Days 4 & 5--How It Went

Day 4 went well.   I was really well.   Judy took me and even though it is on Shea and the 101, it hasn't been a bad drive at all.  When we got there, my blood pressure was low so they gave me electrolytes which I can't begin to tell you what a difference the electrolytes make.  

I thought I had an appointment with Dr. Bhoola at 3::30 for post op visit.  We had to hurry to get there because of the extra treatment and when we got there, the appointment was for today.  But Dr. Bhoola was out sick and she wanted to know if I would be okay with a telephone appointment today.  I said yes, but that I was okay without any appointment because I was under the care of Virginia Piper,  They scheduled me for 3 p.m. today but I told them if he got behind, it was okay.  

My dear friend, Susie Appel, took me today.  We were principals together and I always love to visit with her.  She was very impressed with the everything there and commented a number of times on how nice everyone is.

So other than being tired and a bit dehydrated, it's been a good two days.  I get a break now until Monday and I am going to enjoy and rest.

So the biggest issue I had was this:

 

Day 2 and How It Worked Out

I had to be at the Research Clinic at 7:0 a.m. yesterday.  Patrick took me and we got there about 6:45.  I was immediately taken in for vitals and then taken to a small room with a bed.  They started by doing blood work.   About 7:30, the doctor, Pat, my nurse and the nurse taking care of me for the day came in and said my hemoglobin was too low.  They called the director of the company because it was so close to the required number but he said no and that they had to follow FDA guidelines.  Pat, my nurse, felt horrible, because we were so excited about the possibilities of this study.  I asked if there was anything I could do.  There really isn't but being dehydrated helps.  That was a first for me.   We discussed coming back Wednesday to try again or trying another one right then.   When they were leaving Pat told me to drink a lot of coffee because it dehydrates you.  They took blood again.  I drank some coffee and remembered that I had taken a water pill that my cardiologist had prescribed and they are every other day and yesterday was one.  That was a good thing...........   

Pat loves stones and collects them. When they had first come in, I showed her an amethyst that I had been given from my friend, Jan.  It is from Four Peaks and is said to have special powers.  Pat told me to take it out and keep it right by me.  I have never been into this but have several friends who are.  

Laying there waiting for the results was awful.  I have really tried to be positive, but there gets to a point where that goes away and I was really close to that point  Pat came in again and I could tell by her face that it wasn't good news.   She asked me if I wanted to try one more time.  I said yes so they took another vial of blood.  During the last two times, I drank a couple of cups of coffee and had to use the restroom quite a bit because of the water pill.  Again, the waiting was so hard.  Lots of things went through my mind and  I can honestly say that one of them was to give up.  The emotional part of this disease isn't something that is talked about much, but it is so much a part of it.  As I have said before, it is an emotional roller coaster.

Around 9:30, the nurse came in and she had all of her "tools" to start the process because I PASSED!   I can't even describe how I felt.  They had done and EKG and it was fine so they started the actual drug,  It was an infusion and last only 20 minutes.  It was around 11:30 when it finished and I needed to be there for eight hours getting blood work done and doing EKGs.   I had brought my headphones and listened to a book that I had been wanting to hear.   

My "niece," Monica brought me lunch from AJ's.  It was the best tuna sandwich I have ever  had.  Monica stayed with me for about three hours and it was so nice to visit with her.  Cecilia's kids are so wonderful to me and I thank all of them!

Of course,  my sense of humor was back and the nurses and I enjoyed some laughs during the day.  They kept apologizing for how long I had to be there but it was the guidelines.  I honestly didn't care how long I had to be there because I was finally able to get started and I don't have to worry about that blood test again.  Once I passed, that was it.   

I was there until 7:38 and Cameron came to get me.  He was a little bit early and of course he knows all about hemoglobin and what it does, etc.  He always amazes me the knowledge that he has about so many things.

I felt fine throughout the day and my blood and EKG's were fine.  However by the time I got home, I was totally exhausted.  I had to wait until 9:30 to go to sleep because of a round of meds that I had to do every six hours.  I took the meds at 9:30 and think I was asleep by 9:32!

Judy is taking me back today.  They have to do blood work and watch me for an hour.  There might be more but I don't know about it yet.  Pat, my nurse, said the doctor wanted me to have iron so they will do two hours of an iron "drip" I think.  I will know more in a bit.  Judy will be taking me today.  Even though I feel fine and can do lots of things, I am still not confident about driving, especially on the freeway, etc.

The "journey I didn't want to be on" continues and here's to KICKING CANCER'S BUTT!

914 N. 6th St.; Phoenix, AZ

Growing up in Douglas, I always loved going to Phoenix to visit my cousins.  They lived in a house in downtown Phoenix without air conditioning.  As a kid, that didn't matter.  Some of my best childhood memories took place there.   After my Aunt Gyp died in the early 1980's,  my Uncle Matt got remarried.  He sold 914 to my cousins Tony and Yaya.  They did a lot of remodeling and made it an even cooler (literally) house.  So many of my  best adult memories center around that house, too. Every Christmas Eve was spent there.  We would attend Mass at St. Mary's and then go to Tony and Yaya's for wonderful Mexican food.  In 2017, we had the first Christmas Eve not there here at our house.   It was really fun, but it has never been the same.  Tony died in the late 1990s and Yaya passed last fall.  

Yaya's sisters were left the house and now it is time to sell it.  It is so hard to see that house go to someone else.   Or because of it's location, 6th Street and Roosevelt, who knows what it will become.  It was so hard to sell our house in Douglas.  For me, this is almost as hard.  Here is the article the realtor wrote about the house.   It is really cool and most of the facts are true.  This is another example of what happens when we grow older and have to move on from what we loved.  But the memories will always be there.  No one can take away a memory.

This Home Has a Story

In the summer of 1938, Matthew and Helena “Gyp” Scott purchased the charming two-bedroom, one-bath home with a sleeping porch. It was here that they would raise their six children, creating a lifetime of memories. Nestled in a friendly neighborhood, it was a place where kids knew who handed out the best Halloween candy and which houses had the most vibrant holiday decorations. 

Directly across the street, Becky Qurious's beautiful roses bloomed every May, filling the air with their sweet fragrance. But the Scott family home was known for more than its physical beauty. It was a place of open doors and open hearts. Matthew and Gyp welcomed family, friends, and anyone in need, making their home a sanctuary of safety and community.

The large backyard was the site of many family projects, including the building of homecoming floats. The Scott’s worked together, their yard becoming a hub of creativity and teamwork. Gyp, ever the gracious host, made everyone feel welcome, while Matthew, often away on business as one of the founding members of St Vincent de Paul Society in Phoenix, provided a strong foundation for their charitable spirit.

Years later, the Scott’s daughter, Margaret “Yaya” purchased the home with her husband Tony Gabaldon, an Arizona state senator, and together they expanded the house. They added a great room loft and an impressive stone fireplace, blending modern comforts with the home's historic charm.

The Gabaldons continued the family tradition of hospitality, always ready to invite others into their warm, loving home. Their additions not only increased the home's size but also enhanced its role as a gathering place for the community.

Over the years, the neighborhood around the Scott home has seen significant changes. An influx of culture, life, and energy has transformed the area, making it a vibrant hub of activity. Art lovers flock to the 1st Friday Art Walk in Roosevelt Row, while the Churchill Entertainment District buzzes with excitement and creativity. The presence of Arizona State University adds a youthful vibrancy that is palpable in the air.

Amidst this dynamic evolution, the Scott family's home has endured as a steadfast symbol of stability and love. It stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of generosity and togetherness that has defined it for decades. As the neighborhood continues to grow and change, this home will remain, in some form, a cherished part of the community's fabric. Its legacy of warmth, welcome, and community will continue to inspire and uplift all who pass through its doors.

 

A memory from Ted Park:

Ted Park:
    OMG! That's wonderful Sheila. 914 N.6th Street is second only to 858 14th Street in Scott Family Lore.
I remember stopping there on our way to Douglas in the late 50’s and 60’s. We would leave around 9 PM on a Friday and Dad would drive overnight to beat the desert heat. We'd pull into Phoenix around Noon. Dad would drive in the alley in the back of Matt & Gyp's house and park that ‘57 Ford Country Squire in the backyard. Dad would sleep for five hours while we played with our cousins. Then he would load us up in the wagon and drive on to Douglas where we would get in shortly before Midnight. (I can still see the molten slag pours glowing in the dark at the smelter.). When we drove under the overpass we knew we were “home”.  
Later in the 70’s Ed and I started to go back to Douglas on our own. We, too, would leave around 9:00 PM (after work) and pull in front on Matt & Gyp's house around 7:00 AM, just in time for breakfast. (Ed's Firebird Trans Am made better time than the old Country Squire… particularly with 2 twenty-something’s behind the wheel.)  We would stay for  4-5 days, see all the Phoenix cousins, then drive down to Douglas for a week.
Memories!…food for my Soul.
 

Every time we'd drive that Trans Am to Arizona it would blow a fuse because we were running the
A/C so much. Matt would say no problem…he'd take it to his A/C guy. (Matt had a “guy” for everything.) Anyway, he’d take the Trans Am. He'd tell us about all the pretty girls that waved to him on the way.

 

 

Trial--Day 1 and How It Worked Out!

Yesterday was the start of the cancer study for a new drug that is targeting endometrial cancer.  the company is called Werewolf Therapeutics and is a fairly new company.  It already has an excellent reputation.  

I had to be there at 7 and I went to the Honor Hospital on Shea and the 101.  I have (unfortunately) had a lot of experience with the hospitals.   For the most part, they have been wonderful.  Everyone there was so nice and kind which I appreciate very much.  When a person is going through this, you don't need grouchy people to deal with!

The first procedure is a biopsy.  Mine was a biopsy of a lymph node.  All cancers can spread and do crazy things.  Endometrial cancer has no place to attack since a hysterectomy has taken place.  So it goes after the liver, lungs, etc.

The nurses made me feel comfortable and got me ready to go into a room that was like a surgical room.  This procedure does not require being put out.  They just use lidocane to numb the area.  I have had one previously so I new what to expect.

A nurse from the research institute was there to collect the samples.  We had a chance to talk while waiting.  She told me that they have 13 people in this study right now which is really great because it means that it is working for those 13 people.   She also told me that Pat Shannon, my nurse throughout this time, is one of the best oncology nurses around and that she just received an award from the Oncology Society for her outstanding work.

The doctor was super kind and explained everything as he went along.  About half way through, he asked me how I was doing.  I responded that I was doing fine, but more importantly to me, I wanted to know how he was doing,  He laughed and said no one had ever asked him that and I told him that I wanted to make sure he was doing well.  Everyone in the room had a good laugh.  Everyone who knows me, knows my sense of humor is always there.

When he finished, he again asked me if is was doing okay and said something about not hitting him or anything.  I had my cane under the sheet so I pulled it out and told him that I was prepared with more than just my fist.  Once again, we all had a laugh.   I think humor is so important and it relaxes people.

I came home around 12:30 and felt fine.  I was a little tired as I have been through a lot in the last week with the hospital stay, my blood pressure being out of control, and all of the pain medications that  I was given.  Under the circumstances, that is pretty amazing that I am doing so well!

Monday I have to be there at 7 a.m. and will be there for 10 hours.   I'm not sure what they are going to be doing as there has been so much information that I have been given that I can't remember a lot.  But I absolutely trust them which is very important.    

I am very hopeful and positive about this opportunity.  I have responded very well to other drugs, but the side effects were too much.   The side effects on this one so far haven't been like what I dealt with before.  I do know that quality of life is very important and that it isn't worth taking meds when you can't function.

The name of this company is Werewolf Therapeutics.  It is a fairly new company but it is developing a good reputation.

So here is to Monday and here is to "kicking cancer's butt"!!!!!!!!!!!

Tomorrow--The Trial Begins

Tomorrow morning at 7 I start the first procedure for the trial that I am going to be on through Virginia Piper Cancer Research Center.  I was worried that I wouldn't be able to get started as last Saturday I had such severe pain in my abdomen that I had to go to the ER at Mercy Gilbert.  They ended up keeping me there until Tuesday.  It took almost 24 hours to get the pain under control.  I can only say that I don't want to experience that pain ever again.  It was scary because I have had to go to the ER a couple of times and very strong opioids have taken care of the pain immediately.  That didn't happen this time and it was rough. 

 Because of all of the pain that I was going through, my blood pressure shot up and so that was one of the reasons that they kept me for three days.  There are so many other things that happen when you are going through this that cause a lot of other problems.  

I have to say that the nurses and doctors at Mercy are awesome.  I had very good care.  I have been in other hospitals and they were fine, but Mercy goes above and beyond.  

One of the doctors who came into see me works at Virginia Piper so he was very familiar with the study  I will be on.  He was also very positive which was nice to hear.  One of the nurses was also very familiar and she was also very positive.  I am hoping tomorrow will be the beginning of a more positive journey and that I will respond to the treatment.  It is amazing what medical research is doing. 

So here is to positive thoughts and hope that I will respond and do well.  I'm not nervous at all, but hopeful.  But as I said before no matter what happens, I will be contributing something to beating this horrible disease.

 Here's to KICKING CANCERS" BUTT!!! 

A Special Note about My Mom

 I found this letter going through some stuff from Douglas.  It was written for my mom from her dear friend, Marge Littrell.  It shows what a fiesty lady she always was.  She and Marge were dear friends and stood up for each other always.   This happened one time many years ago when they weren't going to let her vote in a school board election in Douglas.

A Special Message from Two Students who were in my third grade class at Patterson.

A few weeks ago I found out that a good friend had died after a short battle with cancer.  Like so many friends, life gets in the way and you don't see or talk to them for long periods of time.  

I met Beth when I had her daughter, Charissa, in my third grade class and then her son, Ricky, a few years later.  She was a great mom for a teacher to have for so many reasons.  So not only did I appreciate all that she did as a mom, she became a friend.  That is one of the things I love about Facebook.  It allows you to reconnect with people who mean a lot to you and Beth and I reconnected.  I also connected with Charissa and Ricky who I taught in the 80s.  They were both great kids and I was fortunate to have them in my class.  Below is the message I sent and their reply.  I will always cherish it because to me this is what being an educator is all about.

From me:

I just wanted to tell you how sorry I wasn't there on Saturday. I don't know if you know this or not, but I have also been fighting cancer for three years now. I have had a reccurrence and am going for a trial of a new drug. I have spent most of the last two weeks at the clinic undergoing tests, etc. to see if I qualify. For the most part, I have done well, but it has been taken its toll. I received a blood transfusion Friday afternoon and I felt fine and was sure I was going to be there. Saturday morning when I got up, I just couldn't get going. I want you to know how much your mom and family has meant to me. When I first had you in my class, Charissa, I was a fairly new teacher. I had taught special ed previously but that is different. At Patterson in those days, we had some of the most influential families in Gilbert. My class had a lot of very involved moms which is a good thing, but can also be difficult. The same with you, Ricky (and I still get to call you that). Your mom was so supportive and helpful to me. She gave me confidence that I was a good teacher. Of course, you both were easy students to teach but that was because of both of your parents. I wish that I had taken the time to tell her this but I am hoping telling you makes up a little bit for that. I will always believe that your mom and her support, humor and friendship, helped me to gain the confidence to go on and do all that I have done in my career. A good teacher learns from books, experiences, etc., but also from the different students and the parernts. Your mom taught me that having a parent like her who was very involved was someone I learned from. She meant a lot to me and we became friends. I also loved your dad. He was always involved when we needed him. And both of you will always be two of my all time favorite kids--I know I am not supposed to have them, but I can honestly say a most of my kids were my favorites and I was so fortunate to have so many great kids and families. But the Chafeys will always be up there at the top of a list if I had one. One of the highlights was getting to be a part of your own kids graduation a few years ago. I am so sad that cancer took your mom way too young. It is such a horrible disease and it doesn't care who you are. If there is ever anything I can do anything for either of you, please don't ever hesistate to get in touch with me. I am hoping I get accepted for this trial and then there are some positive results. I just wanted to explain to you because you mean so much to me.

 

From Rick:

Thank you very much, good luck with your battle as well. Stay positive and driven it so go a long way. Sorry we did not get to see you. Your thoughts and memories are very helpful. As well if you ever need anything, both of us are close and happy to be there for you.

 

From Charissa: Thank you so much for the kind words! I hope you are able to be a part of the trial and that it makes a difference and hopefully you have great results! Our mom loved you too and cherished your friendship! I will tell you that I definitely had a favorite teacher and you were my favorite! We were both so lucky to have you as a teacher when we were young but also to have you in our lives throughout the years Relationships like yours make Gilbert still feel like the small town/family feel we grew up with Please reach out if you need anything! Xoxo