Not a heck of a lot happening this week. I have Zometa on Friday and will have blood work done at the same time to check on the tumor markers. Dr. D. and I are still playing the wait and see game. Its going to depend upon what my tumor markers show. If the numbers are still rising, we’ll revisit the Ixempra option. I’ll be seeing Dr. D on the 7th of August.

Some good news is that young “S” (the little darlin’ with leukemia) is doing very well. Word has it that her markers are all super low and she’s springing back and doing all those things that little kids are supposed to be doing. Delighted to hear that.

I’ll be gone all next week, so don’t be surprised if there isn’t a Wednesday “Cancer Winner” post. If I can find get onto the internet, I’ll try to post, but don’t hold your breath.

Well, its that time of year again. RWA’s National conference is being held in San Francisco and I’ll be leaving for California next Saturday — first to visit a friend, and then to attend my conference. I usually attend the two large conferences each year and a couple of the smaller ones. Each have their own advantages.

I particularly enjoy RWA National because of this conference is geared strictly toward writers. The workshops range from craft to business. Something that a lot of writers need. Sure, you can write a book, but you also have to know how to sell it, market it, obtain an agent or editor and any other number of aspects to this profession.

Then there’s seeing old friends and meeting new ones — bonus. I’ve met a lot of authors that I’ve read and admired. Believe me … I do take the opportunity to gush. There are several authors that I’ve recently discovered and plan on tracking down to meet. Stalking? Not really … it just sounds like that.

I’m not sure if I’ll post a “Writer on Writing” blog next week. If I manage to get myself onto the internet … probably. Just don’t be surprised if there isn’t an update.

I’ve been reading up on the Ixempra. Although I don’t seem to be susceptible to most side effects, I figured I should be forewarned … IF I start this treatment. We’re sorta going the “wait and see” route. I’ve been off of Xeloda for a couple of weeks and we’ll see what my tumor markers look like. I’m supposed to get blood work next week Friday and then visit with Dr. D in the first week of August. We’ll discuss this more fully at that time.

Anyway … it seems the side effects with Ixempra is fairly the same of what I’m going through now. Darn! I was hopin’ to avoid the foot problems. The other potential side effects aren’t exactly a picnic, but like I said, I generally avoid most of these. Let’s see … loss of appetite, fatigue, flaking skin, headaches, hair loss (oh goody), infection/fever, joint and muscle pain, numbness, tingling or burning in the hands or feet (double goody), sores on lip or mouth, stomach problems. These all sound perfectly lovely.

Besides these potential side effects, the treatment seems to be very effective. If my numbers continue to rise, this may be the route to go. So, that’s the latest. Will keep you posted.

And remember to repeat after me …“YOU ARE A CANCER WINNER”

Sometimes I think we’re all nuts.

When you think about it, writers work long hours (usually while holding down a full time job), subject ourselves to rejection after rejection, and then see what amounts to very little monetary return. What other profession does the person voluntarily open themselves to such abuse? Masochists … all of us.

Still, I cannot imagine doing anything else … other than one day dumping the day job and making writing my full time job. That’s something I daydream about. Sigh …

However, I see the benefits. You learn discipline … BIG TIME. You have to force yourself to sit down, stare into a blank computer screen and create something that you’re convinced is brilliant. You also learn to develop a thick skin. When you finally begin sending out those queries, (unless you’re very good and/or very lucky) be prepared for rejection after rejection. You cannot take it personally. Busy people with tight schedules … just like you. And then there’s justifying the time spent writing your book versus the monetary return. Usually pennies on the dollar.

The benefits? Way too many to count. We’re doing what we love. Writing. Spinning a tale, having it published, knowing there are people out there reading your work. Very cool. I only have one book out in print right now … with another coming out in the fall. I’ve received several emails from people who have told me how much they enjoyed my book.

Paid in full.

Well, we have some good news. There was no jump in the tumor markers. Went from 75 in April to 78 this past week. Still climbing, but not the big increase we both expected and feared. However, there’s that little matter of the PET Scan showing something on my hip. I’ll be seeing Dr. D again next week. He’s still on vacation and evidently “mulling” over our options. He’s concerned about that and the steady climb of the tumor markers.

Still, we always have options. There’s a new treatment called Ixempra that his nurse says shows promise and that he may want to discuss with me. Judy says its administered via infusion (ick), but only once every three weeks (yay) … however, the infusion takes about four hours (back to ick). I just got the brochure regarding it and will need to read up on it. Don’t know what the side effects (if any) are, how long I’d have to do this — everything.

So, we’re about to embark on a whole new adventure in the game of cancer treatment. Oh joy … I can hardly wait.

And, of course, remember to repeat after me …“YOU ARE A CANCER WINNER”