Dear Friends,

I haven't felt strong enough to blog the last few days...sorry ...I know some of you have been concerned. Although, in general ...I am getting stronger everyday...I have moments of increased pain or and fatigue and when it hits...I just have to wait it out...It takes a lot for me to email so ...I have been pacing myself.

I saw my Dr. yesterday....yes....Dr. Bahahdor...he's so amazing!!!!

The pathology came back in great detail...I will only briefly go over the basics...

Cancer was found in the ovaries....omentum...peritineum...fallopian tubes...uterus..and fluid in surrounding areas....what was taken out: ovaries...fallopian tubes...uterus...cervix...appendix...omentum....peritineum...16 lymph nodes...I think that's about it...I was told that it was in the lymph nodes...great news...it was not in the lymph nodes...

My Ca-125 which is an ovarian cancer marker...was 3,350.00....normal is 35 or under...mine has gone down to 350 just from the surgery...this is great news!!! Obviously there are microscopic cells that are hanging on...which is why Chemo is the next step...

I will get the chest Port put in next week sometime...waiting on insurance approvals...then...one round of Chemo will be done within my HMO insurance...I think through Scripps Green....the other rounds will be done within my Dr.'s office...My insurance is changing from an HMO to a PPO within 3 weeks...the timing isn't great between the 2...it would be nice if I could just start Chemo from one location...so...we're working out the kinks with the 2 locations....Most likely ...I will start Chemo next week or at the latest...the week of the 13th...they say I will need 8 rounds of Chemo every 3 weeks...some will be through my chest port and some directly through my belly...I won't know what to expect re: the side effects...I won't know until I know...I hear positive things ...we'll see...

I'm still losing weight...I have had lots of gastric pain...constipation ...it's very hard to eat when it makes your stomach hurt...the bladder pain is good...It seems to be better...I really want to gain a few pounds or at least maintain until Chemo starts...I've lost about 14 lbs...I never thought I would be wanting to gain weight...WOW....

The car rides have really caused me a lot of Pain....everytime I have to go to the Dr's or out for tests...it takes hours to recover...I hope that will improve soon. My incision is healing super well...it looks awesome...it still hurts ...I know this pain will pass soon...Everyone was kind this time...I was able to walk to my appointment this time...instead of being brought up or down in a wheelchair...

I mostly have been improving...my attitude is still great ...I appreciate your awesome support!!!
Let me know if you want to visit ...I gave my phone number on a previous email...feel free to call my cell anytime...

Much love...Summer