Christine Penner

June 2020   I met with Dr. Pitz via Zoom on June 5 to get my MRI and lab work results.   I was happy to hear the MRI showed my tumour was essentially unchanged and the swelling in my brain had decreased, but my platelets were still too low for another intravenous chemotherapy treatment.   I am getting weaker.   The effects of cancer, chemotherapy and steroids is taking a toll on my body.   I am getting weaker and am finding it difficult to walk, even with a walker.   I am starting to experience back pain and my eyesight is deteriorating.   I am always hungry and am grateful I can still enjoy delicious food.   I am always happy to spend time with family and friends and have enjoyed time at the cottage.   I had a wonderful 58 th birthday on June 27.   My in-laws showed up on my deck first thing in the morning with instruments, and sang a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday. My family had a birthday lunch at my mom’s...

My blood test on Friday, May 1, showed that my blood platelets had gone up to 115. I was glad that I could now carry on with my chemotherapy. On May 6, my body had strong chemotherapy drugs. I slept a lot during the day and found that my eyesight was getting worse. On May 12, I went for a walk outside around my block and ended up falling to the ground as my body could not stay standing on its own. This caused my face and hands to get hurt. I now am careful to workout with machines that keep me safe. I have become very weak but continue to work out as best as I can. Sadly, I fell again May 29, which has now moved me to walking with a walker. I don't want to fall again. My blood test on May 27, showed that my blood platelets had gone down to 28. I spoke with my doctor on May 29, and talked about going to an MRI more quickly. I now will have another MRI test on June 1, get blood work done June 3, and on June 5, discuss with Dr. Pitz how to move forward. It will be interesting to see...

Back on March 18, 2020, I started two new chemo drugs. On Friday, April 3, I was disappointed when I found out from Dr. Pitz that my blood platelets had gone down to 38. I had another blood test on April 14, 2020, and was shocked that my blood platelets had gone down to 16. I was also surprised that I had lots of bruising all over my body. On Monday, April 27, my blood test showed that my blood platelets had gone up to 94. I was happy to hear that. I will have another blood test on Friday, May 1. If I increase to 100 I will be able to start my chemo drugs again.   Coronavirus continues to be a world problem. I feel so sad when I hear the number of people who have passed away because of the virus. I am at high risk so I have to be extra careful. On a beautiful day I go out and sit on a deck or driveway to see my family and friends. We always have eight feet of distance between us. The weather is getting nicer so it feels good to be outside.    My sisters and I v...

I had an MRI on March 4 which showed my fourth tumour had grown. I went to see Dr. Pitz on March 6 and was given a steroid pill to reduce swelling.This has helped decrease my inability to think or talk. On March 13 my blood level had increased so I was able to start chemo drugs again. As the last chemo drug continually decreased my blood level for a length of time, on Wednesday, March 18, I started two new chemo drugs. I went to the HSC for 1 ½ hours of intravenous chemo which I will be doing every 28 days, and started my daily chemo pills. I will be taking two chemo pills per day the first week, four the second week, six the third week, and eight the fourth week. I will then be going to see my doctor. I am grateful that I am feeling so good.   Sadly, the world has developed coronavirus. It started in Canada in March 2020. To stay as healthy as possible, on March 17 my husband and I started staying home and not seeing anyone. I phone, text, and email fami...

My two weeks of chemotherapy took place January 22 to February 04. I am now off of my chemo drugs because my blood levels are too low. I spoke to my doctor at the end of February regarding my deteriorating mental and physical abilities. I now will be having an MRI at the beginning of March to determine what my next step will be. On a brighter note, my family and I had a great 17 day vacation in the Dominican Republic. We rented a three bedroom condo with my sister Bev and her husband Terry, in a town called Cabarete. The first week our son Ryan, daughter-in-law Missy, and our grandchildren Finn and Molly stayed with us. The second week our niece, Stephanie, her husband Mark and their two month old daughter came to stay. The weather was great! Walks on the beach with my sister every morning were invigorating as was swimming and relaxing in the sun (protected of course). We frequented the many beach restaurants in the evenings, enjoyed a few drinks, and basically just enjoyed family ...

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...