Weak Week

Last week was a rough one. I was tired and depressed and always cold. It seems like each treatment knocks me down a little further and it takes longer to bounce back. Today I feel fine. Its as though the symptoms were just switched off last night.

Yesterdays blood tests showed some of the results, including red blood cell count and platelet count, to be at the lowest point since this started. I guess I'll have to be careful shaving again.

Drain Gone

Had my drain tube removed last Thursday. On Tuesday (2/3) Dr. Haider suggested that it should be removed since the fluid had stopped and to avoid infection. On Wednesday the hospital called and we set up an appointment for Thursday. It only took a few minutes to pull it out.

Went to Madison again last weekend. Sunday was our 45th anniversary and we celebrated with dinner at Todd's.

I had my 5th chemo treatment on Tuesday and met with Dr. Haider beforehand. I asked what I should expect after my 6th and last treatment. He said it would be based on conditions after that treatment. It could be radiation, or a maintenance treatment. The cancer cannot be completely removed and if nothing was done after the last treatment I would have about 2 months. I guess we won't be able to make vacation plans until we know more.

Results

Met with Dr. Haider yesterday and we went over the results of the latest test. Good news. The CT scan showed that the tumors are still shrinking. The bone scan and brain MRI were still clear. The doctor said that the 1st four chemo cycles account for 90% of the results. The last 2 cycles will only produce another 10%. He pointed that out as something to consider with regard to joining the clinical trial.

We also met with the Clinical Trial Coordinator who went over all of the items in the 19 page "Informed Consent Authorization" form. I've decided to stick with the current plan and not join the study.

My blood tests results showed my platelet count (137) to be back in the normal range.

Latest

Had a CT scan and brain MRI today. The MRI was 40 minutes of having my head clamped in a box listening to very loud machine generated sound frequencies. It seemed like it lasted forever. These tests along with the bone scan from last Friday should indicate the cancer's progress or lack (hopefully) thereof . I won't find out until next Tuesday (2/3)

Lois planned on treating me to lunch at the local diner after my tests and we ran into our former neighbors ("exdoor neighbors"), Wayne and Carole, who happen to be in town visiting their kids. Wayne treated so Lois still owes me one.

That's 2 days in a row of eating out. We had lunch with my cousins and siblings yesterday - the weather finally allowed it . It was a small group (9) and we had a good time together.

Tuesday's blood test results showed that my blood platelet count (94) has dropped out of the normal range (130 to 400). It was 177 on the previous Tuesday. They told me to be careful shaving. I guess if it gets too low (don't know what level yet) I get a transfusion.

Decision Time

We did make it to Madison last weekend and it was good to get away and go someplace other than the doctor's or a hospital. We spent 2 nights at Karen and Karl's and 1 at Todd's. Turns out that Matt and his family were also spending the weekend in Madison with Jenny's folks so we were able to see them too.

I had my 4th chemo treatment on Tuesday and it went well without much in the way of side effects. My blood tests also were good. Dr Haider asked if I might be interested in another clinical trial. Its for a drug, Sutent (Sunitinib), that has had pretty good success treating kidney cancer. I qualify for it now because I have completed 4 chemo treatments. It is an oral drug and if I joined the trial it would mean stopping the chemo now. Its a double blind study and half of the participants would receive a placebo. The doctor said that he would remove me from the trial if there was any sign of tumor growth. The idea of just taking a pill is appealing. I have a few weeks to decide and during that time I'll be getting a bone scan, CT scan and MRI. They should indicate my current progress, if any.

This morning we did pleural drainage thing and got less than 20ml. Its been 2 weeks since the last one (1/8, 80ml/10days) so we're down to about 1 ml/day. I guess its time to quit.

Brrr.

Our monthly lunch with the cousins was called off today because of the weather. The wind chill right now is -9F and its snowing. I thought it wasn't supposed to snow when the temperature is this low. The snow should be ending within the hour leaving us an accumulation of about 3". Lois is planning on blowing it wearing my Carhart coveralls and a ski mask. She says she enjoys it. (?).

We never made it to Madison last weekend because of the snow - total over 12". We might try again this coming weekend. We were invited to an inauguration party up there but its the same day as my chemo treatment. ( I'd rather party in Madison).

Yesterday's blood test had good results. I feel good but not quite good enough to blow snow.

Yesterday we also had breakfast with the Sharps, our neighbors, who are leaving for Florida as soon as the weather clears. They along with other friends have invited us to Florida for a visit.
If I'm still in good shape when my chemo ends (in March) we might just try it.

Latest

Spent New Year's Eve and day with Karen & Karl and their dog Hank. It was a very low key affair and I think Karen was the only one that last until midnight. I faded at about 9:30. Even though I was still feeling the side effects of the chemo I enjoyed the food and the company.

I had my weekly blood test yesterday (1/6) and everything still looks good.

Tomorrow I will take the last of the antibiotic tablets. I'm not sure if they've done any good. I still have cold like symptoms. My voice is almost down to a whisper. I sound like a gangster from a 1940's film.

We're planning a trip to Madison this weekend. The last time we were there (11/9) I ended up in the emergency room because I couldn't breathe. Hope this weekend works out a little better.