LI2Day, Ellen’s Run, Birdhouse Auction, GNO (2 different ones). I have been actively involved in fundraising for Breast Cancer/Women’s Cancers since 2006. I have recently co-founded a not for profit organizaiton, “Nana Cares – The Kattie O. Berkoski Foundation” in honor of my mother who lost her battle with Lung Cancer on March 10, 2010. The organization provides financial and emotional support for those struggling to meet medical expenses due to circumstances beyond their control. We are new, but we are up and running. Our first fundraiser was July 16, 2011 and was a wildly successful “Sock Hop”. We raised almost $10,000. Our next even is a “Christmas Cash” raffle and we hope to raise even more!

Clinical Trials:

I am in a random trim to determine the best “cocktail” to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy, at MSKCC. I receive paxalt and topotecan three days in a row every three weeks. I will remain in the trial as long as the tumors are shrinking, or at least not growing. I have a CT Scan every three cycles and of course all of my blood work, side effects are very tight ranges. Apparently I received the best of the bunch because I am having very few side effects and my tumors are shrinking!!

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Tara Mansir's Cancer Blog

Oops! Here is the latest upddate......

I just re-read my previous blogs and realized I hadn’t updated you since my last CT Scan! WOW! I won’t drag this, but I did want to update you.

I went in for my results and treatment the week before Thanksgiving and received excellent news regarding the CT. All except two of the nodes have shrunk and the two that didn’t have not grown – WOOHOO! Of course, as I have said all along, I knew that to be the case.

The bad news was that my liver enzymes were high and I could not receive treatement. Apparently they had been high in October as well, but they were able to adjust the, dosage and proceed with treatment. Since I am in a study the parameters are very well defined and adjustments can be made ONCE. After that treatment has to be skipped. If more than 5 weeks pass between treatments, I will be released from the study.

Now this isn’t the end of the world, as I am on common meds, I would be able to continue with them, but at lower doses less frequently. Since this is working (AMEN!)I really want to keep on with what we are doing. I switched back to the oxycodone and eliminated tylenol.

At the time, this seemed like a great twist of fate (except that I didn’t get to be with Kerri)because I would feel good for the holiday and we could head down to see my dad a day early. Well….....nothing is that easy!

Had a wonderful Thanksgiving with the family and returned home the following Saturday, as we had to be at MSKCC on Monday. Low and behold I got sick on Sunday! Fever and all! I assumed I would not be going to NYC so I just slept the day and night away. I called Dr. Tew in the A.M. and explained what was going on and was instructed to come in the THEIR ER! OMG! Off we went, spent the day in the ER and was sent home fever free and hydrated. No one seemed to know if I would be getting treatment the next day Since the premeds are such fun, I skipped them assuming they wouldn’t want to proceed. WRONG AGAIN!

However, since I hadn’t had the meds, I had to wait another day to start treatment :(! We spent the day Christmas shopping (I have been trying to get my husband in the city for the holidays for 10 years and here I am sick as a dog!) and flitting around. Thankfully we were staying at our friends place, so there wasn’t a problem continuing with our stay (they are so awesome!). Finished up on Friday and headed home. However, my entire schedule has been thrown off! Not only that the pesky fever returned sporadically for a week and I missed the Nana Cares Christmas Cash Cocktail Party! This was so heartbreaking for me!

Went in the week before Christmas and you know the rest. Having another CT Scan on Tuesday and treatment on the 9, 10 & 11th. My girl Kerri is meeting me in (provided my bloodwork will be normal again – Im sure it will!). Can’t wait to hear how much more the cancer has shrunk! Life is good! Celebrate all you have!

Posted on December 29, 2011 at 5:04:19 AM by Tara Mansir (Oops! Here is the latest upddate......, 1 comment, 1308 views)

Susie likes this.

1 Very Palpable Hit threw a punch at your cancer.

Finney sent you a hug.

I am obviously very behind and reading blogs in the wrong order :) Just wanted to remind you to keep on being positive. This is a fight you are in to win and your attitude is what keeps you going. Be well.
xoxo