December 11

Judy had chemo today.  She is wiped out today as is usual after chemo.  She slept most of the afternoon.  This is the third time in a row that Judy has been on schedule with her chemo so Praise the Lord.  This means Judy won't have a scheduled chemo until early January.  She should be feeling up to snuff in a week and ready to enjoy Christmas activities.  Judy's brother, David, and his son, Justin will be with us for Christmas this year.  Haley and Dustin are hosting Christmas Dinner out at their acreage.  Mary had good news today.  She now has a contract that extends to the end of the school year.
We found out why Judy had not received a call from Vancouver regarding a second opinion from another thoracic oncologist.  Apparently, the radiation department at the Saskatoon cancer center sent the images to Vancouver in the wrong format.  Things have been straightened out, but I am quite certain Judy's appt in Vancouver won't be until the new year.

November 20

Judy is on for chemo today.  Yesterday, her white cell count was .89 so they re-tested her blood today.  She was at 1.3.  Judy is suffering with another abscessed tooth; therefore, she is taking antibiotic for the abscess.  The last time she had chemo and antibiotics, she was not feeling very well.  Hopefully, things will be better this time. 

We haven't had any word from Vancouver yet regarding a second opinion from another thoracic specialist.  We are hoping the appointment won't be during Grey Cup Week because travel will be difficult to arrange that week.

November 1

Judy had chemo on Thursday, November 30.  All is well with her.  She has been laying low for the last two days getting lots of rest.  In a few minutes, it will be time to remove the chemo pump.

Some of you know Judy's Halloween routine...last night we had a fire in the fireplace while Judy watched her first Christmas movie of the season.  About thirty trick or treaters came to our door.

From October 23-29, Judy and I flew to Toronto for a mini holiday.  We visited friends and family who usually come our way.

 We haven't received word on the date we will have travel to Vancouver for a second opinion with a thoracic specialist.  Hopefully, the appt won't be during Grey Cup Week because booking flights will be a challenge.

October 22

Judy had another CT scan on October 16.  We got the results yesterday.  Her condition remains stable.  Chemotherapy is keeping the 3 areas of concern in check.  Dr. Ahmed has referred Judy to a Vancouver thoracic oncologist for a second opinion on the two lesions in the lung area.  The referral is a matter of due diligence on Dr. Ahmed's part.  The Vancouver doctor may have a method that has not been considered.  We will likely be traveling to Vancouver in November.
Judy's white cell count was a new high yesterday... 2.48 only 3 weeks following her last chemo.  Judy's next chemo is scheduled for October 30.

October 3

Judy had chemo on Tuesday, September 30.  After chemo in the morning, Judy went to the dentist for a two hour session with the dentist because she had an abscessed tooth.  She has been very tired this week probably because of the antibiotics on top of chemo.  We were supposed to go to our first ballroom dance class of the season this evening, but Judy is just "mentally tired".  Enter Mary as my stand in dance partner for the evening.  Judy is resting and taking care of herself.  Hopefully, she will be back in the game tomorrow.  I don't have to tell you, but if you know Judy, you know she is one tough cookie.  Thanks to your prayers and encouragement and Judy's fortitude, she rises to the challenge and stays positive and amazes people with her resilience.  I know I used too many "ands" in my last sentence; however, you get the point.
We are looking forward to having Judy's brother, David, visit us for the Thanksgiving weekend.
Next chemo is scheduled for October 30.  Next CT scan will be on October 16.

September 12

Judy had a chemo treatment on Tuesday, September 9 and for those of you who keep score.  Her white cell count was 1.2.  Having chemo every 4 weeks seems to be the ticket.  Judy felt very tired over the first two days, but felt quite fine yesterday after I took off her pump. 
Today, we are going to the lake to winterize our trailer.  We have had a great summer of rest, relaxation, and entertaining guests at the lake.
Last weekend, Judy was a co-MC at Nadia and Tyler's wedding.  Nadia is the daughter of our good friends, Dan and Cathy Feld who live in Shell Lake.  The Felds and the other MC, Brenda are part of our Lake Family.  Our friends, Brenda and Gord Cubbon are from North Battleford.  The Cubbons and the Kolaches (mainly Judy, Brenda, and Mary) created a quilt for the wedding gift from the two families. The wedding was a good time of celebration, tears, and laughter.
Next chemo date will likely be early next month.

August 12

Again, I have been tardy in updating the blog.  Judy was supposed to have chemo on August 5, but her white cell count was only 0.7; therefore the chemo was rescheduled for yesterday, August 12.  Even though her white cell count had only gone up to 0.84, she received chemo.  Her pump will come off tomorrow  as per usual.

Judy slept most of the afternoon yesterday and had a good sleep last night.  She was up for a walk today, but she is feeling a little nauseous. 

Tomorrow, we are meeting some family members for lunch and Thursday we will be back at the lake to enjoy the smoking hot weather.

July 14

We just returned from receiving the CT Scan results and the news is good.  Things are stable.  Dr. Ahmed said he is going to consult with another thoracic specialist out of province to explore the possibility of surgery to remove the tumors in the lungs.  The thoracic specialist in Saskatoon told us last summer that surgery was not an option in his opinion because the tumors are central to each lower lobe of the lung and the tumors are near major arteries.  Who knows? Another specialist may have the skill set to perform surgery.  We already know from Judy's surgeon said that he could easily remove the tumor from her pelvic area, but removing the tumor in the pelvis will only occur if the tumors in the lungs are removed. Reason is: operating on the pelvis would mean a long break from chemo.

Dr. Ahmed will continue with regular chemo as we have done for the last year because chemo has been keeping the cancer at bay. In fact, Judy will have her next chemo tomorrow.  Surprisingly, her white cell count was 2.5 today, a new high score for Judy.  Judy purchased a juicer in May and has been faithfully juicing 4 veggies and 3 fruits everyday.  Perhaps the juicing is paying dividends.

July 3

My apologies...I have been slacking off updating the blog.  Last Tuesday, June 24, Judy had her 12th chemo.  Her white cell count went up from a measly 0.6 a week before to a whopping 1.64 on June 24.  Today, Judy has a CT scan around noon.  We will likely get the results from Dr. Ahmed next week.  Judy continues to feel well and stay active.  We have been at the lake nearly every weekend since May Long.  In fact, we are back to the lake after Judy's CT today.

The plan for future chemo really depends on the results of the CT.  If the tumors have stayed the same size or decreased in size, Judy will likely continue with regularly scheduled chemo to keep the tumors in check.  I think she will be able to take a chemo holiday upon request.  That is to say: if we have travel plans or an occasion to attend, chemo can be delayed for a few days.  Of course, the preceding is all speculation.  The one thing we know is Judy will continue to live large and without fear.

June 16

Judy did not have her chemo today.  White cell count was only 0.6.  Next scheduled chemo is Tuesday, June 24.  No chemo...no problem...we went out for a Starbucks, came home for lunch, then had a nap.  Now we are off for a walk.  Judy continues to feel well and lives without fear.

May 26

Judy was supposed to have chemo on May 22, but she ended up having an abscessed tooth.  She had to take penicillin for the abscess; therefore, chemo was delayed until today.  Her white cell count was very good...1.21.  Eleven treatments down and one to go.  Judy has been feeling great, but there seems to be a cumulative effect.  Bouncing back from treatment #10 took a while.

Thank you for your continued love, prayers, and support.

May 14

No chemo today.  White cell count was only 0.87.  Not bad, but not good enough.  Has to be up around 1.0.  Guess we should head back to Arizona because that always boosts the white cell count.  The upside is: Judy will be feeling well for the May Long.  Now we can head up to the lake to open our trailer on Friday and stay at the lake until Sunday when we are supposed to get showers.

Chemo is scheduled for May 22 now.  Next CT scan is May 27.

April 24

Judy had her 10th out of 12 chemo treatments yesterday.  Her white cell count was 1.34.  Marvelous.  Dr. Ahmed met with Judy on Tuesday and said she is doing remarkably well.  A CT scan had been scheduled for May 15, but Dr. Ahmed wants another chemo before a CT scan.  The next scheduled chemo is May 14.  If she stays on this course, Judy could be done her 12 treatments by early June.

Judy continues to bounce back quickly after chemo.  Yesterday, she was chilled, had tight muscles, and nausea.  Today, she was up and around.  Tomorrow, I am sure she will make a pilgrimage to the mall.

April 10

Alvin is definitely the king of the blog (and of Kelvington!), but for a brief moment, I'm going to commandeer the keys.
Today marks 5 years since my first surgery. It has been the most remarkable journey! There is truly not a moment of it that I regret or have negative feelings about. You have been wonderful, caring and supportive, and a blessing to me, Alvin, Haley and Mary. Thank you for travelling with us with love and care.
Judy

April 1

Judy had a break from chemo treatments during the month of March; therefore, we had the opportunity to travel to Phoenix, Palm Springs, Lake Havasu, Laughlin, Grand Canyon and back to Phoenix from March 14-18.  Judy was feeling great during the entire holiday. In spite of the miles covered, we did have ample time for rest and relaxation.  The weather was great and Judy was pleased with her purchases.

Blood work was yesterday and chemo was today.  Judy's white cell count was a whopping 1.41!  A chemo review is scheduled for April 22 and there will be another CT scan on May 15.

February 28

Good news.  Judy's white count is 1.03 so she is having chemo at this very moment.  Of course, this means I won't have a dance partner tonight for dance lessons unless I haul out Mary or Haley.

February 25 - Another Delay

Judy's white cell count was down again yesterday to 0.58 so the next possible date for chemo is February 28.  Of course, the erratic white cell counts are not new to Judy.  Over the past 5 years and 40+ chemo treatments, delays have been par for the course.  Judy feels great and looks great.  She has lots of energy and continues to be positive.

February 18

Judy was not able to have chemo today because her white cell count was only 0.65.  I may have mentioned in my last entry that her white cell count was 1.3 on February 13.  Crazy!  The next scheduled chemo is Monday, February 24 unless the cancer clinic has a cancellation on February 21.  We had planned on a weekend getaway, but that plan is gone.  If the next chemo is on February 24, then the following chemo would be scheduled for March 17, the day we were going to Phoenix for a two week holiday.  That's life with chemo and white cell counts.  We really can't plan beyond the next chemo.

February 13

Judy had a CT scan on February 6 and today she met with her oncologist to hear the results of the CT scan.  The news continues to be positive.  The tumor in the pelvic area has decreased in size.  The lesions in the lungs have not grown.  Furthermore, Judy's white cell count was over 1.3; therefore, she should be able to have her 8th chemo on February 11.

Diamond Judy continues to sparkle.  She looks great and is living life to the fullest.  We had Mary, Morgan, the Feld girls, and their significant others over for dinner on Tuesday.  Haley, Dustin, and our friends, the Hudsons were over for dinner tonight.  Judy is an amazing hostess and I did an amazing job of washing the dishes and cleaning the kitchen while Judy visited.  Life is good.

Thank you for your continued love, support, friendship, laughter, and prayer.

January 27

We are back from Mexico.  The holiday was great.  Only issue: our return flight was delayed 4 hours so we did not get home until 4:00 a.m. on Saturday morning.

Judy went for chemo today at 8:00 a.m.  Yay.  No delays.  Her white cell count was 1.25.  Must be the tequila. This will be number 7 of 12.

Judy thinks she may be getting a cold.  Hopefully, she can get on top of the bug and stay healthy.

January 3

Good news.  Judy's white cell count was high enough (1.2) for chemo today.  She should be done around 11:30 a.m.  This is number 6 out of 12.  Half done. 

Yesterday, Judy and I met with the oncologist, Dr. Ahmed.  We were pleased to find out the injections Judy has been taking will continue to be covered.  The injections of  Neupogen cost $200 a shot and she has to take 7 injections per chemo.  We were looking at the possibility of paying $1400/month for continued treatment.

Dr. Ahmed had Judy scheduled for a CT scan on January 28, but the CT has been postponed to early February because the doctor wants to have another treatment in before determining the effectiveness of chemo thus far.  If progress continues to be positive, Judy will likely go back to the thoracic surgeon to have him reassess.  The first time we met with the thoracic surgeon in August was a bad news day.

Judy's next chemo will likely be scheduled for around January 24.  We are hoping to go to Mexico just before the next chemo.  I am Judy's travel agent.  She wants me to find an all inclusive at at 5 star in a certain place at a certain time and for a certain amount and the flights must depart and arrive at a certain time.  No problem.

Judy's brother David left on New Year's Eve.  We had a wonderful Christmas holiday with him and the rest of our friends and family.  We have never had a better Christmas.  On New Year's Eve, we went to Watrous, stayed at the mineral spa, and enjoyed a night of dancing at Danceland with 6 other couples.  Judy was complimented by a complete stranger for being a wonderful dancer.  The guy is right.  She is my favorite dance partner even though she continues to be bossy.

Judy and I are feeling very positive.  She continues to feel well, enjoy life, and express gratitude for all the good things in her life like the people who read this blog.