Everyday Health Article

A few weeks ago I was contacted by Everyday Health asking if I would participate in a piece on Melanoma.  With May being Melanoma Awareness month I agreed.  It was quite the process.  They came to my apartment and set up.  We spent an hour + talking about different parts of my journey with this.  Of course it was the day the apartment building decided to test the fire alarms.  Luckily by the time we started filming they were done with the testing.

The article can be found here.  Hard to get the whole story in a 3 minute clip but you get the idea.  Feel free to share with others!

Have a fabulous weekend!
Erin

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Scan results from May 14th

So... Sorry for the delay! This week has been exhausting! I got a call yesterday afternoon from my trial nurse saying the results of the scan were good. Continued shrinkage, nothing new, and the lung spot that showed up last month was gone. I asked her to email me the official results. You can see the summary listed below. I called her today frustrated. (She thinks I was over reacting... And didn't think it was appropriate to have the conversation on the phone).
My frustration came from the summary that states something seen on my lower back. Now for those that know me... I've had back issues for years! We can blame the christmas sledding accident of '94 and playing Rec soccer... But I'll save those stories for another post!
The nurse assured me that the doctor thinks the L5 impression is nothing at all to worry about. I'm sure she's right... I was just frustrated that she didn't tell me about it. Luckily I always ask for copies of my scans! :). I mean it's not like I don't over do it! Lol. I did work out with my trainer Thursday, yoga Friday, took Saturday off and then volleyball Sunday and Monday with scans Tuesday! Lol!
So stay tuned. I miss my old ways of working with Dr D. He understood that if I wasn't going to see him for a few weeks I wanted my scan results over the phone. And was patient in answering my questions.
I continue to be a frustrated trial patient... Who's my doctor? They say talk with the nurse 'she'll be the constant' but then she tells me she can't answer my questions and I need to talk to a doctor. Ok which one?!?
Anyway... Ill call their office again tomorrow and find out what they think and we will do from a scan stand point! But at least overall still good news! It's been a long year!
I'll leave you with a few pictures from the last few days in to the city! I'll write more this weekend once I catch up on some sleep!
Cheers!
Erin




























IMPRESSION:
1. Since April 12, February 20, 2013: New subtle loss of cortical
definition along the posteroinferior corner of the L5 vertebral body,
suspicious for a metastasis, or possibly degenerative changes/microtrauma.
If further evaluation is clinically warranted, an MRI would be recommended.
2. Previously noted right middle lobe nodule is no longer seen.
3. Slightly decreased mesenteric adenopathy.
4. No evidence of local recurrence at the small bowel anastomosis.
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Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there! My fabulous mother Mary and to my sister on her first Mother's Day!

These weekends always go by too fast! And I never seem to quite get thru my entire to do list :). But that's ok! I'm sure there will always be something to get done!

This weekend I did my normal Friday nite dinner with the guys. Saturday was up early as usual! Dogs have no concept of weekend :). Routine is routine... But I don't mind. At least I always have the option of going back to bed or napping! Lol.
Saturday my poor arm muscles were so sore! Reminder that I haven't really worked them in ages! My trainer Thursday did lots of arm work and yoga Friday I was feeling it!! Maybe that's what I get also for having a week off!

Still feel pretty good! Had a late Sunday night game... Feeling some joint pain from the anti-pd1... But again, nothing like the joint pain from good ole zelboraf!

Going to be a busy week! Lots going on at work. Tuesday morning I'll get my crowns replaced ( have had temps on the last 2 weeks) and in the afternoon I'll have my scans! Yikes! Wednesday am I also got a derm appointment scheduled. Haven't been in to see him since January and starting the pd1.

So time for rest! Hope everyone had a fabulous weekend!
Erin




Final piece went up on Friday to make one World Trade Center the tallest building!


Love night walks like these when the sun setting puts a red glow on the city


One of the pups new dog beds! I think they both could fit in it!! They love it!


Saturday brought some rain! Crazy storm came thru! It only lasted about 15 minutes but I thought the windows were going to crash in!


Sunday brought blue skies and sunshine but cooler temps. Not complaining at all - great weather to open the windows and for sleeping!


Sun sets on the weekend! The view out my window...

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Anti-pd1 #6 in the books!

Another day of being a lab rat. Was like most others. Check in at 9:30 and right back for blood work. Best part was only 6 tubes of blood! Felt strange not to see a whole tray!

Then it was out to the waiting room... To (you guessed it) wait and wait... I think I saw the doctors around 11? Typical visit. Quick and easy. Maybe one of these days I should actually bring in my list of questions. :). But in all honesty... After several years of doctors visits and almost a full year on some sort of drug - I am tired of asking questions (ok not really... It's part of the reason I stay active with patient advocate groups...) but right now - as long as the drug is working that's all that matters!
Blood work was all in normal range! Perfect levels for everything. Although I keep asking them to check my thyroid and no such luck yet! But everything was all good. I always get nervous about my liver levels.

I finally got back for my 30 minute drip around 1? Always makes for a long day.
To make it even more interesting it was also melanoma Monday! I think I mentioned some about the battle between colors... So I wore both! Awareness is awareness and even though folks were wearing orange they were still talking about melanoma!

Anyway - still feeling a bit of fatigue from the treatment. Ok Dublin waking me up several times during the night doesn't help! And starting to notice a little more joint pain. But NOTHING like zelboraf.

So it's way past my bedtime but wanted to at least get an update out for folks! Stay tuned for more later! :)
Cheers,
Erin




A bit gloomy start to the day Monday but makes for great pictures!




My sister and niece wearing black for melanoma Monday!




One World Trade Center placed the spire on top recently making it the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere




Wearing my shirt and orange!




Dublin hates when I put things on him! This was right before our trip to the vet! His elbow is all infected... Never a dull moment with these pups!! At least his foot is finally healed...
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Melanoma Monday - May 6th

It's a good time to remind folks that May is Skin Cancer awareness Month.  Also, 'Melanoma Monday' is May 6th.  Who do you wear black for?  (by the way... black is an awful color!  but one reason it's picked for Melanoma is that they are often black tumors...).

There seems to be a bit of controversy around Melanoma Monday that has several folks in the Melanoma community in an uproar!  The ribbon color for Melanoma has always been black... and as far as skin cancers go - we all know Melanoma is the deadliest.

The American Academy of Dermatology has started a campaign to wear Orange to Spot Skin Cancer!  The issue that folks have is that they are saying wear orange instead of black.  I guess the way I feel about it is that awareness is awareness, right?

A few facts they post on their website:

The American Academy of Dermatology is coordinating this national effort to raise awareness of skin cancer.

• Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States.
• Current estimates are that one in five Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer in their lifetime.
• Melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, is the most common cancer for 25- to 29-year-olds.

So what is my plan for tomorrow?  Well, I have my 6th anti-pd1 treatment at Sloan.  I think I'll plan on wearing my black Melanoma Shirt (you can see it posted at the beginning of the post - given to me by my sister after I was clear after my lung tumors).  Maybe I'll add an orange scarf for good measure!  :)

Who do you wear black for?

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Zoo Wild

Earlier this week I bought a membership for the Wildlife Conservation Society which gives you access to the NYC area zoo's and NY Aquarium.  I figured it would give me another area to visit and check out.  Since moving here I have been to the Aquarium and the Central Park Zoo.  It was a great day to check out the Bronx Zoo.  By the way - did you know it's one of the worlds largest urban zoos?  It's beautiful!

I went along with my friends Victor and Chris.  We spent probably 4 or 5 hours there and there were still areas I didn't get to see.  Good thing I have a year long membership!  :)  Just an excuse to go back again!

Hope everyone has had a great weekend.
Erin

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Spring had sprung

We are starting to get a little more consistent nice weather. Love checking out all the flowering trees and taking Dublin on some longer walks. Winnie is still restricted on activity. She's only 3 weeks out from knee surgery.
Here are some pictures from this weeks walks. Today is being spent now on spring cleaning. So much extra junk to get rid of! :).
Have a fabulous weekend! Don't forget your sunscreen and big hat if you're out in the sun!
Cheers!
Erin
















































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Location:Dudley St,Jersey City,United States

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