Snow mixed with Great News

What a difference a day makes.....24 inches and it is still coming down. Just as there are no snow day s for chemo nor are there ones for the mortgage loan processor. Getting ready to get our form under the five comforters and head into town. But Wait....... I had great news yesterday from my doctor regarding my blood work. and with out going into great detail my tumor markers showed an incredible response to the treatment. Its not often you see these docs actually get excited. They will redo the PT scan in December after 6 or so more treatments and that should be very revealing. But, all in all, its looking good.

Kenan suggested i be a cancer cell for Halloween and I am trying to visualize just how that looks. Any other ideas. It seems i am pretty scary just as is so I just may stick to me and call it Schenade Oconnor or better yet how about Fester from the Adams Family..thats kind of timely is it not.

Off to attack the snow and all that comes with it...adventure in the high rockies!

love to yu all

Crossroads- Where Ecuador meets Italy meets Cancer.

The blurr is gone for now. Feeling a little clearer. Another week has come and gone. I always think its Friday on Tuesday cause I feel so good, and have Weds off of work and just want to go out and have fun before facing tomorrow. It is snowing, just as the weatherman said it would. We might get 7 inches or more. no snow days at the chemo lab. Time to hunker down under a down comforter. What should I be for Halloween?

THE MORNING AFTER

the blur is kinda of how I feel. A little sea sick. But...that said I finished week #5 (but whose counting)

My liver was not responding quite the way the American Cancer Society(the sponsor of the study I WAS in) so I had to drop out of the study. Not that big a deal, especially since it was a double blind test so you don't know if you are getting the real thing or the placebo nor does the Dr.

At any rate the chemo and basic protocal remains the same. And there is nothing alarming about my liver blood counts just they have very rigid requirements and I am a Block so who would expect a perfect liver count. So much for offering myself to medicine.

Got a full day of work in. Katie Bachman and Preston surprised me at work with a hot cup of Camomille Tea and a scone which did wonders for my tummy. Katie is leaving next week to go to Ecuador to travel with Dana and escort her home November 8th. Bet you can't tell I am excited to have her back after 13 months in South America.

I am hanging tight. Getting more comfortable in my own skin and lack of hair. Its getting to be fun. Sleeping well. Eating ok. Taking my vitamins and supplements. Life is good.

TUESDAY NIGHT WE ALL KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS RIGHT?

GETTING READY TO CALL IT A NIGHT knowing that I have to be there at 7:50 am to get the show on the road. Tomorrow is the beginning of round two so its a big day that starts with drawing blood, peeing in a cup, getting weighed, checking my blood to see that my liver returned to a non-drinking level, a visit with the Doctor which is always fun and interesting. A chance to ask those questions that come up in your dreams, when you are walking, or watching TV. And then its time to get comfortable on the deck of the cruise ship for 5 hours of chemo. The good thing about starting early is you get the leather recliner with a view (even though tomorrow is suppose to be a grey, cold, snowy day.

Dana bean and I typically have a skype date on chemo days around noon so we do the video thing. She gets to see Boulder and I get to see Ecuador. It puts it all in a very interesting, worldly perspective and makes the time fly...

I arrived at work monday with a rhasta dreadlock hat on but the boys would not be fooled and insisted on seeing the skin and get a rub in for good luck. Its become a bit of a ritual around the office. For those of you who know me I am not good at keeping a hat or scarf on all day. Julia has gotten me some killer earrings to break up the monotony.

So no need to worry from lack of postings. Sorry I scared a few of you with that break the other week. No great photos today but I will work on that. Thanks for all the comments...I mean that. Every chuckle and smile goes along ways these days.

You are all in my thoughts as well

Keep the candles burning

loads of love

Sus

HAIR HAD TO GO

I found the strength to fire up y car, get out of work friday early to go spend the weekend with my cousin from St, Louis who has a mountain house up by Beaver creek. She was in town with her daughter, a friend and her daughter. 4 gals..how could I go wrong. I my own out of town I took an impulsive detour to dela with the hair...on my pillow, in my food, in the drain, I had all I could take. $15.oo and a quick stop at cost cutters. Done! As I went to pay for it a young girl in front of me said " Good Luck" and as i made my way to the register they told me she had paid for my haircut. Pretty touching. I figured a week-end in the mountains with 4 girls would be a good time to digest it all and I was right about that. I don't know why shaving your head or loosing your hair is so hard. But it just might be one of the hardest parts of the entire ordeal. Even having done it before. I guess were all pretty vain and our hair is a big part of that vanity. so. go ahead and scroll down and see the full monty.

I could not get this image to rotate.

very frustrating. Use your imagination.

Aspen trees...

It was a great week-end, great weather, fun gals. The youngsters challenged to three games of ping pong. You will be glad to know I beat em all three.

Here I am. Hiking the tall peaks and

trails of Beaver creek. Yes I did put sunscreen on my ears. Yes it is a little on the cold side. I have a hat in my back pocket, I was just trying to get some vitamin E and give it a little color. Now I know how those buddhist monks must feel.

And guess who just sent me an e-mail about borsolino berets from Italy...none other than Daniel the prince.

Round one (4 weeks) behind me. 5 more rounds to go(20 weeks) but whose counting. I love you all

I GET BY WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS/NASEAU CONTROL 101

So I have been so bad about posting. Remember "no news is good news". This was actually my week off so I go in but only get a quick infusion of a drug not considered chemo. Last week they skipped one of the Chemos (Taxol) because my liver count was too high. It hadn't occured to me to not drink any alcohol during this stint. Needless to say, chemo and alcohol are not a good mix on the liver. My blood counts came racing down this week and by next week I should be good to go. I spend a good deal of time tired but I am hanging in there. I miss that 5th gear but am sure it will be back soon enough. We have had all kinds of weather...freezing snow, fog, and today sunshine.

the library is all but closed down with everything sold (almost)

My hair is thinning....I am trying my best to postpone the reality of scarfs, etc...but postpone is the operative word here.

Morgan my cat continues to keep both eyes on me. Julia is learning more about cancer than she ever signed up for but thats what good friends are all about.

Keep all those good thoughts coming and the candles burning

love to you all

sus

ITS ALL VERY FITTING

Gourmet Magazine ceases publication, closes, ...little coffee shop in Boulder Colorado closes.

there is some logic in the madness and I am in good company let there be no doubt!

MONDAY MONDAY Saying good by to an era

It was a great ride....but life does goes on....

What a great week-end. Was able to rest enough and let the drugs do their work while mixing it up with great times with best friends. The highlite.....Matt called sunday morning with two free tickets (great seats) for Cirque de sole playing in Denver. So he came up and we got some serious inventory cleaning at the cafe and zooomed to Denver for a most entertaining show, dinner in the big city and he put me on a bus home where Julia met me at the bus stop. Now that is livin!! Got some nice walks in, some reading and am ready to bring on the week full speed.

I think I am finding my pace with the chemo and if this continues it will prove very manageable.

I still have a full head of hair...imagine that.

It is crisp and fall like outside

Really not much to say on the chemo front. I am a little preoccupied with closing a cafe that I ran for 13 plus years. A good distraction for the time being.

If any of you want to open a cafe somewhere I could hook you up!

THE SUSPENSE IS OVER THEY TWEEKED IT PERFECT

Last week this time I felt all but dead so the good news.....I had no side effects from chemo this week. I had a great nights sleep last night and was able to work all day today!!!!!Thanks to all the nurses and doctors who paid attention and made a few adjustments to spare me the discomfort. The real proof is in the pudding so lets just hope next week will be the same and then I will be truly convinced.

Am staying busy closing up the library. An end to an era indeed but it feels ok. I may not have much to post this week if it just keeps going this smooth. Remember No news is good news and get out there and enjoy your life. I'm happy so you be happy too.

susanna

UPDATE FROM THE MAN DR FLEAGLE

he can no longer feel the lump in my clavicle and my cough is all but good so I suggested I was cured, we could run a few tests and call it all good.? Maybe DOc..Well i got a heartfelt laugh but not much more...so the chemo goes on. I even described my recent encounter with Oral Roberts and the heal rountine (for those of you who remember those days) but he wrote that off to a aschkenazi  hindu or something.

Round two chemo finished. I can't sleep even with massive amounts af adavant, pot candy, who knows...I guess there is work to be done. Chemo was only 3 hours this time and I am feeling ok. They are working hard to fill me up with anti nauseau stuff so here is hoping that that will work. Sucking on ginger ain't too bad. drinking lots of water. 

While I have any energy I have my work cut out for me disposing of everthing at the cafe. BIG JOB but not too big for this retired Barista Babe. Bring it on.  I have a month to get it all wrapped up . Julia is helping and Matt is coming up on Sunday to lend a hand. It will be a cathartic experience in a sense..a good way. Hell of way to clean the plate for the new year.  

a cocktail snap from the cancer center and I will be back in touch.. Its not just a quick shot as you can see..more like a slow drip and they don't even offer you an olive or a twist. what has the world come too. Happy day to all..Thanks for taking the time to read this senselss rambling. Hugs to all.

professional update, first thing first

I wanted to let all of you know that effective  October 1st, Espress-Oh! will no longer be in operations. I want to thank all of you for your support and kindness over the past thirteen years. Due to both the economy and personal health issues I am no longer able to maintain the level of customer service and quality that has been so important to me for so very long. You have been such great friends and patrons that it makes it hard to really find the right words to put this in perspective. I am not sure exactly what I will do with myself without all your kind support and wishes.

I intend to try and continue working with a local mortgage company down the street on 13th between BMOCA and next door to the Map Gallery. I have a little desk in the back corner. We do home re-financing and mortgages for purchasing homes. If I can ever help any of you please give a call. It would do my heart good to save you some money out there in the jungle of finance and banks. Julia is working as an independent real estate agent and shares my thoughts, if there is any way she can be of service to any of you, she would be pleased to do so.

For those of you interested in following my fight against cancer for the second time, I have a blog......sussisms.blogspot.com

This is not a fun note to write but please know how much I have appreciated all your support and kindness over the years. Don't become strangers as I cannot live without all of your friendships and support.

Look forward to seeing you all.

May the force be with you!

Susanna  Block
#720-352-3661 cell

Boulder Lending Group
#303 440-1330

Julia Wrapp Realty
#303 875-0313