May. 30, 2008 - CONNIE'S OVARIAN CANCER UPDATE #5

May. 24, 2008 - CONNIE'S OVARIAN CANCER UPDATE

I had another CA125 tumor count done about 3 days ago and called for the results yesterday It unfortunately has climbed and is up to 157 now (normal range is 0-40). I do have another fairly fast growing tumor forming in my pelvic area near the last one that was removed. My doctor is anxious to get me started on chemo again before it progress’ much further causing me to possibly have bowel obstruction. My stomach muscles are still very sore from the last surgery, but improving daily. So, I think another surgery so close to the last one is out of the question unless it becomes an emergency.

Listen to this… timing is everything…

There just happens to be a research study program, in a limited number of locations affiliated with US Oncology Research, that has been opened and offered to onc/gyn physicians along with a small chosen group of their patients (200 total) with certain cancers to participate in . that happens to be me, my doctor and in my area.  AND…I am one of those that have been given the opportunity to participate.  I have signed up, but as of today I have not been accepted to participate. They are waiting for blood labs and urine reports first and will also be going over my records to see if I qualify.  I’m very hopeful though… Is God’s timing great or what???!!

It will be a blind study using the product called Bevacizumab (which inhibits tumor growth by blocking the formation of new blood vessels) produced by Genentech, Inc. No one will know who is getting what until the study is completed, not even the doctors. It has been FDA approved for colon and lung cancers… but not for ovarian, primary peritoneal, or fallopian tube carcinomas. Being a blind study means only half of those participating will actually receive the product and the other half will get a placebo. We would all be monitored very closely and have special tests performed through the process (CT’s and MRI’s, blood and urine tests, etc) all paid for by the research company. I will also be receiving my regular chemo treatments (not paid for by research) along with this and my doctor will be involved all the way in everything. I’m excited about it but I am leaving this decision in God’s hands as to whether I am accepted or if I receive the product or not.

I am scheduled for my first chemo treatment this coming Tuesday or Wednesday (conflict of which day is with the research group because of the Memorial Day holiday weekend). I’ll know for sure today or Monday.  I am confident this reoccurrence of cancer is only a minor set back and things will be okay. I will be given two different chemo’s but upon my research of them, they are not as harsh as the last ones. They are: Gemcitabine and Carboplatin.

I hate to keep asking for your prayers, but they worked so well last time for all of us that it’s just a must.

I love you all and will let you know as things move forward.

Connie Deal

May. 11, 2008 - WASHINGTON HOME PRICES CONTINUE TO INCREASE, BUCKING NATIONAL TRENDS

OLYMPIA – Washington State continues to defy national trends in home prices, lending, and sales. Nationally home prices are down; sub-prime mortgages and foreclosures are up. But in Washington State, foreclosures and sub-prime lending occurred at lower rates than just about anywhere in the nation. Home appreciation in Washington also continues to out-perform the rest of the nation with year-to-year price increases every quarter since the spring of 1995.

“The housing market in Washington State is strong. Demand for median-priced homes, in particular, continues to outstrip supply – and that’s pushing home prices up,” said Steve Francks, Washington Realtors Chief Executive Officer.

According to the Center for Real Estate Research (CRER) at Washington State University, home prices in Washington have increased an average of 8.1 percent since the same time last year. Many counties, however, have experienced price hikes much higher: Chelan 29.8 percent, Okanogan 24.5 percent; Douglas, 22.2 percent; and Lewis 19.3.

As of mid-June, sub-prime, adjustable-rate loans represented 20 percent of loans nationally, but just 6 percent of home loans in Washington. Of those mortgages, 5 percent in Washington were delinquent, compared with 8.9 percent nationwide. The largest increase in foreclosure activity was in Nevada (166 percent); while the smallest increase was in Washington State (18 percent).

“In other words,” said Francks, “ours is a stable and responsible market place. “What we really should be asking is what can we do to provide more home choices so that people don’t have to consider risky loans in the first place?”

According to the WSU CRER, a “housing squeeze” continues to define the Central Puget Sound market, where primary concerns are “lack of space to meet demands and inability to deliver affordable housing.” The CRER’s “Central Puget Sound Real Estate Research Report” notes that the housing market isn’t keeping pace with the growth of population, which is continuing to increase at 1.8 percent per year. In spring 2007, the median price for homes in King County rose to $470,000 and to $376,000 in Snohomish County.

Francks said the key to stability in the residential real estate market is balance, where balance is about a six month supply (or inventory) of homes available on the market at any given time. In Washington there is currently about a four- month supply. In many states where prices are slumping, the inventory is about 11 months. Francks explained that home prices are not likely to fall in Washington until an over-supply of homes exists — a situation unlikely to occur as long as the state’s population is growing at such a robust rate.

State demographers expect Washington’s population to increase by nearly one million over the present decade and to reach 6.8 million by 2010. About two thirds of the growth is due to in-migration; the rest is a result of the growth of families now living in Washington.

“The housing squeeze is forcing some families to take on more debt than they should. Others compensate by accepting longer commutes than they want. Neither is a good solution,” said Francks. “We need to provide a variety of home choices to meet changing market demands.”

Francks said communities should use realistic population-increase estimates to plan for the number of homes that will actually be needed. Other solutions include making better use of the land that is available for homes with cottage housing and accessory dwelling units, and using innovative design to enable each acre of land to comfortably accommodate more homes.

Washington Realtors represent approximately 170,000 homebuyers and the interests of more than 2 million homeowners throughout the state. Realtors’ top public policy priority is building communities that have a strong economy, attractive home choices, great schools and parks, safe neighborhoods, and good transportation choices.

For more information, please contact Barb Lally, 943-3100, ext. 122.