Resolve

Happy new year!  New year; fresh start.

 

As you can see from Randy's post below, my first scan of the year was yet again stable! And that was aided only by my ketogenic diet, and the novocure device. There may be remnants of last November's 12th chemo cycle, but only that--remnants. I get my next scan in 6 weeks.

 

I never make New Year's resolutions, except for the one I made last year; which, was to fight this cancer with everything I had in me. And while I stayed stable all year, I found myself getting lazy. I was not fighting with all I had. My scans were stable, and I began to feel relaxed, and complacent. Which is an arrogant place to be when you have one of the most aggressive types of cancer possible. I am LUCKY to have lived this long with this horrible disease, and it is certain that I intend to keep going.

 

This year my resolve is to continue that fight, with even more vigor. This is where the rubber hits the road, and I know it. I begin this year without the aid of chemo.

 

This year, I resolve to really listen to what my body is telling me to do. To be active EVERY day, whether that means a little gardening, or a lot, to do my prescriptive exercises as assigned by my therapists. To give myself the rest that my body needs, both physically and mentally, do more research, to keep measuring my food exactly, and stay on the novocure. My own immune system is in charge, and I will see where it takes me.

 

Thank you all who have helped me and Randy through all of this, either with meals, or rides, support emotionally, financially, or with your prayers, good vibes, and LOVE. We are so blessed to have you all.

 

Wish me well as I embark on this journey called 2016!

Another Stable Scan!!!

Yesterday Jen had another scan and it was again stable!!!  She is now at almost 16 1/2 months since diagnosis and almost 16 months progression free.  In the world of Glioblastoma Multiforme this is extremely good, especially considering Jen was unable to have surgery to remove any of the tumors.  This scan was especially encouraging since Jen has been off chemo for almost 2 months now (the longest she has gone since beginning treatment).  This was certainly a great way to begin the new year.  Her next scan will be in 6 weeks on Feb 17th.  Thank you to everyone for all the positive support and encouragement.

A Quick Update and some pictures from Deutsch's Christmas Party

Well it is a new year and Jen is still fighting strong.  Tomorrow Jen gets her next scan - please keep Jen in your thoughts and prayers as we look forward to a positive scan.  Jen has now been off chemo for 2 months.  This is her longest period without chemo since she began this fight.  Tomorrow's scan will be the first one outside of the chemo's influence (although there could be some residual effect).  Meanwhile, without the chemo on board Jen continues to feel stronger each day and we are hoping that her immune system will be able to fight harder now that it is not constantly being attacked from the chemo.  I will try and post the scan results sometime tomorrow or Thursday.

Some of you may have noticed that there is a slight change to the website.  The front end website no longer exists (after they wanted an 800% increase in hosting fees).  The blog was really all that was being updated anyway.  The domain jenscancerfight.com still works though, and will now take you directly to the blog.

I know Christmas is past and I am late in posting anything, but Jen's work Christmas Party was just too much fun and I wanted to share some pictures from the event.  The theme was Après Ski and the dress code was either back at the ski lodge or black tie.  Jen chose ski attire.  The event was held at the newly revamped historic Clifton's in downtown LA - a very cool space.  Anyway, here are some pictures from the night.

Yes, it is snowing in LA thanks to a little help from Hollywood.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deutsch adds some amenities to Cliftons.

 

Notice the squirrel on Jen's shoulder that came along for the ride.

Jen & I with her boss Cluckie and Mara.

 

 

Much of the décor is actually part of Clifton's lodge theme.

Cluckie, Mara, Jen, & Norman



This tree is amazing and stretches through all 4 stories
of the building.

 

Gaming tables for charity were on the third floor.

 

Of course there was a DJ.

 

If you look by the fireplace you can see me taking a picture
of Jen (leaning against the tree)

Jen with a ski bunny.

Jen visits Deutsch again.

Last week Jen was invited to her departmental Christmas luncheon at Deutsch.  It was great for Jen to see everyone again.  Deutsch has a wall dedicated to the employees with 10 or more years called the Deutsch Decade Club.  Jen's employment with Deutsch officially ended after she had been there 9 years, just shy of making the wall.  Well, even though Jen is not technically an employee anymore she is still very much a part of the Deutsch family and at her most recent visit they presented her with a plaque honoring the fact that she has been with them for 10 years now.  Her company has been unbelievably kind and generous.  Jen still receives regular gifts from Deutsch and her boss John has even left her desk with all of her personal things untouched waiting for her to return if at all possible.  Thanks again to all of Jen's Deutsch family for making her and I feel so loved.  It really does mean a lot.

 

 



Jen with John, Dana, and Nancy

 

 Jen is feeling great as she continues to detox from the chemo.  Unfortunately, she did take a fall about 2 weeks ago and broke her pinky.  Today, she got a new X-ray and the doctor informs us that it is healing beautifully and it should be fully healed in about 3 more weeks.

Another Stable Scan!!!

Jen had her most recent scan yesterday and it was again stable!!!  This marks 15 months since diagnosis and 14 months of stable scans!  Last month Jen completed her 12th cycle of chemo and we are now suspending any further chemo for the time being.  This means that the only therapies she will be doing for cancer treatment are the Novocure (electric arrays on her head), her Ketogenic diet, and a few supplements (Longvida Curcumin, Green Tea, Probiotics).  We are obviously a little nervous discontinuing something that may be providing a benefit, but we are both hoping that without the continuous chemo, Jen's own immune system will finally have an opportunity to rebound and join this fight.  Jen's next scan will be in the beginning of 2016.  Thank you again to all who have helped us get through this past year.  We couldn't do it without the love and support of our friends and family.

A Walk Through the Woods

Jen and I took advantage of the beautiful weather last Saturday and went for a hike.  Jen was able to hike for a little over an hour and she probably could have gone longer, but we are easing into it.  She has also been able to resume physical therapy.  Each year her insurance only covers so many sessions.  We used up the majority at the beginning of the year, but had left several sessions unused in case they were needed.  Since we are at the end of the year, Jen can now use what is remaining.  The PT is definitely a good motivator for Jen and they are able to help target her balance issues and the drop foot that she still has from the surgery.  And now some pictures of Jen on the trail.

A Stable Scan!!!

Jen had another stable scan earlier today!  In addition,  the tumor that caused a little concern on the previous scan appears unchanged as well.  We will still continue to closely monitor this area (as well as all the other tumors of course), but her doctor definitely sees it as a good sign that his previous reading from the last scan may have been a result of some other factor besides growth.  Jen will begin her 12th cycle of chemo tonight.  This will most likely be her final cycle - at least for now.  Although discontinuing the chemo will be a little scary,  we look forward to the opportunity for Jen's immune system to recover and perhaps be able to better fight the cancer.

Music Party 2015

One of the things that Jen & I have greatly enjoyed doing over about the past decade is hosting a music party.  This year marked our 9th music party.  For those of you unaware, the concept is simple - everyone contributes several personal song choices.  During the party, everyone's songs are put into a massive playlist and the songs are randomly shuffled.  We also compile the entire playlist onto a disc for everyone to take away so that they can revisit the songs later.  The songs can be well known, obscure, or even rare.  People share songs they are moved by, songs they love, songs they wish simply to shine a light on, songs that make you think, songs that make you feel, or songs that just make you want to dance.  It has been interesting to watch people's musical tastes evolve over the past 10 years.  You really do gain some insight into someone's personality from the songs they choose to share over time.  This year we took the party on the road for the 4th time and rented an amazing house in Temecula.  We all gathered together for three nights and 4 days of revelry and camaraderie.  Many of those who attend are musicians themselves and some of the time was also spent with live spontaneous jam sessions.
     After Jen received her diagnosis and after we had begun treatment, we also discussed the things Jen would put on her bucket list.  Another music party was near the top.  Now of course, she wants another one next year - and hopefully many more following that.



This was the cover art for this year's disc.


For those of you interested in checking out Jen's picks for this year I have included links to her chosen songs for 2015.

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkMwq1aAAfE
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fgjfi1DU1mQ
3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gh-Lv7EEm0
4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChOz7zOMkOU
5. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JB6WZu8IAZg
6. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBnANoNZkVA
7. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiS37_EULj8
8. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGEubdH8m0s
9. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y__Zs3e6BdA
10. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BloxxEFwibo

Jen's next scan is tomorrow - please keep us in your thoughts and prayers.  And now for some pictures from the weekend.  The party fell on Halloween, so some people chose to dress a little.

An afternoon impromptu Jam.

Chrissy feeling the groove.

 

 

Jen getting her boogie on.

 

Rich getting his boogie on.

Paul just getting his freak on.



This was our backyard.  The pool is empty now, but we spent a bit of time in it.

Morning Jam session - the best kind of jam with toast.

 

Temecula is wine country - so of course we took in some wine tasting as well.