Hello Family and Friends,

I wanted to give everyone an update on everything going on. Since my last blog post things had been going well. Marty and I went on a cruise that started in Dubai and ended in Singapore; saw movies in Palm Springs and visited LA; and I had been enjoying life and feeling generally good.

However, the past two weeks have taken a turn for the worse and been very difficult. The cancer tumors have accelerated the adverse effect on my overall health. I have been through many ups and downs to manage pain, nourishment and many other issues. Last week was really bad. Thursday seemed be be getting much better but Friday I had to go to the ER. I was eventually admitted to the hospital to have procedure to unblock my kidneys. I have been here the past few days recovering. I intend to go home Wed. We will have some good help at home. Each day is different - some OK, some not so good.

That aside, I continue the immunotherapy with Dr. Daud at UCSF. I started immunotherapy on Feb 23rd and have had two infusions thus far. The next infusion is on 3/23 or 3/30 depending on how I feel.

Marty has been amazing helping and supporting and loving every step of the way. Josh, Dan and David have been extremely helpful coming to the house, to Dr appointments and to the hospital everyday - for which I am very grateful. Jennie, with her PA medical sense, has been very helpful navigating all the Drs. All my daughters-in-law and grandkids keep sending photos and daily stories.

I will write more later and keep everyone up to date. You are all in my thoughts every day. Thanks for all your continued love and support.

Love,

Judy

Finally an update! November, 2016

   

Dear Family & Friends,

Once again,  I find myself beginning this blog with an apology for such a long period of silence.   I kept putting off my communication for “later’ which  ended up being MUCH later than intended.  My intentions were good - my execution not so good. 

Bottom line:  I am feeling well and continue to have good energy and endurance.

My days have been full – often with doctor and procedural appointments, but most of all with my regular activities and a calendar that overfloweth.  By evening,  when I have a bit more time to  decompress,  I find my brain power has diminished,  thus making writing more of a challenge.  It took a trip to Hawaii for me to finally sit down and communicate with all of you.

When I last wrote a blog I was about to take off for a week to Bilbao for our nephew’s wedding. I had a wonderful visit there with the chance to tour some of the surrounding Basque countryside and seaside villages.    The wedding was magical and attended by so many people – many of whom travelled from the USA.  (Aside from his immediate family, Aaron had an entourage of friends from his days at Palo Alto high school, Tufts and Yale, etc.)   David was there  as well,  joining me to represent the rest of our Aufhauser clan.

Health update:

I am scheduled for my 3^rd and,  hopefully,  last round of chemo on Monday, Nov. 21^st.   As previously shared, my first round of chemo of Cisplatin and Etoposide ended in July.  This current round began October 10, with infusions every three weeks of Carboplatin and Taxol.  There is still some question as to whether I should go for a fourth and final infusion.  Since they don’t really know how to treat my rare diagnosis,  it is a crap-shoot and there are no studies yet to show a fourth infusion would be beneficial.    Fortunately, I have tolerated all the chemo well, thanks partly to the amazing anti-nauseau drugs they now have.  The only real side-effect I have experienced is total hair loss.  But that, too, shall be short-lived since hair does grow back after chemotherapy.  In my case, in between the two chemos, my hair did begin to grow back.  ALL WHITE!  This was shocking to me but nevertheless, it’s hair!  As expected,  with the second chemo round, the molting began again and that white fuzzy stuff began to disappear.    Perhaps when the next hair grows back it will be an even more shocking color like purple or pink.  Stay tuned!  In the meantime, I have my friend,  the wig,  to keep me looking somewhat like myself. 

I am scheduled for another PET scan on November 30 and am  optimistic that the results will again be good.

As I shared in an earlier blog,  the main health issue I have been dealing with  is not directly related to my diagnosis,  but rather is a not-so-unusual result of the May laparoscopic robotic  radical hysterectomy: 

Post-surgical lymphocele.    (“A lymphocele, also known as a lymphocyst, is an accumulation/collection of lymphatic fluid in a sac or a cavity occurring as a consequence of surgical dissection and inadequate closure of afferent lymphatic vessels.”)

There are several procedures to help reduce or eliminate this.  In my case,  I have had two paracentesis procedures to drain the fluid (unsuccessful),  and two sclerotherapy procedures using  injected alcohol in attempts to achieve sufficient inflammatory changes and scarring to obliterate the injured lymphatic channels.   To date, fluid continues to be externally draining from a surgically placed drainage tube (catheter) inserted in my pelvic area .  What comes next is to be determined.   In the meantime. I am making the best of what is mostly just an uncomfortable annoyance.  I am thankful that it is something tolerable and not a major problem.   In other words, it could be much worse!!

As referred to in the opening paragraph, Marty and I are presently in Hawaii taking advantage of our Kauai and Maui timeshares.   Fortunately, this has allowed us some downtime away from doctors and procedures to just relax and smell the “Plumerias” (à la roses.)     Unfortunately, the recent election outcome has caused me much concern, stress, disgust, shock, suspicion and a gnawing feeling in the pit of my stomach that I can’t seem to shake.  This was not exactly what I had hoped for.  Even the intoxicating Hawaiian air and mellow surroundings have not put a kibosh on these pervasive thoughts and emotions that get refueled every day with more bad news. I fear for our country and our relationships around the world.   I have even tried to stay away from the TV and newspapers but that is difficult to do at a time like this.  Like other things in life,  I will try to make the best of this bad situation with hopes that many of us who feel the same way will work toward positive change while making our voices heard. 

The best antidote has been having Adira and Leo (2 years 8 months) join us this week in Maui.  He is a breath of fresh air and has been our best entertainment.  His verbal precociousness, incredible intuition, boundless curiousity and sense of humor never ceases to amaze us. 

My ambitious endeavor to complete this blog in Hawaii was interrupted prior to our departure for SFO.  We are now home and I’m attempting to compelte this and send it out into cyberspace asap.

Family update:     Everyone seems to be doing very well and thriving. 

Presently, Dave, Darci, Abbi and Maia are en route to North Carolina for this Thanksgiving holiday.  The girls have the week off from school this year.  The start-up David has been working at since June (VOKE –virtual reality for sports, media and entertainment) was recently acquired by Intel where he continues to work in his same position.  Darci has taken on additional responsibilities at OLLY – more challenging and time consumming but she seems to be enjoying her work and is very committed to the company and their products.   Abbi and Maia are having successful school experiences in their Spanish immersion classes.  They’re also very busy with many extra-curricular activities that fill most of their days including Sundays. They are both very social and love to spend time with friends when not otherwise occupied.

Jennie, Dan and Auguste have finally happily settled down to their new lives in So.Cal.  They have a lovely duplex rental home in a very nice Santa Monica neighborhood. They’re both enjoying their respective jobs.   Daniel is very happy with his new job at X-treme Video.  Jennie is delighted that she is once again working with patients at One Medical as well as working in the administrative side of the practice.    And Auguste, (2years 2 months) - our adorable little French bébé,  (actually now a tout-petit) -  is thriving at his new French daycare.  Currently, Jennie and August are in Atlanta for Thanksagiving week with Daniel joining them on Tuesday.

Josh, Adira and Leo are also doing well.  Joshua is very happy with his new position at the Sierra Club.  Adira is in the process of looking for an accounting position somewhere in the East Bay.  Leo loves pre-school and never ceases to amaze those who spend each day with him.   The three of them will join us on Thursday for a low-keyed Thanksgiving celebration. 

Marty is fully recovered from his bout with pneumonia and is back playing tennis several times a week.  He’s keeping very busy taking classes, attending board meetings, meeting friends for lunch and accompanying me to my numerous doctor and procedure appointments.   He is now getting psyched up for ski season and hopes to spend a lot of time on the slopes.

As a final note, I hope all of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration wherever you are.  In spite of life events, as well as the current political climate that may have dampened our spirits, we all have A LOT to be thankful for and should never take anything for granted.

Again, I thank all of you for your continued support and concern. And a special thank you to my east coast cousins,  Diane and Stephanie for traveling across the country to spend some quality time with me.  I cherished every moment.   There is no way for me to adequately express my appreciation to all my friends and relatives for the gift of your friendship.   “May the good things of life be yours in abundance not only at Thanksgiving but throughout the coming year!”  And may this Thanksgiving be full of joy and peace for you and all those you love.

~ Judy ~

Included below are a few photos for those who asked for them:

Part of the Aufhauser Clan

(Missing:  Jennie, Dan & August not yet back from France)

Dan, Jennie and August as they are about to depart from their Paris apartment

and head to the USA !

Josh, Adira and Leo

  
Dave, Darci, Maia & Abbi in Spain

Wedding in Bilbao
Ben and Eva (Aaron's sister), Aaron and Vero, Judy & David


An evening in late September


 With cousins Diane & Stephanie visiting from East Coast


  
Auguste loves his voiture!

  

Two of many beautiful Hawaiian sunsets

  

Leo the Hawaii dude

 A windy day at Nakalele Point blowhole - Maui

Many of you have written emails either wishing us good travels or asking if we are going through with our travel plans.  Here is the latest:

The good news is that I am going to Spain for a week departing late tonight (Sunday) and returning mid-afternoon the following Monday.  Even the best laid plans sometimes go awry.  This is certainly a mini-version of the 4+ week trip to Israel and Spain we had originally planned.  However, I am just happy to be well and able to get to Spain to attend the wedding of our nephew, Aaron and his fiancé, Vero.

The bad news is that Marty, while he is feeling better most of the time, continues to have occasional dry coughing spells that exhaust him and don't seem to be helped with all the  medication and "stuff" he has been prescribed.  Hot tea, honey, Fisherman's Friend lozenges, etc. are temporary cures.  Travel would not be in his best interest right now.  Hopefully, by the time I return home, he will have greatly improved.  Fortunately,  he is well enough that I feel comfortable leaving him for a week.  Some of our dear friends have indicated they will watch over him.

I will try to send a few photos while in  Bilbao or upon my return home.

Sending good wishes to all of you.

~ Judy ~

Where in the world are Marty & Judy?

Written September 2, 2016

Enjoy the last days of summer and have 

 a wonderful Labor Day weekend!

August Blog

Dear Family and Friends,

A lot has happened since I last communicated.  Apologies if this turns out to be another rather lengthy account.   

My six sessions of chemo ended on July 20.  Fortunately, I experienced very few side-effects - the main  one being total hair loss.  But I now don my wig daily and am trying very hard to get used to wearing something on my head.  (I have never been one to be comfortable in hats or anything on my head.)    But I know this is not permanent,  and that eventually my hair will grow back.   Will it come back curly?  Will the color be grey?  Brown?  Salt and pepper?  Purple?  Time will tell. 

And finally, the 25 radiation treatments ended last Wednesday.  I tolerated them pretty well until the middle of the 4^th week.  Side-effects became quite apparent then and for about a week I was pretty miserable.  But I knew that with time,  things would get better,  and they did!  (Pelvic radiation plays havoc with one’s gut, urinary tract, bowels, etc.).   My appetite also decreased as time went on and sleep has been challenging at times. But in general,  I am pleased that I have not had more debilitating issues to deal with.  (Very little nausea, not much energy loss, etc.)   I do have lymphedema in both legs which is a result of the hysterectomy surgery where they took out lymph nodes.  Lymphedema is exacerbated by radiation.  Compression stockings and occasional special lymphedema leg massages help to control the swelling.    I know that things could be much worse than this,  so I am just learning to live with the it.  

Although my body has gone through a lot in the past six weeks, I think I am doing quite well.  I have most of my normal energy and have tried not to alter my daily activities too much.  I do make sure I have some down time each day.  Originally, I thought I would use that time answering emails and writing notes that are long overdue.  However, there have been so many distractions,  that a lot of what I hoped to get done still remains on my “to do” list.    

And now for non-medical news:

At the end of July, Dan, Jennie and Auguste arrived from Paris on their way to their new “home” in So. Cal.  It was wonderful having them in our midst – especially getting to know Auguste as a 22 month old.  He has grown and changed a lot since I last saw him in February.  (That was the longest stretch of time that we had not been with him.  Ordinarily, we saw him almost every month since he was born,  How lucky we were to spend so much time with him even though he was far away.)    It is delightful to hear him speak French as that is the only language his parents speak with him.   However, much to all of our amazement, he understands a lot of English when we ask him questions, etc.  He replies in French but seems to have become bilingual by osmosis.  

We’ve also had Leo visiting here quite often.  He is such a delight to have around and has also been a great distraction.  And what joy it is for Marty and me to see both grandsons play together.  As they get older, the six month difference in their ages will be insignificant.  Auguste has really taken to his “big” cuz, Laylo.  (That’s what he calls Leo.)

Abbi, Maia, Dave and Darci returned from their amazing two week trip to Spain.  It was a fabulous experience for the four of them.  How wonderful that Abbi and Maia were able to immerse themselves in the lanugage that they use daily in school.  We picked up the girls today in preparation for our week-long adventure at Rankin Ranch in Caliente, California.  Aside from riding horses and caring for animals at the little farm, there are daily activities and evening events that will keep all of us busy.   We will be there from August 11-17.

If all goes well, we will also continue with our travel plans at the end of August.  We will be in Israel from August 29 – September 12 and then head to Spain for our nephew Aaron’s wedding on September 16^th.  Following that we will travel in Spain for a week before returning home on September 26.

What next?

A PET scan is scheduled for August 18^th which,  I hope,  will show good results.

Soon after we return from Spain, I will begin 2 or 3 rounds of a new chemo – Carboplatin-Taxol.  The infusions will be one day every three weeks.  Once that is over,  I assume I will be done with treatments and will be followed about every three months.

Now that I have told it “all”, I am anxious to hear from all of you.  I love reading your emails and getting phone calls.   Keep them coming.     I truly appreciate all of your concerns and good vibes that have been sent my way.

To all of you:

Thank you for your words of encouragement.

Thank you for your get well wishes.

Thank you for your concern for my well being and extending your hands of friendship.

Sending warm regards from our house to yours,

~Judy~

July 17th Update

Dear family and friends,

I hope this finds all of you well and enjoying the beautiful days of summer.

I cannot thank all of you enough for the amazing support you have given us during this challenging time.  Your emails, cards, phone calls, and offers to help are overwhelming and VERY much appreciated.  I am moved by all the beautiful words that have been expressed by so many of you.  As I wrote before, I am truly blessed to have all of you in my life.  The support and love you have shown is truly the best gift one could receive. 

I do, however, owe all of you an apology for not communicating sooner.

The good news is that I have been feeling well over the past few weeks.

The bad news is that I have been keeping so busy that finding time to write a blog entry or answer emails has been challenging.  Those emails I did respond to ended up in my draft box and I just discovered they have remained there.  (Oops!)   Hopefully, I will now be more diligent with my communication.

 Here are answers to some of your questions:

How am I feeling?

I have felt quite well the past few weeks.  Fortunately.  The side effects I am experiencing are minimal and tolerable.  For this, I am extremely grateful.

What side effects do I have?

Following my three days of infusions (June 25-27), I had practically no chemo side effects. Thankfully, probably due to anti-nausea drugs, I had no problems with nausea.  My energy level has been pretty good, and although I am consciously pacing myself, I have been keeping my life as “normal” as possible.

The radiation side effects are minimal thus far.  They are mostly the exacerbation of ones I have been experiencing following the radical hysterectomy.  (Pelvic issues and leg lymphedema.)   I will deal with the cumulative effects of radiation when they appear.  In the meantime, I am happy to have had these few weeks where I have felt good and energetic.

One of the dramatic and psychologically difficult side effects of chemo is now here.  The molting season has begun. I have been experiencing hair loss over the past few days.  Fortunately, I have a lot of hair, so the shedding process may take a few more days.   I am trying very hard to not pull at my hair, brush it very hard or do anything to hasten the process.   When I do, clumps of hair end up in my hands.   I have been preparing myself for this and already have two wigs to help me through this challenging time.  I had thought about being dramatic and selecting something such as these"

 Purple is my favorite color. 

  or this one which would be my yin and yang look, appropriate for the good/bad or lightness/darkness of my present life challenges.  However, practicality took over and I have thus chosen the more conservative mop to don my head during this molting period.  Hopefully, I will still be recognizable to all of you.  There is a positive side to almost everything.  In this case,  I know that hair does grow back..  And I will save money and time not having to have my hair blow dried or cut for a while.

How have I been spending my days?

Over the past few weeks we’ve been keeping quite busy.  We had our granddaughter, Maia , (now 7 as of July 9^th) staying with us for five days of Grandma/Grandpa Camp while her sister, Abbi,  was at overnight Camp Tawonga.  We had a lot of fun together.  Swimming, visiting with cousins Eva and Ben, playing with friends, etc. kept us quite busy.  We  spent time at the Moraga Commons 4^th of July Celebration, attended a BBQ at our friends home and then watched the Moraga fireworks from our car high on a  hill in Moraga.

                               

Another day, Maia’s Moraga friend Kira, joined us when we took the ferry from Oakland to San Francisco.  There we spent time at the Aquarium of the Bay near Pier 39.  We walked a lot that day, including an almost two mile walk from the aquarium to the ferry building to take the return ferry.  Kudos to the girls who were having so much fun together, they never complained about the long walk.  And, fortunately, I had the energy and commitment to walk that far as well.

Marty, Maia, Kira, and Judy on the SF Bay Ferry

My days are limited as to how much time I have to visit with friends or run errands since the first half of every weekday is devoted to radiation.  (The actual radiation is usually 20 minutes.  However, the transportation to and from is close to a half hour in each direction.)  And the end result of drinking 38 ounces of water for each treatment also limits my activities directly following radiation.  (You can guess what I am doing the next hour following that liquid intake!)

What next?

Monday thru Wednesday  (July 18-20) will be my 2^nd round of chemo infusions. However, due to a low white blood count, I have been given Neupogen shots over the weekend for a total of three days with hopes that my count will be high enough on Monday to continue with the planned infusion.

I will begin to have some special weekly massages  at the John Muir Lymphedema Center in Concord for the leg lymphedema.  Hopefully, this will help ease the swelling.  The lymphedema cannot be cured, but can be controlled.  (It is a result of the removal of many of my pelvic lymph nodes as part of my recent surgery.)

Hurrah!  I am just about half way through my 25 rounds of radiation,  which will continue weekdays until August 3^rd.  A few weeks following that will be another PET scan.  Sometime after that,  the tentative plan is to administer a different chemo drug (Carboplatin-

Taxol) ½ day every 3 weeks for probably 3 sessions.  (This will most likely begin upon our return from Spain at the end of September.)

A recurrent question:  Where am I receiving treatment?

My oncologist, the infusion center, and radiation center are all in one place: Diablo Valley Oncology and Hematology Medical Group which is located in the building of the  California Cancer and Research Institute in Pleasant Hill off of Taylor Boulevard.  I call it my “one stop shop” since everything is located under one roof.  Very convenient.

What are our plans for the next few months?

While my motto has been:  take one day at a time, we are also continuing to plan for our future travels and family celebrations, true to another of my mottos: *Carpe Diem.

Dan and Jennie will be visiting here at the end of July.  Their next two weeks, their last as residents in The City of Light, will be difficult ones for them as they say au revoir to their friends and wonderful life in Paris.   They are already busy with plans, packing, etc.  for their move to San Diego.  How lucky they are to have had such a fabulous experience for the past 4+ years.  And now… a new beginning.    They arrive in the Bay Area on July 29 for a week.  On August 6th, D & J will go to San Diego for four days to look for a house to rent.  Dan will begin his job in San Diego.   Jennie will return to Moraga to pick up Auguste and head to Atlanta for several weeks to visit with her parents.   Hopefully, they will have luck finding a house to move into so when Jennie and Auguste arrive in late August, they can begin settling into their new surroundings.

Adira and Leo just returned from a month in Israel.  They were missed!  We look forward to spending more time with them and Josh as well.   We're happy that Leo is going to spend the night with us a few times this month.  

I am determined to keep myself energetic and feeling well enough for our August 11-17 plan to take Abbi and Maia to a dude ranch for a week.  This Grandma/Grandpa camp experience will be at Rankin Ranch in Caliente, California.  The days there are filled with many activities including horseback riding, swimming, hiking, fishing, games, sports, etc.  In the evenings, there will be many fun activities such as square dancing, bingo, pool, fooseball tournaments, talent shows, hay rides and much more.  After dinner, the  girls can join other children and head to Sarah’s Farm to help feed and care for the baby animals –  (goats, chickens, pigs, etc.)   We are very much looking forward to this adventure.

We are still optimistic that we will continue  with our travels at the end of August.  We will be in Israel August 29-Sept. 12 and then head to Spain to attend our nephew, Aaron”s marriage to Veronica in Bilbao.  We will travel for a week following that celebration and return home from Spain on September 26.  Then, I will begin my next round of chemo.  (Not a fun thing to come home to, but I am keeping my perspective, knowing how very fortunate I will be if I am able to complete these travel plans.)

I will look forward to being together with many of you in the coming weeks and months.  In the meantime, please feel free to email or call me,  if you so desire.  My cell phone is the  best way to reach me: 

925-980-3590.   And… feel free to send photos of you and your family - something that gives me great pleasure and comfort.  All of you have a special place in my heart. 

With much love,

~ Judy ~

For those who are interested: An addendum to this already lengthy blog entry:

*Carpe diem

Some people have commented  or asked about my motto  Carpe Diem  (Seize the Day)

I interpret that as:  EMBRACE LIFE – ENJOY THE MOMENT…

But here is some documented commentary on this:

Text from Odes  - CARPE DIEM

“Ask not ('tis forbidden knowledge), what our destined term of years,

Mine and yours; nor scan the tables of your Babylonish seers.

Better far to bear the future, my Leuconoe, like the past,

Whether Jove has many winters yet to give, or this our last;

This, that makes the Tyrrhene billows spend their strength against the shore.

Strain your wine and prove your wisdom; life is short; should hope be more?

In the moment of our talking, envious time has ebb'd away.

Seize the present; trust tomorrow e'en as little as you may.[2]”

“In Horace, the phrase is part of the longer "carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero", which can be translated as "Seize the day, put very little trust in tomorrow (the future)". The ode says that the future is unforeseen and that one should not leave to chance future happenings, but rather one should do all one can today to make one's future better. This phrase is usually understood against Horace's Epicurean background.^[5] The meaning of "carpe diem" as used by Horace is not to ignore the future, but rather not to trust that everything is going to fall into place for you and taking action for the future today.”

There is a similar phrase in Hebrew:

The phrase    ?ואם לא עכשיו, אימתי "And if not now, then when?" (Pirkei Avoth 1:14).