The cancer is back and has decided to hang out in the liver.  Chemo starts again soon to kill those thirsty, greedy, nasty little cancer cells.

All thoughts of happiness and health are welcome:-)

Today's haiku:
Successful again:
Cancer has been evicted!
Everyone party!

A few more details:

Mom/Kathy went in for a routine pre-colonoscopy PET scan, which is when they found the spot on her liver.  After a few more rounds of chemo, two PET scans failed to show any cancer sign, so all is clear again!  Thanks for all your good thoughts!

WE HAVE SHITTY NEWS

CANCER IS NOW ON LIVER

CHEMO STARTS FRIDAY

Original Haiku by Karla Danielle Reese

more news to come...

Mom/Kathy had her first follow-up with Dr. Rose since chemo ended (in September).  Her Ca125 is 10!!!!  This is well within normal range and the lowest it has been since this all began...and, shockingly, no BRCA genes!

THIS IS GREAT NEWS!!!!!!!!

Mom/Kathy's treatment is complete, no more appointments for 3 months! Dr. Rose is happy with treatment results.  Her CA-125 is 11, which is well within normal limits.  CT scan and all other tests are good!  Currently the only unkown is if mom/Kathy has the BRCA genes (or other associated genes).  Hopefully she will get blood drawn for genetic testing in 4 weeks, just waiting for white blood cells to be high enough for testing.

This will probably be last blog post for a while.  Thanks for all the love and support over the last 8 months.

(long hiatus in posts due to exhausting schedule on the part of the bloggers - sorry for the wait!)

Mom/Kathy and Dad/Jack met Susan & Nicholas for brunch a few weeks ago at Merwin's Wharf, in the Metroparks along the riverfront.  They had a great time chatting, watching the traffic on the river, and enjoying great food.

 

 

Mom/Kathy has only two more chemo visits to go!  Woo-hoo!  As long as platelet levels stay high, she'll be finished on September 23rd!  Party time!!!

Genetic testing is in process - long wait for results, but then we'll know what the kids should be screened for.  (Not so) fun note - apparently melanoma is ALSO linked to the BRCA genes!

Mom found out this week that she's old - she has arthritis in her hip!  (Side note - so do both her absolutely-not-old daughters...)  On the plus side, now that it's been diagnosed and she can take something for it, she's walking better than she has in months.  Hurrah!

Stay smiling!

Do you know your risk of ovarian and breast cancer?  Check out this interactive tool to assess your risk: http://www.brightpink.org/knowledge-is-power/assess-your-risk/

Saturday was the OutRun Ovarian Cancer 5K/1mile.  The rain held out and we had beautiful weather while running/jogging/walking through downtown Cleveland.  The 5k course started at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and worked its way through downtown and back to the Rock Hall.  There were musicians along the course to keep the energy high.  John Adams was even on a corner pounding his drum.  The 1 mile course started at the Rock Hall and looped around Cleveland Browns Stadium.  The 1 mile crew had a sighting of mom/Kathy's oncologist, Dr. Rose, cruising through the 5k course!  Thank you to everyone that participated, either in Cleveland or virtually.

5k participants (either in Cleveland or elsewhere):

Karla Reese
Angela Reese
Dave Myers (Who RAN 5k, then showered and changed and walked ANOTHER 5k with Angela.  Not that she's bragging...)
Greg Reese
Sara Williams
Justin Williams
Ziggy Williams
Chris Wuitowicz
April Holland
Amelia Holland
Ross Pollock
Melissa Zreny
Bridgette Braig

1 Milers:

Kathy Reese
Jack Reese
Mark Liderbach
Cora Liderbach
Matt Liderbach
Mike Liderbach
Betsy Liderbach
Katie Liderbach
Nick Liderbach
Steve Liderbach
Paula Liderbach
Grace Liderbach
Quinn Liderbach

Gilda's Gang was the 3rd (out of 72) highest fundraising team with $1590 in donations!!!! Thanks to everyone that donated!

Jack Reese
Kathy Reese
The Travossos Family
Richard Dillon
Susan and Nicolas Leon
Mark Liderbach
Jay Demagall
Johnny Liderbach-Vega
Julie Richardson
Diane Sofer
Karla Reese
Michael Vavaro
Cory Griffin
Mary Liderbach
Jessica Liderbach-Vega
Kevin Peterman
David Reese
Andrea Reese
Brian Liderbach
Janice Hsu
Kristen Brown
Chris Wuitowicz
Melissa Zreny
Susan Mejia
Gucci - The Gooch - Mejia
Anne Teddlie
Bridgette Braig

Cleveland 1 mile & 5k photos:

Mom/Kathy at the finish line

Dad/Jack, Mom/Kathy & Karla

 And still more Liderbachs & Reeses!

Virtual 5k photos:

    

Sara & Justin & Ziggy in Delaware

Greg (being stealthy in low light) in New Zealand

Angela & Dave at Pennsic

    

Bridgette in Colorado

Thanks again to everyone!  And if you've forgotten to send a photo of your virtual 5k, email it and I'll add it in!  :)

Mom/Kathy celebrated her good news (see previous post) by having an unofficial 51st high school mini-reunion with some of her Beaumont BFFs!  Pictured below (left to right): Maureen, Mom/Kathy, Karen, and Anne (aka Karla's Favorite Social Worker).  Party on!

Mom/Kathy's most recent CA125 test (the tumor marker) is 21!!!!!  That is within normal range!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!