Doctor visit

Me and Scott at the BIX 7

Mom had a port flush, blood count and doctor visit last week. Her CA 125 is down to 35 - which is great and is as expected. Dr. Porubcin said a while back that it would fluctuate so as long as it is fluctuating down... that is the way we want it to go. She will see him again in three months to check counts and will do the port maintenance every 4-5 weeks or so.

We didn't see much of each other this weekend because it was BIX 7 weekend for me (yes I cut my hair and bleached it blonde) and Scotty and we ran a very cold race Saturday morning. It was cloudy and barely reached 60 degrees. Scotty did great (51 minutes) while I shuffled along and came in at 1 hour and 20 minutes. I had to stop and walk at mile 6 too. I would much rather run in hot weather for sure. Luckily Tom was at the end of the race ready to warm me up. He has put up his running shoes in favor of waiting for me to finish and enjoying a cigar in the process. My brother and sister-in-law were also at the finish line as well and I have to say that it is nice having people cheering for you at the end.

Talcum powder link to cancer

So I run across articles about Ovarian Cancer just in case there is a new study or research going, but I didn't expect to hear about talcum powder increasing the risk of Ovarian Cancer. The problem is not that the talcum causes cancer directly but that the particles can travel into a woman’s body and cause inflammation, which allows cancer cells to flourish.

My first thought when I read things like this is whether or not it is credible, but it showed up in the UK Daily Mail (sometimes they are a bit "tabloid-y but they also do interesting articles) and the results were published in the journal Cancer Prevention Research, showed regularly applying the powder particles after bathing or showering raised the risk of an ovarian tumour by 24 per cent.

The American Cancer Society has the best summary IMO.

Sisters

Aunt Ruth, Aunt Carol, Mom Barbara & Aunt Rosemary

Aunt Ruth and Uncle Bernie were visiting in Kentucky (to see new baby Aurora) for most of June so they came through Ottawa Illinois last weekend on their way back to Arizona. They also have not met new baby Rayland (Travis and Sam's little boy) so we all got a baby-fix as well. Aunt Ruth also shared pictures of baby Aurora, Camden and Miles (Greg and Demara's) that she took on her digital camera.

Mom and baby Rayland

We will probably be getting together a lot next year as Ruth and Bernie's oldest grandchild Jeremy is getting married and either David and Katie or Travis and Sam are getting married next April 26... maybe both. I wrote down "David and Travis" on the date so I can't remember who said they were getting married on the date. I'm sure someone will let me know.