I haven't shared in a while, so here goes. Things have been going pretty well for me. I've been on the new cancer medication combo Tykerb/Xeloda. It's in a pill form, so that's convenient. I've been on it for two weeks now, and so far, the only side effects I've had has been dry skin and scalp. No hair falling out and no stomach distress. Yay!

I did have a liver scare last month. A big scare! All of the sudden, my liver enzymes started going through the roof. My CT scans were clean, so I had to have a special liver/bile duct MRI called MRCP. A small "nodule" was found in my liver near one of the bile ducts. A stent was put in the bile duct to open it up because they thought it was compressed. That small, outpatient procedure made me real sick! I had to go back in two weeks later and have it removed because my liver enzymes were even higher than before.

Needless to say, I was a wreck for about a month. My onco doc told me that he's not sure what the nodule is, and since my tumor markers were all normal, there's no strong evidence that this was cancer again, but he wanted to be on the safe side and treat me anyway. That was fine with me. I didn't want to wait and see if was cancer, and then have it be untreatable.

Anyway, to make a long story short, and a short story over...When I had my blood drawn last week, there was major improvement. One of my enzymes was back down to normal, the other three were near normal. Even my nurse was astounded. "Wow, Dori," she says, "These have went down dramatically in one week. I can't believe it!!!" Was it the stent removal? Is it the new meds? Or was it the major prayer I had gotten in church that Sunday? Maybe a combo of all three?

Other good news: My mom and dad bought me chocolate toy poodle that I've always wanted! I named him Oliver and I adore him!!! Picture below.

I'm also putting pictures of my kids in here because they have been such supportive troopers throughout my ordeal the last four years. They are absolutely what I live for!!! I love them with all my heart!!!!

Happy Memorial Day!!!

OLIVER



MY DAUGHTER, NAIEMA


MY BOYS, DANNY AND ADAM

..hey there..glad things are going good for you!! I knew I hadn't seen you in a while. I am so glad your tests are coming back normal and you're feeling better and better...btw..you're kids are really cute! & the puppy!!

Good news!! Glad to hear things are looking up!

It's so nice to read this GREAT news, I hope you continue to do well

Yours is a post from which one can literally feel the joy radiating. Congratulations on your new friend Oliver, and may your health continue to improve.

Have a happy, healthy summer.

That's wonderful! And your puppy looks so sweet.

You put a big smile on my face I'm glad you're doing better and Oliver is the BEST name for a dog.

You have an adorable family.