Health & Office Update

Since my last post I've received a full cycle of Abraxane (Once weekly x3 weeks.)  Next week is my one week off, then I see Dr. Coscio and most likely proceed to another cycle.  Scans (CT of chest, abdomen & pelvis; whole body bone scan; and chest x-ray) are scheduled for February 25th.  In the meantime, I had tumor marker levels done, and I am concerned, although I viewed the results online and have not seen my doctor to discuss -- bad thing about being able to look at my own medical record.  For the past several readings, my CA 15-3 has been hovering around 11 or 12.  Normal range is 0-25.  The time before last, it was 16.  This time it is 19.6, so it appears to be trending upward.

Although hair and eyelash growth during my "chemo holiday" was exciting (I actually DID wear mascara last week!), it did make me worry that the cancer cells were also growing.  The tumor marker level seems to suggest that this may be the case.  :(((((  I am anxious to be scanned again and see what is going on, if anything.  I hope I don't regret agreeing to the chemo break.  Being a cancer patient sucks!

On to a much, much lighter note...
Our new office is nearly move-in ready!  Not yet complete, but complete enough for us to move in and get rid of our "temporary" piece-a-junk office trailer (which we've had for over 4 years!)  I have so enjoyed designing the new space and seeing my ideas and vision come to life.  IT. IS. GORGEOUS!  Nothing fancy.  Just a tiny, country-rustic, former 2-car garage plus addition, that's been transformed into our own place that includes an office for two, dining counter, mini-kitchen, half bath, and two generous workstations for our Pink Ribbon Shop worker bees.  It also includes some smart storage to (hopefully) help keep us organized and neat.  Can't wait!  So thankful that Danny and his Dad are able to do all the work, saving us $1000's. Actually, if not for that fact, we wouldn't have been able to take the project on at all.  I will post pics once it's done.

In preparation for the big move, I've been doing major cleaning out of the trailer ... throwing out a bunch and reorganizing what's left.  So liberating!  We seem to have a LOT of pink ribbon sample items lying around. Stuff that for whatever reason, didn't make it into our product line, but is still nice.  I am thinking of creating a "Bargain Bin" department on our site to sell off some of these miscellaneous items.  Like a pink ribbon dollar store!  Hmm, going to have to think some more on this.

And also...
A new year means I am now a 14 Year Survivor!  Eight of those years with stage IV breast cancer. I want to take this time to say that I appreciate all the well-wishes and positive feedback I've received from our customers all these years.  And thanks for reading.