ALOHA!

Lots of things have happened since my last update, so here goes. The latest news was not good. (It seems like I say that every time, but here I am, still living). I've got a very large lymph node in my neck which seemed to be shrinking for a while with the Gemzar chemotherapy, and then started to feel like it was getting larger. I had some other symptoms as well, night sweats and this recurring phantom pain in both sides where the leg bone meets the pelvic bone.

Dr. Zonder moved up my CaT scan, so we could get it in before I did another Gemzar treatment, because his thought was, if the Gemzar's not working, why suffer through another week of it? As it turned out, skipping it was a good thing, but the reason why wasn't. The Gemzar's effectiveness had worn off, and my CaT Scan showed growth in nearly all of the places I have tumours-stomach, pelvic region and chest.
Dr. Zonder came to the table with a few choices for continuing treatment, and we decided to go with a low dose of Taxol. My first treatment is tomorrow, and I'll do that once a week for as many weeks in a row that my blood counts are good, and my body is tolerating the treatment well. The worst side effect of Taxol is apparently neuropathy, where you lose sensation in your hands and feet. I've already had it due to the Graft Vs. Host Disease, meaning it will probably show up early on in the treatment.

They are literally scratching their heads down at Karmanos trying to figure out what to do with me. After all, Hodgkin's Disease is "The easiest cancer to cure." At least that's what we were told when this whole thing started back in February of 2000. After several rounds of chemo cocktails, radiation 3 different times, 2 Bone Marrow Transplants and all the crap that goes along with having cancer, I STILL have active disease. So now they're experimenting, trying to find something that will smash this stupid cancer down. As long as I get to keep on living with a high quality of life, I'm pretty much up for anything.

I do have a couple items of good news. I saw my cardiologist last week, and Dr. Glazier gave me the very good news that my ejection fraction is up to 35% from an all-time low of 7% in the winter of '03-'04. That's the percentage of how efficiently your heart pumps fluid away from itself. The meds are working. Also, I got the go-ahead from both Dr. Zonder & Dr. Glazier to go ahead and skydive again this summer! WOOHOO!! The 3rd Annual Easa Family Jump will happen sometime in late August after my little brother Joe turns 18, 'cuz he wants in on that amazing adrenalin rush. Since they don't seem to think I'm going to drop dead of a heart attack, I'm in! (Get it? DROP dead.)

Lots of the love goes to my amazing husband Steve who puts up with all my whiny crap and pulls us through the hard times. My family, friends and listeners get plenty of credit, too. I wouldn't be here now without all the good vibes I get from you.

Peace & Love,

Sabrina

If you wish to contact Sabrina, you may email me and I'll pass it along.
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