Well, it has been awhile since we have updated this blog, as Susie's days are mostly spent going back and forth to radiation treatments and trying to get enough rest.
Today was the last treatment, so now Susie can just spend some time trying to recover. We hope the worst of it is over...
A quick update on the Revlon Walk/Run team: We raised over $9,000! Almost twice our team goal!
Thanks to everyone who participated and who worked so hard at raising funds for this very important research. You have until June 15 to get in your pledges and have them count towards your selected fundraising prize, so if you have not yet sent them in, you should do so immediately!
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Officially a "Team"
We are officially a team, getting our 25th member today (Yay, Sarah!). Anyone can still join this team online. After May 2nd, registration goes up to $30 (from $25). Online registration is open until May 10, but after the 7th, you will need to bring a printout of your confirmation to the event to get your bib number and event t-shirt.
To register to walk or run, click this link https://www.revlonrunwalk.com/la/secure/TeamWebPage.cfm?tid=31420
In the right hand corner is a box with a link that says Register Now and Join this Team.
Click that box and sign up for either the walk or the run.
To register to walk or run, click this link https://www.revlonrunwalk.com/la/secure/TeamWebPage.cfm?tid=31420
In the right hand corner is a box with a link that says Register Now and Join this Team.
Click that box and sign up for either the walk or the run.
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Final Chemo Round
Tuesday was the last day of Chemo, and Wednesday was the last Neulasta shot. YAY! Susie did pretty good, even though there was some reaction again to the chemo and she had to take it at half speed, she is very glad to be through it.
We were reviewing some of the medical bills for all this and have some very amazing numbers. For instance, the Neulasta shot costs $4425 for 6 ml and takes 1 second to administer. *Gulp* Chemo itself is over $3000 with all of the different drugs. The current balance on her account for the first 5 treatments is nearly $30,000. Hopefully insurance will be picking up the bulk of that.
She continues to experience hot flashes... they are driving her crazy! Plus, the hot flashes make her sweat, then being wet makes her cold... take the covers off, put the covers on. Take the covers off, put the covers on. All night. All day. *sigh* you get the picture!
Given that she is at the end of chemo treatments, we are hoping some of the side effects will start to go away, like the heartburn and the bloating from the steroids. We will see.
Team Susie update:
We have 8 walkers/ runners signed up, so we need quite a few more to be recognized as a team. We have already raised almost $1300, so imagine what we could do if we had all 25 team members! You can sign up here https://www.revlonrunwalk.com/la/secure/TeamWebPage.cfm?tid=31420
We were reviewing some of the medical bills for all this and have some very amazing numbers. For instance, the Neulasta shot costs $4425 for 6 ml and takes 1 second to administer. *Gulp* Chemo itself is over $3000 with all of the different drugs. The current balance on her account for the first 5 treatments is nearly $30,000. Hopefully insurance will be picking up the bulk of that.
She continues to experience hot flashes... they are driving her crazy! Plus, the hot flashes make her sweat, then being wet makes her cold... take the covers off, put the covers on. Take the covers off, put the covers on. All night. All day. *sigh* you get the picture!
Given that she is at the end of chemo treatments, we are hoping some of the side effects will start to go away, like the heartburn and the bloating from the steroids. We will see.
Team Susie update:
We have 8 walkers/ runners signed up, so we need quite a few more to be recognized as a team. We have already raised almost $1300, so imagine what we could do if we had all 25 team members! You can sign up here https://www.revlonrunwalk.com/la/secure/TeamWebPage.cfm?tid=31420
Friday, March 16, 2007
Revlon Walk/ Run 5/12/07: Sign-up Info
We are registered as a team named "Susie's Supporters" (Team number 858)
To register to walk or run, click this link https://www.revlonrunwalk.com/la/secure/TeamWebPage.cfm?tid=31420 In the right hand corner is a box with a link that says Register Now and Join this Team. Click that box and sign up for either the walk or the run. You will need to pay a $25 registration fee for each person, which covers the Revlon Walk/Run T-shirt, a medallion at the finish line, water and snacks. You must register by April 20 to qualify our team.
Feel free to invite everyone you know to join us in the walk/ run. The bigger the team, the more money we raise and the more fun we have.
Once you have registered, you will be able to edit your own donation page, and send that link out to everyone you know who may be able to sponsor you.
I have set a team goal of $5000. If we get 25 people for the team, each of whom sets a personal goal of just $250, we will raise $6250 for cancer research. I know we can easily do that!
For those of you that are not local to LA or cannot participate for other reasons, please keep checking back after next week to the above link and find Susie's name (or anyone else's) on the team list and make a donation on our behalf.
The link above can be sent out, or people can search by team name or team number on the site to find us.
I am investigating the cost of T-shirts for the team. With just 25 people, it will likely cost about $15 a shirt. The more people, the more shirts, the less the cost. I am also trying to see if I can get them donated.
Once you register, please send me an email with your T-shirt size and if you want black shirt with pink print, or pink shirt with black print, and what you feel is reasonable to spend on a shirt so I can figure out if I can make it happen.
For more information on the event, go to http://www.revlonrunwalk.com/la/html.main/getfacts07.html
As we get closer, I will work out some specific areas for us all to meet the day of the event, plus will try to help coordinate carpools.
Looking forward to seeing everyone on the 12th of May.
To register to walk or run, click this link https://www.revlonrunwalk.com/la/secure/TeamWebPage.cfm?tid=31420 In the right hand corner is a box with a link that says Register Now and Join this Team. Click that box and sign up for either the walk or the run. You will need to pay a $25 registration fee for each person, which covers the Revlon Walk/Run T-shirt, a medallion at the finish line, water and snacks. You must register by April 20 to qualify our team.
Feel free to invite everyone you know to join us in the walk/ run. The bigger the team, the more money we raise and the more fun we have.
Once you have registered, you will be able to edit your own donation page, and send that link out to everyone you know who may be able to sponsor you.
I have set a team goal of $5000. If we get 25 people for the team, each of whom sets a personal goal of just $250, we will raise $6250 for cancer research. I know we can easily do that!
For those of you that are not local to LA or cannot participate for other reasons, please keep checking back after next week to the above link and find Susie's name (or anyone else's) on the team list and make a donation on our behalf.
The link above can be sent out, or people can search by team name or team number on the site to find us.
I am investigating the cost of T-shirts for the team. With just 25 people, it will likely cost about $15 a shirt. The more people, the more shirts, the less the cost. I am also trying to see if I can get them donated.
Once you register, please send me an email with your T-shirt size and if you want black shirt with pink print, or pink shirt with black print, and what you feel is reasonable to spend on a shirt so I can figure out if I can make it happen.
For more information on the event, go to http://www.revlonrunwalk.com/la/html.main/getfacts07.html
As we get closer, I will work out some specific areas for us all to meet the day of the event, plus will try to help coordinate carpools.
Looking forward to seeing everyone on the 12th of May.
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Revlon Walk/ Run 5/12/07: Update
Due to overwhelming demand, I have started the process of setting up the team for us to walk on May 12 in Susie's honor. As soon as they have contacted me and let me set up all of the online pages so that you can register, I will send out another email will all of the details, that you can also send on to anyone you know who would like to join.
What I do know is that we need at least 25 people, and you need to be registered by April 20th to be an official member of the team.
For those of you who are not local to Los Angeles, maybe you could sponsor some of us who are walking in an effort to help raise research money on Susie's behalf. I will include all the info you would need to do that in the next email as well.
Also, I would still like to do T-shirts, so if anyone knows of anyone with a T-shirt silk screening business that could donate printing, or some portion of printing, please let me know.... alternatively, I will look into what it might cost, and we can each pay for a T-shirt if I cant get it donated.
Thanks so much for your interest and support.
What I do know is that we need at least 25 people, and you need to be registered by April 20th to be an official member of the team.
For those of you who are not local to Los Angeles, maybe you could sponsor some of us who are walking in an effort to help raise research money on Susie's behalf. I will include all the info you would need to do that in the next email as well.
Also, I would still like to do T-shirts, so if anyone knows of anyone with a T-shirt silk screening business that could donate printing, or some portion of printing, please let me know.... alternatively, I will look into what it might cost, and we can each pay for a T-shirt if I cant get it donated.
Thanks so much for your interest and support.
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
No News is Good News (Mostly)
It has been awhile since we have posted anything, as Susie's life has mostly consisted of treatments and resting, and a number of other things we really can't mention in public. :-)
Yesterday was the 5th Chemo treatment, and today was the 5th Neulasta shot. Just have to get through this cycle and one more, and then the really bad stuff is behind her. She seems to be weathering the storm pretty well. She looks great bald and really loves her wig. Possibly more than her actual hair!
The other issue that recently arose is chemical phlebitis on her left wrist. This means that the veins in her arm have been damaged by the chemo, and the result is a swelling (in this case) of her left hand.
She also got a chemical burn under her skin from the 3rd chemo treatment at the insertion point of the IV on her wrist. So they ultimately decided to insert a PICC line in her left arm to ease the difficulty of inserting a needle for the chemo IV each time. She has to have it flushed weekly, but it will be removed after her last chemo treatment. Now she can't sleep on her left side or her right side.
If you can bring a meal one night, Susie would really appreciate it. Healthy, home-cooked meals are just what the doctor ordered! The calendar to the right will show you what days are available. Post a comment here, or write Janeen an email to get on the schedule.
Not too much more to write. Will work on figuring out the Breast Cancer walk for a cure stuff soon, and post that info for you to all sign up.
Feel free to call anytime, as Susie feels better in general and is more able to talk and return calls then she was in the past. She is looking forward to catching up with what is going on in your life and hear about any of your news... so please do call!
Yesterday was the 5th Chemo treatment, and today was the 5th Neulasta shot. Just have to get through this cycle and one more, and then the really bad stuff is behind her. She seems to be weathering the storm pretty well. She looks great bald and really loves her wig. Possibly more than her actual hair!
The other issue that recently arose is chemical phlebitis on her left wrist. This means that the veins in her arm have been damaged by the chemo, and the result is a swelling (in this case) of her left hand.
She also got a chemical burn under her skin from the 3rd chemo treatment at the insertion point of the IV on her wrist. So they ultimately decided to insert a PICC line in her left arm to ease the difficulty of inserting a needle for the chemo IV each time. She has to have it flushed weekly, but it will be removed after her last chemo treatment. Now she can't sleep on her left side or her right side.
If you can bring a meal one night, Susie would really appreciate it. Healthy, home-cooked meals are just what the doctor ordered! The calendar to the right will show you what days are available. Post a comment here, or write Janeen an email to get on the schedule.
Not too much more to write. Will work on figuring out the Breast Cancer walk for a cure stuff soon, and post that info for you to all sign up.
Feel free to call anytime, as Susie feels better in general and is more able to talk and return calls then she was in the past. She is looking forward to catching up with what is going on in your life and hear about any of your news... so please do call!
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Revlon Walk/ Run 2007: Team Susie
We are setting up a team to run/ walk in this year's Revlon Breast Cancer Run/ Walk in Susie's honor. It will be on May 12 near USC. It starts at 8 am and ends in the Colleseum around 11 or so. There will likely be music and festivities at the end.
Once the team is set up, I will post information about signing up. It costs $25 to sign up, and I think you also can get sponsors. I will be designing Tshirts for us all to wear, and I think this will a lot of fun and a great opportunity to get together, raise money and awareness for a good cause, and have a great time. Hopefully you will be able to include all of your friends and family to join the team.
Watch the blog for updates!
Once the team is set up, I will post information about signing up. It costs $25 to sign up, and I think you also can get sponsors. I will be designing Tshirts for us all to wear, and I think this will a lot of fun and a great opportunity to get together, raise money and awareness for a good cause, and have a great time. Hopefully you will be able to include all of your friends and family to join the team.
Watch the blog for updates!
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Meal Coordination
Tammy has graciously volunteered to coordinate meals for Susie over the course of her Chemo treatments. If you can help out, please contact her at allenandtammyalbright @ adelphia dot net. Of course you will need to remove the extra spaces and format this appropriately for email (trying to keep her from getting spammed from web crawlers). Please email her with your phone number and what day(s) you can bring what meal(s).
Many thanks to Tammy for her help!
Many thanks to Tammy for her help!
First Chemo Day
Yesterday Susie had her first Chemo treatment. She was surrounded by friends and we brought chocolate. (I think that is why she invited us!) 
She got to the clinic around 1:30, and after much poking and prodding, they managed to get a line into her vein (3rd try is a charm) at around 3:30 to draw blood. After they ran some tests, they began her chemo treatment at about 4:30. First the Adriamycin is pushed in through a large syringe slowly. It is bright red, and she was told it would make her pee red.
After that, the Taxotere drip was started. About 5 minutes in, she said, "I am feeling short of breath," and turned quite the bright shade of red. I called in the doctor, and they stopped that drip. She was having an allergic reaction. She was seeing silver spots "like when the sun hits the dust specks" and sweating pretty profusely for someone who is always so cold. They gave her some Benadryl, Zantac, and Decadron (Dexamethasone) for the reaction, plus some additional saline. After 10 minutes, they started up the Taxotere drip again at a much slower pace, and slowly ramped it up to full speed. She was done at about 6:30. And her pee was already red!
We took her home, had a bit of dinner, and she went to bed. I am sure she was exhausted, I know we all were, and we didn't have to get poked, prodded, and poisoned!
She probably will feel very fatigued over the next few days, and may be sick. So while I know she appreciates all of your calls and emails, she may or may not be able to respond in any timely manner. But know that she knows you are there and that you care, and she will try to get back to you as soon as she feels up for it!
She got to the clinic around 1:30, and after much poking and prodding, they managed to get a line into her vein (3rd try is a charm) at around 3:30 to draw blood. After they ran some tests, they began her chemo treatment at about 4:30. First the Adriamycin is pushed in through a large syringe slowly. It is bright red, and she was told it would make her pee red.After that, the Taxotere drip was started. About 5 minutes in, she said, "I am feeling short of breath," and turned quite the bright shade of red. I called in the doctor, and they stopped that drip. She was having an allergic reaction. She was seeing silver spots "like when the sun hits the dust specks" and sweating pretty profusely for someone who is always so cold. They gave her some Benadryl, Zantac, and Decadron (Dexamethasone) for the reaction, plus some additional saline. After 10 minutes, they started up the Taxotere drip again at a much slower pace, and slowly ramped it up to full speed. She was done at about 6:30. And her pee was already red!We took her home, had a bit of dinner, and she went to bed. I am sure she was exhausted, I know we all were, and we didn't have to get poked, prodded, and poisoned!
She probably will feel very fatigued over the next few days, and may be sick. So while I know she appreciates all of your calls and emails, she may or may not be able to respond in any timely manner. But know that she knows you are there and that you care, and she will try to get back to you as soon as she feels up for it!
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