Hello from Colorado

[Mtngrl]

Hi everybody.

I'm in Denver. I got here August 27, and the moving van came about 3 days later. (It's all a blur!) I'm still working on cleaning, repairs, and organizing, and living among unpacked boxes, but there's a semblance of stability and normalcy starting to develop. I'm back in the house I bought in 1996. I left in 2008 to go to graduate school, and I never expected to be able to hold onto it. But here I am.

I have a new oncologist and a new pulmonologist. They are both personable, bright young women, and I like them. The oncologist ordered blood work when I saw her last Friday and, for the first time in years, everything is within normal limits. My platelets have been a little low and liver enzymes a little high ever since I was on Kadcyla.

Denver is more dry than Boston, but there are still a few trouble spots in the house in terms of chemicals and/or mold that make me ill. Today I put on my respirator and made another pass at the bathroom, using steam, vinegar, and elbow grease to get rid of the moldy caulk and yet another layer of ancient grime. I also cleaned the bedroom rug that I brought from Boston. (It had been in the living room in that space.) This evening I feel really good and the neuropathy in my hands and feet is noticeably diminished. Luckily the weather is perfect, and I'm able to keep windows open and fans going to keep airing out the house. Before I got here my kids coordinated removal of basement carpet that had been ruined by pet urine and feces, plus got moldy. To top it off, there were numerous solid "air fresheners" all over the basement. I'm horribly sensitive to that stuff.

Life is good.

[suzan w]

Wow, sounds like you've got your hands full!! Good luck, and safe breathing! I once rented my house to someone who only had "one little dog" ha!!! We ended up with new floors due to dog urine, mold and other unwelcome substances.

[BonnieR]

New beginnings!
Keep the faith

[Pamelamary]

Hope you settle both quickly and well, Amy.
Best wishes..... Pam

[Carol Ann]

I am so glad and excited for you, Amy! :)

YAY! That you are feeling well, that is wonderful!

Carol Ann

[Mtngrl]

It's exciting to be back. This is my hometown. I was gone seven years, and a whole lot happened in that time.

Of course it's stressful too, but the pros definitely outweigh the cons.

Amy

[caya]

Sounds great Amy! It's always nice to go home!
Glad you're feeling better, your new docs sound terrific, and of course the blood work levels being good is always a source of good news.

all the best
caya

[Lisalou]

Sounds great! Enjoy the feeling of everything being fresh and new again
Lisa

[thinkpositive]

Amy,

Good to hear things are going well for you. It must be great to have a normal blood test! Now that you are back in Colorado hopefully your issues with mold will be resolved.

Take Care,
Brenda

[Becky]

I love Colorado and the State just got better with you in it. Enjoy!

[Laurel]

Hey Amy! Sounds like you're on a "Rocky Mountain High." Can't you just hear John Denver crooning in your ear? Glad you are happy!

[Kkmom]

Hi Amy,
It sounds like you are happy to be home. Maybe it is just what the doctor ordered. Happy Fall - coming soon - Pam

[Mtngrl]

Thank you, Friends. You're the best.

Love,
Amy

[Catherine]

Happy homecoming. That takes courage to make a big move and have to also clean out from the renters. I hope you have a long beautiful fall!

Hugs, Catherine

[Tresorgh]

Glad to hear it.Welcome back.








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[LizzElliot]

Hi Amy,
I'm in Centennial ... which was probably still Littleton when you left. Would love to meet you sometime. Welcome back!
Lizz

[TracyD]

Hi Amy and Lizz - I'm also in Centennial. Welcome back Amy? Would love to meet with you both sometime.

[Mtngrl]

Lizz and Tracy--

I'd love to get together sometime. Right now I still have too much to do and not enough time and energy, but I hope that will change soon.

Amy

[Dakini52]

Hi amy! So happy to see an update from you. I have thought of you often and am delighted to know that you are doing better in Colorado. I have started having lung issues recently and am wondering if it is being on Herception for going on 6 years, however, you have made me pay a lot closer attention to my surroundings to be sure nothing is lurking there. Thanks for your always helpful point of view. I hope Colorado continues to be a healthy place for you to live. I sometimes wonder about the wetness I live in in the Seattle area and think of moving to someplace dryer. Maybe it would be a good idea. Please continue to keep us posted on your progress.
Debbie

[Mtngrl]

Hi Debbie,

Good to hear from you! Your signature is inspiring--five years NED on just Herceptin is awesome.

I'm someone who needs "Herceptin Plus" something else. Luckily, I have no problem with Perjeta other than diarrhea, which is just my "new normal." (Although I do think I get worse diarrhea in conjunction with toxic exposures). I hope my next scan will show I'm NED, and I can fall back to just H&P to maintain that status.

Lungs are tricky to monitor and diagnose. Breathing problems can have a lot of causes, some of which might have synergistic effects. I think it has been helpful for me to use a HEPA filter air purifier in my bedroom. I got one that is not only Energy Star Certified and able to filter out mold, pollen, and all manner of volatile organic compounds, but is also rather beautiful. It wasn't cheap but I'm glad I got it.

Amy

[Dakini52]

Thanks for the info on the Hepa filter. I will have to do some shopping around and see what I can find that might help with my breathing. I also have a couple of cats that I dearly love but I know I have some allergies to them.

[Dakini52]

Amy, exactly what type of air purifier did you get?

[StephN]

Great to hear that you are doing better in your new climate! And blood levels are doing so well.
If you have a basement, you may want to get some of those Dri-beads that take in moisture. People use them on boats around here or when there is a water leak. They are available at most any hardware store.

Dakini - maybe this would be a good option for you since you live in the same climate I do. Having forced air gas heat in our house works well at controlling mildew and molds.

Cleaning chemicals do not agree with me either.

[Dakini52]

Hi Steph. I do have central gas heat and it is great for this climate.

[Mtngrl]

I don't want to appear to be promoting products, but I guess by now everyone knows I'm for real. This is the purifier I got. I love it.
http://www.oreck.com/airinstinct-200-air-purifier/544.html?gclid=CO7z_4TiscgCFcOGaQod9c0Eww&s_kwcid=AL!4071!3!48672309642!!!g!!&ef_id=UjmZwgAAAKiF3wgQ:20151008015320:s

Amy

[Dakini52]

Thanks Amy. I will check it out.
Debbie

[KatherineM]

Hey, Amy! Glad to hear about your move. And hello to Lizz, too. It's been a long time! I was on just H&P alone for the last three months, (after a summer of Taxol plus H&P, which shrunk the lung mets by 50%). Had hoped that H&P would work, but last week's CT scan showed progression. Going back on Taxol plus H&P tomorrow. Scared, but I guess it was sort of a crap shoot that I'd be okay without chemo. My thinking is -- and would love any thoughts on this -- that it's better to stay on the same treatment for as long as you can, before moving on to another. My onc. originally wanted to put me on Kadcyla, but I'd rather go back on the taxol, if that worked originally. I'm doing lots with diet and yoga, and have been feeling pretty good, but I'm a little thrown by this new development.

Anyway, I have a lot to be grateful for. Kids coming for Thanksgiving. Dogs are sweet. Partner is incredibly supportive. Hope you all have a wonderful holiday!

xo,

Katherine

[Mtngrl]

Hi Katherine,

I hope you had a great Thanksgiving. Mine was wonderful. It's so great to be back home.

I had great results on my first scan after starting Abraxane, H & P. I'm still on it, hoping to eradicate the rest of the glucose-avid stuff in my lower lungs. I hope we'll see that on the next scan, because I'm getting pretty weary of side effects of Abraxane. The neuropathy in my fingers and toes makes me clumsy, and I'm getting more bumps, nicks, cuts, and stumbles. After having had exactly one UTI in my entire life before, I've now had two since August. I blame the chemo.

But all in all, things are looking up. I don't draw on eyebrows every day, but I'm getting better and making them match when I do decide to go to the trouble. I was failing at eyeliner because the H makes my eyes damp all the time. I figured out if I use a powdered/pencil liner first (putting it on with a brush) then that gives the liquid liner something to cling to. I have only a few pathetic little eyelashes left, and a few stray eyebrow hairs.

A small price to pay if this works out as hoped.

Amy

[spiritualabundance]

So great to hear such positive words and such hope. Good for you and good luck to you in your (re)new(ed) home! God bless!