Read Special Edition Post first - Explanation for pants on a coat tree quilt square...

Or…. “Botanists Concerned by the Appearance of Pants on a Coat Tree”

AP. Botanists fear that the appearance of water-proof pants on a common coat tree may be indicative of a greater trend of systematic plant mutations occurring world-wide. Acclaimed research botanist Dr. M. Greenburg says, “this may be the result of  our changing climate.  Extreme changes in typical climate patterns can trigger drastic mutations as plants struggle to adapt.”  These ‘micro-bursts’ of evolution are indicative of the evolutionary mechanism known as  punctuated equilibrium. “  This mechanism has been known to scientist for a while, but such drastic changes are rare. “This mutation is a very odd one indeed, it is not that uncommon to see scarves on a hat-rack tree, that happens from time to time, but to see pants on a coat tree? Now that is truly amazing.” Greenburg went on to say that this may actually benefit  some humans, especially those living in the pacific northwest. “ This evolutionary jump may help folks stay drier as our rainfall increases with climate change.”

From: ROMERO Mike
Subject: RE: Water proof pants on coat tree in reception area can you claim them please.

Or…. “Botanists Successfully Graft Limb from Endangered Water-Proof Pant Tree on a Common Coat Tree”

AP. Acclaimed research botanist Dr. Greenburg, presents the results of his team’s successful grafting of water-proof pants on a coat tree. Greenburg says “This is this is a significant milestone in the preservation of many plant species, the likes of which have not been seen since the era of Gregor Mendel himself!” Researchers hope this will lead to saving many endangered clothing species and that it will  lead to increased farming of common and vintage clothing. “Just think, now we may be able to save the nearly extinct Shawl Shrub and the Ascot Vine” said Greenburg.

From: ROMERO Mike
Subject: FW: Water proof pants on coat tree in reception area can you claim them please.

There’s an Onion article in this somewhere…..  Either the title itself or a story on OBM communications directive on subject line requirement to tell abridged story as part  budget cuts

From: HUGHES Fran
Sent: Wednesday, December 05, 2012 10:52 AM
To: [NWR] Portland Staff
Subject: Water proof pants on coat tree in reception area can you claim them please.

AWESOME friends!!! Special Edition

FYI - This is a long post (mainly b/c I do not know how to post photos side-by-side;  I've done it before, but by accident, and have no idea how I did it - a blogger extraordinaire, I'm not).

OMG!!  So I was gifted this incredible, beautiful, amazing quilt handmade by some of my INCREDIBLE friends.  I had no idea.   I think it was the brainchild of Rebecca Wells-Albers (you know her on this blog as the evil twin, Jessica, who has visited me in the chemo infusion room).  Apparently they had a quilting party, or some such gathering.  Each of them got a square, as described below, and then Dawn Graf-Thiessen, who is a quilter-extraordinaire, quilted the whole thing together.

THIS IS AMAZING!

the back - nice, soft, washable cotton!

Ingrid made the bicycling square - when we first met at work, I was on my bike (commuting).  I will return to that mode of transportation in the future, and we'll have a nice ride.

Pence (Christine) made the sloth square - I love sloths!  Who doesn't???  There was a sloth rescued in Ecuador, and I printed his picture out and have it in my cube at work to cheer me up:  Sloth rescue in Ecuador.  

Grunow (Greg) made the wine/tropical island square -  Can't wait to visit this island, where sun and sand are waiting for me...and a glass of wine.  He understands me completely.

Natalie made me the beautiful heart - she has a heart of gold, and also sent me the overpass photo a bit ago, with which she commented:  "I see this gem on my way to work every morning, always makes me think of you!"

Deb made me the Book, Music, Sunflowers square - we are Portland Literary Arts pals, chamber music fiends and I love sunflowers.  Buddies to the core.

Maura made me the PJ superhero square - which is awesome;  I wish I were superwoman, but I'm close.  Maura for sure is a superhero, showing me the way.

Amanda and (Dreamy) Dave made me the creepy chakra square - this one is a complicated explanation, but suffice to say, don't have toxic chemicals entering your body, or you'll get some weird chart drawn about pathways, and colors.  It'll freak you out for sure.

Nathaniel (Nat) made me the sports square - dear to my heart, the Bears are, but they suck this year!! But the CUBS...ah, the CUBS.  If you've been following my blog at all, you'll know about the CUBS.    Their epic World Series win is the ONLY thing good about 2016.  The rest of it can just go away!!!

Laurey made me the sisters/friends/hearts square - we have shared many emotions and situations.  We get it, and love each other with our hearts and heads; in that order.

Roxy made me the garlic square -  on her world tour now with Phil.  She had a wonderful garden, and knew how much I love garlic - I was amply supplied, and happily not bothered by vampires all year long.  That would have complicated 2016.

Rebecca (evil twin Jessica) made me the potato shoe square.  This is from "what not to wear", which I clearly do not watch:  What not to wear: PNW edition   The host (Clinton Kelly?) indicated that he dislikes Pacific Northwest fashions, and here I quote him:  “Women of the Pacific Northwest are addicted to polar fleece and a lot of them wear shoes that look like baked potatoes,” Kelly said plainly. “I get it: It rains. But there are other options.”  

my potato shoes!

Susan made my Eff Cancer square.  I agree completely, and you have had too much of this crappy disease.  Let's kick it to the curb.  

Ken made me my sailboat square.  One of my favorite, calming songs is Enya's "sail away, sail away, sail away".. 

Patricia made me the P-squared square!  When her and I worked together - we Ps - we terrorized the 4th floor (at least Mr. Davis).  Her and Dan now make wonderful cider, hence the apples!!  1859 Cider Co.

Mike R.  made me the pants on a coat tree square.  See the next blog entry for an explanation.  Suffice to say it was a crazy email chain - my go to when work makes no sense.  

These last two squares are not quilted, as they are on my nifty carrying bag for my quilt!!

Stephanie made my disemboweled leg square.  Again, a complicated explanation.  I had amassed an impressive disemboweled leg collection at work.  Need I say more.  It's quite common, you know...

And Edie made me my beautiful flower square.  When I was in the hospital in Feb/March, her and Tina brought me a beautiful planter filled with spring flowers.  Even with our 30 degree weather, the daffodils are coming up (it's inside the house now!).

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

2016...Go Away!!!

Hello all, Happy Holidays!  
So, last night, we went to a Christmas Party (thanks Debbie and Laura - it was wonderful!
🎄🎅).   When we arrived home, I got out of the car, and proceeded to shut the car door on my right little finger.  It became a bloody mess, and I found out this morning, it is broken at the tip - a minor break, but it throbbed all night.  Yay!  This blog is supposed to be about my lymphoma - now I'm milking it for all its worth 💩😬

From my X-ray report:

XR FINGER RIGHT 2 + VW 12/26/2016 7:55 PM

HISTORY: S69.91XA: Unspecified injury of right wrist, hand and finger(s),initial encounter.  

FINDINGS:
BONES: Nondisplaced distal tuft fracture.

JOINTS: The joint spaces are normal.

SOFT TISSUES: Small dorsal laceration.

I think I will wear body armor, and sit under the kitchen table for the next week until 2017 arrives!  😉 I've got big plans for 2017 - first and foremost, recovery, health and happiness!

Fourth Infusion - a go!

My first day of my fourth infusion went off without a hitch.  In the waiting room, they have photos of all of the oncologists.  Last week, for some reason, the doctors were all wearing mustache stickers (?)  This week, they all had tiny Santa hats.  Here's my oncologist, the chill Dr. Robert Lufkin:

I am 98% over my pneumonia, minor sniffles, but well enough to continue treatment.  My WBC was even lower (22 x 10³ cells per microliter), but we went ahead.  The infusion room was crowded, and because Portland was receiving a dusting of snow, Compass Oncology was closing at 2:00 pm, and they were calling all late appointments to try to bring patients in earlier today or rescheduling.  It was kind of buzzing with activity today.   Here's the lovely snow from our deck once home from the infusion:

Tomorrow, I receive the pre-med bags, and the second bag of bendamustine, then Saturday, my Neulasta shot.  Then infusion 4 is in the bag.  2/3 finished!  Boom!

Joe's eye is progressing, but very red and itchy.  His next appt is 12/16.  Slowly, slowly getting better each day.

Good News! (About time!!)

Hey there!  It's about time for some good news!!

Here are some of the results of my recent abdominal CT scan:  

PANCREAS: The pancreas enhances normally and is otherwise unremarkable.

SPLEEN: The spleen is not enlarged and is otherwise unremarkable.

ADRENALS: The adrenal glands are unremarkable.

LYMPH NODES: Mesenteric nodal mass conglomeration has dramatically decreased in
size measuring 2.6 x 1.3 cm previously 5.4 x 4 cm. The more inferior right
iliac chain nodal conglomeration has also dramatically decreased in size
measuring 2.2 x 1.5 cm previously 7.1 x 4.4 cm. No newly enlarged lymph nodes
are seen within the abdomen or pelvis otherwise.

IMPRESSION-

Findings are consistent with a positive treatment response with a dramatic
reduction in size of the enlarged nodal masses in the abdomen/pelvis. No
findings to suggest lymphomatous involvement within the chest.

Yay!!!  And I guess I'm also glad my pancreas, spleen and adrenals are unremarkable.  The medical report is the one place you want to be unremarkable, for sure!

Fourth Infusion - a no-go!

Yesterday and today, I was supposed to have my 4th infusion.  I have been sick with "walking" pneumonia the past two weeks or so (got sick the weekend of 11/12), and it just didn't get better.  I have been on 2 different antibiotics to kick this, and I'm finally feeling better, but not quite there yet.  So...4th infusion is now December 8, 9 & 10 (of course, dependent on blood work).

Also, there were some issues with my Power Port!  Normally, all my blood work is done through the port, as are my infusions (obviously).  They were able to inject saline in to flush it, but they were not able to get blood out.  It had become a check valve.  So, I did have to go to the infusion room for a half hour to have an enzyme injection to dissolve the clot/calcium deposit in the port to allow extraction as well as infusion.

I had a CT scan done on Tuesday (11/29) and it revealed three things:

1. My lymph nodes that were 10 cm have shrunk significantly - excellent news!  The chemo is doing it's work, but I still have 3 infusions to go, followed by 2 years of rituxan infusions, every 2 months.
2. My lungs are compromised - "walking" pneumonia; delay treatment until clear.
3. My surgical hernia has gotten worse - the abdominal wall has opened more;  probably due to all the coughing!  Repair surgery for this will be in March or April, after chemotherapy is finished.  

Feeling optimistic, despite setbacks.  Steady course, lots of fluids, rest and fantastic family and friends!  I hope the cold & flu viruses stay far away from you and yours!

P.S.  Joe's eye is getting better.  He looks forward (no pun intended!) to when the SF6 bubble is gone from his vision.

When it rains, it pours...or bad news comes in threes

Wow...what a week.  I had to crawl out a hole on Wednesday morning, and it's gonna be an uphill climb for the next 4 years.  They say that bad news comes in threes, and I hope this week's events are it for that.

1.  The Election.  Enough said.  (I have plenty to say, but will refrain, as I love my peeps).  

2.  I had to go to the ER on Sunday.  Caught a bad cold over the weekend, and Sunday morning, it was so horrible, I called the on-call oncologist, who said "Go to ER, get blood analysis".  So that's what we did.  

They took samples of everything they could, and gave me antibiotics.  I essentially have no immune system, so any infection can turn into pneumonia, etc.  I feel slightly better, but this is a cold on steroids, for sure.  

3. Joe's left eye was wonky last Thursday, and progressively getting worse.  It turns out he has a a detached retina.  He will  have surgery tomorrow.  We are now "dos invalids", as we are calling ourselves.  The sick caring for the sick.  

I will be in a better mood once all of this is over.  I may have to wait 4 years...  💩

Encouraging News from the Cubs camp

I just can't let the Cubs victory go, so I was googling (stalking) some of my favorite players.  Found this out about Anthony Rizzo, Cubs first baseman who made the winning out of game 7 against the Cleveland Indians (who were, by the way, a formidable and worthy opponent):

"Rizzo was diagnosed with limited state classical Hodgkin's lymphoma in April 2008. Rizzo went through chemotherapy for six months.His grandmother was battling breast cancer at the same time. On September 2, 2008, Rizzo's doctor told him he was in remission. He still had six weeks left of treatment and had some follow-up testing. On November 18, Rizzo's doctor told him he "could live a normal life." In 2012, The Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation began. It is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, benefiting cancer research and the families fighting the disease. The foundation is run entirely by Rizzo's family, his close friends and his management team. Rizzo provides oversight and leadership."

Hey!!  He played a huge part in the World Series 2016 victories for the CUBS.  See, there are other stories of success and remission and normal life.  I just need to search those out!  

By Arturo Pardavila III from Hoboken, NJ, USA - Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo celebrates the final out of the 2016 World Series., CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=52817872

Chemo Infusion No. 3 - Half Way through

After last night, I'm actually glad to be sitting here in the comfy chemo chair!  Cubs pulled out an amazing World Series; I'm so tired after such a crazy, spectacular night!!  

Waiting for the infusion to begin!

So, I'm here for my 3rd treatment.  My white blood cell count was even lower than last time.  The low value on the normal scale is 39 x 10³ cells/microliter.  Last infusion it was 37.  Today's value is 24!!  But, my oncologist wants to continue, so as not to prolong my treatment.  I will now also receive Neulasta!!!  Another drug - yay.  It will boost the growth of new white blood cells.  This one I receive tomorrow (auto-injector) in my abdomen, or on Saturday via a shot.  It depends on which way my insurance goes.  Apparently, it will cause me bone pain.  From the website:  "The most common side effect of Neulasta® is pain in the bones and in your arms and legs."  

I watched a video to show me how to deal with my on-body injector:  

Happy Dia de los Muertos!! Happy All Souls Day!! Happy All Saints Day!! (one day late) Happy Halloween!! (two days late)

It's nice to blog about kids and how adorable they are!  Here are my wonderful, smart and great grandnieces and my grandnephew!!!

Chemo treatment 3 tomorrow and Friday!  (maybe...not if WBC is too low).  Bring it on - half way done.  

And the CUBS!!!  

Go Cubs Go!  Go Cubs Go!  Hey Chicago what do you say, the Cubs are gonna win today!

Fear

I’ve tried to remain optimistic in this journey, and I intend to return to that state of mind, but I just have to tell you, sometimes this is frightening.  I’ll tell you why in this brief blurb.   

Oregon hosts an annual bike tour called Cycle Oregon.

I have never participated, but may one day??  It looks fun, challenging and worthwhile.  Anyway, in 2011 the ride went through Riddle, OR where a gentleman named Mark Bosworth ended up disappearing.  It is a tragic story, more info here charley project: Mark Bosworth.  He still has not been found, and his family has set up a Mark Bosworth Fund to sponsor first-time riders for the week long Cycle Oregon Ride.   This year (2016) the fund sponsored 5 riders.  http://markbosworthfund.org 

Why am I telling you this? 

Because Mark and I share a diagnosis.  From the Charleyproject website:  “Bosworth was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a cancer of the blood in 2007.  He underwent chemotherapy and went into remission, but the cancer returned to his eye in 2009, and he had more chemotherapy treatments as well as radiation.  Bosworth had a bone marrow transplant in April 2010 and went into remission afterwards.  At the time of his disappearance, he had been complaining of severe headaches and had been confused and disoriented; his oncologist believes the lymphoma had possibly metastasized in the frontal lobe of his brain.  If this scenario has in fact occurred and the cancer is left untreated, Bosworth will become increasingly confused and then die in a matter of weeks or months.”

Big sigh. 

Mark was 50 years old when diagnosed and in great shape;  I am 52 and in not so great shape, especially with this hernia.    I am scared.  Then today, I read this: Making Promises We Cannot Keep in the New York Times.  

Ok, I’ll stop.  For each downfall, there are equally amazing stories of resilence, and lengthy remissions.  I need to find those too.  Thanks for letting me vent.