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.

I got a lot done on Wednesday. Spent quite a bit of time at the flower shop, and set out Christmas cemetary arrangements at some of the local cemetaries. Things are really picking up there, wish I could do more to help out.

The Christmas decorating at the house is almost done, now I need to start the shopping. Planning on doing some Christmas cookie baking with Miss Jessica this season. It's a little Christmas present to myself! Since we don't have any of our own kids around, I have to "borrow" one!

Sarah is flying in on the 22nd, and I'm sure the boys will be here soon after.

Christmas is on us, full steam! Listening to Aaron Neville's Christmas songs, and hoping you all take time to enjoy the season.

It has been a busy, crazy month! Aunt Joby sent me a note and said that it sounds like we are having "open house". She's right!! Uncle Buddy and his daughter Sharon dropped in one Saturday. What a shock! They drove up from Anahuac, and Houston just to spend the day. I haven't seen Buddy since last March. He was always one of my favorite people. All the kids could count on him to have red dentine chewing gum in his pockets. He would throw us all off when he'd switch to green! I haven't seen Sharon in years. We spent the day visiting, and then I made jambalaya for everyone. I hope to see them again soon. Uncle Buddy is now raising miniature cattle. I have to check that out.

Sarah, Bryan, Joe, and Carmella were all here from Wednesday through Saturday for Thanksgiving. I cooked ahead, and we were able to have lunch about 1:30. That's a record for the Boggs Bunch. The table was really pretty. I'm still trying to figure out how to add pictures to this blog :(. Computers aren't my thing, and html--forget it!

I got the tree up on Sunday, after Thanksgiving, but didn't finish it till yesterday. I had some light issues this year, and just didn't want to deal with it. The house is upside down right now. Christmas decorations and storage boxes are everywhere. Sarah's friend Mindi dropped by yesterday and said that the house looks like it threw up Christmas. She's right. We worked on wreath ribbons, and had a good time.

I went into the shop Thursday morning, and stayed until around 12:00. Don and I drove over to Shreveport in the afternoon, and did some shopping at the Boardwalk mall. It was really nice, there were no crowds, and we just strolled leisurly, and window shopped. We had a wonderful dinner that night, then drove back to M.P. the next morning. I was back at the flower shop by 11:00, and stayed until almost 5:00. I tied bows for poinsettas all afternoon.

I probably overdid it, because I wasn't worth shooting Saturday. I wish I had an internal alarm that would go off when I'm doing too much. I never know until it's too late.

I've been watching all the Christmas Specials, Charlie Brown's Christmas, The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, etc. I made Don sit down with me last night to watch Charlie Brown. He wasn't pleased, but he was a trooper. He doesn't get into the spirit of Christmas until around midnight on Christmas Eve. That's such a waste of a wonderful, uplifting season. It's almost over before he starts enjoying it. I've been listening to Christmas music since Thanksgiving. I just love it.
I think I'll try to find Jim Carey's Grinch movie today. Don can watch that tonight!

I've made my "to do" list for today, and it's growing. This is the first day in as far back as I can remember that the house is quiet. No one's here but Hazel, Pops, and me! No excuse for not getting that list finished.

I'll be going in for labs on Friday, and the 10th treatment is scheduled for Monday, the 10th. I've been prescribed some pre-meds, so hopefully, there will be no reaction this time. After this, 2 more to go. I CAN DO THIS!! I have been blessed through this whole ordeal. I have learned to live everyday with a grateful heart, and to not take anyone, or anything for granted. God's blessings show up in the simplest things, and the blessings are all around us, we just have to be still, and they appear all around us.

I'm praying special prayers for Tynus and D'Auan, Judy, Worthie, Hillary, and their families today, I hope you will be too.