ate the egg breakfast special without remorse.

Jamie and I appreciate all of your comments and support. I look forward to checking the blog several times as day. In the past we have been reading to Jamie, but today I think she will be strong and focused enough to use her own laptop.

(Now edited by popular demand.)

Day 3, mending well

2007-05-27T19:05:00.000-07:00

Jennifer pulled another night shift for me, so I feel like I am starting to recharge. We have been here long enough that I know most of the staff and the charge nurse was kind enough to assign Heidi for the late shift so I did not feel compelled to stay for the shift change.

I overslept a bit and just made it in time to see Dr. Goff, who for the first time spoke in depth about chemotherapy. This can be a very scary subject, and I know it gives me some anxiety, but I think we both see it as a necessary and obstacle to be surmounted on Jamie’s journey to recovery. It also makes me feel like we are moving beyond the surgery to the next phase.

Nurse May worked her magic again today, helping Jamie wash her hair and spruce up a bit after marching her up and down the hall. This woman has been so caring and gone beyond her duty to make my wife comfortable. Her service is so personal it is hard to imagine that she actually attends at least two other patients at the same time.

My parents were here this AM for a quick visit and to haul some surplus cookies away to be saved for our arrival home. I also found out this morning that our day nurse is a fellow Weight Watcher, so I have felt some guilt about being a food pusher. But every time I peek into the lunchroom I see that someone is enjoying all these treats. I am also certain that such bribes are the reason I find the staff so eager to fulfill any and all requests we make. I of course being a man of moderation limit myself to the equivalent of 12 full size cookies a day so as to avoid overdose.

I discovered the Cancer Library on the 8th floor last night while seeking some VHS tapes for Jamie’s in room player. Despite its name it is not a room full of books on cancer, rather it is a nice lounge and lunch room to retreat to for a quick bite, cup of coffee or casual conversation with others here with a family member. I have been packing a lunch each day using rations supplied by my mom, Sharon and Anne, so it is a very convenient place to heat something up and sit for a bit.

Things are pretty quite this afternoon, both Jamie and Jen a napping, I am just sitting here relaxing, catching up on the blog comments. The hustle of the hospital has visibly decreased, giving us some refreshing tranquility. It is one of those dreary Seattle Sundays where you just feel like being inside and reading a book or watching an old movie.

Walk? Check. Smile & Chuckle? Check.

2007-05-27T00:10:00.000-07:00

Jamie looks amazing. Beautiful as ever and in charge—two days after surgery—just as it should be. She's checking off her daily goals on the white board by her door, just as efficiently as she handles her cabinet order checklists at work. Under her direction, John managed the bed controls pretty well too. He takes such excellent care of Jamie. And, it was good to see the incredibly attentive and efficient nursing staff at work helping her heal.

She says that walking actually made her feel better today and she was looking forward to a second "stroll" later this evening. It's exciting to see how motivated she is. And, it was most fun to see her chuckle and smile today several times.

All the flowers in her room are gorgeous, although she really needs more horizontal space for floral display. If only they made floral arrangements that hung from the wall, that would be perfect. She does have a great cork board opposite her bed though where she can see cards and other cheerful things that folks are sending.

*Note to John: That dandy little "tea spot" you & Joel visited on Montlake serves an excellent mangodilla (mango and chicken quesadilla) for a quick dinner and a wicked good "medicinal" Mexican Coffee drink that I'm sure the Irish invented...

One small step for man.........

2007-05-26T18:33:00.000-07:00

Nurse May's efforts today rewarded us with Jamie sitting up for an extended period followed by a short walk to the window and back to bed. Afterwards she was certainly exhausted, but a good nap has restored both her strength and spirit.

She is now giving herself her own ice and even brushed her teeth. I was also allowed to comb her hair and on several occasions invited to adjust the bed for her. Boy was I nervous. Under the stress of it all, the Crase family twitch really took over and I had some trouble maintaining a steady, but light press on the button. Thankfully no permanent damage was done to Jamie or our relationship.

Dave and Anne came today as well as Kenny and Beth. Jen is still here although she had to go to the hotel for a quick shower and nap. I sure appreciate her sharing duties with me. It has been nice to be able to get some fresh air, while knowing that someone is still by Jamie's side.

Jamie got her first estrogen patch today, I know so little about the dark feminine sciences to comment much, but apparently this has also improved her mood.

Lots of churning in her stomach today, a positive sign that we are headed towards eating and drinking in the next few days. She still has lots of gas pain and has let out a few burps, so we eagerly await the big one that tells us all is clear.

I was glad to see Michael on night shift again, he did a great job getting us through the evening yesterday. He is so thorough and seems to endure my endless quizzing with little irritation.

Jamie got some beautiful flowers today from Dick, Kris and Shelby, and Beth brought a wonderful pot of daisy which I can't wait to plant in our garden. Jen gets the award for best gift today for the foil balloon and turtle weight which brightens up the room, yet takes no precious floor or counter space. Thanks Anne for the PJ's. To the Lucero family thanks for the word search book, mag and excellent handmade card (posted on the bulletin board where Jamie can see). Dana Miller sent more word search and puzzle books and blanket, Jamie said you knew to send the puzzle books because she did them on the bus to softball games. Katrina of course is out of control and deserves thanks for another mag, new insulated mug and some great juice for use in a few days.

Joel and I also got to go out for a bit today, we found a quaint little place down on the Montlake Cut where we could talk about our feelings and enjoy a nice warm herbal tea.

Today's treats included Beth's banana bread as well as even more cookies and banana bread from Jen's coworker Rhonda. All these snacks serve well to sustain us day and night as well as reward our excellent nursing staff.

Now a more serious note. It has come to my attention that some of my posts have been altered and what you read my not be precisely my own hand. It seems hard to believe that the "man" is trying to control such a meager and politically neutral news source as this. This is not the Internet Al Gore dreamed of.

(Minor spelling & grammatical changes may have been made to this post. The content of its character has not been altered.)