Yup, it's my birthday tomorrow, so Annie decided to really do it up and give me and the entire Annie's Army team a REALLY GREAT present today, August 22nd, 2008. We got to Pacific Gynecology Associates late morning for the results of Annie's CT scan and got the following news from our oncologist, and I quote from the CT report, "Marked interval decrease in metastatic disease within the chest, abdomen, and pelvis. No new metastatic lesions identified."
In layperson terms, and just because I like to repeat the news of these results in any and every way I can (read - shout it from the rooftops!), Annie's tumors have shrunk - across the board - and there are no new metastases. This is the first piece of really positive news we have received since Annie's diagnosis in June, and it is better than even our docs expected at this point. As you might imagine, we are walking a couple of feet off the ground.
We have always felt good about the medical team that's been evaluating information and determining and implementing treatment, but since that team stepped in, we've had quite another sort of team step up to the plate and make a HUGE difference in our lives and to Annie's health. That team is Annie's Army. If you are reading this blog, please know that we consider your support, in the form of prayers, loving e-mails, gifts of time and music and shopping and childcare and reading material and hugs, and countless other kindnesses to be at least as important, if not more important, to Annie's healing as the chemo regimen she is following. We can't thank you enough.
So where do we go from here? We stay the course. Annie will now undergo another three cycles (six rounds) of the same chemo regimen, which will take about 9 weeks. Then we do another CT scan and look for more positive results. We are, of course, looking for total eradication of all lms tumors and an Annie in complete remission. Yes, this may take a while, but the way we are feeling today....well, first of all, we've GOT a while!, and secondly, we're feeling as though we can - with all ya'll beside us, conquer the world!
We send you our enduring gratitude and SO MUCH LOVE!
Anita, Annie, Hazel & Gabe
13 comments:
Oh My God!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How Fabulous. What a lovely birthday present indeed. Did you jump across the desk and kiss the doctor. Please tell me you did. I want to picture that!
And I also want to Thank you for letting us in and sharing this journey with us. I am grateful to be part of the army albeit a small part right now. It's as equally important for us believe me as it is for you. I feel giving is the easy part recieving is what people seem to have the most difficulty with. The generosity and honesty with which you have opened your hearts to us is humbling to say the least. I love you all.
And Happy Birthday Chica.xoxoxox Frannie
THIS IS THE MOST FABULOUS ANSWER TO MY PRAYERS!!!! CONGRATULATIONS AND HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND MANY MORE!
MARIANNE AND KURT
Calling in from Cloud 9!!!! woowooWOOO. Love you, love your doctors, love just about everybody right now!!! Big round of applause for handling this with so much grace and dignity under (severe) pressure. And may I just say - snazzy - S.Nazzy caplet, Annie! Ditto to Frannie's post - and can't get enough of your happy, smiling faces.
Gotta run - all this writing interrupted my binge praying - tough on the knees, but clearly worth it! xxxxo christa
That is a great birthday present for you--for all of you. FELIZ CUMPLEANOS!! We will continue to send lots of good energy your way. One thing I'm doing: as part of biking my ass up and over the Capitol Hill ridge every weekday on my way to work, I say mantras to occupy me. They're all done to the tune of "There's a hole in the bottom of the sea" from a Sesame Street cd (yeah, those tunes have ear-wormed their way into this mom's head), and yours is that "very soon Ann will be totally cancer-free"--may it continue to work for you. Lots of love! - Julie, Sean and Pen (the latter 2 by proxy)
:) :) :)
-M, W, G, & D
Great news!! We're so happy for you!!
Best,
Chris & Richard
Weeping tears of happiness! I have been feeling so positive that this would be the outcome. I just knew that Annie, in her infinite wisdom would pick the perfect present for your birthday, Anita.
We are sending HUGE HUGS from Carpinteria, where we are, and the hummingbirds, which are my talisman, have been, well, humming, buzzing by to tell me SOMETHING FANTASTIC, literally coming within inches of me and staying there for about 30 seconds and then flying off, doing an aerobatic routine with each other and making sure I'm watching. I can only take this as a sign....
We love you all so much, and have picked up a few little goodies to send your way when we get home (they will go in the other box of goodies we didn't manage to get sent before we left. We're big losers, sorry!)
xoxoxoxo,
anne, charley & JH
Hello gang of four. I've been thinking about you guys ever since I taught Maeve the frog face made famous by Hazel on that last day in Seattle so many years ago. What a world away from now it seems...so much going on and yet I see that same life and happiness in these blog pictures. What amazing strength...and you're gonna need it to deal with those high school years and beyond. I'm still a pain in the ass to my parents and I'm 36...as a matter of fact, I'm pretty much a pain in the ass to most people :0 Sending a boatload of happy vibes...it may need to go through the Panama Canal on the way to Seattle, but it was the only way I could find something big enough to fit all that love. Much peace and happy B-day.
From the Hintz/Misiewicz gang
happy happy happy day.
what beautiful good bursting at the seam news.
wow. keep it up, girl!
so so happy.
great news we are thrilled for you all. we love you sally and dinah
Annie I can't wait to hug and squeeze you! You and your family are never far from my thoughts and I couldn't be happier with this fantastic news! You are kickin so much ass, and I love it!!!!!
FYI: preparations for massive troop movement underway. Mandate - Peacekeeping on the Terrace; subdue all unruly foliage! Civvies and skivvies (whatever they may be) currently being processed, packed and readied for departure! ETA SF 14:25pm PST 09.16.08
Now, how cool is that??? xxxo belle
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!....!!!!!!..!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
With all the love in our hearts, all the way from New Mexico!
A, M, S and G
(I love to see the hat on ya!)
Post a Comment