Who's a happy camper?

Me!

Just a quick note, because yet again, my lovely support system has bombarded me with calls and e-mails ;) And, I don't have enough energy to respond to everyone... at the moment.

So kids, the CT went extremely well today.

The good news:
1) no progression
2) we are calling this scan as of right now, stable to small reduction in the disease (my tumors are too tiny at this point, for the techs to determine the percentage of reduction from the preliminary report)
3) my onc team is thrilled
4) no changes of meds (LBH589) or ANYthing till the first week of April, that means, no scans till April, whoooop whooop!
5) first scan, in which my platelets have been awesome, my quality of life is awesome, and no progression/small reduction of disease is awesome.

Bad news:
1) none!

So basically, most of today, was awesome.
I'll update more, once I receive the final report on Monday.
Hope you all have a wonderful weekend,
and stay warm :)

Sending all my love
to all of you,

B!

I need you.

Actually, if you want to get literal, Ms. Hillary St. Pierre , needs you. In fact, she is a really tough cookie, and probably doesn't need anyone. But, I'm asking you, for me.

I need your help, for Ms. Hillary.

Isn't she a cutie?

So, Ms. Hillary, is a spitfire of a woman. She's twenty six. Has a beautiful son. And, as far as being a Hodgkin's patient, has undergone almost everything possible, for standard treatment. And here's the part, where I need my loyal, supporters to help. Hillary, although, being the independent, beautiful, stubborn, woman she is. Hil Just underwent an allo-transplant at Dana Farber. Her second transplant within a year. Personally, I can't even imagine. One transplant, is all my body could ever handle.

Unfortunately, her one hundred day scan, was not a positive one. After her allo-transplant, (stem cells from a donor), it appears that the cancer has returned, once again. Hillary is in no way, giving up. She's looking for other holistic treatments, diets, and other paths of treatments to keep that beautiful smile of her's going. But, just as you've all watched me, after a failed transplant. You know the heartbreak, and pain this kind of scan can bring upon someone. Their family, and friends.

It is utterly, heart-wrenching. And, I can't even imagine how I would feel after two transplant.

So, what do I need from you?

I have always been overwlemed with the amount of support, I receive on my blog. E-mails, and phone calls. I get. No matter what news comes my way. Therefore, If you care about me. I need you to utilize that support, and share it with Hillary. She is going through more than ANYone should, let alone, at the age of twenty six, with a family.

So, instead of leaving me comments, or e-mailing me, or sending positive vibes to me at this time. I ask you to focus your loving, incredibly beautiful, thoughts, smiles, love, and support to Hillary. She needs you. And even if she won't admit it -- cause she is as stubborn as I am ;) I'M telling you. I need it. I need you, to support, someone. The way you support me.

Commenting on her blog,
Click HERE, to access Hillary's blog.

or if you'd like to send something more personal..

her e-mail is:
hillaryst_pierre@hotmail.com
or
hill.stpierre@gmail.com


I have full faith, that Hillary has tons of supporters in her own network. But, in my mind, there is no such thing -- as having too many supporters, in your corner, when facing this kind of battle.

In advance, I thank you, thank you, thank you. For your love.

<3 B

Too good to be true?

First, thank you all for being patient with me this last month. I personally, was able to take some time away from blogs, cancer information, boards, and some communication in general. And, basically basked in the glory of good blood counts, and visited friends and families during this holiday break. It was nice, to not have to think of my heath twenty-four/seven. And, I just wanted to thank you all, for giving me that space.

For the first time, in a very, very long time. I had planned the next set of treatment (the Doxil, drug), since my platelets were not doing well the last few months. But, much to our surprise. In the last month, every time my levels were tested. My counts have slowly moved up. Today, we reached an all-time high of 115. Which is amazing. Not only are my counts holding, but they are slowly moving up. Which means, I can not get booted off the trial due to my blood levels anymore. (Hip-hip-horay!).

In addition, all of my other counts are going up -- which means, I feel great :)

So, it appears that this dose of drug. Is tolerable. Livable. and I'm having a wonderful, quality of life on it. So, why have I been hesitant to post this incredible news?

My upcoming CT scan. On January 30th.

With the dose being this low (15mgs of LBH), the doctors are hesitant, about the outcome of this scan. With the higher dose, there was definite reduction of disease. But, with this low of a dose, it appears, no one knows, really what the outcome will be. Will this low dosage, be able to keep the cancer at bay? Or are only the higher doses of LBH the ones that have the ability to reduce my disease? So, we will see.

For now, everything is moving in the right direction again. My program started a few weeks ago, I absolutely LOVE what I have gotten myself into ;) My orientation was a-mazing. I met some incredible people, and professors. And, am pleased that I made this jump into a new professional direction. My counts are great. My energy is decent. My smile, is usually pasted on and REAL 95% of the time. So, I'm sure you can all understand why I am a little skeptical, of this scan.

My ducks, once again, are all in a row. And, although, we are prepared to change treatment, if the scan shows progression. MY GOD. wouldn't it be nice, if these last two months could continue throughout my semester?

To just have stable disease. Just seems, too good, to be true. With, everything else. 'Working' in my life. But, we will just have to see. Again, I wanted to thank you, thank you, all. For, your voices of concern this last month or two. It's been so nice, to feel normal, for a bit. And, take some distance, when I can. For now, we once again will prepare for the worst (progression of disease), but hope for the best (stable disease).

And, no matter the outcome, just be aware. That I am so incredibly thankful. I had some flawless weeks, of normalcy, happiness, and lots of smiles with friends, family, and my education.

Sending Love,

B

No news, is good news.

Recently, I have been receiving an overwhelming amount of e-mails, voicing concern.
Just to make everyone aware, for now, no news, is good news.
Promise to update soon.





Sending Love,

B