I'm still in awe of the scan results. I went to see Dr. Saez today, and he said it is very uncommon for a stage IV patient to be in remission so soon. I'm going to keep doing whatever it is I've been doing to stay on course.

I'll be going into the Mt. Pleasant Oncology center every 3 weeks for 6 months, starting Monday for Avastin infusions. I'll take the Arimedex orally for 5 years, and we'll be praying A LOT!!!!!!!
I'll be meeting with Dr. Cuena (sp) our new breast cancer specialist, and surgeon in the very near future. Many of my friends have been concerned about the breast cancer diagnoses. A mastectomy is not in my future, according to Dr. Saez, but with Dr. Cuena's expertise we'll be even more on top of this. Apparently, the breast cancer was caught very early, so we were lucky in that!

I'm living it up, burning up the roads. I drove down to Beaumont Sunday night to have a visit with Carol. We wound up having a block party in her garage, with all of her fun neighbors. Everyone enjoyed "Tibedeaux Specials". That's shrimp and crawfish etouffe served on top of rare steaks. Dinner was delicious! We didn't get to bed until after 1:00 A.M., it was like the old days. Carol and I had coffee in bed on Monday morning, then I drove to Anahuac to pick up Mom. She was all ready to go--bags were packed and lined up at the door. We went over to Houston and picked up Uncle Bud's slot machine which has been in the shop there since just after Christmas. We had lunch in Lufkin at Ralph and Kakoo's. It turned into a 2 hour lunch. The food was wonderful, but our waitress was a little more than scatter brained.

We got back to Mt. Pleasant, about 6:30 Monday night. We went in to see Dr. Saez this morning, then drove to Rockwall for lunch and on over to the mall for a little light shopping. We got home about 5:30 today--whew!

Mom and I are leaving to go back to Anahuac in the morning. I'm scheduled to have dinner with a high school friend I haven't seen in years. I'm really looking forward to catching up. I'm planning on seeing Uncle Buddy, and all the other relatives and friends I can on Thursday morning, then I'll drive back to Mt. Pleasant.

Lunch is planned for Friday with Worthie and Judy. I haven't seen them since before my surgery in June. We talk on the phone and e-mail, but it isn't like looking them in the eyes.
I just realized it sounds like all I do is eat. That's almost right. My appetite is scary!!!!

I'm feeling well, and stronger than ever. God is good!! I'll post again soon.

Scan Results

As of now the scans show that there is NO Evidence of Residual Disease!!!!
I'm clear!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'll be seeing my oncologist again on Tuesday to finalize follow up treatment plans.
We want to be sure we've got it all, you know colon cancer is a sneaky little monster.

I sincerely thank you all for your continued prayers. Prayer is what has gotten me through so far, so please keep it up.

Pet Scan

How cute is she!!!! This is Miss Olivia wearing the beginnings of Loretta's new dog jewelry.

We had a nice weekend with Lenice, Jaime, and Olivia. I had forgotten about the energy four year olds have. It was fun watching Olivia play, eat, get kisses from Priscilabel, watch movies, then crash, sound asleep in her mamma's lap. She is like a mini-adult. So sweet, and well mannered. She is truly a young lady to be proud of. Jaime is a wonderful mom. It is so nice to see little girls grow up into wonderful women.

We really had a laid back weekend. Olivia loved the kitty-boys at the shop. She had to have a stuffed kitty to take home with her. I think Siegfried and Roy enjoyed the attention. I know the dogs did!

Don and I went to Dallas yesterday for the pet scan. I have to be honest, I thought about bolting! It was really intimidating for me. I'll get the results on Friday, when I go back to see Dr. Crim. Updates will follow. Prayers are being heard. I'm feeling good, but a little fatigued most of the time. I'm hoping to start walking again asap. I've got to get my stamina back for Valentine's Day. I'll be volunteering at the flower shop.

The nueropathy in my fingers and toes has become constant. It feels like the tips of my fingers are numb. I've been told this could last as long as a year after chemo, or it might be permanent. I'm telling myself it's a small price to pay. Really more annoying than anything.

DONE!!!!!!!!

The pump came off this morning at 11:15. I hope it's the last time I have to deal with that!!!! I sat in my car and read the paper until it just got too cold. As I walked into the clinic the timer on the pump went off--perfect timing! There were hugs and smiles and jumping up and down all around-celebration! The nurses asked me what I planned for a celebration and I told them I've got an appointment for a root canal in an hour!

The dental appointment went off without a hitch. I've run all my errands for the day, and now I plan on relaxing.

Thank you all for remembering The Boggs Family in your prayers. Pet Scan is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 21, we'll move on from there.

Happy 2008

The new year is going to be a good one for the Boggs family.

I had an appointment with the doctor before chemo on New Year's Eve. We discussed what will happen next. I have one more chemo scheduled for Jan. 14. After that I will have a PET scan in Dallas, then a visit with my colon surgeon. At the end of January, I'll meet with Dr. Saez again, and he'll set up a regimen of Avastin infusions. If all goes as planned, I'll get the Avastin by IV, once every 3 weeks. Avastin is not a chemo drug, so I'm hoping for no more annoying side effects. This procedure will only take 3o minutes to an hour each time. That's quiet a bit of difference. I'm used to going in every 2 weeks now, and spending anywhere from 3-5 hours a time!

The hopeful news through all of this is that the doctor does not think I'll need mastectomies. It seems that the breast cancer was a very early stage, and the chemos and Arimedex have been fighting it all along. After he told me that, I had to ask what he thought my prognosis might be. He thinks I will be cured!!!!!!

I thank God for the skilled doctors and surgeons who were put in our path at the very beginning of this journey. I am fortunate to have had the very best! They were able to diagnose and remove the worst of the disease. I thank God for the miracle of each new drug. I thank God for the HOPE he has given me through Dr. Saez. I thank God for all of our family, friends and neighbors who have prayed and propped us up through all of this.

There are going to be big changes with the Boggs Family in 2008! Don has announced his candidacy. He has been asked to run for county commisioner. He has never been a politician, although he does have some very definite political views. He is a public servant. He excelled when he served on the school board, and as it's president I'm sure he had to make some controversial decisions. He has a talent for seeing what will be best in the "big picture". I know he will make a great commissioner.

2008 will be a healthy, happy one for all of us!