Before and After

We had the most recent MRI a few weeks ago, but due to computer problems we couldn't make a post until now. This MRI looked FANTASTIC (did you really expect anything different?) Jill was wearing her Big Sur Marathon shirt that had "Cancer Treatment The Ultimate Training Program" on the front and "Thank you Mayo Clinic Dr. Richard Zimmerman Dr. Alyx Porter Dr. Sujay Vora" on the back. We got to see all three doctors and they were all so impressed with Jill.
Here are some before (on the right) and after (on the left) pictures. You can see the "void" where the tumor was which is now filled with cerebral fluid and is perfectly normal. You can really see how the tumor was pushing the brain out of the way and now everything is more symmetrical as it should be.

Big Sur Marathon

The Big Sur Marathon was this weekend and Jill sprinted across the finish line smiling! It was awesome! She did fantastic! 4 hours 50 minuets beating half of the other women in the race. All this a mere 2 weeks after chemo! 26.2 miles along the Pacific Coast Highway was the perfect way to end this chapter of our lives.
It's been quite the adventure but we made it through. We couldn't have done this without all of your love and support.

Remember When...

Home after surgery

Remember when...

After the first surgery.

The Final Week

We've made it to the final week of chemotherapy. We both can't believe that we're finally here. It seems like a long time ago that I was sitting in the hospital waiting room as Dr. Zimmerman was slowly removing that bastard of a tumor bit by bit. It's been one helluva journey and a road that we both wish we didn't have to travel down, but are relieved that the finish line is within sight. We really could not have done it without all the incredible support of our family and friends (if you're reading this, smile because I'm talking about you).

Jill's blood work was again better than it's ever been. Her white blood cell count was 9.something and her hematocrit was 44. Once again Dr. Porter asked what she was doing and we answered "It must have been the Sangria we had with dinner" Last nights chemo session went just fine as we were both exhausted and fell asleep to the soothing sounds of peeping baby chickens. Yes, we now have chickens. Two Rhode Island Reds (Lucy and Mopje (pronounced Mope-Yea), one Americauna (Fluff Head), and one Jersey Black Giant (La-fawn-duh). The four should have enough egg laying power to provide us with a dozed eggs per week. Right now they are cute little fuzz balls that love to run around the greenhouse (as the floor is only gravel and grass right now). Leo is going nuts trying to figure out what's going on. He wants to put them in his mouth and make them squeak just like his toys. Pretty soon we'll be getting a cow, some pigs, and an ox to help me plow the wheat fields.

The Big Sur Marathon is coming up quick and it's going to be really emotional for both of us when Jill crosses that finish line. The marathon is a literal metaphor representing Jill's fight. Cancer is not going to slow her down and training and running this marathon is proof of that.

Famous

The Mayo Clinic has posted a story about Jill on thier website
http://sharing.mayoclinic.org/

NO MORE TUMOR

Yes, that's right folks! The MRI yesterday showed NO MORE TUMOR!!!! Oh sure, there was scar tissue from the surgery and we're going to keep a close watch on that, but Dr. Porter said that it was just scar tissue. Her blood work was also the BEST IT'S EVER BEEN, which we're attributing to the beers consumed the night before. Dr. Porter didn't object to that assumption.
Yesterday was a good day at the Mayo Clinic. The empty desert wasteland around the building was covered in a velvet emerald green grass making it much more visually appealing. The weather was a pleasant 71F and the beer at Gordon Biersch was cold and refreshing. Last nights chemo session was puke-free and she slept the whole night.
One more month of chemo and then we're DONE!

We just watched a youtube video of a Beligum farting pig cartoon. Don't ask. Just watch. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8297574364836044520#

Training for the Big Sur Marathon is going really well and we now know what to put on the racing shirts. Two shirts one long sleeve and one short sleeve. "I had cancer, what's your excuse" and "Cancer treatment: The ultimate training program" on the front with "Thank you Mayo Clinic Dr. Zimmerman, Dr. Porter, Dr. Vora" on the back.

After the Big Sur Marathon then the focus is on the Livestrong Challenge Austin Bicycle charity ride. Thanks to those that have donated so far.

LiveStrong Challenge Bike Race

Big Sur marathon 7 weeks away! Jills runs are going well. She had a 2 1/2 hour run in Sedona on Saturday. Jill has two goals for marathon: 1.Finish within 6 hours 2. Feel well enough to go wine tasting in Carmel afterward. Her friend Becky (A friend since high school) is also running and going wine tasting. It will definitely be time to celebrate. Chemo will be over and all we will have to do now is get an MRI every few months be be sure that nothing comes back. Woohoo!!


We decided to sign up for the Livestrong Challenge Austin bike race in October. We have to raise $250 to actually ride. Below is the website to make a donation.

http://austin2010.livestrong.org/jillio


If you'd like to join us for the 90 mile ride around Austin we have the ability to recruit "team members" for the Livestrong Challenge. We haven't figured out what that means yet, but hopefully it will allow you to ride with us.

Almost Done!

We're on the home stretch! We can see the light at the end of the tunnel! Only two more months. February started off with Jill getting a cold and then passing it on to me. Fortunately her white blood cells were perfect 3 days after her cold and we could get this months chemo over and done with. Dr. Porter also changed her anti-nausea medication which prevented the first night's pukage! Sweet! Phenegran wasn't doing squat so we've upped the ante to Zofran and now Temador can focus on the tumor and not Jill's stomach.
In two months time she'll be done with chemo and running the Big Sur Marathon in celebration. Stay tuned for a picture of a special racing shirt we're going get made.
The big news is that her hair is coming back and it's curly (not like the three stooges).

Snow Storm

We've had an almost record week of snow which means shoveling, shoveling, and more shoveling. What's the best part of shoveling snow? Using the shovel as a sled to launch off the roof! Here is a video and some pictures of the fun! The Video is at the bottom and may take a few moments to load but it's worth it! This is Issac our neighbor on the super fast shovel. Here is another pic of King Leo surveying his territory.

A Celebration of Life

Wednesday was Jill's 24th birthday (or something close to that) which called for wine and chocolate cake! Jill's best friend Kat flew out from San Francisco and completely surprised her! It was awesome! We really are thankful to be alive. Birthdays have now become more important as you need to treasure every breath, thought, emotion, sunrise, snowfall, friend, family, and day.

New Years Pictures

New Year's Birthday Binge

December was great for Jill. The first day of chemo was rough, just like November, but the rest of "chemo week" went really well. The remainder of the month she felt great and full of energy. We had a quiet Christmas at home, enjoying the snow and each other. New Year's saw us traveling to San Diego to celebrate my Great Aunt Lorraine's 90 birthday. Aunt Lorraine is the most incredible person in the world. I know that you're all saying "no, you haven't met so-and-so" Sorry, you're wrong; Aunt Lorraine is the most incredible. We spent a few hours with her over the weekend looking at photo albums and listening to some of her many great adventures. The food, wine, champagne, and my Dad's margaritas were incredible. On any other weekend, I'd say that we drank way too much wine and ate way too much food, but given how incredibly good it was, I think we're ok with that. It was really good to see the family and to watch Aunt Lorraine enjoy her birthday party (did I mention all the great food and drinks?)
Today was the next MRI, and everything looked really good. Dr. Porter was really happy with how things are progressing. We had a blood test two weeks ago which showed a white blood cell count too low to start the January round of chemo. She took another blood test today which was also not high enough. Probably due to the travel and the fact that it is cold season. I've even been struggling with a cough the last few days. We're going to get another blood test done in a few weeks and see if we can get those white blood cells up. Dr. Porter doesn't think this is going to mess up her treatment at all.
Next week is Jill's birthday and on Saturday January 16 we're going to have a big party. Lots of wine and chocolate cake (but of course!). Anyone and everyone is invited. A celebration of life. We have lots to celebrate and a two week rest from chemo.
Pictures to be posted at a later date. Time for bed.