Hello dear family and friends,

Some days it is hard to blog, but today there is lots to say so I have to be sure to get to the point. I will start with what most of you really want to know– and that is how I am feeling and doing- more than what I am doing with my spare time. Anyway, I keep getting very positive numbers on my blood work, which gives you all of the factors- so my vital organs are doing well despite the Chemo, my red blood cell actually went up on its own, (which means that the anemia is still there, and a big factor, but not getting worse, and my CA125 show that the cancer is much more inactive-great numbers there. For those of you more technically inclined, I still have some fluid, ascites in the abdomen, but it also has lessened and the docs are pleased. I was such a mess when I came in they keep telling me it is a wonderful surprise to see how well I’m doing. Yea! Now, feeling. I still go to Chemo once a week on Fri. I think the week is much less predictable, but thankfully the last two Fri., including yesterday, I did get the big energy boost when I needed it. Things are still going well on Sat. My expectation from the last several times is that when the boost is there, the down hill is more intense and may go Sun.-Wed. or Thurs. I just can’t predict. The down time is esp. marked by fatigue. My abdominal pain is still like bloating, gas, and cramping, which I’m working on with diet. I also have a good appetite and have now gained a full 10 lbs. So, with my wonderful friends and neighbors who bring healthy organic food M,W,F, this is still very doable. So, in the last lap of the Chemo I am to expect the maximum side effects because the toxins are at their peaks, but I’m getting such good help, and I’m sure the energy of your prayers and support are the surprise factors. My clearest jobs, get good sleep, walk and exercise as much as I can, gain some weight, and eat and cook healthier than ever before.

So, other news. Two great weekends, seeing Clark’s brother, Jim, Jolanne, and their son Matthew, who is in the Bay area for a year of doctoral work, and Luke, who was home for the weekend of Spring break from 2nd year of Law School. Ellen was able to join us for dinners and visiting. We enjoyed St. Paddy’s day and a great East Indian dinner that Ellen cooked on Sun. Clark, Ellen and I also went to a great Spices/Nutrition- Cooking demo. with my nutritionist. Sharon Meyer, thru the Marin Gen. Integrative program, for those of you in Marin. Again, we learned primarily about Indian spices and how good they are for lots of digestive issues, and anti-cancer cooking. Turmeric and cinnamon are some of the best to start with and can be used in about anything.

And the most exciting news is that Salesian High School sent both boys and girls basketball teams to the CA state championship games on Fri. in Sacramento. There are 5 division, made by size of the school. We are D4, which is the second smallest and is 500-7 or 800, I think. Needs a fact check, but we are a school of about 530.
To qualify for the State Championship a school has to have beaten the best school in our geographical area, and size division in the state- North and South. We have been in it three of the last four years and won it three years ago, and yes,the boys won yesterday by a score of 70-56, which doesn’t indicate how tight a game it was, but they did a great job. The girls, who are a very young team, also went, and played hard, but faced a team ranked third in the country and went down by about 30 pts. First time the girls have qualified, but not the last. It was also such fun to see a lot of the Salesian faculty, and so many parents and alums I have known thru the years. As you can tell, Clark and I love basketball, so I still had to do my chemo in the a.m. and the Clark had to take the day, and we went to Sacramento. Love to you all. Do keep up the prayers. So good to hear from so many of you, and slowly, but surely I will get notes off to everyone. Hope the blog helps.

Love Noel/Annie

Dear Family and Friends,
We have had a drought-dry winter in CA., so I have been spoiled in being able to get out and walk every day. This week we are having a long awaited winter storm, and have predictions for a rainy week, so Alleluia, but I do have to be creative about my exercise schedule. I probably will drag out our old Nordic track, or go back to mat work with yoga or pilates. Should have been doing that anyway, but walking and getting outside seems better.
My treatment news is that I am halfway thru my chemo this Fri. I had a Cat Scan on Mon., which will be a progress report on how things are going. The weekly reports are still good; I have a couple days a week when I have better energy, and I think the anemia is getting better, or at least is passable, and I get weekly shots to improve it. Next week, Mar. 23, I see my surgeon also, so I’m sure he will report to Clark and me on Fri. about the results of the scan. I’m still eating healthily, 5 times a day, but just maintaining, not gaining any weight.
My school, Salesian High School, Richmond, is still in the BB playoffs- both the boys and the girls. We have had fun going to several games. Wed. is the last one we’ll be able to get to- but it is great fun to see the faculty, many parents and friends, and of course the students. We have a good chance to play for the state championship again.
We have a busy weekend with Luke home for spring break from Law School, and Clark’s brother and wife, Jim and Jolanne, in town from Seattle to visit their son and girlfriend. We’ll go out for dinner, with the group and Ellen, Fri. and then have a St. Paddy’s Day dinner Sat. Happy day to all of you who celebratae. We were the Sacred Heart Irish in school, and the Sisters of Charity had strong Irish roots, and all Catholic kids in our town could look up to the ND Irish, and my Mom went to St. Mary’s, (across from ND). So, we always celebrated St. Paddy’s Day somehow, somewhere, and still do.
So, thought for the day What am I missing? I just missed one of the very best weekends of the year when a scrapbooking group goes to Tahoe, and scrap ’til we drop. I just couldn’t do it this year. It does make me look at things and realize I will possibly not have another time when I do have all of this time, and rich opportunity to be. One of the best blessings of the whole time has been getting back in touch with so many of you. Will close now. Should have more news next week.
Love
Noel/Annie

Hello dear family and friends,
Didn’t get my blog out on Fri. as hoped, because I didn’t get my energy burst from the prep drugs. Oh well, I just seem to think I have a pattern and it changes. My report before chemo was very positive, with the usual expected side effects of anemia, and low red blood cell count. My new project is trying to understand the blood test results better. Next big test is a CAT scan, about half-way thru the chemo. I then also see my surgeon, but will take the next three wks to get it all accomplished.
The promised side effect of losing my hair is also getting far along. I had cut my hair from collar length to a boy cut to make this easier. I attended a class in make-up and wigs, with the intention that if you—Look Better –Feel Better. All this seemed very strange, but it was a boon to know it ahead of time and be able to prepare. My hair has always been unusually thick, so it helped to see some wigs while I still had the thickness.
My students used to spread the myth that I wore a wig. After I learned what they were doing it was great fun to see the strategies for checking it out. The best and boldest was when one of the Frosh boys came up to my desk, and greeted me with a Wha’s Up Ms. Stanton, and a friendly pat on the head. I’m sure he was crushed that my hair didn’t move. There were a few small bets on that one. I have probably lost about 5 layers by now, and have about one to go with a tonsure-like spot. So, I do have 2 wigs, that are necessities. It has been Calif. cold, but I am constantly chilled, or uncomfortable unless overdressed. I have been wearing ski-silks even around the house to help- so the wigs and hats are in constant use as well. My matching wig is very close to my hair color and texture. My wild one is just longer and more swishy- good for a change.
My two biggest outings have been Farmer’s Market, esp. for fish and vegetables. Clark has been doing the shopping since Jan, so he has learned the whole organic picture, and we’re almost all changed over. I have now started going with him for short trips. Our really big outings have been going to high school basketball playoffs. We saw Marin Catholic boys and girls last weekend, and then Sat. we saw, my school, Salesian boys and girls win the North Coast Regionals. We now go on to Nor Cal. more northern CA teams compete to see who goes to play the winner in our division from Southern CA. I get tired, but the excitement helps.
This is very wordy, but I do have to tell you Clark has a new level in paradise, for installing, and selecting my new HP Touch Smart 420, all in one. The issue was being able to transfer data from my ailing, growling, failing computer to the new one. It was tedious and slow to the extreme-but hopefully it’s almost done. Aren’t we lucky to have our own Tech guy. I had better close. Thanks to everyone for staying in touch. I hope I can respond better now that I have the new computer. Do continue to keep me in your thoughts and prayers as I do you.
Love Annie/Noel