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.