Summer 2023 - Finally getting to Butte

I haven't written much over the past several months about the ongoing battle on cancer.  It is hard for me to talk about it as I don't want anyone feeling sorry for me.  One thing that I have learned over the past almost two years is that I have absolutely no control over this awful disease.  The only thing I can control is how I handle it.  Lately it has been hard to be positive even when I try.

We normally leave for Butte over Memorial Day weekend.  This year, both Dave and I couldn't leave because of health issues.  He has had some problems with his back and had to have it taken care of before we left.  Originally, he was going to have surgery to clean up the area from his previous very invasive surgery.   The doctor decided to try some shots in his back to see if that would work.  It kept getting put off by a week and then another week until all of a sudden it was the end of June.  

He continued to golf which I couldn't believe because of the heat.  He would then come home and go swimming so that was a good thing.

As for me, the past several months have been very difficult.  I had a scan done in January and there was a very small lymph node that was suspicious.   I have learned to be an advocate for my health.  The doctors weren't real concerned about it because it was so small.  I insisted that it be tested and so I went to Banner University hospital for the biopsy as that is the only place that they can do a biopsy on some thing that small.  The results were that it tested positive for cancer.  My cancer was originally Stage 3.   However, once it reoccurs no matter how small it goes to Stage 4, which is scary.  But that doesn't mean that it can't be treated and that the prognosis can still be good.

As a result, Dr. Bhoola put my on an immunotherapy regime that has shown a lot of promise with recurrence of endometrial cancer.  It consisted of daily meds and an infusion every three weeks. This therapy helped my own cells fight the cancer.  I also went through five sessions of targeted radiation. 

As with so many treatments, there are a lot of side effects that can happen.  I normally don't want to know what the side effects might be because I think it is a bit psychological---wrong.  I should have had a clue when I received a blood pressure monitor with the oral meds.   

I did okay at first but as time went on, I think I got every side effect possible.  The biggest problems were very high blood pressure and having my thyroid get completely out of whack!  As a result, I was not hungry and I have lost a significant amount of weight.  The other big problem was a complete lack of energy.  There were days that I had a hard time getting out of bed.  There was a few days where I ended up in the hospital because I was so weak I couldn't even function.

The first part of June, I stopped the treatment because of the side effects.  The radiologist had scheduled a PET Scan for July 5 to see how the radiation had done.  Last Tuesday, I had an appointment with both doctors.   My scan came back completely clear everywhere.  Both doctors were extremely positive about how well the immunotherapy had worked for me despite the side effects.  

I already feel 1000% better.  I can do things without being exhausted immediately.  It is so nice to feel good again.  My blood pressure continues to be on the high side, but I am seeing a cardiologist and monitoring it daily.  Thyroid is still not working great, but it is getting better.  I'm still on a lot of meds and hopefully that will improve as time goes on.

We got to Butte on Friday.  I was so glad to get here and I'm so happy we are able to spend at least the rest of the summer here.  

And it is so nice to feel good and be able to plan on doing things.  From March until the end of May, I did very little and couldn't plan on anything because I didn't know how I would feel.  Fortunately, I was able to continue my Board duties without any problems.  That is still so important to me because it gives me a purpose.  I feel it is an honor to serve our community in this way.

So many things could still happen in the future, but I feel as though I have the best oncologist out there.  I feel positive and now that I feel good, I can live each day in a positive way.  I look forward to a long time of being able to attend sporting events with Dave, travel, have fun and be of service to our community!

Here's to a great summer in Butte and an even greater year when we get back to Gilbert in September!

Mesquite High School Graduation--2023

 

I had the honor and the privilege to be the Governing Board representative for the Mesquite High School Graduation last Thursday evening.  I have wanted to put down in words what an incredible ceremony it was, but I have had a very hard time finding the words to describe what took place that night.  I decided that putting it on my blog might be a bit easier...........

I have done Mesquite's graduation every year.  In previous years, we could do more than one because they different schools were on different dates and some were at ASU.  After the pandemic, all graduations are at the football stadiums on the same night so one Board Member attends one of the five comprehensive high school graduations.  Up until this year, students who I gave a kindergarten diploma to at Gilbert El were still in school.  My last class was last year, but there are still a lot of families that I have known for many years.   And that is why I asked to do Mesquite not  knowing the powerful impact that it would have on me.

The graduation was like all graduations with excitement in the air.  Both the salutatorians gave great speeches (I have not heard one that wasn't good in all of the years I have attended graduations).  They are filled with anticipation, pride and nostalgia.   

I was not prepared for the valedictory speech!  And I will try to get what she said as best I can.  This unbelievable young woman was so composed and spoke from her heart.  She told about how hard she worked to become the valedictorian and the sacrifices she made and the important activities that she gave up because she was so driven to make sure that she accomplished this.  She spoke about this a bit and then got into the heart of her reason for doing this.   She told of how her mom was diagnosed with colo-rectal cancer when she was very young and how she and her brother were shuffled around to different family members and friends while her mom received treatment.  Her brother was about four years older than she is.  She told about how they talked at a very young age when their mom was undergoing this treatment about how they wanted to both be valedictorians, go to Harvard or Yale and become medical researchers and find a cure for cancer.  It was truly a goal for both of them.  

Their mom responded to her treatment and their lives returned to normal.  However, their quest to excel in school did not change.  Then her brother was diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer.  He died on her 13th birthday.  She dedicated her valedictory address to him because he would not be able to achieve that goal.  She dedicated all of her future goals to him too and spoke about how all they were going to do that he would never be able to do.   Having been to so many graduations, it is hard for there not to be a lot of crowd noise.  However, it was something I have never seen before.  The entire stadium was as quiet as if no one was there.  Just when I thought my tears couldn't get any more, she told about her mom and how her cancer came back at the beginning of this school year and that she only lived a few months.  During all of the time her mom was sick, she continued with her studies so that she could keep her promise to her brother.   She told us about how all that she and her brother planned were coming to fruition for her.  She was accepted to both Harvard and Yale and has chosen Yale where she will pursue a degree in medical (cancer) research.  When she got to the part about thanking people, she started with her dad.  That was the only time she broke down a little throughout this speech.  And the ENTIRE audience started to clap and gave her dad such a round of applause.  

I know I would have been touched no matter what by this talk.  However, my own circumstances and battle with cancer really brought it all home to me.  Right after she finished, we were to give out the diplomas.  I had THREE sentences to read and I had to fight to remain composed which I did.

The very first person to get a diplomas was this young lady and she was on my side.  I asked her if I could give her a hug.  I got the biggest hug from her and she thanked me profusely.  It was amazing at so many levels.

The rest of the ceremony was great.  I will always be grateful that I have had the opportunity to give to diplomas to so many students through the years, but tonight meant more to me than any other time!  I have no doubt that this young lady will achieve great things in life and maybe will even find a cure for cancer.  She has overcome so much adversity and has such a wonderful attitude that we can only admire.   Our future is certainly in great hands with young people like this!

 

Welcome Griffey!

The top picture is certainly not what we normally see!  However, we are thrilled with our little Boston "Terror" puppy named after Ken Griffey, Jr.  also known as Griff.  We got him February 4 when he was two months old.  He is a lilac Boston and a brindle.  His colors are really pretty.

Dave had Bostons when he lived in Washington and absolutely loved both Reggie and Cooper.  It was a bit different for me to not get a pug, even though they are similar.  When I lost my Diego in January, I guess I just couldn't get another pug as there will never be a replacement for Diego in my heart.

Seamus isn't really thrilled with him as we expected.  However, he has learned to tolerate him and they even play together a little bit.

Griff has already stolen my heart, though.  He is full of it, but he is also loves to cuddle.  He is a lover and is smart.  He has two speeds--wild or asleep.  It has been a very long time since I have had a puppy and I forgot how much "work" they are.   With all that has happened in the last year with my health, etc., having Griff has been a lot of fun and given us a lot of laughter. 

Although Griff isn't a pug, I absolutely am thrilled that we have him.   He has brought a lot of FUN into our lives.  However, that is only Dave's and my opinion.  Seamus has a very different one I am sure!!!!

  

Celebrating our Fifth Anniversary in Montana

Dave and I flew up to Butte on Wednesday, May 3 to participate in his 50th reunion.  He graduated from the University of Montana Western in 1973.  They honored the graduates at a special luncheon on Friday (our anniversary) and then at the graduation on Saturday morning.  It was such a nice gesture.  I wish more colleges could do something like this, but it would have to be a small school.

 

We drove up from Butte on Friday and spent the night in Dillon.  We had our anniversary dinner with two of his friends at the Lion's Den--a very good steak house.  Before we left, these beautiful flowers were delivered and I have enjoyed looking at them.

The weather has been cold.  Last night we had snow on the mountains and woke up to this beautiful view from our front window.

We leave to head back to Arizona tomorrow as we have doctor appointments and I have a board meeting. Not sure when we are going to get back for the summer.   Dave has to get his back "cleaned up" from the previous back surgery he had a few years ago.   

I love our time spent in Butte.  Although it is cold, it was too short a time.  But we will back!

HARD TO SAY GOOD-BYE!

Run free my sweet Diego! Thursday was such a difficult day saying good-by to my old guy. He has been with me through thick and thin for the last almost 14 years. He was with me in Gilbert and then in Douglas for five years, back to Gilbert and the last five summers in Montana. 

He loved going to our cabin in the Chiricahau Mountains and Montana where he could run free. He was the most loyal pet I have ever had. 

When we were in Douglas, my Aunt Teresa Scott wasn't so sure about me bringing the pugs. She grew to love James (as she called him) and he was so much company for her. My favorite story was the day Diego ate her rosary beads. I was thinking this was it but she said it was her fault for leaving them out and not giving him enough attention. If you knewTeresa, her rosary beads were her most important possession. I am sure she is up there with him with her rosary beads for him. 

Every night around 4:30 he wanted out to wait for me on the front porch--it didn't matter how cold or how long it was, he waited for me to get home. 

I will always love him, but know he is in a better place and is pain free. This picture depicts where I think he is now--enjoying romping through the grass without a leash. I am grateful for his loyalty and I thank him for enriching my life. He also changed his name when Dave and I got married. Goodby sweet Diego Uggetti. You were the best!

Second Three Month Check Up

 Haven't written much lately.  It has been a busy, happy, and tough three months.  However, my three month check up went well.  Only issue is I need a scan and it isn't scheduled until Dec. 30.  So three more weeks of worry!

However, during the last three months I have had gallbladder surgery.  I didn't know I had a problem until it showed up on scans.  It could have been more serious if I hadn't taken care of it. I did very well after the first few days.

I am back to almost 100% and doing a lot of board related activities, plus events with friends, going to sports events with Dave, and things around the house and back to cooking.

My hair has come back black and grey.  I always had brown hair.  I am wearing it short because that is all that it has grown,  I have it in a pixie cut.  Dave likes it and I get a lot of compliments (not sure if people are just being nice).  It is certainly easy!  I think I look a lot like my mom!

I am blessed and hope to continue to be cancer free and active as before.  It has been a journey but I think I have done pretty good with this one I didn't want to be on!

Three Month Oncologist Appointment

 Three month appointment--NED (No Evidence of Disease)!  Big relief after a few very difficult days worrying!