Of course, that's just my opinion, I could be wrong

Cancer update

Well, BIL G got the results of the blood and bone marrow tests and it confirmed that they KILLED all the cancer cells.  WOO-HOO!  So they move right into the consolidation phase of chemo, which I think starts tomorrow.  It means going back into the hospital for a few days but then he gets to go home to recuperate (like "normal" chemo treatments).  Yes, the chemo sucks completely and I don't think he's happy about having to do this again (and perhaps a few more rounds like this) but the cancer is gone and they want to make sure it stays that way.  Stay strong G.  It's all gonna be good in the end and this is just a blip.

posted by Juls @ 9:58 AM 1 comments

Have I mentioned...

that Cancer sucks?  I haven't been able to find the proper words to describe what's been going on so, at this point, I'm going to just try.

Exactly one month ago, my BIL G was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML).  He had been feeling flu-ish and just yucky since about February.  The doctors thought it was viral, he was run down, it's flu season, etc.  He finally felt crappy enough and they did all sorts of blood work including a bone marrow test and it came back positive for AML.  He immediately went into the hospital and 24 hours later was starting chemo.  He did this hard core 24/7 for 7 days chemo. G went to visit him that day that chemo started.  After the chemo was done, he stayed in the hospital for two more weeks.  He had his bottom out period from the chemo (which sounded horrible with fever, chills, and all the crappiness you can imagine that goes with intense chemo) and then they watched to watch him since his immune system was at zero.  He finally, thankfully, went home the other day.  He had more blood tests and another bone marrow test at the end of this week.  When those results come back, that'll determine the next course of action.  There's definitely more chemo in the future but how much, for how long, etc will be determined by his blood counts when that comes back.  I know he's going to be fine but it's going to be a long haul to get there.  He's young, he's strong and this is curable but it's just so damn scary and unnecessary.  It makes me angry.  I know it's a small pittance but I'm proud that I've supported a few of my friends who over the last few years have run marathons to raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.  I know they'll continue to run and raise money until a cure is found and they'll be running in honor of G.

As if that wasn't big enough news, one of my closest friends D was diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer.  Okay, if you're going to get a cancer, this is a "good" one to get.  Completely curable, thank G-d but sucks none the less.  My friend E had it a few years ago and she's perfectly healthy now, thank goodness.  D went to the Dr. and they discovered a nodule on her thyroid.  After testing, it was confirmed cancer which is what was expected. She's going to have surgery on June 1st and then sometime, probably in September, she'll have to do an iodine treatment.  She takes iodine and then has to be isolated for 5 days.  That's going to be really tough since she's got 3 kids 7 and under.  It's inconvenient to say the least but in the end, it's all going to be good.

So it's been a really sucky month dealing with two people I'm very close to and what they're facing.  On top of this, my FIL has not been well and has been in and out of the hospital again.  I sure hope 2011 is a better health year and there's still 7 months to go in 2010.

One positive cancer thing to share though.  I participated in the Revlon Walk for Women.  I was part of Team Wings of Courage that my BFF M put together.  After her breast cancer surgery two years ago and her successful recovery, she put together a team which I was thrilled to be a part of.  There were about 25 of us walking including 5 women who were cancer survivors.  Of course, we were walking with about 40,000 other people and it was inspiring beyond words.  It's amazing to walk with that many people from every different walk of life, every color, religion, economic status and know that every single person has been effected by cancer, mostly breast cancer.  That was very powerful and inspiring.  It was a 5K walk which was easy, and a beautiful day.  I personally raised over $1350 which I'm very proud of.  I've never done anything like this or hit up my friends for donations (although many have asked me and I've donated to everyone) so I was thrilled that so many of my friends supported me and this great cause.  Our team raised a total of $4355 which considering we did it all in about 3 weeks is pretty good.  I look forward to participating again next year and raising more money.  It was a great day.  Here are some pictures from the Revlon Walk.

Here's Team Wings of Courage



Here's M, our fearless leader



Here's M and her family including my perfect Godson.  I love you guys so much!


Team Wings of Courage at Mile 2



Me at the finish line



Me, M, L and R, two of our friends who were also walking.  Amazing that they found us amongst the masses


Me and my BFF!



So with all the crap that's been going on, doing the walk was a little something I could do to feel like I was doing something.  I pray for all those out there who I know are fighting their individual cancer.  We will all get through this and get through it together.

posted by Juls @ 12:59 AM 1 comments

It's been a busy month

(started to write this two weeks ago and I just need to post it)

There simply aren't enough hours in the day.  I wonder sometimes how I'll get it all done and simply put, I probably won't.  In the last month, the HW school yearbook went off the publisher.  That was one thing off my plate.  I'm happy with how it came out this year and how I paced myself to get it all done.  Hopefully, everyone else will be pleased when it comes back in June.

The LA Kings made the playoffs for the first time since 2003.  They played the Vancouver Canucks and ultimately lost 4 games to 2 but it was a good learning experience for my boys.  I know they'll only be better next season and that will be very exciting.  Go Kings!

I'll update the trip to NY that C and I took to go to a cousin's Bar Mitzvah.  That'll be a different post.  But C turned 7 a few weeks ago.  We had her birthday party at CA Cartwheel Center and she and her friends had a great time.  They ran around the gym and played, ate pizza and cake and went home.  A perfect birthday party.  It's nice to see kids from different schools just getting along and playing and not afraid to do things in pairs with kids they don't know.  It was great.

M & H are doing great.  We had their 15 month checkup a few days ago, even though they're 16 months.  Both girls are in the 75% for height and weight.  The Dr. was very pleased at how well they're doing, how they didn't freak out that he was poking them and they did all their tricks for him.  M has been walking for about 3 months now.  H decided finally about 3 weeks ago that she had had enough and started walking everywhere.  She had been taking steps and holding on but she finally figured that it was time she should do it herself.  So now she's cruising everywhere.  H has been adding words to her vocabulary.  She says baba, dada (for Daddy and a whole lot of other things), pretty, he-yo (hello when she picks up a phone and puts it to her ear), dirty and the other day, we turned on "Sesame Street" and she looked up and said "Cookie" and yes, Cookie Monster was on the screen.  Very cute.  M knows a lot of her body parts.  She can point to her nose, eyes, ears, hair, teeth and toes.  She's finally starting to talk and says baba and cookie.  She points to the pantry and says "cookie".  Very cute.  I wonder when they figure out they have a grandma by the same name, how it'll confuse them.  In the meantime, it doesn't matter.  They're stinking cute and generally very happy girls.

posted by Juls @ 12:00 AM 1 comments