My new look....for now

[Sheila]

Just thought it was time to update my picture with the new me...and my girls, Sophie and Sadie...I remember when I had black hair like them! So far the treatments are going good, 4 down, 8 more to go....the good news is, the nodes are now 90% gone in the neck. The Dr was shocked. I am having a little bit of a problem with my B/P increasing though, so I do have to watch that...very common from the Avastin. By the time its almost back to normal, its time for another treatment. The Dr. also thinks the Avastin is causing the nosebleeds. So far my counts have been great....my hemaglobin was 14.9 yesterday....the Dr. said thats what athletes strive for...by white count has dropped a little but still in the normal range. Other than the sore mouth and gums and occasional nosebleed, I feel good. Oh and then there is the legs that ache at night, but all very tolerable.

[Leslie's sister]

You more beautiful than ever Sheila. Keep up the fighting spirit. You are half way through your taxol which is definitely worth celebrating.

[Mary Jo]

He Sheila,

I was so thankful for your update. I've been thinking about you and hoping things were going well for you.

Thank you for sharing your beautiful "new" self with us all. Not surprising that you are just as beautiful. Not only physically beautiful but your inner beauty jumps off the page and touches each of us. AND...................those beautiful dogs....................well, my goodness................what beauty's. I am a dog lover so really appreciated seeing those babies. We have an almost 7 year old sheltie named Murray and I know what love they can bring to us.

Now, for the greatest news of all............................those nasty nodes of yours are 90 PERCENT GONE...................................SUPER, DUPER, ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!! Thank the Lord in Heaven.

Please continue to keep in touch. Prayers for God's Peace to surround you today dear friend.

Mary Jo
"Romans 8:28"

[Grace]

Sheila, You have such a lovely face, so who cares about the hair, at least for now.

Congratulations on this great news. It's relatively easy to manage BP with medications. I've been doing it for years, but if you don't have a machine you might want to get one. My cardiologist recommend Omron and its seems to be very accurate, as I measure its numbers against those in my doctor's office.

Keep up the remission work. You're doing a great job.

[Barbara H.]

Hi Shiela,
Thank you for posting such great news. I'm so glad to hear that this treatment is working. You also look very stylish without your hair. The updated picture is great. I hope that this treatment gets you to NED and that you stay that way for a long time.
Best wishes,
Barbara H.

[Karen Weixel]

Sheila,

You look great! So happy to hear about the nodes shrinking.

Stay strong.

Karen

[Believe51]

I do not think I have ever seen you more beautiful. The picture shows the spirited fighter and the determined soul that you are. When I look at you without your black hair like your babies, I feel it allows me into your life a little more. I thank you for sharing your journey and pictures at this very trying time in your life.

The picture surely lets all of your best qualities rise to the surface and shine through!!!!!!!! http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/23/23_32_7.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZRxdm603YYUS)

Gorgeous, Gorgeous, Gorgeous

And again, thanks for sharing, you are such a special person, Sheila.

Waiting For A Miracle...and expecting one soon..>Believe51

[tricia keegan]

Sheila you look terrific with or without the hair and I'm delighted the nodes are shrinking so fast!! I have to get a pic soon as the the most recent one I have is wearing my wig during chemo, I was'nt so brave when it came to going topless:)
Sadie and Sophie are drop dead gorgous even from behind lol!!
I hope you continue to do so well and this is all behind you soon..

[chrisy]

Sheila, you look terrific, as always! I'm so glad to hear how well the treatment is working already. It's great to astonish our oncs with good news!

I hear you on the BP thing - mine was getting a bit elevated at times (usually after running 3 blocks from the parking lot to the infusion center after the 2 hour drive in rush hour traffic!) so I finally gave in and am taking a low dose antihypertensive. Other than that, no problems with the Avastin - although I have a bit of a sensitive nose, too!

P.S. - Tricia - don't get Sheila started with talk about "going topless" - she's a pretty wild woman already!

Thanks for the update!
Chris

[Patb]

Sheila
The news is great and I love the picture with the doggies. What would
we do without them. Good luck with the rest of your treatment.
patb

[kareneg]

Shelia,

I am so happy the treatments are working! And you look beautiul keep up the good work, and god bless.

[Becky]

I know how gorgeous you really are roomie! Nothing will change that. I do remember the achy legs though (from the Taxol) - its almost electric!

Soak in the tub, it helps. I am thinking of you often.

Love,

[Liz J.]

Hi Sheila,

Thank you for posting the good news. Thank God the nodes are going bye bye. Let them keep going away. And thanks for sharing your girls. Sadie and Sophie look so attentive. You have them under control. I was lucky to get a photo of mine together as one always wants to go the other way. I think you all are beautiful and if your hair comes back curly, the girls will be jealous (lol). But its true, they are truly connected.
Enjoy the pups and keep up the good work.

With Love,

Liz J.

[Jen]

Mom you always have been and you always be beautiful to me.

Jennifer

[tousled1]

Sheila,

Your new look is fabulous. You are a beautiful person inside and out with or without hair. I'm happy to hear that the treatment is working for you. Soon you will be in NED category again.

[Jean]

Sheila,
Your photo made me smile. What is better than playing with our dogs.
Oh, I know hearing nodes are 90% gone....

What great news keep up the fantastic fight.

Big Hugs,
jean

[LAURIE]

Sheila thank you so much for sharing your new pic. I still don't feel comfortable with my own head yet. (my pic is befor BC) Your strength is evident and inspiring. You look great, so do the dogs and the beautiful fireplace too. I am glad treatment is working. I so remember those leg cramps too. I am trying to remember if anything helped and it didn't. You can get through it. thanks once again for inspiring me.

[Mary Anne in TX]

Hi Sheila! Well, yes, I agree with everyone else...just as beautiful as always! And wow, how much love must come from those sweet "fur friends" of yours! I'm so impressed with the 90% decrease in the nodes...that is so terrific! Sheila, you deserve that quick response to the drugs. Hope the last few treatments are totally uneventful! Love and prayers for you, ma

[dhealey]

Shelia, You look beautiful inside and out. You give me inspiration that I can keep going with my own battle. Wonderful news about your nodes 90% gone. Best of luck!
Debbie, North Carolina

[lexigirl]

Sheila,

You are a beautiful woman hair or no hair. I love your pic with your furry babies. I can see they bring you much joy!

That's terrific news on your nodes shrinking! Wahoo!! Take that stinky cancer!

Hugs and Prayers,
Lexi

[rinaina]

Great news on the nodes Sheila and I just want to say that you are beautiful with or without hair! Continued success with your treatments and I pray for continued little side effects.

[Patricia]

Hi Sheila,

I love your new pic. You look BEAUTIFUL! Those are beautiful babies there with you as well. I know that my baby (maltese) gave me such comfort when I was going through treatment.

I have attached a link to a site by an ovarian cancer survivor who really inspired me when I was had chemo. She really helped me to feel proud to be bald! :)

http://www.baldisbeautiful.org/


Great news on the progress with your nodes. CONGRATS!!!

Hugs,
Patricia

[doh2pa]

Hi Sheila,

I have been thinking about you and wondering how you are doing. Such good news! (and a great picture that made me smile). Hang in there, we are all pulling for you.

Donna

[Shell]

Sheila-

Thanks for the updated photo - my hair is thinning too much and I think I'm right behind you with "the new look". And I love the dogs. But that's only because I finally broke down and our family just got a puppy - a Havanese - and yes, Jasmine ( her name), totally loves all of us. It's a good distraction for all right now, and she is such a cutey she has us all entranced.

I am delighted you know the # of treatments you have left - what a goal to plan for... We are thinkging of you...

Kind regards,

[DonnaD]

Hi Sheila,
I am sorry we did not see each other in Chicago on Friday. We got there around 10:15. Perhaps this was your week off or you were already gone.

First congrats on the nodes being 90% gone. That is terrific. Also the gals are so cute. You are beautiful and such and inspriation to others. I could not even let my husband see my bald head for some time. I am going wigless. A big step for me, hair is slow to come in but it is about 1 inch.

Had good reports on Friday. Mammograms came back clear. It has been one year since I the bad mammo. Had a chest X-ray last time that was fine. Hope to have a CT in Aug. You know they don't like to do additional testing but I would feel better. Next will be the MRI, one step at a time.

I will continue to keep you and yours in my prayers. Next time I will be in the city is Aug 3 at 10:00. How about you?

Donna

[Adriana Mangus]

Dear Sheila:

Lovely picture. Glad to hear the treatment is working.

Praise the Lord. He answers, all you have to do is ask....

[MCS]

Sheila. You look good. Thank you for sharing the new picture. You have no hair, but you look happy. Hair is not the thing here, it's your happy heart and it shows.

MCS ( maria)

[Kimberly Lewis]

Adding my prayers for an end to neck node probs Sheila. Nothing like those furry friends to help you along the way though huh?

[suzan w]

Thanks for the update! It is GREAT news about those nodes. And I love the picture!!! When I was bald I had lots of pictures taken with my little head in all sorts of strange places and poses. And my little bald head was very sensitive so wearing hats and wigs was out for me...I just bared it all! I really enjoy seeing everyone's pictures, and 'hanging out' with all my friends here!!!

[Joy]

Gorgoeus-you energy and smile make up for the hair! So happy it seems to be working!!! Ans it will be fun to see how your hair comes back-always an adventure!

[sassy]

Sheila,

What great news and a great picture too! You are SO beautiful!
________
Cheap condo pattaya (http://pattayaluxurycondos.com)

[harrie]

Sheila, I just wanted to congratulate you on getting your nodes down!! You look like a beautiful warrior!!! Keep up the fight!
Maryanne