Jan Curran Events

Seems We've Met Like This Before...

I'm back.

Seattle was wonderful. Forget the 60 mph winds when I landed, and the freezing temperatures....  I went to see my Mommy because I knew it would make me feel better and maybe make her feel better ,too.

Missions accomplished!

She still has no clue I have cancer again or that I had it last winter, and summer , either.

She did pick up on the fact I'm a wig wearer. How'd I get around that? I have lupus. It's not so rare to have hair loss while on prednisone.Years ago, in an elevator in Hawaii, all the hair on the left side of my head just fell off - startled the other elevator passengers but to heck with them, I nearly went into shock. Mom and I dashed across to the perfectly located beauty supply and bought me a wig right then and there on the spot.

Last week ,that's how I explained my needing to wear a wig. " Ah, just lupus loss again," and Mom accepted that. She kept telling me I looked great and I said that's because I feel great. That wasn't a lie, I do feel great.

Were it not for the wonders of a PET scan, I'd never know I have this mass in the upper right area of the chest wall...

If you remember back to when I was on Taxol/Carbo and it zapped cancer after cancer for me and it was doing the same this time, too - the tumor had been reduced by 2/3 in only 2 months -- and then I got an allergic reaction to the chemo and for the next three months, while I was on another, Gemsar, it didn't do a thing. Now, doesn't mean Gemsar won't work for you because I know people who've cheered great PET results after being on Gemsar. It just wasn't the drug of choice my body wanted.

So that leads us to me in radiation. The radiologist explained how they will zero in on this mass but also cover the general area of the chest to stop it from spreading elsewhere. I've been so lucky, it just keeps coming back in the same spot!

I'll have radiation every day for four weeks. .. then a PET 8 weeks after that to see how well we did or didn't zap this thing. At at some point in all this, or after the radiation, I'll begin a new brand of chemotherapy  as insurance that the cancer doesn't spread to other parts of the body. Start your positive thinking that we find just the perfect chemo this time.

One of my friends just began taxol/carbo for lung cancer, in both lungs. So far so good, some leg pains, but not any upset stomach or eating problems. I did tell her if she gets that metal taste in her mouth to drink some Lemon Propel before the meal and it will help, as will rinsing the mouth with salt water.

Whatcha think about Cheney and this gun episode?  It's a shame " I've Got a Secret" isn't still airing on  television. Cheney could really stump the game show folks, couldn't he? Everything is a secret and he moves to his own drummer, makes his own rules.

Most likely next week in Parade Walter Scott will somehow tie that all in to some fake question about Tom Cruise so he can once again mention his height and the fact that maybe he won't marry his p.g. girl friend.

I've toyed with the idea of sending in a question to Walter, with a fake name,  which it seems most of those are, or they are a flack somewhere, or if it is a real name and not someone who works in p.r. they are a total flake.. I thought of sending this:

" Does Jan Curran have any plans to reissue her terrific book on advise for the suddenly single?" and then just sign my question --- Judy B, Beumont, CA.

Here's an answer for you, Walter. " Jan is a member of the Authors Guild. She and her former partner, Marcy, will reissue the book, The Statue of Liberty Is Cracking Up, once Jan gets past this latest bump in her recovery road. In the meantime, if you want to pick up a signed copy, I see some are for sale for $120 or so on the internet."

Gotta get out of the way here,  my pest control guy just showed up and needs to spray in the area where I am .

Catch you later.

Okay?

How are things with you?

Jan

Back in the battle again...

Since last we met...

Let's see, what to say and how fast can I say it so I can pack my suitcase and get out of here??

My PET scan came back and showed that from October on, or after I got the allergic reaction to chemo - who knows for sure -- nothing was going on to zap the tumor. It has begun to grow again, so change in therapy.

Dr. has new plan. Radiation and then try new chemos.

Start radiation on the 2/21.

Do every day for 30 days.   Like a darn job, about 2 hours out of my day, each day ,with driving time.. UGH. But radiation ought to be a breeze compared to side effects of chemotherapy.

I feel confident we will zap this once and for all.

Been going on now since 12/03. That's enough , don't you think?

Radiologist said " take two weeks, go visit your mother.." and that's just what I am about to do..  Short  notice but got a seat with my flier miles, got a hotel reservation so come rain or shine. Okay, come rain - I am going to Seattle - I will be there very late on Saturday night.

It's warm here, 80ish , and down to 36 in Seattle and windy and pouring.

I get cold anyway, so  I shall freeze. I'll bundled up in what I normally would wear to go to the east coast...  but since the chances of me going there are totally not even within the view of reality,  might as well wear my nice winter coat for Seattle.

Looks like I shall finish up now next August -  my gosh , an entire year in therapy again?

Let's start thinking positive on us beating this cancer long before next August. Let's try for say...  late June, early July  - well, not much different from August just sounds it!

I  take it one day at a time.

I've got two friends just starting chemotherapy, so need to get off here and send off some encouraging words to them.

If I get a chance in Seattle will do a post, but there is only one phone line so  log on time is limited...  so if we don't chat then, we will after I begin radiation.

Gosh, it's late  - never meant to be on here so long and my list of things to do tomorrow is longer than any list Santa ever had!

Thanks for keeping up the prayers and positive thoughts for me.

Night.

Jan