Feb 3, 2014

Can it really have been an entire month since my last blog??  Oh yes, and it's been a month tormented with record cold temps and snow conditions that would keep Frosty inside next to the fireplace!  Even flying to Chicago to get treatment was in some of the worst conditions they ever had….

We've been in Pittsburgh and I'm staying at the lovely Omni hotel in downtown.  It has lots of history attached to it and the feel is very old european - which you know I love!  One of the wardrobe ladies took some time off and asked if I would cat sit her boy "Maverick" for about 10 days.  I was nervous at first - since taking care of my own self has been a full time job these days - but I couldn't resist the feel of a fuzzy face near me in bed each night!   And I'm so glad I did - Maverick took a little while to warm up but then became my snuggle bug and source of entertainment - while I really had to rest in my room whenever I wasn't working.

Look at this fat cat!  I mean I couldn't resist!!

OK, that was fun… NOT!  I just had to run to find a restroom so I could throw up - and there was not one near by..  I just left my computer and bags and made a quick dash before embarrassing myself.  All is good - feeling better now, and all my belongings are right where I left them.  People at the gates are not very happy - many flights are delayed, including mine - but I'm on vacation so I'm not going to stress at all!

So, I flew to Chicago on the 27 for tests and chemo and was just a little delayed at the airport because of weather. Then had blood tests (all levels are good - white and red blood cells, liver and kidney function - then saw the oncologist. He wants to schedule a torso MRI now and says he expects that there will be much improvement.  Had my chemo while watching episode 5 of Downton Abbey.  Then met with my radiation oncologist.  He said he had really good news!  The scan showed marked improvement since November with many tumors that had shrunk or were now barely perceptible.  There was no new growth of tumors with 3 tumors that shrunk a small amount and one that was unchanged.  The doc said most people don't get to this point - he said it was the best news he had given all day!  Of course I was hoping for complete disappearance of all cancer but I'm glad he was so pleased.

He said this is the perfect situation to do the gamma knife on those four remaining tumors. He said they screw screws into my forehead to keep my head completely still and zap the exact areas with a concentrated dose of radiation - much like a magnifying glass directs the suns rays to heat one specific spot.    There's a chance of difficulties like brain necrosis and heightened side effects because of the large dose.  Sounds kinda scary and bride of frankenstein-esque. But he said this is the perfect time to hit them again while they are weakened.  I'll have to research it to see what all it entails but I will have to find a way to take a few days off work. 

This man is not smiling…

It seems apropos that my doctor's offices are on the Tony Bennett floor!  Now I KNOW I'm in the right hands…. Uncle Tony - you've always come through for me. 

I made it back to Pittsburgh without incident and was happy to be in my own (hotel) bed with Maverick as my live fuzzy pillow!   I felt pretty darn good for a few days - have more energy and color is back in my less swollen cheeks.  It's the small things that give me a more light hearted lift these days!

Yesterday marked the one year anniversary of my joining the tour in San Francisco  - jan. 26, 2013!  It has gone by amazingly fast with all that has been happening.  Here's a pic of my dear friend Jonathan and I celebrating my one year anniversary!  Woo Hoo!

January 7, 2014 - And a New Year Begins!

Finally, a much belated update - after a busy, tiring, yucky, wonderful holiday and beginning to this new year!   My family all made it safely back to their respective homes and I made it to Providence and my much awaited bed at the Biltmore.  Then, we began the most difficult schedule of shows yet - because of the holiday days off, etc.  Now we are back to a regular schedule and the cast is very happy about that - phew!

Providence has been lovely - but snowy and hard to navigate - so I haven't explored as much as I would have liked.   My dear friend and old college roomy from Shreveport Denise Dion and her husband Shawn came to visit his family not far from here - so I was treated to some visits and play time with them!   We toured the amazing Breakers house in Newport - jaw dropping opulence - and such an interesting flash back to such a different time.

Earlier that day - the cast had a "dog party" to unite all pet owners for a playmate - and to let us non-pet owners receive and give some puppy love!   Denise and Shawn brought their dog "Lulabelle" to join in the festivities.  

New Years Eve was a day full of work for Wicked with two shows scheduled.  I was surprised with an award from Jason Daunter (Stage Manager) for being the "Strongest Person in 2013" - cover your kids ears - for being "One Strong Motherfucker"!

Medical update:

After my final full head radiation - the side effects became increasingly worse.  While having lunch with my niece Megan,  I had to run to the restroom for a surprise vomit explosion!  I'm glad I made it out of the restaurant in time…. 

My brain is scrambled and I've lost all sense of direction.  I walk out of the hotel or theatre and inevitabley walk the wrong direction.   I look at the tag in my shirts and still put them on backwards.  I've almost forgotten to put my wig on before going onstage during the show (thank you dresser Patti for saving me on that one!)  I've gone to the right room but the wrong floor at the hotel and had to go down to the front desk and tell them my key wasn't working - and they asked my name - and I found out I was on the wrong floor.   But the best example of my addled brain is what I said at an event the other night - My friend Kevin McMahon was saying to a guest - " I think I'll just walk home and not take the trolley".  The guest said - "I don't think that's a good idea - it is quite a long walk!"  Then I said - "You don't know this man - he runs 401ks!"   

 Besides having a completely round and puffed up face like a "Moonpie" (who remembers these?) - because of the steroids I'm taking to relieve swelling in my brain,

the skin on my head and ears has started to look like the surface of the moon - and is bright red and peeling and melting off.  The ears have been the worse - so painful to the touch and bleeding.  I took a pic of it all but decided not to share - too alarming!   My wardrobe people completed a fabulous turban to cover my bald head and not be to painful - plus, hair pins have become like little knives when they touch my skin.  And they added hair so it looks like my original costume design.  They are the greatest miracle workers!

Before

After

Neosporin with pain relief gel has been saving me each night during the show.  Our makeup miracle worker, Christina, did some research about creams and gels that might help and she told me about Emu oil.   Yes, you read that right - Emu (the animal) oil helps with scars and burns!  So I ordered some with  cooling Aloe and it feels really nice and soothing.  I'll give you a review after I use it for a while.

Last monday was my scheduled chemo appointment back in Chicago - and I still can't believe I made it there and back despite all the cancellations and extreme weather conditions!  The travel gods were definitely with me and I made it back to Providence around 3AM.  I was visited by the acupuncturist while getting chemo and had a great session to try and help with the side effects.  She will visit me during my next treatment - which makes me very happy.  

Everything except the hospital were closed in Chicago so after my treatment, I just taxied back to the airport to wait for my delayed flight.  

I took this photo on the plane - my thumb (and I) are suffering from extreme neuropathy and it is extremely angry!   It's almost like it is trying to get the poisons out of my body by swelling up, then opening up with painful blisters and bleeding.  

As of today, the head and ear reactions are much, much better - and I'm not feeling too badly after the chemo so far.  Doctor says my blood tests are good - so we will continue and get a scan after my next treatment to track my progress.  I'll fly back to Chicago from Pittsburgh on Jan 27 for the next one.

December 28, 2013

Merry Belated Christmas, Everyone!

I am finally out of Chicago and in beautiful downtown Providence, RI.  There is a lovely iceskating rink outside my window and my Biltmore room feels very european and grand.   And there is SUNSHINE!  I've missed you, sunshine….

Family Christmas was so very special to me - we played games, opened presents, ate lots and lots, and laughed even more!  I will never forget how blessed I am and how wonderful my family is.   

Here are some moments:

Mom, Megan, Jonah

Mom and I at Joffery Ballet's Nutcracker!

Mom and Megan in a plank contest that ended in a downward dog - Mom won….

Gregg Jr and aunt Dina

Megan and Gregg doing a great SNL song
Aunt Dina ineptly took a picture instead of a video….

Megan and Gregg

Trouble on the slopes

 Megan shows off her new ski googles for her New Years trip to the snow!

Rick and Susan

Megan and Jonah

How do people live in this city?  It is too cold to even walk around!

Dina and Megan at Chicago's Bean!  

 The hotel set up a tree and left supplies to decorate sugar cookies
Aunt Dina terrorizes Logan in the process...

Logan's cookie creation

My cookie creation  

Mom tries to rescue Logan

Christmas Eve dinner at David Burke's Primehouse, Chicago!

Mom and I

Rick's birthday!  Julie, Gregg, Megan, Gregg Jr, Jonah and Logan

Rick loves Jelly Bellys 

Freezing cold Chicago lunch

Playing Head's Up and watching the video of how silly we look!

Completed my 20 full head radiation treatment on Thurs Dec 26 - Boxing Day.  And in honor of the day - I banged the gong with Megan filming and plan to never have to go through that again!

Bangin' the Gong!

I will return in a month to get an MRI - that hopefully will show that we zapped all those cancer spots in my brain!  If there are a few left - they will use the Gamma-knife to target the suckers and erase them forever…


Preview of next post - not feeling so great….

December 22, 2013

My family has arrived to spend Christmas with me here in Chicago!  This is the best Christmas present I have EVER RECEIVED!   This will be a holiday I will cherish forever.

We closed our run in Chicago last night - and the next stop on tour is Providence, RI for three weeks.
I'll be staying at the historic Biltmore hotel - and may have a ghost or two share my room!

Biltmore Providence, RI

I only have 3 MORE RADIATION TREATMENTS!   I am so glad because the fatigue and foggy-headedness are really getting to me now.  I'm glad to have a few days rest from doing the show each day, also to give my mind and body a respite.  Although doing the show and being around all these crazy, wonderful people is the best medicine!   Food tastes terrible - and it is depressing because tasting good food is such an enjoyable experience - I am missing that enjoyment.  Had an amazing acupuncture season friday to help with the side effects - and this woman was nothing short of miraculous.  She even helped me bring some of the swelling down on my Eskimo Pie face!   I need to get more of these alternative treatments - they really do help.   I'm open to any and all help I can get to get me through this! The RAD oncologist says we will wait about a month for the radiation to keep doing it's work - then get an MRI to see (hopefully) that the 17 spots of cancer are all dead.  If there are a few still there, they will use the Gamma Knife to target them and zap them into infinity!  Sounds like a syfy super-hero plot - and I kinda think it is.  The doc says the rads he is giving will make me perform even better - that he will be responsible for my great performances in the future!

Speaking of crazy, wonderful people - 

Jenny gets tough with Pamela

Thursday was Ali Luff's birthday (she turned 25 - what a talent!  What a career ahead of her at such a young age)  so we had a "Whirly Ball" tournament - I've never heard of Whirly Ball - I guess it is a midwestern thing! I was lots of fun.

Adam has his own parade!

Marina, Pamela, and Gina

We had a fun Secret Santa reveal Sat between shows - and I was the SS to the best person ever - 

JOHN DAVIDSON!   I went overboard - and HAD to put up a copy of his 1970's centerfold from Cosmopolitan - decorated like the SNL  "Dick in a Box" skit.   I think he was a little embarrassed, but secretly enjoyed it!   I told him I wanted to show these young cast members how hot he was and still is..

Forgive me, John - it was all in fun!

Do not open till Dec 24!

The Secret Santa stash was fabulous - I had a great SS and got so many things I love - including wine and cheese!  Thank you, Pamela.  John didn't know I was his SS - I was surprised….

Our amazing dressers here in Chicago were so wonderful - we had 2 whole months to work with them and get to know them.   They gave me an amazing gift of a cloche had and a Willow Tree Angel of Healing!  What can I say - the love is just pouring in and out of people around me right now - it truly is a magical time.

Chicago dressers and my new cute hat!

Now, I'm off to make some more memories with my family - it is supposed to snow today and I'm waiting for that to happen - the rain is not so pretty!   

December 18, 2013

Had to skip posting for a few days this week - woke up monday morning with excruciating joint and bone pain.  First I took two Ibuprofen, then a Vicodin, then another Vicodin - and was still suffering badly so I knew I just needed to get to the hospital for my first appointment - and they would find me some relief.   Had my 13th RAD then saw the oncologist before chemo.  She decided not to give me the Napalm part of my drug treatment because of the terrible side-effects I was having - and they added dilaudid to my IV and proceeded with the Herceptin and Prejeta.   I had mixed feelings about this - but part of the treatment is also "quality of life" and if I can't move because of pain or sickness - my quality of life is definitely affected!   I'm getting double treatment at the same time with the radiation AND the chemo - so I'm quietly relieved that I have a few weeks respite from the harsh Taxol and I can probably enjoy my holidays feeling pretty well.

My view during chemo right at the water's edge and light snow!

After a few days of rest and shows - here we are at wednesday before Christmas.

Had my 15th full head radiation today - and met with the radiology oncology doctor afterwards.  Everything is going as planned - we (I) will try and take less steroids and see how I feel.  My head and face are turning a light shade of red - and even my eyelids are sweating during the show.  They might have to start calling me "radiation girl" while I stuff cold packs into my costumes to cool down.   I've only got 5 more zaps - and my face is a swollen Eskimo ball of snow!  I will be glad to get some definition on my cheeks again - and eyes that I might be able to see out of clearly again….   Luckily - the look kinda works for the show - a little like Who-ville!

The amazing wig and costume departments have added a band to keep the heavy hat on my head during Emerald City scenes - it's working very well so far - even on a bald head!  They rock.

This week brings many new cast changes to the show - our adorable new Glinda - straight from London  - Gina Beck (Gina Beck bio).   Love that English accent!

Gina Beck here in Chicago

Alison Fraser (Alison Fraser bio) brings her dynamic stage presence to Madame Morrible!  She's a legend… just saying.

Tonight - we are required to have our trunks packed for pick-up by the crew - so they can transport them to Providence on the trucks.  It takes a little work - but it's nice to be able to send ahead things that you know you won't be needing until the next city.

I'm gonna try and get this done before I fall into bed now.  I want to eat - and I do - but my favorite things taste like a whole lotta nothing or just salt!  Nachos = warm cardboard, pizza = warm styrofoam.

Hot and sour Thai soup is good - crunchy cookies - fizzy water - give me a little satisfaction.