First, I want to start off by saying that I have really been feeling great for the past few days. Today I went for an hour long (leisurely) walk around the lake in my neighborhood with Sohel (Christian's youngest brother).
I saw Dr. Sharfman today and found out that my tumors have stopped growing which is good considering how fast they were growing before the treatment. The ascites (fluid in my abdomen) has gone away. The tumors have not begun shrinking yet, but we're hopeful that they will begin shrinking with subsequent sessions of treatment. Dr. Sharfman is debating on continuing with the same biochemotherapy regimen or switching to a new regimen of high dose Interleukin 2 (one of the biotherapy meds that I have been getting already). He will present my case on Tuesday morning to a group of experts (including Dr. Balch, my original melanoma surgeon) and decide then.
I will definitely be going back to the hospital the end of next week to begin the 3rd session of treatment (one of the above). I have a "reservation" for Thursday April 27th which will depend on bed availability. After I complete my 4th session, I will return for scans to see what progress has been made.
So, there's the latest...not bad news, but not as great as we were hoping for. Hopefully the tumors will have begun shrinking by the next scan.
Thanks for keeping up with me and for your continued postings and feedback.
Love,
Erica
Thursday, April 19, 2007
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Team Run for Erica (minus Omar)
Omar getting ready to run
Mary, Chandra and Liz finish their 6 miles
Star and Christian run for the crowd
Tony and Jaime waving to the crowd
Team Run for Erica after the marathon (minus Jenny and Jaime)
Erica's Tree @ Upton Hill
Look how Erica's tree is growing and blooming!
Upton Hill Memorial to Erica
Erica's crepe myrtle tree by the batting cages at Upton Hill Regional Park, Arlington, VA
Plaque dedicating tree in Erica's memory
Plaque dedicating the tree in Erica's memory
A week before admission to Hospice
What a beautiful smile!
March 26: Liz, Star, Chandra, Erica and Kelly
March 26: Star, Chandra and Erica
March 12-13: Erica and Christian...check out those smiles!
With Uncle David
Dad, Mom, Erica, Megan, Heather, Chase and Uncle Bill
7 comments:
Your progress is fantastic news! I also have to say, I think it's wonderful for you to post with such detail for all of us cheering you on. Now we pray for your great medical team's wisdom as they choose the next steps -- and keep praying for your continued strength.
Love,
Mary & Steve
Thanks for the posting, I have thinking about you all day!! I'm glad they have stopped growing! Thanks for letting us know.
love,
Karen
Hi Erica,
Glad to get caught up with you, again, just when you are getting the news that the tumors have stopped growing. That is GOOD news!! Love the hair cut, but mostly love seeing your beautiful smile and bright eyes!! You are amazing, girl. You remain in my thoughts daily.
Maggie
Considering how fast those suckers grew I am so happy to hear that they have stopped. The hope was that the treatment would have an effec...AND IT DID! I am sure you are not looking forward to more of these treatments, but as you have expertly demonstrated in the past, you are more than capabe of taking it on. You looked so healthy and strong at the soccer game the other week. Can't wait to see you again soon. Love you, Liz
i sweetie! Got your call. So glad you are doing well. I love the hair...I have gone short too! Talk to you soon I hoe...
love Danielle
Erica,
It was so good to see you! You are an amazing woman and an inspiration to us all! Keep on smiling and hopefully you don't mind if I visit again!
Love,
Jeni
Hey Erica! You look FABULOUS! I love the new do ;) Your hair is beautiful no matter what, but short suits you quite nicely ;) It looks and sounds like you're recouperating well....getting ready to come back and put all the doctors and us nurses to shame again with all of your exercising ;) You truly are amazing! I don't know if it's the treatments or your will that's stopping the cancer....but keep up the good work ;) That's great news about your scan! I'll be on the look-out for you this week and doing my best to make sure there's a bed for you....hopefully a room with a view ;) I look forward to seeing you soon...although I'm sorry it's to make you feel lousy again. But, you do what you've gotta do, right? And it's people like you that make me love what I do.
Hasta pronto,
Nurse Susie ;)
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