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.

Snow Day

Monday we got hit with a nice storm dumping 28 inches of snow on the ground. The awesomeness of the winters first storm forced me to take the next day off from work so we could go out and play. We headed out to Schultz trailhead (get a map) pointed to the top of the nearest mountain and headed up. The sky was a brilliant blue which contrasted beautifully against the pure white snow. Leo was literally in over his head and had to bound like a hyperactive rabbit which wore him out. We were the first ones out and were breaking trail up the side of the mountain to an overlook at about 8,500 feet with an amazing view of the city.
Jill continues to fight the fight with a positive attitude which has translated into a more energy, healthy appetite, iron stomach, and the continued annihilation of Mr. Oligoastrocytoma.
We're going to be staying in Flagstaff for Christmas then heading off to San Diego over New Year's for my Great Aunt Lorraine's 90th birthday.

November Adventures

We made it through the first month of our 6 month chemo therapy cycle. The death pills knocked Jill on her ass for most of the month, but she found her second wind at the end of the month and now we're back in the ring and coming down off the top ropes with the folding chair! We're almost done with "chemo week" for Month two! Just like the first month, there was some puking the first night, but none since then.
The speech therapy has been going really well in that SHE DOESN'T NEED IT!!!! Take that Oligoastrocytoma!!!! Score another one for the Jillio! She met with the speech therapist who basically said (and I paraphrase), "tumor? What tumor? I don't see any evidence of a tumor? You don't need any speech therapy"
We had a quiet Thanksgiving here at home making "Afghani Lamb with Spinach" (lamb for me and tempeh for Jill).
* 2 1/2 pound Lamb stew meat - preferably leg
* 1/3 cup Olive oil
* 3/4 pound Onions; diced large
* 4 Teaspoons Chopped garlic
* 2 Teaspoons of Turmeric
* 1/4 Teaspoons of Nutmeg
* 1/4 Teaspoons of Ground cardamom
* 1 Teaspoons of Crushed red pepper
* 1/2 Teaspoons of Cinnamon
* 32 oz Can tomatoes; drain & chop
* 1 cup Rich brown veal stock or
* 1 cup Rich beef stock
* 1/3 pound Fresh spinach; wash & drain
* 1/2 cup Yogurt
* 1 tablespoons of Grated lemon peel Salt; to taste
* 1/4 cup Pine nuts (Roasted at 350 F. for about 3.5 minutes)
It was pretty good! No turkeys were harmed in the making of this meal (just one little lamb)
We sure do have lots to be thankful for.
Other Thanksgiving weekend events included a clogged bathroom, and a broken mountain bike. The bathroom is now fixed...the mountain bike is not.
Sorry for slacking on the blog!

Here is a picture of our Thanksgiving dinner and another one from out motorcycle tour through the Swiss Alps back in 2005. That's one of my best friends Tom and Jill showing how tough she is during 8 hours on the back of a motorcycle. Oh if every day could be like that!

Death Pills

Jill got her blood work back on Monday with the good news that her white blood cells were back up to a normal level. That was exciting for about 0.02 milliseconds because now its time for chemo therapy which started Monday night. It's 5 days/month for 6 months double dose (compared to the first round). Monday night consisted of Jill puking quinoa all over the bathroom most the night. We were going to post a picture of that but who knows who'll get offended by such crude blogging. Last night the promethazine (anti nausea medication) started to kick in; no pukage in the bathroom or anywhere else.

Halloween

Yesterday was Halloween and Jill had the BEST costume EVER! Vampire Head Victim was what one person called it. It was great! She covered most of the scar with fake blood leaving some of the scar exposed. People were doing double takes to try to figure out what was going on. I dressed up as Zorro, but with my blond/red mustache it looked more like Wesley from the Princess Bride. Either way worked.
We only had about 15 kids Trick or Treating which was disappointing (except for the leftover candy!) then we headed downtown which was packed with people.

Jill's blood work last week still showed a low white blood cell count so she's going to have more blood drawn tomorrow. Once the white blood cells get back to a normal level we kick them down again with the next round of chemo therapy.

Balance (ying and yang)

We've had the first of what will be many follow up MRI's. Sunday night we drove down to Phoenix, spent a lovely hour and a half sitting in traffic further solidifying our decision to live in Flagstaff. After missing out on dinner, we had to settle for a glass of wine (oh darn) with our good friends James and Danielle the night before our appointment. Monday morning we made it to the hospital for blood work, MRI, and appointments with Dr. Porter (neuro oncologist) and Dr. Vora (radiation oncologist). The blood work showed a low white blood cell count which is to be expected after the radiation and chemo. The MRI looked very good. It's hard to explain the results of the MRI with out an M.D. after my name, but I'll try. The MRI looked really good. OK I'm charging everyone's insurance for that diagnosis (except for those of you Socialists in Canada). While we cannot be 100 percent sure that there was no tumor left due to the scar tissue from the surgery Dr. Porter was so impressed with Jill's recovery that she recommended her to be in the Mayo Clinic Magazine as an inspiration to other patients. Don't worry, we're not giving up the book rights and Oprah is next on the list.
We are learning how to balance our life with the BIG "C" and life in general. After her white blood cells get back to normal it's going to be another round of chemo (5 days/month for 6 months). We continue to monitor Mr. Oligoastrocytoma every other month, then move on to every three months, then every six. Pretty soon we'll be saying "yeah I used to have cancer, but I beat the sh*t out of that mofo"

3 months

Today was the 3rd month anniversary of the first brain surgery (is it weird to call it an anniversary?) Jill and I ran the Solstice mountain trail 10K run. Jill was also the honorary starter for the race. We had a blast! Alexis and Danielle joined us in our quest to cover the 6.2 miles (10K for you Tom) along some of the most beautiful single track trails in Flagstaff. It was so inspiring to see Jill cross the finish line a mere 3 months after two brain surgeries, and 6 weeks of chemo and radiation. How's this for inspiration? She signed up for the Big Sur marathon (get a map Tom) next April. I'm really proud of her.

Done and Not Quite Done

We've made it through the 6 week "boot camp" of chemo and radiation. What an exhausting experience. The Radiation Department has a bell for when treatment is done with the following inscription:

Ringing Out

Ring this bell
Three times well
The toll to clearly say
My treatments are done
It's course has run
And I am on my way

Jill rang that bell louder than anyone ever has! People came running from the next building over thinking that it was the dinner bell! It was AWESOME!
So we're done...well, not quite. She gets a month off then starts back up with the chemo therapy for 5 days/month. This will last at least 6 months. Yeah, that sucks. But, at least its a pill which can be taken from the comfort of our own home. At least it's 5 days/month and not every day.

Things we're looking forward to:
Solstice running race!
camping
a normal appetite
no more nausea
hair (although all I can do is hope)
driving
that bottle of champagne we got for our anniversary
going back to work
scab falling off

Things we're dreading:
speech therapy
more chemo
more nausea
the unknown