7/2/2010

Where do I start?

I had the PET scan on the 22nd. I still have a hard time believing this... but the scan shows NO SIGNS OF CANCER!

	The scan does show the difference from Nov. to now. (the 2 black dots that look like eyes on a smiley face are kidneys, down below is bladder, and normal). Note... black areas not good on the left scan.
To say I was in shock is an understatement... since at the beginning I was given such a poor prognosis, and unlikely to live past the first of the year if I didn't undergo treatment of some sorts.

 

I'm as much at a loss as to what to do now as I was when I first was told I had cancer. Just when you've gotten used to the idea that you are living to die, you all of a sudden have to plan for living.

I met with a surgical oncologist yesterday and the immediate plan is to do nothing for 3 months...just try to recover from the chemo. This sort of cancer has a high recurrency rate...50%... and I will get monitored closely to watch for CA 125 (tumor marker, tested in blood tests) to see if it changes. But when and if it comes back... is anyone's guess. He would suggest a hysterectomy as a preventative measure, but I have to see a liver specialist to see where I'm at with liver function. It could have been due to the cancer that liver values were not good... or bad liver on its own. Time will tell I guess. I'm a poor candidate to do anything surgically until I am off chemo for awhile anyway... so for now.... kick back, relax, and take it easy. (Yeah, right! Most of you KNOW me...not likely to happen).

I am still amazed and overwhelmed by the number of friends who continue their support. Some people I would consider to be key in having a part of this remission. Some people will never know the huge impact they have had in supporting me. It maybe a small thing, like taking the time to email or call... but sometimes timing is everything, and many of you did so at times when it was pretty rough. I could never repay any of you for the love, prayers, and good thoughts sent my way.

I wanted this to be the last "update", and on a good note. I'd like to think it might get back to normal around here, but folks have suggested I just get a facebook page...well, that may be what I do in the future.

A few weeks ago, longtime model horse friend Heather Wells stopped by and in the course of a long gab-fest... she mentioned it was so much fun to have everyone get together at our open houses in so. California. (yes, those were fun!). Since I'm renovating the collection, we thought it might be a good time to have a Grand Re-Opening of the new section! This was thought of 2 weeks before I had this latest good news. So, I'm thinking that Sept. 25-26 would be a good time to invite all our friends, model horse and real horse both, to come visit for a Open House of the Collection, BBQ, and on Sunday be filled with model horse guest speakers/demos. A little closer to the date, will post a page with info. This will also give me a target date to finish the project of the warehouse.

	I haven't wasted much time on that... the structure was up within a few days of the last update. Much of the inventory has been moved out...sold or moved to one of the horse stalls. The mezzanine "shrank" a bit... the orig. size was just too big! Right at 12 x 14', it gives lots of wall space to line inside and outside with display shelves.
	South wall I've started the support wall for the glass sliders. Hopefully a good weekend's work will get the rough framing done and able to measure for glass and track for the glass doors.

So, that's where I'm at right now. Hopefully I'll get rid of alot of the sideeffects from chemo as time goes by... would like to be able to taste my food again!

Again, I can't tell you how much your support has meant to me over these months... and I hope to let you know in person whenever I meet up with you.

Much Love,

Karen

	UPDATE: Julty 13 Coming right along....
	Mezzanine is 14 x 12' and already has flooring in, plus carpet (I got a "deal" on a casino carpet...very WILD! To me this carpet just screams "model horse"!
	At the same auction I got the wild carpet, I got several pallets of travertine 4 x 4" squares, and a pallet of granit tile... so am using them!
	Neat huh? Already have a gas fireplace insert for the north side of the building, which may get done before the open house...or not. Stairs are this weekend's project I think. Ceiling on the inside of the deck will be glue up faux tin ceiling panels. Floor is going to be a decorative concrete stain to match the granit tile color. Should be nifty. Am doing a little at a time, taking plenty of breaks to rest...but its getting done.