BACK AT LAST - AND MOVING FORWARD!

Hi all - hope I haven't lost my whole audience!  We've had such a busy summer - went back to work in July after my fabulous sabbatical.  Found I was VERY TIRED commuting to Fall River every day, but happy to be back at work.  New developments:  I'm going into the hospital to have my spleen removed.  The surgery is August 26 - with 6 weeks recovery time.  I'm having the surgery at Mass General, one of the best hospitals in the country.  Hopefully, getting that pesky spleen out (we don't really need it!) also removes the larger remaining tumor (one other in my pelvis, very small).  As my doc says, I've outlived all the predictions, so everything now is an "experiment"!  But I feel fine, and very hopeful about the surgery.

As most of you know, I  celebrated 70 years this year.  We had a huge summer celebration in July, with family and friends.   My sister Susan and brother George both with spouses came to Providence to join the fun.  Also, niece Sarah and five kids plus soon-to-be-hitched man Matt came over as well (they now live in NY near Albany).  With friends and all of Beth's family, it was quite the day! Weather was beautiful, and food amazing as always.  So I'm into my 7th decade - only numbers my friends!

As we continue on this cancer journey, Beth and I are just thankful I've been able to fare so well - with her help and support always of course!  Continuous recurrent cancer is a mixed blessing - great that I am able to maintain a great quality of life, but wish the big C wasn't always lurking.  Nevertheless, I continue to enjoy my life, and feel so fortunate given the circumstances.  While Cancer is NOT a %%&&**## gift, it has reinforced my appreciation for the LIFE I have been given. 

Will try to be more regular and get back into thoughtful blogging.  Thanks for paying attention, loyal readers! xxx

RELAYING FOR LIFE!

Well, loyal readers, if you are still out there, I am still standing - actually walking!  Last night I participated in the American Cancer Society Relay for Life in Pawtucket.  My "Team" pictured above, included Beth of course, Beth's brother Donny, his wife Trish, daughter Madelin, and my niece Sarah who came over from Albany NY with her beautiful brood of four - Thomas, age 13, Jacob, age 10, and twins Isabel and Isaac, age 6.  The Pawtucket Relay was rather sparsely attended, but the enthusiastic group walked around the Pariseau Field next to the PawSox stadium, danced, played games and celebrated LIFE.  We raised over $500 for the cause, thanks to the generosity of family and friends.

I am completing my 6 month sabbatical researching autism in college, a fascinating project.  I look forward to returning to work, actually, although leaving our wonderful yard in the summer is hard!  I am still in chemo weekly, but only 2.5 hours each time - and the tumors are shrinking!  Will try to be more attentive to this blog - thanks for reading!! xxx

SPRINGing!

Greeting to dear loyal readers!  April is here - and I am about to celebrate 70 years of LIVING!  Feeling so thankful that my body responds well to treatment, and I march forward (gaily).  Had a wonderful week in Pittsburgh, visiting brother George and wife Adele in their lovely high rise condo, and attending an adult ed conference, giving my presentation about autism research.  Exciting to visit the Carnegie Mellon museum, the Andy Warhol museum, and the amazing Frank Lloyd Wright house, Falling Waters.  Who knew that Pittsburgh has so much to offer!

Continuing with Taxol chemo, but not at all difficult - just a lovely bald"   Had an amazing "pay it forward" experience on the plane ride from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh.  A woman came to economy from first class and said "you have to take my seat!"  She shared later that her mom had recently died of ovarian cancer.  She rushed off the plane before I had a chance to get her name - am trying to find out from the airline!!  There are sincerely good people in the world.  Sisters in the Big C!

Am continuing to enjoy my sabbatical research on autism - fascinating to explore the strengths and gifts of different brains.  This is "Autism Awareness Month" - light the world blue!

Also had fantastic mini vacation in Vermont with Beth and family members - they had wonderful ski days, I sat in the sun viewing the beautiful snow covered hills (in 50 degree weather!) and enjoying a beautiful vacation cottage complete with Jacuzzi tub!  At home, crocuses are blooming, robins singing, and new life coming in green and hopeful.  Am so fortunate to have time and family - looking for ways to continue my own "Pay It Forward" in new ways.  Til next time...  Sal

MARCHING ON!

Greetings loyal readers - sorry for the long delay!  I am doing well - still doing taxol (with attending hair loss - ah the scarf option!)  and loving my sabbatical!  Researching support for students on the autism spectrum at community colleges is exciting and challenging.  Will be traveling to Pittsburgh in a week to an adult ed conference (COABE) to present about my research journey, and to visit with my brother and sister in law living in downtown Pittsburgh.  (send messages - NO MORE SNOW!!)

I have been excited that I'm able to maintain focus on my sabbatical research while staying home by the wood stove!  I am actually quite focused - with a schedule to work on the research at least 5 - 6 hours a day.  I've read so many fascinating articles, and am planning visits to several colleges concerning support for students with autism.  I'm excited that two of my former students have agreed to be interviewed about their experience BCC as students with autism. 
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I find that this time to research, read and reflect has been very calming - I love having the time to pursue a train of thought through hours with no interruption.  We live such frantic lives, and the opportunity for extended reflection is often unavailable to us.  In this age of constant communication, we need to stay away from the phone, email and texts to allow our minds to take thought journeys.    Of course, this time alone also gives me pause to think about this cancer journey, and my good fortune with the experience.    I continue to be relatively pain free - few side effects from continuing chemo, and almost no physical effects from the remaining buggies in my system.  Another CAT scan next week will tell if the tumors are continuing to shrink - THINK SHRINK, friends!

"If winter comes, can spring be far behind?"  My mom, the gardener, quoted this line from Shelley's "Ode to the West Wind" every February - and as I view the now melting mounds of snow in our yard, I yearn for the coming thaw.  As our "living with chronic cancer" journey moves on, Beth and I are able to focus beyond the Big C, beyond that other shoe always waiting to drop.  We are living our busy and fortunate lives, thankful for the ongoing love and support of so many.  Will write sooner, I promise!  Happy International Women's Day!!

Greetings at Last!!

Hello Loyal Readers!  The holidays, a vacation in (beautifully warm) Florida, etc. has taken me away from regular posting.  I had a difficult event in late November - an allergic reaction to one of the chemo drugs I was on.  Carboplatin is a platinum based chemo - and the body can only take so much.  It had been such good news in November that finally, after a year of new tumors growing, and four different treatments, we were so thrilled that the tumors were finally shrinking with carbo and taxol.  After the allergic reaction, I can't have carbo any more - so we were worried about whether the tumors would continue to shrink with taxol only.  It was a roller coaster ride!

We did put the  possibilities aside and enjoyed our Florida respite - then came home to a CAT scan and good news - the tumors are continuing to shrink!

Otherwise, I am getting into my sabbatical research - it's great to be at home and learning so much about autism, deafness and dyslexia.  I also found out that the YMCA has a "Livestrong" program for cancer survivors - free!  So I will be having great workouts twice a week for 12 weeks.  I also will be doing Expressive Arts workshops for my Livestrong group.

So, dear readers, I continue with the ups and downs as a "survivor" - you never know where these buggies are going to take you - but I'm so lucky to have quality of life with my amazing partner/wife Beth.  Each day offers new opportunities for hope and creativity.  I promise I won't be so negligent this spring! xx

IT'S WORKING!!!

Greetings loyal readers!  YES, the carboplatin/ taxol regimen has significantly shrunk the tumors!  This is great news for us - buys me time to look for other treatments!  We were quite nervous, but feel a new path towards victory!

 



I have learned that I am among 2% of those with my condition (stage IV UPSC uterine cancer) who survive as long as I have. Wow!!  I want to know who that other gal in the 100 is who has survived!  And I extend sympathy to those who have lost this strange battle.  Will write more shortly!! xSal