Christine Penner

I ended being off chemo drugs for five weeks. I was grateful that my blood platelets increased allowing me to start taking my chemo drugs again. On January 22, I started chemotherapy which I will be taking for two weeks. This month I had several seizures, a total of four.   I am having difficulty with my vision. I met with Dr. Leicht who will hopefully be able to help me. I will be seeing him again at the beginning of March.   I was thrilled when I found out that I would be having my PhD graduation ceremony January 21 at the University of Manitoba. To my surprise, seven university officials attended this event to help me become a University Professor. I was so grateful that I was able to invite 25 families and friends to attend this event for me. It’s hard to believe that I now am Dr. Christine Penner! I feel so grateful that I had the ability to finish this degree. God has been so good to me!    

In the first two weeks of December I took new chemo drugs. After being off the chemo drugs for two weeks, I found out that my blood platelets were quite low. That means that I will now be off of my chemo drugs for another week (January 1- 7). I was surprised this month when I found out that I had experienced two seizures. On December 11, I experienced a seizure for eight hours, then on December 28, I had another seizure. This last seizure caused me some pain. My husband drove me home from our Penner Christmas gathering. I slept for 14 hours. I felt much better the next morning but struggled to remember a few words. I need to continue to exercise and have a good afternoon nap every day. Despite a few health conditions, I enjoyed the Christmas month. Throughout the month of December I spent time with family and friends. Part of my Christmas experiences included going, with my sister Bev, to hear Handel’s Messiah and to watch Nutcracker. That was fun! I am grateful that I have an ama...

On December 3, 2019, I presented my PhD thesis at the University of Manitoba. I was thrilled to welcome my advisor Dr. Wallin. She flew from her work at the University of Saskatchewan to Winnipeg to be part of my presentation. My other two U of M committee members, Dr. Mignone and Dr. Fitznor, were at the university that day to hear my PowerPoint presentation. After my presentation I answered several questions presented by my advisors. I then left the room which gave my advisors the opportunity to discuss my presentation. When they called me back in I was told that I now was a doctor. I was thrilled! It was wonderful to have my sister and two friends join my presentation. Despite my new brain cancer, I was excited that my PhD thesis was accepted. It is hard to believe, but I now am Dr. Christine Penner!  Dr. Wallin was a wonderful advisor.   Dr. Fitznor, Dr.Mignone, and Dr .Wallin were members of my committee.   I called my husband to let him...

I have been off of chemo drugs for three months. This was for the purpose of raising my blood level. A week prior to seeing my doctor I had an MRI. Then on Friday, November 29, I went to see my doctor and was informed that I have another brain tumour. As this tumour is further back in my brain, I was told that it was best to take cancer drugs as opposed to having another brain surgery. I was disappointed to hear that I have another growth in my brain, however, I will be stepping up and working hard to stay as healthy as possible. I will be starting my new chemo drugs on Wednesday, December 4. On Saturday, November 23, my niece Stephanie and her husband Mark had a beautiful baby girl. The little girl’s name is Charlotte. In addition to going and seeing my new little one in this world, I was told that I now will be defending my PhD thesis on Tuesday, December 3, at the University of Manitoba. I have been working on my PowerPoint presentation. Despite my new brain cancer I am excit...

Since September 4, 2019, I have been off of my chemo drugs. My blood is continually getting lower so I will now be off of my chemo drugs until the end of November. I will then check my blood again and have an MRI. It feels awkward being off of my chemo drugs for so long. Three months is a long time to be off. At the end of November I will find out where I am at. I felt a little off for three days at the end of October but feel much better now.   Before I was diagnosed with cancer I was working on my PhD at the University of Manitoba. After a year and a half leave of absence, I was able to restart working on it. I had the opportunity to change my methodology which helped me move forward. I am thrilled to say that I have completed my thesis and that it has been accepted. All I have left to do  now is to defend my thesis. I am so excited that I am close to my PhD graduation. I am grateful that I had the opportunity to finish it.  My dear little loved ones - M...