Hello Everyone!!  I am sooooooo sorry for leaving so much of a gap in our posts!  I just don't know where all the time has gone.  We have been so busy with work and vacation and mostly  just trying to make the best of our time.  I'm sure you all have those times as well. 

There is nothing but good news to tell.  My tumor marker is down to 48...the last two were 50, then a weird spike to 63 which can happen sometimes..but as long as there is not a trend in the upward direction then we're good. 

Also, the last set of scans showed all of the previous lesions/tumors on the bones to be "healed" except for the one on my sternum which is where I had the biopsy done.  The doc said it could just be the scar from the biopsy showing. 

So for now..I just keep taking Tamoxifin (a pill a day) and each month I visit the doc for a Zometa infusion (1/2 hr) and that's it!

So as you can tell, it's been life back to normal for me.  Again I thank you ALL for your support and positive thoughts!!  I couldn't have done it without you!!  We just need to keep on that track as I am a high risk for recurrance.

Take care everyone and Thanks again!!  Much Love, Laura

Hi Folks,

Just thought you all might want an update on Laura. She has had another tumor marker test and got the results back today. Her numbers have dropped another 10 points and she is now down to 50--GOOD NEWS!!!! She feels fairly well as long as she takes her meds, now has about 1/2 inch hair growth, eyebrows and eyelashes. I know I'm not a bit partial when I say "she is looking good." She is currently on vacation--Chris' sister got married in Seattle, then she and Chris headed toward Montana on a camping trek. I think their main destination is Glacier National Park, however they have had several interesting and fun stops along the way. Just love seeing her have a good time!

Will post again when there is something newsy...til later,
Shirley/Mom

Laura seems to be feeling a bit better--not quite as tired and perhaps a bit more energetic--good news!! She remains achy but has meds for that which seem to help. She called me the other day--very excited! As she was putting on her make-up, she noticed tiny little stubs of little eyelashes growing back. Also is getting a light spattering of eyebrows here and there. She remains active and continues to work. She was fortunate enough this month to have a couple of "overnights" in St. Louis and Cleveland so Sandy, her dad, Mike and I all got to have a short visit with her--always fun.

Please keep your positive energies and prayers and comments coming her way.
Til next time,
Shirley/Mom

Hello Everyone,

Just thought I'd better update Laura's blog before I get "fired" from my job of posting her status. She is doing as well as can be expected I suppose. As I said on the last entry, she is no longer on chemo, but continues to take the Zometta via IV monthly and is now taking Tomaxifin orally. She still has considerable pain, but the meds along with Ibuprofin seem to be helping. She just today got the results of her last tumor marker test back. She is at 60 now, down from 77 so there has definitely been some improvement; let's all keep hoping and praying this number continues downward.

She seems to be in good spirits and holds that positive attitude. We are planning a mid-year ya-ya event in June which we are all happy about. (For those of you who don't know about ya-ya gatherings, it is a few day gathering of her aunts, female cousin and myself. The six of us have been doing this for 5 years now and always have a fabulous time). This time we are going to meet in Truckee. This just all got planned in a 15 minute conversation by phone--very fast planning I must say!

Please keep sending your positive thoughts, humorous stories, prayers and whatever else Laura's way. Til next time.....

Shirley/Mom


Thanks for listening--

Hello Folks,

Laura made her weekly visit to the doc today. The doc said said since her numbers (tumor marker) hadn't dropped much, he thinks she has reached a "plateau" with the chemo drugs. Also said he thought it was time for a rest from the chemo, so she did not have a chemo treatment today--just Zometta (for the bones). He is going to confer with the doc at UC-Davis but she will probably continue with the monthly Zometta and take Tomaxifin orally. He will continue monitoring her tumor marker and should the numbers begin to go up, he will give some thought to starting another type of chemo regimen. Hopefully the Tomaxifin will keep everything in check.

Let's all just keep our positive thoughts, energies and prayers going her way.

Mom/Shirley

Hi All,

So Laura heard the results from the tumor marker test and the numbers were not dropping as they should be. Her doc said he is "reformulating" a plan, so don't know when we will hear what that is but hopefully soon.

Please keep all your positive energies, comments and prayers going her way. She is currently working with an overnight in Tampa and New Orleans.

Will keep you updated when we hear more. Til later...
Mom/Shirley

Laura had a doc visit yesterday followed by another round of chemo. She also had another tumor marker test which we should find out the results today. The doc said if her marker test was down again, he is predicting one more chemo cycle (3 more weeks). We shall all hope and pray the results continue to show progress.

She remains tired; last week the doc prescribed a new level of pain meds for the aches which seems to be helping. Last week she had new nephew, Nick, out for his annual spring break fling in the snow. It stormed a lot, but they had a great time. The only problemj was getting home--they spent 3 days practically living in airports before he was able to get a flight. I guess everyone else was out west on spring break also, but he did manage to get home late Monday night.

Will update everyone on the tumor marker results when we hear.

Til later, Shirley/Mom