Hooray!  I got the CAT scan results Friday and they were what we were hoping for. No visible signs of  tumors!  The doctor's best guess is that I won't be needing to repeat chemo for 6-18 months, but I'm hoping for between 24-NEVER. Call me a dreamer, but why not?  Thanks for all the positive vibes you've been sending me, and keep it up, please!

We all had a great time at Clar's wedding last month and spent many happy moments with family and friends.  I've started back to school full time, and so far, so good.  It feels very normal to be back at work.  I think it keeps me from sitting around feeling invalid-like.  

One more time, I would like you all to know how much your support meant to me over the last six months.  One of the most trying periods of my life was made easier because you were there.  I have learned a lot from all of you about caring and each of you has made me a better person by your example.  GRACIAS!  I think we can all take a break from the blogging world for the time being.  Stay well and as Ellen would say, "Be kind to one another."  Love and hugs,  Karen

SORRY FOR THE DELAY!-

Yes, I know I've been bad.  Blogging sounds like a great idea to keep everyone informed, and then you try and try to come up with some original thought and...nada!  Could it be that chemo destroys creativity and cleverness cells while it's trying for the cancer? Perhaps.  Here's what's new.  Just completed Round 5 and the poisons seem to be doing their thing. When a woman has ovarian cancer she starts off with a CA125 score. It's a blood test that is used as a "tumor indicator". Before surgery mine was 390. It has been steadily dropping with the chemo until it is now at 18.  So that's good news and indicates that I can probably
take a six to twelve month break from the treatment after the next session.  The CAT scan in August will be more definitive, however.   We've had a good summer.  My sister, Sharon,  and her husband,  John, were here from California and we had a wonderful time. My new adorable grand niece, Stella, and Mom and Dad (Robin and Ken) were here for a couple of days on their way to a dude ranch. Fun to have a munchkin running around the house again.  Bobbie (little sister) and Doug have been camping with us about every other weekend and we've had some beautiful hikes and lots of good laughs.  The kids have been around a lot to keep me company, so there have been few boring moments.  Clar is getting married in 2 weeks.  More family, more parties, more excitement!  So that's the nutshell version of the Recent Life of Karen.  My next blog will be sometime in August, after the test results.  I'm REALLY optimistic!  Love you all.....Karen

Numero Dos

Hello again!  The last month has been full of new experiences and new emotions.  My first big hurdle was dealing with my own vanity.  I was totally dreading losing my hair.  I burst into tears every time I tried to imagine it. Then one morning I woke up, took a shower and found myself with a handful of hair.  I began dreading the plumbing bill almost as much as my approaching baldness. After two days of only brushing my hair outside,  Paco and I took a trip to Great Clips where they kindly shaved both of our heads for free. What a relief!   It was not nearly as traumatic as I had imagined it would be.  The next day was Paco's birthday party where I premiered my new look along with Paco, Ben, my brother-in-law,  and best friend/neighbor, Fred, who had all shaved their heads for the occasion.  What a nice show of support! 

     Chemo the second time around was much better than the first.  The side effects were the same, but knowing what to expect and taking more meds really helped. The next one is Wednesday, May 16.  So by the following Monday or Tuesday I should feel like participating in life again!

     I continue to be amazed at all the positive support I get.  The staff at Centennial had a "scarf drive" and now I'm set with head covers to match any possible outfit!  Thank you all!  My kids and Paco continue to be a major source of strength for me, letting me know often and in many little ways that they love Mom.  My entire friend and family circle is there for me whenever I need a lift.  Gracias a todos!

  

One down

I probably should have written this blog about a week ago. I would have written of the relaxing and welcoming chemo room at Rock Creek, of the caring nurses and patients, of what an easy first session it had been. A week later, the lovely, optimistic words are coming harder. Those of you who have experienced chemo will understand when I say that it was one of the most troubling experiences in my life. The side effects were all there, just as I had been told, but I never knew from one hour to the next which one I would be feeling. I went to bed each night hoping and praying I would feel better in the morning, only to wake up to some new set of pains or side effects...UNTIL TODAY! I feel like I might be over the hump now. I have two weeks to gather up my attitude(which was falling apart), my energy, and my strength to start again. This time a little more realistically. Thanks for caring enough to read these sporadic blogitos...I probably won't update again for a couple of weeks. One down, five to go! Karen

Ready,set, .......

I'm just sitting here watching Paco work...raking, pruning, sweating...poor guy!  Spring is upon us and if we can't be in Zihuatanejo, I guess sunny Boulder is the next best place.  Hope all my BVSD friends are enjoying either exotic locales or hanging out at home with no lesson plans to think about!  Friday was our meeting with the oncologist to find out all about chemo...well, at least a small portion of what we need to know.  Paco and I are going to a Chemo Class on Monday morning. (I really like the way Kaiser tries to keep everyone informed and educated) Sometime next week, I'll be going to Denver to have a "port" put in to protect my whimpy blond veins over the course of the next several months, and then the following week I'll start chemo.  I think I mentioned in another blog that it will consist of 6-8 cycles (1 chemo day every three weeks).  There will be periodic checks (CT scans, blood tests,etc) to determine how much (not IF! :)) the cancers are shrinking.  I've been feeling pretty good, except for the incision which makes it hard to walk, sleep, or salsa dance.  It doesn't effect watching mindless TV (my favorite kind) nor eating, so I'm surviving.  I'm sure it will feel better very soon.  To all you friends and family out there in blog-land I want you to know that not a day goes by that I don't thank my lucky stars (as Mom used to say) for the joy of knowing EACH of you.  If cancer teaches you nothing else, it certainly teaches you the importance of the people in your life.  Thanks for being there!    Karen

HOLA!

WOW! What a beautiful day! I feel so sorry for all my cohorts at Centennial trying to control the hormones racing around the halls. You are all in my thoughts and prayers...remember, just ONE MORE WEEK! Paco and I went down to Anschutz yesterday, accompanied by sister Sharon who is here from California, to get pathology results and talk about what's next. I was thrilled that there are no new surprises. For all you scientists all they told me was that I have high grade serous cell cancer...which is fancy talk for ovarian/ peritoneal cancer. The treatment is straightforward and has been experienced by thousands of women before me...6 - 8 sessions of chemo 3 weeks apart. There will be a CT scan after about 9 weeks to see if the cancer is breaking down and I will probably need to have myself "drained" a couple of times (lovely) of the fluids that this type of cancer produces. I meet next Friday with my new oncologist (Kaiser has taken me back into its fold) to discuss all the details. So, there you have it... I'll update after my first chemo!
What about those BUFFS?

Sitting in the sun.

Well, tomorrow flew right by me. Here it is Saturday, and I am finally getting back to business. The last three days have been both trying and rewarding. I have been trying hard to keep myself in the present tense (only a language teacher!) and leave the future tense until I feel better. Therefore, my goals are simple and daily...find the most comfortable thing in the world to wear, drink water like a fish, and feel better in some way than I felt the day before. So far so good! I have been completely overwhelmed by your notes and cards, not to mention the food, flowers, and gifts. You have written such important and loving words that I believe my friends to be the most insightful in Boulder...and that is saying a lot...skinny AND insightful! One day I hope to thank you personally for your words of encouragement and comfort, but until that time, please except this small expression of public gratitude. On a medical note, Paco and I are going back to Anschutz on Thursday to hear pathology reports, chemo plans, and other yucky stuff. For right now, I am content not to worry about Thursday and focus on this gorgeous Colorado sunshine. I'll write soon.

I'm Home!

I just wanted to be sure that no one came to visit me in the hospital, because I am home! I will write more tomorrow.

Much better!

Feeling so much better! I got rid of lots of tubes and drugs today and with the departure of all those alien apparati,my spirits have risen. Even though they were unable to remove the majority of the cancer, there's always chemo and perhaps even future surgeries. The whole family is feeling better. I'm not sure yet when I'll be out of here. Best guess is Thursday or Friday. I have really appreciated all of your gifts and calls. Thank you all so much for your support. I'll stay in better touch now that I have my wits about me. Much love! Karen

Post Surgery

This is Karen's friend, Mary-
Karen is out of surgery but the news isn't what we wanted to hear.  The doctor was unable to get all the cancer.  Tests will determine where the cancer originated.
She will start Chemo as soon as she is up to it.  We all know she is strong and her great attitude has to count for something.  Let's all get behind her for the second round.
Paco and the boys are all in shock at this point and not ready for phone calls.  Karen is still in recovery.
All of your good wishes and support are greatly appreciated. 

Hurry up and wait

Hello again! Paco and I went to Anschutz on Thursday to meet with the surgical team. We were both really impressed with the vastness of the University of Colorado Hospital and with the number of research projects they sponsor. GO BUFFS! The doctors gave us lots of info, most of which is understandable only to other doctors, but we did get some valuable specifics. My surgery has been postponed until Friday,March 2...early in the morning. They expect I will be there for 4-5 days. The pathology report will be available about a week after surgery which will tell us about type of cancer, stage, and prognosis. They are thinking that chemo will start about three weeks after surgery and will consist of 6 rounds, three weeks apart. Today was my last day with the kids at Centennial. I hope I'll be back for at least a little while in May. They were so sweet and caring...like everyone else I've been with lately. Love you all!

Greetings!

Hello Friends and Family! So how is it that a woman with a "flip up" cell phone, a woman who has to count to four every time she texts an "s"' and who does not facebook has started her own blog? The truth is, about three weeks ago I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and I realized that I needed some way to communicate with all the people that I care about without rehashing the story over and over again. Forgive me for not calling each and every one of you personally, but cancer has a way of adding many more activities to your everyday life. It's hard to find the time for all those phone calls. I hope you will accept this blog as the next best thing! So here's the scoop. After feeling bloated and blue since about Christmas I went to the doctor in January. She thankfully took my whining seriously and ordered ultrasound followed by a CT scan and bloodtests. Soon they had the diagnosis of ovarian and/or peritoneal cancer. Surgery is tentatively scheduled for February 28 at Anschutz, but it isn't for sure until I meet with the surgeon, Dr. Sue Davidson on Thursday the 23rd. They have told me to expect chemo after my body has recovered from the surgery, but no treatment schedule will be in place until they see what's going on in them 'thar parts. Paco and the boys are wonderfully supportive and helping me keep spirits high. Ben and Mitch are both in school studying hard (Please, God!) and Andy and Clar are busy, busy, busy with their jobs. My last day of school will be Friday, Feb.24 and I haven't a clue yet as to how long I'll be out. I'll blog you with updates (Is that how you say it?) Thank you all for keeping me in your thoughts and prayers. I have the best friends in the world!