Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Clear Sailing
Good news! Just a quick note to say that the PET scan showed no active areas, a much-shrunken tumor site and no other lymph node involvement.
So after a very long year and a bit, we can say farewell to frequent visits to the oncologist and too many needles, other than quarterly visits to monitor John's health.
This is not to say the lymphoma is gone, but we are hoping for a respite of several years before we have to experiment with the newest and latest in chemo. Thankfully there are a few drugs making their way through the FDA approval process and hopefully a good, effective one will be available when John needs it the next time.
Until then, we're grateful for the Bendamustine--side effects and all; it was worth it in the end. Now we'll see if we remember what a normal life is like.
It's a good way to start the New Year!
So after a very long year and a bit, we can say farewell to frequent visits to the oncologist and too many needles, other than quarterly visits to monitor John's health.
This is not to say the lymphoma is gone, but we are hoping for a respite of several years before we have to experiment with the newest and latest in chemo. Thankfully there are a few drugs making their way through the FDA approval process and hopefully a good, effective one will be available when John needs it the next time.
Until then, we're grateful for the Bendamustine--side effects and all; it was worth it in the end. Now we'll see if we remember what a normal life is like.
It's a good way to start the New Year!
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Normal Is Nice
Fortunately, chemo weeks pass quickly and we get back to normal. But I think I forget to let people know that we have many more good days than challenging ones!
So...normal news.
We've been enjoying Christmas music since early November while Erik practiced for the Reno Pops holiday concert. I know everyone thinks the retailers start way too early with their holiday displays, but it turns out that all those wonderful-sounding holiday concerts involve a little jumping-the-gun preparations! Kharma does a little singing of her own when the violin starts. (She's pretty much on key.)
The concert coincided with our first real snowfall of the season. So we made our slippery drive to the concert hall, gingerly walked the icy sidewalks and found a full house in attendance. Guess who got the last seat available? The music was enjoyable from beginning to end and seeing how handsome E looked in his new tuxedo shirt and black bowtie was the perfect finishing touch.
We've managed a bit of holiday shopping, wrapping paper marathons and the obligatory standing in line at the post office. The house was decked in red and green, snowmen, Santas, and snowflakes right from December first then decorating took a back seat to buying goodies for the grand-daughters and far-flung family.
Erik and I cut a tree right after Thanksgiving and it's been sitting outside in a bucket of water. Well, anyway I thought it was water until I hauled it into the garage at lunch today and found it's actually been frozen in a block of very heavy ice. It's awkward to bring a Christmas tree through the doorway at the best of times, adding a frozen five-gallon bucket to the mix takes it to a whole new level. I've settled for hammering the ice off instead of bringing it inside to decorate. Maybe tomorrow we'll have an official place to put our wrapped presents!
Music, decorating, gift-giving...seeing old friends, Christmas parties, kids...a bit of snow, a bit of cold weather...our annual Hannukah dinner (a tradition I established once my tastebuds experienced their first latke garnished with applesauce)...holiday planning...looking forward to family time. It's a cozy, friendly, fun time of year.
Hoping your December is proceeding normally with the usual traditions and as little stress as possible!
So...normal news.
We've been enjoying Christmas music since early November while Erik practiced for the Reno Pops holiday concert. I know everyone thinks the retailers start way too early with their holiday displays, but it turns out that all those wonderful-sounding holiday concerts involve a little jumping-the-gun preparations! Kharma does a little singing of her own when the violin starts. (She's pretty much on key.)
The concert coincided with our first real snowfall of the season. So we made our slippery drive to the concert hall, gingerly walked the icy sidewalks and found a full house in attendance. Guess who got the last seat available? The music was enjoyable from beginning to end and seeing how handsome E looked in his new tuxedo shirt and black bowtie was the perfect finishing touch.
We've managed a bit of holiday shopping, wrapping paper marathons and the obligatory standing in line at the post office. The house was decked in red and green, snowmen, Santas, and snowflakes right from December first then decorating took a back seat to buying goodies for the grand-daughters and far-flung family.
Erik and I cut a tree right after Thanksgiving and it's been sitting outside in a bucket of water. Well, anyway I thought it was water until I hauled it into the garage at lunch today and found it's actually been frozen in a block of very heavy ice. It's awkward to bring a Christmas tree through the doorway at the best of times, adding a frozen five-gallon bucket to the mix takes it to a whole new level. I've settled for hammering the ice off instead of bringing it inside to decorate. Maybe tomorrow we'll have an official place to put our wrapped presents!
Music, decorating, gift-giving...seeing old friends, Christmas parties, kids...a bit of snow, a bit of cold weather...our annual Hannukah dinner (a tradition I established once my tastebuds experienced their first latke garnished with applesauce)...holiday planning...looking forward to family time. It's a cozy, friendly, fun time of year.
Hoping your December is proceeding normally with the usual traditions and as little stress as possible!
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Sierra at Five Months
I could get lost in those eyes. Sigh. I love you, my little Rosebud!
Friday, November 23, 2012
Some Days are Better Than Other Days
Thursday and Friday? Meh.
Funny how the chemo picks up steam. The first few days aren't bad, but then his energy disappears, his appetite wanes, and he fights off waves of nausea as the treatment's dark side emerges.
He seems content to bask in the sunshine like an old horned toad brought in from the desert. And that's fine. He'll rebound for a few hours and work on the computer.
Post-chemo weekends are usually pretty mellow with low expectations and that's exactly what this one is shaping up to be. No big plans, just puttering around the house getting a few things done while the weather is still nice.
Meanwhile, Erik and I abandoned the patient, bought a tree permit, stomped around in the snow until we found a nice fir tree and tied it to the top of the SUV. At home, after we set it in a bucket of water, we both looked at the Doug fir growing outside the window and wondered why in the heck we went out and cut a tree when there was a perfectly acceptable candidate right in our backyard.
Hmmm.
Funny how the chemo picks up steam. The first few days aren't bad, but then his energy disappears, his appetite wanes, and he fights off waves of nausea as the treatment's dark side emerges.
He seems content to bask in the sunshine like an old horned toad brought in from the desert. And that's fine. He'll rebound for a few hours and work on the computer.
Post-chemo weekends are usually pretty mellow with low expectations and that's exactly what this one is shaping up to be. No big plans, just puttering around the house getting a few things done while the weather is still nice.
Meanwhile, Erik and I abandoned the patient, bought a tree permit, stomped around in the snow until we found a nice fir tree and tied it to the top of the SUV. At home, after we set it in a bucket of water, we both looked at the Doug fir growing outside the window and wondered why in the heck we went out and cut a tree when there was a perfectly acceptable candidate right in our backyard.
Hmmm.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
The Human Pincushion
This week involved blood work Monday morning at the lab, followed by an IV for chemo (that took two tries). This morning it took two nurses, three sticks and forty-five minutes to get an IV started.
Someone is thoroughly sick of needles. He knows they'll probe interminably, and may or may not be successful. If not, he gets to undergo the torture again. He can deal with the minimal pain of the tumors, he seems to nap while the poison drips into his veins, he's come to terms with waves of nausea and lack of energy, but just thinking about needles gets him stressed enough to send his blood pressure up a few notches.
We can't blame the nurses when we know the problem is his veins reacting to the chemo. The poor nurses probably hate to see us walk through the door! If we'd known at the start that veins can be damaged, we'd probably have opted for a port or picc line. Too late now.
However, on the bright side, he felt good enough to make turkey enchiladas for dinner tonight and he's able to drink fluids without much problem. So the side effects are manageable nowadays, thanks very much. His blood work continues to look stellar. And the only needle he needs to worry about is tomorrow's shot which is easy-peasy.
And hopefully he'll have to face the dreaded needles for only one more round.
Also the pomegranates from Costco have been fabulously wonderful; both John and Erik have enjoyed feasting on them. Personally I think they're more trouble than they're worth (the fruit, not the guys). I have the feeling that Persephone felt the same way.
Someone is thoroughly sick of needles. He knows they'll probe interminably, and may or may not be successful. If not, he gets to undergo the torture again. He can deal with the minimal pain of the tumors, he seems to nap while the poison drips into his veins, he's come to terms with waves of nausea and lack of energy, but just thinking about needles gets him stressed enough to send his blood pressure up a few notches.
We can't blame the nurses when we know the problem is his veins reacting to the chemo. The poor nurses probably hate to see us walk through the door! If we'd known at the start that veins can be damaged, we'd probably have opted for a port or picc line. Too late now.
However, on the bright side, he felt good enough to make turkey enchiladas for dinner tonight and he's able to drink fluids without much problem. So the side effects are manageable nowadays, thanks very much. His blood work continues to look stellar. And the only needle he needs to worry about is tomorrow's shot which is easy-peasy.
And hopefully he'll have to face the dreaded needles for only one more round.
Also the pomegranates from Costco have been fabulously wonderful; both John and Erik have enjoyed feasting on them. Personally I think they're more trouble than they're worth (the fruit, not the guys). I have the feeling that Persephone felt the same way.
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Our Thanksgiving Day
I"m so happy we decided to celebrate Thanksgiving early. It meant I had all day Saturday to cook. How relaxing! Who knew?
I'm casting my vote right now--the Thanksgiving holiday from now on needs to include Wednesday so we can all cook at our leisure and enjoy it instead of spending our Wednesday at work then entering our kitchens like rabid ferrets on a mission!
On the menu:
I love the tradition of bringing out serving utensils that have been handed down through the family, using recipes from Fresno Thanksgivings, silver from our wedding, and goblets from my grandma's holiday table. It just makes the day more special as it links us with happy memories from our past.
I had never realized until this year that my guys are Mayflower descendents. They have the genes passed on by those brave and hardy souls who somehow survived that first year in the New World and flourished.
Let the leftovers commence!
I'm casting my vote right now--the Thanksgiving holiday from now on needs to include Wednesday so we can all cook at our leisure and enjoy it instead of spending our Wednesday at work then entering our kitchens like rabid ferrets on a mission!
- roast turkey with gravy,
- cranberry sauce,
- yams and green beans,
- deviled eggs, olives, and pickles,
- homemade bread with decorative butter pats,
- sparkling apple and apple-pomegranate cider,
- pecan pie and warm-from-the-oven apple pie.
I love the tradition of bringing out serving utensils that have been handed down through the family, using recipes from Fresno Thanksgivings, silver from our wedding, and goblets from my grandma's holiday table. It just makes the day more special as it links us with happy memories from our past.
I had never realized until this year that my guys are Mayflower descendents. They have the genes passed on by those brave and hardy souls who somehow survived that first year in the New World and flourished.
Let the leftovers commence!
Friday, November 16, 2012
Early Turkey Day
The turkey is thawing even as I type. And the pantry is filled with all the necessities for a yummy dinner.
On Saturday, I'm making our traditional Finnish Orange Bread with Erik. I think it might be his first venture into bread-making. And I've collected all the fixin's for Mrs. Knight's Pecan Pie recipe--because it's just not Turkey Day for John without his favorite dessert. I thought I'd start serving it for dessert that night since a little pecan pie goes a long way and I'm not sure how long his appetite will be up and running next week. There's a limit to how long I can tolerate pie sitting around uneaten!
Erik has a soccer game on Sunday--a return match with Sonoma State. They creamed UNR in last weekend's tournament match so we're hoping Nevada brings some defense to the table this week. We'll just pop the turkey in the oven while we're watching soccer. Who would think we'd still be planning our schedules around our favorite game?
The best thing about our (early) Thanksgiving this year will be that John will be feeling like eating--so very different from last November when his innards were giving him plenty of grief every time he ate, digested, or laid down. We're not expecting him to make an appearance at the dinner table Thursday--but Erik and I will manage to dine nicely on turkey leftovers as well as fresh pies.
This was the best fruit year here EVER and I'll be making a pie from our own apples--seen here in Mother Nature's refrigerator.
Do you love the vintage fruit-picking bucket ? It's one of our most handy-dandy acquisitions that's been filled with bumper crops of peaches and apples. Because it hangs from the tree branch, the doggities can't get to it which is appreciated by the human pack. As one of my kindergartners puts it, "fruit makes my dog toot." Out of the mouths of babes.
On Saturday, I'm making our traditional Finnish Orange Bread with Erik. I think it might be his first venture into bread-making. And I've collected all the fixin's for Mrs. Knight's Pecan Pie recipe--because it's just not Turkey Day for John without his favorite dessert. I thought I'd start serving it for dessert that night since a little pecan pie goes a long way and I'm not sure how long his appetite will be up and running next week. There's a limit to how long I can tolerate pie sitting around uneaten!
Erik has a soccer game on Sunday--a return match with Sonoma State. They creamed UNR in last weekend's tournament match so we're hoping Nevada brings some defense to the table this week. We'll just pop the turkey in the oven while we're watching soccer. Who would think we'd still be planning our schedules around our favorite game?
The best thing about our (early) Thanksgiving this year will be that John will be feeling like eating--so very different from last November when his innards were giving him plenty of grief every time he ate, digested, or laid down. We're not expecting him to make an appearance at the dinner table Thursday--but Erik and I will manage to dine nicely on turkey leftovers as well as fresh pies.
Do you love the vintage fruit-picking bucket ? It's one of our most handy-dandy acquisitions that's been filled with bumper crops of peaches and apples. Because it hangs from the tree branch, the doggities can't get to it which is appreciated by the human pack. As one of my kindergartners puts it, "fruit makes my dog toot." Out of the mouths of babes.
Friday, November 02, 2012
Tea, Spaghetti and Burritos
John might not feel great exactly, or even close, but he's doing much better than usual.
The spaghetti and burritos aren't unusual, but any type of liquid is a big improvement. I don't know if he's experiencing milder side effects because it's been longer since the last chemo, the dosage has been decreased slightly or the medications are working. Jetlag isn't making any difference one way or t'other. He's up in the wee hours and then comes back for a morning snooze but at least he's getting some sleep.
Whatever, we'll take it. I'm hoping that maybe it will take less than a week for him to feel back to his old self.
The spaghetti and burritos aren't unusual, but any type of liquid is a big improvement. I don't know if he's experiencing milder side effects because it's been longer since the last chemo, the dosage has been decreased slightly or the medications are working. Jetlag isn't making any difference one way or t'other. He's up in the wee hours and then comes back for a morning snooze but at least he's getting some sleep.
Whatever, we'll take it. I'm hoping that maybe it will take less than a week for him to feel back to his old self.
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Munich, Iceland, Greenland, Hudson Bay, Reno
The traveler is back home and I'm happy for the polar route home that avoided Hurricane Sandy. It seems that everyone else in Serbia got a cold over the last ten days except for John (knock wood).
His midnight arrival left plenty of time for a decent night's sleep and this morning's chemo appointment. And his usual naps in the infusion room recliner might even help alleviate the inevitable jetlag.
Today he was able to have a pastrami and cheese sandwich for his late lunch and still manage to dine on the dark meat from a rotisserie chicken with a bit of broccoli. It's so odd that he can manage a dill pickle but not a drink of water. We'll see what tomorrow brings.
This unanticipated trip meant that this round is four weeks after the last one (rather than the usual three weeks). The good news is that maybe the longer wait will help him deal with the chemo side effects. The bad news is that the next chemo will be right before Turkey Day. We'll be having our holiday dinner the weekend before--anyone who wants to join our celebration is invited!
His midnight arrival left plenty of time for a decent night's sleep and this morning's chemo appointment. And his usual naps in the infusion room recliner might even help alleviate the inevitable jetlag.
Today he was able to have a pastrami and cheese sandwich for his late lunch and still manage to dine on the dark meat from a rotisserie chicken with a bit of broccoli. It's so odd that he can manage a dill pickle but not a drink of water. We'll see what tomorrow brings.
This unanticipated trip meant that this round is four weeks after the last one (rather than the usual three weeks). The good news is that maybe the longer wait will help him deal with the chemo side effects. The bad news is that the next chemo will be right before Turkey Day. We'll be having our holiday dinner the weekend before--anyone who wants to join our celebration is invited!
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Postcards
Well, maybe not postcards, but definitely emails from Europe. Yes, he managed to stick in a trip between chemo treatments. Pretty amazing!
The flight over went smoothly and he's feeling great. I was a bit dubious about the wisdom of this trip but it seems that his immune system is up to the challenge plus he's weeks past chemo so he's got plenty of energy and drive. He bounces back fast.
He's showing a group of investors around the properties--being on the ground and actually seeing mineral is pretty motivating. They've had some good results so far and we hope they continue to find mineral. The field season is coming to an end for winter and it's time to plan for next year (and have the money to fund the exploration).
He's busy enough that I'm only getting short updates. I know that he made it to Belgrade before his bags due to a tight connection. I know that the group survived a wedding party in their hotel (it seems like every trip runs afoul of a noisy wedding once). They've been touring the Serbian sites and will soon swing through Bosnia briefly.
Naturally I'm wondering what fruits they are harvesting there, if the trees are as colorful as our Sierra aspen, and how the first-timers are enjoying Serbia.
While he's been gone, winter has arrived in the Sierra: snow on the ridges and peaks, windy days, our first killing frost, comforters on the beds and the furnace turned on for the season. It's time to haul out the winter clothes and enjoy soups and stews for dinner. I could have cheerfully enjoyed the gorgeous Indian summer for weeks more, but it is nice to be wearing different clothes and not be eating yet another summertime dinner. Now that I'm not spending most of my time gardening, I've got the sewing machine humming. Can the holiday season be approaching rapidly?
The flight over went smoothly and he's feeling great. I was a bit dubious about the wisdom of this trip but it seems that his immune system is up to the challenge plus he's weeks past chemo so he's got plenty of energy and drive. He bounces back fast.
He's showing a group of investors around the properties--being on the ground and actually seeing mineral is pretty motivating. They've had some good results so far and we hope they continue to find mineral. The field season is coming to an end for winter and it's time to plan for next year (and have the money to fund the exploration).
He's busy enough that I'm only getting short updates. I know that he made it to Belgrade before his bags due to a tight connection. I know that the group survived a wedding party in their hotel (it seems like every trip runs afoul of a noisy wedding once). They've been touring the Serbian sites and will soon swing through Bosnia briefly.
Naturally I'm wondering what fruits they are harvesting there, if the trees are as colorful as our Sierra aspen, and how the first-timers are enjoying Serbia.
While he's been gone, winter has arrived in the Sierra: snow on the ridges and peaks, windy days, our first killing frost, comforters on the beds and the furnace turned on for the season. It's time to haul out the winter clothes and enjoy soups and stews for dinner. I could have cheerfully enjoyed the gorgeous Indian summer for weeks more, but it is nice to be wearing different clothes and not be eating yet another summertime dinner. Now that I'm not spending most of my time gardening, I've got the sewing machine humming. Can the holiday season be approaching rapidly?
Sunday, October 07, 2012
Progress!
This weekend has been pretty good for a chemo weekend.
Of course the bar has been set pretty low after the first two treatments, but it seems as though the newest medicine has kept the worst of the chemo after-effects away. There have been waves of nausea, but he's been able to sleep nights, feels good enough to get dressed and has nibbled on the usual suspects (eggs, milk, that sort of thing).
The biggest change has been that John has the ability to drink fluids. Finally!
(Not that he's feeling up to much other than lying quietly and waiting for time to pass.)
If one has to suffer through the nasties, it helps if they get one closer to the long-range goal. And the R-B combination is knocking the lymphoma silly. His CT showed a reduction from 6.5 to 3.5 cm. Very good news indeed and real progress.
Remission was a long-shot possibility after two rounds of R-B. Four rounds are the norm, with some folks needing six. At least we're on the way with three behind us now.
He's also thankful that Nurse Tara was able to get the I.V.'s each day started with just one try. His veins are showing the side effects of chemo (probably the RCVP) and becoming hard to get into. Now we know why so many cancer patients have a semi-permanent access point! Of course many folks are on a regimen spaced closer than John's three or four week schedule.
Other good news is that the shot to spur the bone marrow into producing more white blood cells is not only working, but also he doesn't get any side effects from it.
A business trip is still on the schedule as long as his white count is normal. Feeling needed and grabbing a bit of Real Life is apparently important. He might pay for it since he'll be mixing chemo and jet lag next time, but I figure he can just pretend he's still in another time zone while he's waiting out the after-effects.
Of course the bar has been set pretty low after the first two treatments, but it seems as though the newest medicine has kept the worst of the chemo after-effects away. There have been waves of nausea, but he's been able to sleep nights, feels good enough to get dressed and has nibbled on the usual suspects (eggs, milk, that sort of thing).
The biggest change has been that John has the ability to drink fluids. Finally!
(Not that he's feeling up to much other than lying quietly and waiting for time to pass.)
If one has to suffer through the nasties, it helps if they get one closer to the long-range goal. And the R-B combination is knocking the lymphoma silly. His CT showed a reduction from 6.5 to 3.5 cm. Very good news indeed and real progress.
Remission was a long-shot possibility after two rounds of R-B. Four rounds are the norm, with some folks needing six. At least we're on the way with three behind us now.
He's also thankful that Nurse Tara was able to get the I.V.'s each day started with just one try. His veins are showing the side effects of chemo (probably the RCVP) and becoming hard to get into. Now we know why so many cancer patients have a semi-permanent access point! Of course many folks are on a regimen spaced closer than John's three or four week schedule.
Other good news is that the shot to spur the bone marrow into producing more white blood cells is not only working, but also he doesn't get any side effects from it.
A business trip is still on the schedule as long as his white count is normal. Feeling needed and grabbing a bit of Real Life is apparently important. He might pay for it since he'll be mixing chemo and jet lag next time, but I figure he can just pretend he's still in another time zone while he's waiting out the after-effects.
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Normal Again after Round Two
The worst is behind us and a couple of weeks respite lies ahead. It was disappointing that we couldn't completely conquer the post-chemo yuckies, but at least we were able to moderate them. That slightly better outcome was balanced by the fact that it took an extra couple days for him to bounce back. It is what it is.
Plans are already in place to get our insurance to approve the use of another pre-med that's more expensive but supposedly more effective. Let's hope that goes smoothly so the next round of chemo might not be quite so rocky.
The shots that stimulate the production of white blood cells continues to work really well. Yippee! It's wonderful to not worry about one aspect of this process. Still, a bottle of hand-sanitizer for the Subaru is on my grocery list since I've been bad about washing my hands between kindergarten and home. I figure the cupholder will hold it nicely and be obvious enough that I'll remember to use it!
I'm convinced chemo brain happens to spouses as well as patients. I've noticed a tendency to forget the simplest things. I'd tell you what they were...but I don't remember them.
Plans are already in place to get our insurance to approve the use of another pre-med that's more expensive but supposedly more effective. Let's hope that goes smoothly so the next round of chemo might not be quite so rocky.
The shots that stimulate the production of white blood cells continues to work really well. Yippee! It's wonderful to not worry about one aspect of this process. Still, a bottle of hand-sanitizer for the Subaru is on my grocery list since I've been bad about washing my hands between kindergarten and home. I figure the cupholder will hold it nicely and be obvious enough that I'll remember to use it!
I'm convinced chemo brain happens to spouses as well as patients. I've noticed a tendency to forget the simplest things. I'd tell you what they were...but I don't remember them.
Saturday, September 15, 2012
I Spoke Too Soon
It's going to be a long weekend. His chemo side-effects are defying the anti-nausea meds. I can say that maybe, perhaps, hopefully it's not as bad as the last time?
I'm not sure if it's harder to be the one experiencing the joys and delights of chemo or the one standing helplessly by.
Most people have a harder time on RCVP--he cruised through. Patients comment on how easy R&B is--and it's giving us fits. Go figure.
At least we know it lasts for a finite time and Monday will be a much better day. Over and out.
I'm not sure if it's harder to be the one experiencing the joys and delights of chemo or the one standing helplessly by.
Most people have a harder time on RCVP--he cruised through. Patients comment on how easy R&B is--and it's giving us fits. Go figure.
At least we know it lasts for a finite time and Monday will be a much better day. Over and out.
Friday, September 14, 2012
Another Round Two
Well, it's nice to be out of the doctor's office. This three-part chemo pretty much swallowed most of this week.
It's a little soon to tell (knock wood) but I'm hopeful this latest post-chemo med will make our weekend tolerable. Med number one was ineffective. Med number two was better but didn't completely help the nausea. The third time might be the charm. He still doesn't feel great--but he doesn't care. You know how you struggle against tummy upsets and dread what might happen? Well, remove the dread and you feel a whole lot better. And you get a great nap in the bargain!
Chemo part one went okay--just a bit stressful anticipating the possible reaction after last time. Chemo day two found him with a mild headache and feeling feverish. He didn't have a fever but he was definitely flushed. He was able to eat conservatively and drink fluids as needed both days.
But we're finding that twenty-four hours after the chemo ends, he really starts to feel lousy all over and then nausea starts. And this time I was driving as slowly to his appointment as I could, avoiding bumps, curves, fast starts, and quick brakes. I'm glad it wasn't my driving (somewhat less than smooth last time) that was at fault. I'd been feeling guilty for the past three weeks.
If you have to feel rotten, do it at the oncologist so he can write you a Rx on the spot and you can pick it up on the way home and start to feel better. Especially going into a weekend--yeah, there's someone on-call, but it involves a lot of phone calls and extra trips.
He did rebound after about ten days last time and has felt well since. The bloodwork shows that the shot to spur his bone marrow into overdrive so he has lots of white blood cells is working well. Let's hope that trend continues
I'm hoping he has the ability and desire to both eat and drink instead of lying down and dehydrating for the next four days. Dehydrating is for pears and apples, not geologists. I need neither grey hairs nor more worrylines--so far I'm smiling and I hope to stay that way while I watch over him.
And anything that makes you this sick must be attacking the lymphoma too! That would make the side effects worth the trouble.
It's a little soon to tell (knock wood) but I'm hopeful this latest post-chemo med will make our weekend tolerable. Med number one was ineffective. Med number two was better but didn't completely help the nausea. The third time might be the charm. He still doesn't feel great--but he doesn't care. You know how you struggle against tummy upsets and dread what might happen? Well, remove the dread and you feel a whole lot better. And you get a great nap in the bargain!
Chemo part one went okay--just a bit stressful anticipating the possible reaction after last time. Chemo day two found him with a mild headache and feeling feverish. He didn't have a fever but he was definitely flushed. He was able to eat conservatively and drink fluids as needed both days.
But we're finding that twenty-four hours after the chemo ends, he really starts to feel lousy all over and then nausea starts. And this time I was driving as slowly to his appointment as I could, avoiding bumps, curves, fast starts, and quick brakes. I'm glad it wasn't my driving (somewhat less than smooth last time) that was at fault. I'd been feeling guilty for the past three weeks.
If you have to feel rotten, do it at the oncologist so he can write you a Rx on the spot and you can pick it up on the way home and start to feel better. Especially going into a weekend--yeah, there's someone on-call, but it involves a lot of phone calls and extra trips.
He did rebound after about ten days last time and has felt well since. The bloodwork shows that the shot to spur his bone marrow into overdrive so he has lots of white blood cells is working well. Let's hope that trend continues
I'm hoping he has the ability and desire to both eat and drink instead of lying down and dehydrating for the next four days. Dehydrating is for pears and apples, not geologists. I need neither grey hairs nor more worrylines--so far I'm smiling and I hope to stay that way while I watch over him.
And anything that makes you this sick must be attacking the lymphoma too! That would make the side effects worth the trouble.
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Chemo version 2.0
It was a long weekend. Like four days long. Endless.
He's now seven pounds lighter than last Friday. Partly dehydration, partly not eating. And at the followup appointment today, they had a hard time coaxing any blood out ofthe turnip him.
But the good news is that he's turned the corner on the side effects since today was significantly better than yesterday--drinking and eating and energy are all good things. And his oncologist says that each day will be a bit better than the one before.
There will be a different medication to try to avoid the side effects next time. Depending on how he feels it might be in three weeks as planned or they might put him on a four week routine. If the side effects continue to be harrowing, then they'll administer a lower dosage of his poisonous cocktail. So options are there to be used.
He really disliked the heartburn and jitters of the Prednisone part of the last chemo regimen, but they were more annoying than anything else. R&B has claws in comparison. At least there'll be no worsening of the peripheral neuropathy though.
Dare we hope that it's working on the lymphoma as well as the rest of his innards?
He's now seven pounds lighter than last Friday. Partly dehydration, partly not eating. And at the followup appointment today, they had a hard time coaxing any blood out of
But the good news is that he's turned the corner on the side effects since today was significantly better than yesterday--drinking and eating and energy are all good things. And his oncologist says that each day will be a bit better than the one before.
There will be a different medication to try to avoid the side effects next time. Depending on how he feels it might be in three weeks as planned or they might put him on a four week routine. If the side effects continue to be harrowing, then they'll administer a lower dosage of his poisonous cocktail. So options are there to be used.
He really disliked the heartburn and jitters of the Prednisone part of the last chemo regimen, but they were more annoying than anything else. R&B has claws in comparison. At least there'll be no worsening of the peripheral neuropathy though.
Dare we hope that it's working on the lymphoma as well as the rest of his innards?
Friday, August 17, 2012
R&B
R&B? It could be Rhythm and Blues.
Not that we're blue about anything right now. Except for the intense blue of the summer sky. And can I just say that a summer (relatively) free of doctors or labs or appointments was extremely nice? Normal is good!
The clinic at Stanford was efficient, well-organized, pleasant, and reassuring. Their directions were great and we found it with plenty of time to spare. Check-in was a breeze. The staff is friendly and helpful. The doctors were thorough and reassuring. Our Stanford doc is also a researcher and is expert at what's working, what's new, what's in the FDA-approval pipeline now, and what's going to be tomorrow. If you have to have cancer, then you want to have an expert watching your back.
The lymphoma specialists meet and discuss the patients they'll see that day and formulate a treatment plan (if the exam shows nothing unexpected). So since the RCVP didn't work on the type of NHL as hoped, they had a new recommendation for us--R-B. It's the abbreviation of the next kind of chemo---Rituxan and Bendamustine. It's supposed to be extremely effective and has very low side-effects. Sign us up! (Easy for me to say since I'm not the one having poison pumped into my system.)
We don't have to travel to Stanford for treatment since it can easily be administered here in Reno with our regular oncologist. But Stanford is available if we have any questions or concerns.
And the chemo starts next week. We'll be getting used to the new protocol. Every four weeks instead of three. Two successive days of chemo instead of one long day. The timing is good as the pain index is inching up a bit.
Let's hope the next CT (in two months) shows a vast improvement. If not, then Stanford has a Plan C up their lab-coat sleeve. It's nice to have backup for the backup but I'm hoping it's not needed.
The side benefits of our Stanford trip were getting a good visit with his family while we stayed in the Bay Area and getting to watch E play in a soccer tournament that just coincidentally happened to be in the area on the same weekend.
Not that we're blue about anything right now. Except for the intense blue of the summer sky. And can I just say that a summer (relatively) free of doctors or labs or appointments was extremely nice? Normal is good!
The clinic at Stanford was efficient, well-organized, pleasant, and reassuring. Their directions were great and we found it with plenty of time to spare. Check-in was a breeze. The staff is friendly and helpful. The doctors were thorough and reassuring. Our Stanford doc is also a researcher and is expert at what's working, what's new, what's in the FDA-approval pipeline now, and what's going to be tomorrow. If you have to have cancer, then you want to have an expert watching your back.
The lymphoma specialists meet and discuss the patients they'll see that day and formulate a treatment plan (if the exam shows nothing unexpected). So since the RCVP didn't work on the type of NHL as hoped, they had a new recommendation for us--R-B. It's the abbreviation of the next kind of chemo---Rituxan and Bendamustine. It's supposed to be extremely effective and has very low side-effects. Sign us up! (Easy for me to say since I'm not the one having poison pumped into my system.)
We don't have to travel to Stanford for treatment since it can easily be administered here in Reno with our regular oncologist. But Stanford is available if we have any questions or concerns.
And the chemo starts next week. We'll be getting used to the new protocol. Every four weeks instead of three. Two successive days of chemo instead of one long day. The timing is good as the pain index is inching up a bit.
Let's hope the next CT (in two months) shows a vast improvement. If not, then Stanford has a Plan C up their lab-coat sleeve. It's nice to have backup for the backup but I'm hoping it's not needed.
The side benefits of our Stanford trip were getting a good visit with his family while we stayed in the Bay Area and getting to watch E play in a soccer tournament that just coincidentally happened to be in the area on the same weekend.
Thursday, July 05, 2012
Westward Ho!
After finishing the last round of chemo back in May, it was time for another scan to see how much more the lymphoma had shrunk and then meet with his oncologist to talk over and plan a follow-up routine.
The scan showed a mass that might have been some dying tissue, as hoped, but also a solid mass that was probably still active lymphoma. Phooey.
It made the oncologist uneasy that it hadn't continued to respond to the chemo so it was time for a PET scan which would show us if the remaining mass was metabolically active aka cancer. That was in early June and on the no-news-is-good-news assumption we headed out to see that darling grandchild, but when we returned there were messages on our answering machine--we'd missed the doctor's call that it was active and he was arranging another biopsy.
Fortunately there was enough time before J's field work to get another CT-guided needle biopsy and receive the pathology report. Our doctor knew when J was leaving so he made sure he called the evening before with the news that the biopsy still confirmed a slow-growing lymphoma and showed no change to a more aggressive form. But he wanted to refer J to a specialist at either Stanford or UCSF. He felt since the indolent lymphoma wasn't responding to the treatment as it theoretically should have, that a specialist was the obvious next step.
Even though we knew beforehand that J still was having a bit of pain, that the mass was probably active, and were thinking that consulting a specialist was probably a smart thing to do...it is still a kick in the pants to hear your oncologist confirm all that and face a new unknown. It felt like starting all over again.
We didn't know whether it would be Stanford or SF. Or what doctor he'd see. Or when. Or what they'd find.
And added to that was a scheduled three weeks in the field and the uncertainty of when he'd need to come back. Fortunately, he's working for a very understanding group who would (continue) to work around J's medical appointments.
It was a relief to hear back quickly this week from Stanford and begin to make plans. Talking with a very knowledgeable and helpful contact person has yielded a scheduled appointment on August 9th with a specialist in follicular lymphoma. It's not a surprise that the initial appointment is a month away (been there done that) and as long as J continues to feel fine, I'm comfortable with the schedule. Stanford already has the records and is sending for his pathology slides. I'm confirming what has and hasn't been sent with our local oncologist so there are no surprises or slip up.
I'm relaying the info to J via email. It's too bad that his time zone is seven hours different, but what would we do without the computer to communicate?! I'm hoping that having some solid plans relieves his mind and allows him to concentrate on his field work.
July will be our first doctor-free month since October. August will see us starting another round of clinics and tests. Keep your fingers crossed!
The scan showed a mass that might have been some dying tissue, as hoped, but also a solid mass that was probably still active lymphoma. Phooey.
It made the oncologist uneasy that it hadn't continued to respond to the chemo so it was time for a PET scan which would show us if the remaining mass was metabolically active aka cancer. That was in early June and on the no-news-is-good-news assumption we headed out to see that darling grandchild, but when we returned there were messages on our answering machine--we'd missed the doctor's call that it was active and he was arranging another biopsy.
Fortunately there was enough time before J's field work to get another CT-guided needle biopsy and receive the pathology report. Our doctor knew when J was leaving so he made sure he called the evening before with the news that the biopsy still confirmed a slow-growing lymphoma and showed no change to a more aggressive form. But he wanted to refer J to a specialist at either Stanford or UCSF. He felt since the indolent lymphoma wasn't responding to the treatment as it theoretically should have, that a specialist was the obvious next step.
Even though we knew beforehand that J still was having a bit of pain, that the mass was probably active, and were thinking that consulting a specialist was probably a smart thing to do...it is still a kick in the pants to hear your oncologist confirm all that and face a new unknown. It felt like starting all over again.
We didn't know whether it would be Stanford or SF. Or what doctor he'd see. Or when. Or what they'd find.
And added to that was a scheduled three weeks in the field and the uncertainty of when he'd need to come back. Fortunately, he's working for a very understanding group who would (continue) to work around J's medical appointments.
It was a relief to hear back quickly this week from Stanford and begin to make plans. Talking with a very knowledgeable and helpful contact person has yielded a scheduled appointment on August 9th with a specialist in follicular lymphoma. It's not a surprise that the initial appointment is a month away (been there done that) and as long as J continues to feel fine, I'm comfortable with the schedule. Stanford already has the records and is sending for his pathology slides. I'm confirming what has and hasn't been sent with our local oncologist so there are no surprises or slip up.
I'm relaying the info to J via email. It's too bad that his time zone is seven hours different, but what would we do without the computer to communicate?! I'm hoping that having some solid plans relieves his mind and allows him to concentrate on his field work.
July will be our first doctor-free month since October. August will see us starting another round of clinics and tests. Keep your fingers crossed!
Monday, June 25, 2012
Baby Album
Photos from our trip to visit with the newest grand-daughter.
Her nursery.
Her nursery.
Hot pink everywhere!
Three generations.
Three generations.
She obviously gets her beautiful dark hair from Mom's side! We're wondering what color her eyes will be. I'm thinking brown, but some of her cousins have blue eyes so we'll see.
The best big sister in the whole wide world.
And an official teenager now.
Somebody's almost ready to smile.
Somebody's almost ready to smile.
I've only been away for two days and I already miss holding her.
Napping contentedly in Grandad's arms.
Napping contentedly in Grandad's arms.
Mom and Dad and Baby. And Wilson, the volleyball.
None of us ever tired of looking at her. Didn't matter whether she was awake or asleep.
Catching some shuteye on Dad's lap.
Catching some shuteye on Dad's lap.
Good thing that there's a webcam on order for her long-distance grandparents.
Monday, June 11, 2012
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