Christine Penner

  In the month of February 2019, I took my liquid drugs for two weeks then ended up having to take two weeks off. After my first week off my blood levels were still a little low so I had to take another week off. After my two weeks off I started my liquid drugs again on March 1, 2019. I am grateful that I now only have to stay off of my drugs for one to two weeks as opposed to five weeks which happened in the past when I was also taking chemo drugs. On February 15 I had an MRI, then met Dr. Pitz on February 22. I was so happy when I found out that the shadow they detected on my last MRI has disappeared. The tumour itself has shrunk some more so there is just a small amount left in my brain. That truly is amazing! As always, I have had a great month with family and friends. My mom is doing much better. My dad struggles at times but is also doing very well. I am so grateful that they continue to hang in there. I go visit them and stay with them as much as I can. The Granni...

In the month of January I followed my research liquid drug regime of two weeks on and one week off. Now that I am not taking chemo drugs, things seem to be working out much better. I will be having an MRI in the middle of February.   In the month of January I spent much time with my family. My mom is at home and has slowly gotten a bit better from the small stroke she had December 26, 2018. My dad now often comes home to see mom and his family. My sister Bev does a wonderful job driving my dad home from the hospital. As a family we had a wonderful time celebrating dad’s birthday. Sadly, in the month of January two of my friends lost their husbands – my cousin Fiona and my friend Iris. I went to both funerals and once again realized that life can go by very quickly. I continue to be so grateful that it now is one and a half years since my first brain surgery. When I wake up every morning I am so thankful that I still am here. I continue to exercise and sleep every day, and I...

On Friday, January 11, 2019, I met with my cancer doctor at the Health Science Centre here in Winnipeg. A week prior to this meeting I was scheduled for an MRI early in the morning. I was grateful to hear from my doctor that my brain tumour from my second surgery has remained stable. My husband and sister Bev were with me. We continue to celebrate good news. At the end of the meeting I asked once again about being able to drive. This time I was told that I probably will never drive again. I have to admit I felt sad when I heard that answer, but I now continue to be grateful that I am alive and can get around with Winnipeg buses, Winnipeg cabs, and personal rides.        I was prepared to go see my cancer doctor.

Christmas started with much fun and laughter as we met with family members. Our son Ryan, his wife Missy, and their two children Finn and Molly came over to our place December 24 in the afternoon to celebrate Christmas. We had a great time having them over, exchanging gifts, playing with Finn, and talking. We then all went to the Taylor’s (my husband’s family) for dinner. My sister-in-law Michele had dinner made for all of us as Ryan’s family was celebrating Taylor Christmas on this day. It was wonderful spending time with the Taylor family.   On Christmas Day (December 25) my husband and I spent some time together first thing in the morning. We then drove over to Bill’s house (my father-in-law) to play a gift exchange game with the Taylor family. There was lots of laughter as gifts were opened. My husband and I went back home for the afternoon then returned to Bill’s for Christmas dinner. Once again it was fun spending time with the Taylor's. On Boxing Day (December 26) we h...

    Starting on December 7, 2018, I had a one week break from my two week intake of liquid study drugs. On my break I enjoyed eating food like lasagna and pizza. On December 14, 2018, I went back on my two weeks of liquid study drugs. So far, so good.    On Saturday, December 1, I put up our Christmas tree. This started a fun Christmas month. My sister Bev took me to hear Handel’s Messiah at the Winnipeg Concert Hall. She also took me Christmas shopping several times. We had lots of fun. I was thrilled when I was invited to attend the St. John’s grandma Christmas dinner. I really enjoyed having dinner with them and chatting with many grandmothers I miss. Another fun time in December has been taking my grandson Finn swimming. Typically my husband and I have started taking him swimming once a week. Finn is a two year old who enjoys being in the water and going down a water slide. My dad is doing well in the hospital. We have been bringing him home once a week...

At the beginning of November I met with Dr. Pitz and was thrilled to hear that there had been no change in the size of my remaining brain tumour. We had a conversation about adjusting the drugs to minimize side effects. In the past, my chemo drugs and study drugs affected my blood work which meant I was taken off all medications for an extended period of time. I now have been taken off of my chemo drugs (which I typically take every six weeks), and have stayed on my liquid study drugs   (which I take every day for two weeks then have one week off). To stay healthy I have continued to take my daily Kepra pills (for my seizures - I haven't had a seizure since March), and my daily stomach needle which helps keep my blood thin (a few times I had to stop my needles for a short period of time as my blood was much too thin). At the end of my last doctor’s meeting I asked if I could get my driver’s license. The clear answer I got from my doctor was “No!...