Over the last few weeks, I had two friends tell me that they were having colonoscopies in my honor. Now mind you, this isn’t the first time that I’ve been bestowed with this honor. Over the last three years I have apparently inspired many people to go out and have this VERY EASY check done.
Many of the honorary colonoscopies were done by people who would have put off their colonoscopies, but went ahead and did it because of my story. Wow. It is an incredible feeling to know that in my small way, I am helping eradicate this disease since, as you all know, colon cancer is one of the most preventable forms of cancer. With a colonoscopy, they can quickly find any polyps and snip them off prior to them growing and potentially becoming cancerous. I so don’t want any of you to experience what I (and my family) have gone through over the past few years and what we’ll continue to go through until a cure for cancer is discovered.
March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month. For those of you who have not had your colonoscopy and should have had it (you know who you are), I am giving you plenty of time to get it scheduled before March arrives. I’d be honored to hear it if you do…
As for me, on Tuesday I will go and see Dr. Fisher at Stanford to check in and make sure that I'm still on the right path(I also wanted to see him and Margreet - because I really miss them.) I will also be heading back to Dr. Smith's office this Thursday for chemo, although I remain in remission. Keep sending those positive thoughts and prayers!
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Redefining Myself
During today’s chemo session I asked Dr. Smith if I was still considered a “Stage 4 colon cancer patient” or whether I have been restaged now that my body is showing no evidence of disease. He said at this point, I am considered to be in full remission. Wow – was that great to hear. For so long I have been walking around saying that I have Stage 4 colon cancer. I now will say that I HAD Stage 4 colon cancer, but am now in remission. Hallelujah. He said that if in 6 months my body continues to show no evidence of disease that my chance of long term remission triples.
So that’s my new goal – stay cancer free for 6 months. With your prayers and my sheer determination - I just know we can do it together!
So that’s my new goal – stay cancer free for 6 months. With your prayers and my sheer determination - I just know we can do it together!
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Happy New Year!
Boy, am I excited to begin 2011! With 2010 now officially in the rearview mirror, I am now ready to embark on a new year that I know will be so much better than the last one.
The family and I just got back from a ski vacation that took us to Squaw Valley in Tahoe and Alta Sierra near Lake Isabella. Last year at this time, I was recuperating from my hysterectomy and couldn’t go skiing with the family. This year, I was up there with them, swooshing down the mountains and watching my little girls carve up the slopes. As I dug my pole into each mogul, I thought to myself “take THAT, cancer!” I felt more energized and alive than I’ve felt in a very long time. Although my hands and feet were extremely dry from the Xeloda, it couldn’t impact my spirits.
We arrived back last night, in time to ring in 2011 with our dear friends and neighbors. How wonderful it is to be surrounded by laughter and love as the new year begins. Today, I went to my first yoga class of the new year. Our instructor told us that we were setting the tone for the rest of the year – and we could all consider ourselves to be yogis. How great is that??!!
Before heading off to the slopes, I met with my Chinese herbal medicine advisor and he has set many goals for me – with the most difficult (at least in my mind) being giving up sugar and walking 20 miles per week. (Apparently, the Xeloda chemo will be approximately 10% more effective with all of this walking since my circulatory system will move the drugs throughout my body thus killing more of the cancer.) Since I’ve decided that this is going to be the year that I really get my health under control, I’m going to prioritize these goals. I have offered to walk my neighbors dogs (of course, they have to come with me, since I am not picking up after the dogs) in an effort to force myself to hit my goal.
On Thursday, I head back to San Francisco for my next round of Avastin. Fortunately, that chemo doesn’t seem to produce the most dreaded side effects.
Finally, I can’t express how grateful I am for all of your love and support over this past year. It was a very difficult year for me and my family, however, knowing that we weren’t going through this alone made a tremendous difference for all of us. It really is impossible for me to put into words how fortunate I feel to have all of you in our lives.
May your 2011 be filled with peace, love and unending laughter.
The family and I just got back from a ski vacation that took us to Squaw Valley in Tahoe and Alta Sierra near Lake Isabella. Last year at this time, I was recuperating from my hysterectomy and couldn’t go skiing with the family. This year, I was up there with them, swooshing down the mountains and watching my little girls carve up the slopes. As I dug my pole into each mogul, I thought to myself “take THAT, cancer!” I felt more energized and alive than I’ve felt in a very long time. Although my hands and feet were extremely dry from the Xeloda, it couldn’t impact my spirits.
We arrived back last night, in time to ring in 2011 with our dear friends and neighbors. How wonderful it is to be surrounded by laughter and love as the new year begins. Today, I went to my first yoga class of the new year. Our instructor told us that we were setting the tone for the rest of the year – and we could all consider ourselves to be yogis. How great is that??!!
Before heading off to the slopes, I met with my Chinese herbal medicine advisor and he has set many goals for me – with the most difficult (at least in my mind) being giving up sugar and walking 20 miles per week. (Apparently, the Xeloda chemo will be approximately 10% more effective with all of this walking since my circulatory system will move the drugs throughout my body thus killing more of the cancer.) Since I’ve decided that this is going to be the year that I really get my health under control, I’m going to prioritize these goals. I have offered to walk my neighbors dogs (of course, they have to come with me, since I am not picking up after the dogs) in an effort to force myself to hit my goal.
On Thursday, I head back to San Francisco for my next round of Avastin. Fortunately, that chemo doesn’t seem to produce the most dreaded side effects.
Finally, I can’t express how grateful I am for all of your love and support over this past year. It was a very difficult year for me and my family, however, knowing that we weren’t going through this alone made a tremendous difference for all of us. It really is impossible for me to put into words how fortunate I feel to have all of you in our lives.
May your 2011 be filled with peace, love and unending laughter.
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Wow - What a Difference!
On Thursday, I started my new chemo regimen. We’ve dropped Irinotecan and are continuing only with Avastin and Xeloda. What does that mean? Well – I no longer have to worry about nausea, diarrhea or hair loss (good bye my dear Penguin Cold Caps, which saved EVERY hair on my head!). Avastin has almost no side effects. It was amazing. So my new regimen is receiving an Avastin infusion every 3 weeks and taking Xeloda (in pill form) for 7 days on, then 7 days off. There are side effects associated with Xeloda. For me the most bothersome is extremely dry hands and feet. At the end of my last 7 day cycle with Xeloda, I had trouble walking because of the combination of dry feet and neuropathy. But I can handle it. So many people have it so much worse.
Dr. Smith also spent some time with me outlining the meaning of my CT scan. He told me that the spots that he saw were smaller than they appeared on previous scans, but even more importantly, they were a lot less dense. He said that this means that there is probably dying or dead cancer inside of them. He then said the best thing of all “Eve, you will most likely never get rid of those spots completely. We will probably still see those spots 40 years from now in your scans.” I stopped him immediately and asked him to repeat what he had just said. 40 years from now? Did he really utter those words? I’ve been hoping for 4 years. When I called him on it, he just smiled.
Yesterday, the girls and I went with some dear friends to a place that was filled with trampolines. I decided not just to watch them, but to get in there and jump with them. The feeling of elation and gratefulness overwhelmed me as I flew through the air. As the laughter of my children surrounded me, I realized that I am beating the odds. I am going to live.
Dr. Smith also spent some time with me outlining the meaning of my CT scan. He told me that the spots that he saw were smaller than they appeared on previous scans, but even more importantly, they were a lot less dense. He said that this means that there is probably dying or dead cancer inside of them. He then said the best thing of all “Eve, you will most likely never get rid of those spots completely. We will probably still see those spots 40 years from now in your scans.” I stopped him immediately and asked him to repeat what he had just said. 40 years from now? Did he really utter those words? I’ve been hoping for 4 years. When I called him on it, he just smiled.
Yesterday, the girls and I went with some dear friends to a place that was filled with trampolines. I decided not just to watch them, but to get in there and jump with them. The feeling of elation and gratefulness overwhelmed me as I flew through the air. As the laughter of my children surrounded me, I realized that I am beating the odds. I am going to live.
Monday, December 13, 2010
A BIG PHEW!!!
Tonight I received an e-mail from my oncologist with the results from Friday's CT scan. To quote Dr. Smith:
“Your scan looked great. I see only 2 spots, which are much smaller than before. It is likely that there is no longer any cancer in them, but it is hard to tell for sure.”
The plan is to move forward with Avastin and Xeloda chemo for the next 3 months, but drop the most intense chemo drug, Irinotecan. We will then check once again and hopefully those 2 spots will have been absorbed. With the removal of Irinotecan from my chemo regimen, I no longer have to worry about hair loss. Those Penguin Cold Caps pulled me through with my hair intact!
A huge thank you to all of you for your prayers and positive thoughts. This is a good day. A very very good day.
“Your scan looked great. I see only 2 spots, which are much smaller than before. It is likely that there is no longer any cancer in them, but it is hard to tell for sure.”
The plan is to move forward with Avastin and Xeloda chemo for the next 3 months, but drop the most intense chemo drug, Irinotecan. We will then check once again and hopefully those 2 spots will have been absorbed. With the removal of Irinotecan from my chemo regimen, I no longer have to worry about hair loss. Those Penguin Cold Caps pulled me through with my hair intact!
A huge thank you to all of you for your prayers and positive thoughts. This is a good day. A very very good day.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Penguin Cold Caps!
As those of you who follow this blog know, during my current chemotherapy, I am not only fighting to save my life, but fighting to save my hair. Why do I care so much about the hair? It gives me and my family a sense of normalcy as we go through this difficult journey together. When my children see me, they see the mom that they’ve always known and they’re not as scared. Professionally, I have the choice to tell people that I wish to tell about my cancer – it is not being advertised for everyone to see. And finally, and probably most importantly, when I look in the mirror, I don’t see someone who looks sick, I see a strong, healthy person and that gives me the strength to fight.
I am pleased to announce that it has worked! I actually think that I have more hair than when I started. Our local ABC affiliate in the San Francisco Bay Area was so interested in this story that they came to my office and to my chemo appointment to film the process. They ran the story last Monday night and here is the link to their coverage: http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news%2Fhealth&id=7828760.
A big thank you to ABC in helping to get the word out about this terrific option for cancer patients!
Kenra
To add to the Penguin Cold Caps week, on Tuesday I flew to Indianapolis (I was actually in DC for business and flew to Indianapolis from DC just for the night and flew back to DC to continue my lobbying the next morning) to help launch a very exciting new charitable effort. Kenra (a high end hair products company that is in 20,000 salons nationwide) has decided to put their charitable giving efforts to help people save their hair during chemo. On Tuesday night, they announced that by 2013 it is their goal to provide a freezer for Penguin Cold Caps to every location in the US that dispenses chemotherapy. That is more than 2300 hospitals! At $7-10K per freezer, that is not a small undertaking. They will be raising the money and giving it to the Rapunzel Project, which is a charity that was created by a former Penguin Cold Cap user. The Rapunzel Project raises and donates funds to buy freezers for the cold caps. Kenra gave them $50K on Tuesday and plan to give them more over the next several years to fulfill their dream of enabling patients throughout the US to save their hair during a very traumatic time in their lives.
I felt very honored that Kenra flew me out to speak at the launch of this effort. They also flew out the President and Founder of the company that makes Penguin Cold Caps as well as the founders of the Rapunzel Project. The leadership of the company was inspirational and everyone that worked there was so loving and supportive. They told me that I am now part of the Kenra family (and I’ll never have to buy hair product again!). What a family to join. I literally fell in love with everyone there. Please buy Kenra products from your local salon – they not only make amazing products, but this company has a huge heart as well.
After returning to DC on Wednesday morning, I spent the next couple of days walking the halls of Congress on behalf of the Port. It was a very intense week, but a good one. As I was “complaining” to Pat before I left about how crazy my life was, Pat just looked at me and said “Eve, you’re living your life. That is the best thing you can do.” He was right. I am living my life. I’m showing cancer who’s boss.
On Friday, I went back to Stanford for a CT scan. This is my first CT scan since my surgery last July. I’m on pins and needles waiting for the results. I’m trying not to let fear take ahold of me, but it’s hard not to. I keep wondering if my life will be shaken once again. This week I should get the results back (maybe as early as tomorrow). Please keep me in your prayers.
Finally, I will be heading into another round of chemo on Thursday. Please send me all of your wonderful energy as I head back into battle. During this holiday time, I reflect on the story of Chanukah where the Maccabees crushed the Greek Army – which was truly a miracle. I pray that I will also experience a miracle in crushing the cancer in the Maccabee spirit of long long ago.
I am pleased to announce that it has worked! I actually think that I have more hair than when I started. Our local ABC affiliate in the San Francisco Bay Area was so interested in this story that they came to my office and to my chemo appointment to film the process. They ran the story last Monday night and here is the link to their coverage: http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news%2Fhealth&id=7828760.
A big thank you to ABC in helping to get the word out about this terrific option for cancer patients!
Kenra
To add to the Penguin Cold Caps week, on Tuesday I flew to Indianapolis (I was actually in DC for business and flew to Indianapolis from DC just for the night and flew back to DC to continue my lobbying the next morning) to help launch a very exciting new charitable effort. Kenra (a high end hair products company that is in 20,000 salons nationwide) has decided to put their charitable giving efforts to help people save their hair during chemo. On Tuesday night, they announced that by 2013 it is their goal to provide a freezer for Penguin Cold Caps to every location in the US that dispenses chemotherapy. That is more than 2300 hospitals! At $7-10K per freezer, that is not a small undertaking. They will be raising the money and giving it to the Rapunzel Project, which is a charity that was created by a former Penguin Cold Cap user. The Rapunzel Project raises and donates funds to buy freezers for the cold caps. Kenra gave them $50K on Tuesday and plan to give them more over the next several years to fulfill their dream of enabling patients throughout the US to save their hair during a very traumatic time in their lives.
I felt very honored that Kenra flew me out to speak at the launch of this effort. They also flew out the President and Founder of the company that makes Penguin Cold Caps as well as the founders of the Rapunzel Project. The leadership of the company was inspirational and everyone that worked there was so loving and supportive. They told me that I am now part of the Kenra family (and I’ll never have to buy hair product again!). What a family to join. I literally fell in love with everyone there. Please buy Kenra products from your local salon – they not only make amazing products, but this company has a huge heart as well.
After returning to DC on Wednesday morning, I spent the next couple of days walking the halls of Congress on behalf of the Port. It was a very intense week, but a good one. As I was “complaining” to Pat before I left about how crazy my life was, Pat just looked at me and said “Eve, you’re living your life. That is the best thing you can do.” He was right. I am living my life. I’m showing cancer who’s boss.
On Friday, I went back to Stanford for a CT scan. This is my first CT scan since my surgery last July. I’m on pins and needles waiting for the results. I’m trying not to let fear take ahold of me, but it’s hard not to. I keep wondering if my life will be shaken once again. This week I should get the results back (maybe as early as tomorrow). Please keep me in your prayers.
Finally, I will be heading into another round of chemo on Thursday. Please send me all of your wonderful energy as I head back into battle. During this holiday time, I reflect on the story of Chanukah where the Maccabees crushed the Greek Army – which was truly a miracle. I pray that I will also experience a miracle in crushing the cancer in the Maccabee spirit of long long ago.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Quick Update and Tune in to Oprah on Wed!
I have so much to update you all on. Here is the quick and dirty:
1) My hernia/pain in my stomach - I'm glad to report that the pain has subsided. I was dreading spending the next year in pain, but I was willing to do it if it meant that I would be blasting myself with chemo and ridding myself of cancer. Fortunately, I don't have to dread it any longer. Hallelujah.
2) I've gone through a couple more rounds of chemo - they weren't fun, but I didn't vomit. Trust me - that's huge. I did experience other side effects that weren't pleasant, but that's chemo. It's not supposed to be a walk in the park. Fortunately, I don't have to go back until November 30 (my oncologist is giving me Thanksgiving week off). I'm looking forward to feeling better every day until then.
3) Penguin Caps - For those of you who saw Good Morning America, you should have seen my picture in my penguin cap scroll across the bottom of the screen a couple of times during the 9+ minute segment. It was a heck of a story and now TV stations throughout Canada and the US are doing additional stories on the cold caps. Life has gotten pretty wild for the company and we are talking about rapid expansion opportunities in the US. The owner and founder will be coming out to the States in December and I'm gearing up for his visit.
4) John of God - I just found out that John of God is going to be on Oprah on Wednesday, November 17. If you're interested in learning more about him (as you may recall, I traveled to Brazil last summer to see if he could help heal me), please tune in.
5) Another birthday - I am so excited that on Saturday, I will be celebrating another birthday. Each birthday is so precious now. While others may dread birthdays, I am so looking forward to old age. Birthdays can't come fast enough for me.
Finally, I have one last story. About a week ago I was pretty upset with Ariel. As I was about to raise my voice, she looked at me and said "Mommy - you need to have peace. It is important that you have peace and laughter in your life. That's how you will be healthy. If you have madness and sadness it won't help you get better. You need peace and laughter." She stopped me in my tracks. She was right. It's amazing the wisdom that can come out of such a young child.
1) My hernia/pain in my stomach - I'm glad to report that the pain has subsided. I was dreading spending the next year in pain, but I was willing to do it if it meant that I would be blasting myself with chemo and ridding myself of cancer. Fortunately, I don't have to dread it any longer. Hallelujah.
2) I've gone through a couple more rounds of chemo - they weren't fun, but I didn't vomit. Trust me - that's huge. I did experience other side effects that weren't pleasant, but that's chemo. It's not supposed to be a walk in the park. Fortunately, I don't have to go back until November 30 (my oncologist is giving me Thanksgiving week off). I'm looking forward to feeling better every day until then.
3) Penguin Caps - For those of you who saw Good Morning America, you should have seen my picture in my penguin cap scroll across the bottom of the screen a couple of times during the 9+ minute segment. It was a heck of a story and now TV stations throughout Canada and the US are doing additional stories on the cold caps. Life has gotten pretty wild for the company and we are talking about rapid expansion opportunities in the US. The owner and founder will be coming out to the States in December and I'm gearing up for his visit.
4) John of God - I just found out that John of God is going to be on Oprah on Wednesday, November 17. If you're interested in learning more about him (as you may recall, I traveled to Brazil last summer to see if he could help heal me), please tune in.
5) Another birthday - I am so excited that on Saturday, I will be celebrating another birthday. Each birthday is so precious now. While others may dread birthdays, I am so looking forward to old age. Birthdays can't come fast enough for me.
Finally, I have one last story. About a week ago I was pretty upset with Ariel. As I was about to raise my voice, she looked at me and said "Mommy - you need to have peace. It is important that you have peace and laughter in your life. That's how you will be healthy. If you have madness and sadness it won't help you get better. You need peace and laughter." She stopped me in my tracks. She was right. It's amazing the wisdom that can come out of such a young child.
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