Plan of Action in Place!

I managed to sneak in a bit early to see Dr. Muldoon, my warm and soothing oncologist. Marvelous bedside manner. He told me all about the new chemotherapy medication I will be taking. He also emphasized that I am a robust, bold and brazzy gal who has as good a chance as anyone due to my natural resiliance. I like that type of patter!

I got some topotecan or Hycamtin right then and there (it does have a track record of being used of ovarian cancer). Took only an hour to run it in IV...and I feel fine now. That's a switch from the former chemotherapy combo I had been taking that caused complete wipe-out. I will be getting it once a week. Who knows for how long. That depends on my response. Or not.
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I had a long and gratifying conversation with my new social worker, Holli. She said all the right things to encourage me (I am not certain if they accurately predict the future, however). I love this gal. Kind, yet lively and engaging. Like most of the folks at the Genesis Center. She even has twins, Bryce and Brennan! Her dad, Danny, runs the Haynes Family Dental Clinic here in Hot Springs ( http://www.haynesfamilydentalclinic.com/home.php ; ya'll come on by now ya hear) And her brother, Rob, whom she is very fond of, lives in in San Francisco....a place she loves as much as I do. The world is small. Holli's brother loves science fiction and has just gotten a new Alien Overlord named Zoe who has taken the form of a fat, crinkly black puppy with piercing eyes. The world is hardly what we can even dream of! I think he should get a raven. *





My situation is exactly the same as yesterday but it is always good to feel like you are doing something. I will refocus on eating well, reducing stress and getting exercise and then...hope for the best.

I just want you to know that my spirits have rebounded very swiftly and I, once again, feel fine today even though I realize my situation is far from what I would have wanted at this point. I am so very, very grateful for all the love and support all of you are offering up to me. That is, perhaps, the most wonderful sensation of all to be filled with and I can only give each of you credit for the gift.

I want you to have a great day, too!!

Love,
Judy (via jeff)

PS: to prove I am in good spirits here are gifts for you

1. My reading list: Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln by Doris Kearns Goodwin, FDR: The First Hundred Days by Anthony J. Badger, No Ordinary Time: Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt: The Home Front in World War II by Doris Kearns Goodwin, Five Wishes: How Answering One Simple Question Can Make Your Dreams Come True by Gay Hendricks and Neale Donald, The Elegance of the Hedgehog - Muriel Barbery, The Ruby in Her Navel - Barry Unsworth

2. Sent to me by a friend but, given my condition, NOT usable? However you will be a Total Siren if you learn and master this jolly tune...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXxvsShaAoA

*Ravens have a close affinity with the supernatural world. They are totem birds of the dark Celtic Goddesses the Badbh and the Morrigan, who possess the ability to appear as one or three beings and to shapeshift into Raven form. Appearing often throughout Celtic mythology, they feature in the Welsh stories of the Mabinogi. Ravens are birds of omen - predicting the future by studying the flight of birds. Believed to possess oracular powers, the distinctive harsh voice of the Raven prophesied the future and the outcome of battles. Carrion birds, they are associated with death, and Celtic coins depict the Raven or Crow perched on the back of a horse, symbolizing the war-goddess Badb Catha, who could change shape from woman to death-crow in battle. The Triple Raven alights on Cu Chulainn's shoulder at his death, to symbolize the passing of his spirit.

As death is closely intertwined with life, the bright-eyed Raven is also blessed with clear vision, and is wise in the mysteries of rebirth and healing.


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