I really don't have much to share this week. I've been spending more time at the flower shop, and less at home-which is a good thing!

I'm still waiting for the volunteer liason at the cancer center to send the information I requested. Worthie, Judy, and I plan to be the meeters and greeters there. Don't know what the admin. people have planned for us. We will be having lunch next week, and I had hoped I'd have something to tell them. The center will be opening on April 22., I feel like we are running out of time! I understand we will have to go to a training session, and with our Dr. appointments, scans, etc., it makes time limited.

The election campaigning is going well. Don has really enjoyed the forums, and visiting with the people who live in pct. 1. Just a reminder, the election is on Tuesday, the 4th! Don't forget to vote. I did early voting at Don's insistence. I really prefer to go on the day. It is fun seeing everyone there. I used to make the girls from the flower shop go with me. They always said I'd vote over and over if I could.

Pops is still "hanging in there". He has not been able to go to church the last couple of Sundays, so that makes for long days for him. He has seemed to be much more confused since his bronchial infection in January. He had fallen and broken a rib through all of that, so I know he's probably considerably uncomfortable. Hazel took him to play bingo yesterday. They "bingoed" 3 times! Hazel was thrilled, but Pops was just glad to be there. If he gets to go for drives twice a day, I think he considers it a good day.

I've recently developed a "new" side effect to the cancer drugs. Joint pain has begun. I had hoped I'd be one of the fortunate ones and not have to deal with this. My hands and neck are the worst effected. The Drs. have given me permission to use lots and lots of ibuprofen. It is a temporary help, but I have to remember to take it every 4 hours or so. I've never been a pill taker, so that has been a struggle for me.

I saw Dr. Cuenca this week. She is Mt. Pleasant's new surgical oncologist. She has scheduled me for mammograms, and an MRI this Friday. We are going to find out what the breast cancer has been up to these past 8 months. Lobular breast cancer isn't always shown on PET, or CT scans. I haven't had an MRI through all of this, so it's probably past time. She did a sonogram in her office, and couldn't really see anything other than the clips left at the time of the biopsy. Hopefully we'll have the full picture by my next appointment with her on Tuesday the 11th.

Please keep us in your prayers.

I'm still in running mode!

I drove Mom back to Anahuac on Wednesday. Had dinner with cousins Wayne, Elizabeth, and Daniel. Elizabeth is going through radiation now for breast cancer. She looks wonderful, and says she's tolerating it. Wayne is going to be tested this AM. It is possible that he has a lymphoma. Please keep them in your prayers.

Thursday morning Mom and I drove out to Uncle Buddy's. I got the Yukon stuck in the ditch at his house. It's funny how soon you forget about the hazards of living in Chambers County. One of the first things I learned during driver's ed., was avoid ditches! In my defense, it wasn't a deep ditch, and it LOOKED dry, but I was in Anahuac for heaven's sake! Everything is always wet down there! Anyway, Mr. Otter, Uncle Buddy's neighbor was nice enough to pull me out. I left Uncle Buddy with a big set of ruts to remember me by!

I got the news on the way home that Pops was sick. Don spent most of the day at the emergency room with him. He is home now, but still really weak. Hazel (his companion) was admitted to the hospital at the same time. She has asthma, and Pop's has a bronchial infection.
Hazel should be out of the hospital today, and Pop's is doing a little better. I think he's probably a little confused because his routine hasn't been normal this weekend. He's had four different people sitting with him, and hasn't been able to have his "drives".

Lunch with the "Sistas" was so much fun. Worthie, Judy and I were scheduled to have lunch out here on Friday, but with Pop's being sick (and probably contagious), we met at Worthie's instead. The girls look absolutely wonderful, so happy just to be here. We laughed and talked for most of the afternoon. I'm so grateful for them both. They pulled me through some really tough times this past year. Everyone needs a support system, and they have been a huge part of mine.

I volunteered at the shop for a little while Friday afternoon. I am really looking forward to getting back up there. Felecia and I attended a sales meeting Friday night, and we had the opportunity to see old friends - Deanna, Shelly, and Carmen. I have learned to really appreciate the people in my life. I loved seeing them, and meeting Deanna's precious red headed grandson!

Bryan came in Friday night. His 27th birthday was Thursday. He is celebrating birthday season! We had dinner out late Friday night. He helped me run errands and take down Christmas decorations Saturday. I'm only taking them down because Don insists. If I had my way we would re-decorate the tree for every holiday. I just love Christmas trees.

Sunday was a lazy day. We just stayed in and caught up on household chores. Don is coming down with whatever it is that's going around right now, so no church for him. I did pause long enough to watch Tom Petty at half time last night. He has been one of my favorites for years, in fact one of his CDs are playing on my computer right now.

I'm going in for my first Avastin treatment today. I don't want to give the "C" word an opportunity to come back! I'm going to attempt to volunteer at the flower shop this afternoon, and then the rest of the week. Valentine's is on us. I've had a nice long break from the shop, now it's time to get back to it!

I hope everyone has a great week. Now, let's get busy!!!!!

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!

Post Christmas

Christmas at the Boggs' house was all we had hoped it would be. The kids were all here, and we had many happy times together. I was able to have my "borrowed" granddaughter here on Friday. We baked so many cookies, I've not been able to give them away fast enough! We agreed that we aren't going to wait for a special occasion for her to come back over.

The kids came in late Saturday night, and they all stayed until Thursday. Joe will be coming back through on Wednesday on his way to Enid. Sarah is flying back to FL, from Austin, and Bryan is back in Arlington planning a New Year's Eve party for his friends.

We had dinner with friends last night, and it was so relaxing! It's always nice to have a quiet visit with girlfriends when you know the guys are busy watching football.

I was so happy that chemo was put off for a week. I feel stronger than ever. No nueropathy in my hands or feet, a voracious appetite (lack of appetite has never really been a problem for me). I had my labs done on Friday morning, and am scheduled for round 11 on Monday. I hope that the white cells will be cooperating after the busy Christmas season. I'll be going into 2008 connected to the pump. Hoping that it will be a better year.

A friend of mine posted this on another forum and I thought I'd share with everyone. This is my wish for all of my family, friends, and neighbors for the new year:

My Wish for You in 2008

May peace break into your house and may thieves come to steal your debts. May the pockets of your jeans become a magnet of $100 bills. May love stick to your face like Vaseline and may laughter assault your lips! May your clothes smell of success like smoking tires and may happiness slap you across the face and may your tears be that of joy. May the problems you had forget your home address! In simple words................

May 2008 be the best year of your life!!!

I learn something new with every treatment. Steroids are not my friend. The doctor prescribed pre-meds before this last treatment. We were hoping to avert the reaction I had the time before. The steroids caused a loss of equilibrium. I couldn't bend over, roll over or move too fast, for almost a week! I've been promised that they won't put me through this again.

On the other hand, I'm really lucky that I've had so few side effects through all of this. I think about my friends who have felt this way after every treatment. They are my heroes! I will do this, I only have 2 more treatments.

My dear friend and colleague, Deana, retired from Country Cottage on Friday. We had a little retirement/Christmas party for her at the shop. She has been with us for years, and we will all miss her. I helped put out the last of the cemetary arrangements that afternoon, and just spent the afternoon visiting with employees and customers. It was a fun day.

Sunday brought the Christmas Cantata at church. The choir did a wonderful job. The music was absolutely beautiful. I didn't stay for the luncheon afterwards. I'm still a little afraid of lots of people massed together in a small space.

I started Christmas shopping on Monday, but "chemo brain" took over. I have to admit I've been a little loopy/goofy since this last treatment. I went to Walmart to look for stocking stuffers, and ended up buying Christmas outfits for the dogs. I couldn't remember where I parked, so I wandered around the parking lot for about 10 minutes, looking like a bag lady.

Elvis is now Puppy Claus. Priscilla is his happy Helper Elf. Tubby is the Greedy Reindeer, and Loretta is the Victoria Secret Christmas Angel. Don apologized to all four of the dogs for the indignity that I put them through, but I think they liked the attention.

Tuesday I had a surprise visitor, Hillary! She is a friend of Joe's, who's going through chemo right now, and staying in Mt. Pleasant with her family. We baked cookies, and visited until around 4:00, when Mindy came in. Mindy is one of Sarah's best friends. She drove in from Dallas to check on her Grandmother, and stopped by to say hi. I told the girls that I'm the only person I know who sees her children's friends more often than she sees her children.

I'm planning a quick trip to Longview this afternoon. I still haven't done the stocking stuffers. After that I think I'll call Christmas shopping done. This year Christmas at the Boggs house will have more to do with memories, than gifts.

I've enjoyed nice long telephone visits with several friends this week, and I can't express how happy that makes me. I'm baking cookies on Friday with my "borrowed" grandchild. The kids will all be in late Saturday night, and Christmas can oficially begin!

D'Auan lost her sweet Tynus on Thursday of last week. He had put up a courageous fight. I am praying that God will grant her peace. Hillary will have a treatment on Thursday of this week. I am praying for strength for her. Judy and Worthie are both through with their treatments for now. I am praying for their gift to be joy! I am thanking the Lord that I feel so healthy, and will have my family around me this Christmas.

Hoping all will have a joyous Christmas.

Well, the "cemetary runs" on Wednesday, weren't such a good idea after all. I spent most of Thursday in bed, just worn out! Don cooked steaks last night, and today will be a better day.

On the list for today, is another trip to the shop to drop off paperwork. I need to get the cemetaries finished today, before the weather gets too bad. We are supposed to have dinner tonight with a group of old friends. They are the people we started out our "newly-wed" time together with. Should be fun!

I'm off for labs this A.M., then I'll worry about the rest of the list.