Leslie's doing GREAT!

"Last week the weather was excellent for trick or treating, and the kids had a ball. So did I – I sat outside with my bowls of candy (yes, bowls – don't know how many pounds of the goodies), and handed out candy to trick or treaters that probably totaled over 200.

"I am currently on a new chemo regimen – at our visit to [medical center] on October 18, our doctor felt that the other chemo might not be as effective as he'd hoped, as it appeared that one of the lesions was slightly bigger. However, what we're not sure about is if that growth occurred prior to the beginning of chemo or continued after it began – we had 50 days from the original CT scan in July to the date that my chemo began. Our oncologist also checked my CA-125 and CEA levels, and the news was very good. Both markers have plummeted since July, and he seemed to think that this was probably a better indicator of my progress than the CT scans. I no longer have any sensitivity to cold (a side effect of the first chemo), but now I have a bad rash – looks like acne with very, very dry skin! This is okay, though, since there is a correlation between the rash and tumor response. Apparently, most people who get the rash have a good response to the chemo, so I don't mind if I break out!

"[husband] and I are in the process of making an appointment at one more center for another opinion – there are so many new therapies and options out there, and we want to make sure we're covering all our bases. Therefore, we'll be heading to UPMC in Pittsburgh sometime in the near future.

"Since my last update, I have continued to feel really well. My energy and strength have continued to improve, and I'm enjoying my work for my seminary classes, as well as my work with our churches...."

~S~