Judy Aufhauser Blog: 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.