Susan Has Finished The Race

2 Timothy 4:7-8 "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge will give me on that Day and not to me only but to all who have Loved His appearing."

Susan Kirkaldie: 1957- 2009

Faith Builds and Fear Recedes

I have gone through some big changes over the past week. Last week I had a major unexpected bleeding episode while at the Dr’s office for a routine visit. Fortunately, it’s located right next to the hospital so they rushed me to ICU and got things under control.

While we waited to talk to a Dr, we prayed something could be done to fix this problem. I am so grateful that one of the best surgeons in the country walked into the room, telling me he can remove the tumor and fix the bleeding, so he did just that and I am now 6 days into recovery and doing well, this despite having to also take out several other major components along with it.

I am grateful to God and thankful for all the support and prayers from many friends and family members – especially my husband and children.

I trust in God to take care of me and to allow me to understand his will and purpose for me.

Happy New Year !

I know it’s been awhile since I’ve posted a new blog. I am happy to have provided several books to other cancer patients lately. I would like you to help spread the word (my blog) around to your friends who may know of someone who has been recently diagnosed with cancer, so they may be able have as many resources as possible to help them.

The last few months have been very busy. The Xeloda chemo worked for awhile, but then lost its effectiveness. In November, we attended a pancreatic cancer fundraiser in Portland OR, where we met a ‘survivor’ who had a lot of good things to say about a Dr in Seattle at Virginia Mason. So we made a visit to him and he has prescribed a new chemo combination of Gemcitabine and Taxotere, which I had not tried before. After four infusions of it (two cycles), it appears to be having good results. It’s a great feeling when your Dr. uses the words “I have Good News” following CT tests. I will be having three more cycles of it over the next two months with the next test scheduled for March.

Praise God and Thank You for your Prayers.

Moving Forward

The latest chemotheraphy, Xeloda, is working for me !

The tumors have stopped growing and there are no new indications from last weeks CT scan. My tumor marker number has dropped to 1/4th of what it was in early August.

Walt and I have started a new program (a clinical trial), called Caring and Cancer, which involves touch and massage theraphy. (see link: http://collinge.org/COUPLES.html ). We were lucky to get into it, as it filled up quickly. It was offered through the Providence Cancer Integrative Medicine Clinic in Portland OR.

It is a 20 week program to study the effects of touch and massage theraphy for cancer patients. It has been very good so far.

I also wanted to tell you about a new book that is getting a lot of attention lately, it's called "Anticancer" by David Servan-Schreiber, MD, PhD.

For 23 months now, I have pretty much followed the nutritional approach that this book is all about, but there is much more great advice and in this book than nutrition alone. Here are a few links about it:

http://www.amazon.com/Anticancer-New-Life-David-Servan-Schreiber/dp/0670020346/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1222466914&sr=8-1

and http://billritchie.blogspot.com/2008/09/back-in-saddle.html

Baptism Accomplished !

Last week we were baptized at the Crossroads Community Church. We have been preparing and planning for this since February. Words can't describe this wonderful experience. My husband (Walter) and son (Robbie) and I were baptized together - a complete spiritual (and underwater) experience! I had been weak and sick from the chemo for the prior 5 days, but managed to get myself to the church. I think the Holy Spirit came into our presence because immediately after, all of us felt uplifted. I have felt well every since (7 days in a row) !

New Plan

I've had a 5 week break from the chemo called Irinotecan. It worked ok, but not good enough. So starting tomorrow, I am switching to Xeloda, which will be an oral medication. So last week I had my pic line removed ! It's been in my left arm for 10 months with tape over it - ahhh my arm can breath now.. Last weekend also celebrates 21 months surviving PC. I like to think of it more as a victory and knocking this stuff down and out.

We had a great time at the Oregon Coast this week with my family and that included my new beagle dog "Ruby".

Game Night

We had a great night at the Beavers Baseball Game. The weather was perfect and a lot of goods friends showed up (wearing purple too !).

It was great to see the section full of PANCAN.org supporters from the Portland area.

Sorry - we didn't get a good photo at the PGE park stadium, but it was a "picture perfect" evening.

Beagle Blog

I have a new addition to the household - a Beagle Dog. This was not an impulse, I've been wanting a Beagle for about a year.

Ruby is a very mellow, quiet and cuddly friend. I adopted her from a local family. She's very well trained and quickly adapting to her new home and friends.

Taking Action - PANCAN

We are all outfitted with Purple and heading down to the Portland OR Beavers Baseball game this Saturday for the fundraiser for Pancreatic Cancer Action Network - an organization whose goal is to increase research funding.

I am now occasionally wearing my new hair - but most of the time I just like the hats. It gives me new shopping opportunities.

Speaking of that - I went shopping for Purple today with my daughter Karlie, and got something for almost everyone in the family for the game.

Here is the information for those of you living in the Portland OR Area:

Night with the Beavers - July 19, 2008

Please join us for this exciting event!The Portland affiliate of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network invites you to the second annual Night with the Portland Beavers on Saturday, July 19, 2008! Gather your friends and family to raise funds and awareness for pancreatic cancer as the Beavers take on the Colorado Springs Sky Sox at PGE Park.When you purchase tickets here, a portion of the proceeds will directly benefit the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. We also encourage you to wear purple to show your support.
First pitch is at 7:05pm. We look forward to seeing you at the ballgame!Night with the BeaversSaturday, July 19, 2008 7:05pm PGE Park1844 SW Morrison Portland, OR 97205

Hair Today --- Gone Tomorrow Or - It's been nice Growin You

After more than 60 chemo infusions my hair finally fell out! It went fast – in 3 days it’s pretty much gone. So, with advice from my support group – I cut what was left down to a half inch. I don’t know why or how, but the medical staff always told me my hair would be gone within a few weeks. – but it ended up taking 20 months. Tomorrow I go back for round 2. Please send me your prayers.

We had our second support group meeting at the Crossroads Church two weeks ago. I encourage anyone who is going through cancer treatment to get involved in a support group. It took me 19 months before I went, but it was the right time and the right place. What a great group of people – they have really helped me a lot and I hope I have helped them too. Don’t forget to get a book from me. I have them ready to send to you.