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.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Thursday, January 22, 2009
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.
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.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
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.
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.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
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.
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.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
OK I'm a Procrastinator
Some people seem to think that if I haven't posted anything recently something must be wrong. I suppose that's logical but most of these people should know what a procrastinator I am. It takes about 7 blogless days before I start to get comments. If my mother was reading them it would be another story. I started the blog to keep friends and family informed so we wouldn't have to keep repeating the same information. Its been 12 days now so I'm falling down on the job.
Christmas was great. Nathan, Tina and the gang came here from NC on Saturday 12/20. Tina and the kids divided their time between her folks and us. Nathan stayed with us most of the time and he was a Godsend. He handled the snow blowing and shoveling as well as helping Lois with housework. He also eliminated some items on my honey-do list like installing a new toilet.
Todd, Lily and the boys came Christmas morning and stayed until Sunday
. Matt, Nick and Will were here Saturday and Sunday and Mary was here most of the time with her siblings. They all pitched in and made it a wonderful holiday. (There was a period in early November when I thought I might not last till Christmas)
The picture shows 6 of our 8 grandchildren. Joe and Oscar (sleeping) are missing.
My breathing has been good (w/o oxygen) but I noticed that it was starting downhill again even after being drained. (180ml on 12/22 - 45ml/day, 130ml on 12/29 - 19ml/day. The fluid is now clearer and orange in color)
My blood tests (12/23 & 12/30) are still in good shape.
Yesterday (12/30) we got the results of the CT scan and it showed that the tumors have been reduced in size indicating that the chemo is working. The scan also showed a white substance on my lungs (right and left) that was not related to the cancer. I could be from an infection like bronchitis or pneumonia although I'm not running a fever. This might be the cause of my breathing loss. To play safe I was started on an antibiotic ( Levaquin 500mg for bacterial infections).
I had my 3rd of 6 chemo treatments yesterday and Avastin (the tumor specific drug) was added to the group. It took 7 hours to administer the 3 drugs.
HAPPY NEW YEAR.
Christmas was great. Nathan, Tina and the gang came here from NC on Saturday 12/20. Tina and the kids divided their time between her folks and us. Nathan stayed with us most of the time and he was a Godsend. He handled the snow blowing and shoveling as well as helping Lois with housework. He also eliminated some items on my honey-do list like installing a new toilet.
Todd, Lily and the boys came Christmas morning and stayed until Sunday
. Matt, Nick and Will were here Saturday and Sunday and Mary was here most of the time with her siblings. They all pitched in and made it a wonderful holiday. (There was a period in early November when I thought I might not last till Christmas)The picture shows 6 of our 8 grandchildren. Joe and Oscar (sleeping) are missing.
My breathing has been good (w/o oxygen) but I noticed that it was starting downhill again even after being drained. (180ml on 12/22 - 45ml/day, 130ml on 12/29 - 19ml/day. The fluid is now clearer and orange in color)
My blood tests (12/23 & 12/30) are still in good shape.
Yesterday (12/30) we got the results of the CT scan and it showed that the tumors have been reduced in size indicating that the chemo is working. The scan also showed a white substance on my lungs (right and left) that was not related to the cancer. I could be from an infection like bronchitis or pneumonia although I'm not running a fever. This might be the cause of my breathing loss. To play safe I was started on an antibiotic ( Levaquin 500mg for bacterial infections).
I had my 3rd of 6 chemo treatments yesterday and Avastin (the tumor specific drug) was added to the group. It took 7 hours to administer the 3 drugs.
HAPPY NEW YEAR.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Catch Up 3
I'm really starting to slip (blog wise) now. I haven't posted anything recently because things are becoming pretty routine and seem hardly worth writing about. I can't believe I haven't posted anything since last Saturday. Now I'm to the point where I can't remember what happened earlier this week.
Saturday 12/13
We drained 230ml. That's 3 days worth or 77ml/day.
Tuesday 12/16
Went to the clinic for my weekly blood test and everything looked good.
We started on our way to Chicago to have dinner with Lois's siblings for her birthday. It was cancelled at the last minute because of the snow storm (about 4").
Thursday 12/18
After 4 1/2 days we drained another 230ml (51ml/day).
Went to a follow-up appointment with Dr. Haasler, the surgeon who installed the drainage catheter. He was very pleased with my progress. He showed us my latest chest x-ray compared to one taken the day the drain tube was installed. My right lung was then restricted to about 30% of the capacity shown in the new x-ray.
I don't have to see Dr. Hassler again until the flow stops and the catheter is ready come out.
This morning we had another snowstorm (12") and I had an appointment for a CT Scan at 8:30 AM. I ended up getting the car stuck at the end of the driveway. Lois and the kid next door shoveled it out. We did make it to the hospital on time.
Things have really been great:
My breathing is very good (without oxygen) and hasn't been this good since, at least mid-september.
My hair has stopped falling out and I still have a thin layer left.
I've been able to tolerate the chemo very well without most of the usual side effects.
The pain meds are doing their job.
I keep thinking that this might be like a car, or computer, that runs great right before it fails.
Saturday 12/13
We drained 230ml. That's 3 days worth or 77ml/day.
Tuesday 12/16
Went to the clinic for my weekly blood test and everything looked good.
We started on our way to Chicago to have dinner with Lois's siblings for her birthday. It was cancelled at the last minute because of the snow storm (about 4").
Thursday 12/18
After 4 1/2 days we drained another 230ml (51ml/day).
Went to a follow-up appointment with Dr. Haasler, the surgeon who installed the drainage catheter. He was very pleased with my progress. He showed us my latest chest x-ray compared to one taken the day the drain tube was installed. My right lung was then restricted to about 30% of the capacity shown in the new x-ray.
I don't have to see Dr. Hassler again until the flow stops and the catheter is ready come out.
This morning we had another snowstorm (12") and I had an appointment for a CT Scan at 8:30 AM. I ended up getting the car stuck at the end of the driveway. Lois and the kid next door shoveled it out. We did make it to the hospital on time.
Things have really been great:
My breathing is very good (without oxygen) and hasn't been this good since, at least mid-september.
My hair has stopped falling out and I still have a thin layer left.
I've been able to tolerate the chemo very well without most of the usual side effects.
The pain meds are doing their job.
I keep thinking that this might be like a car, or computer, that runs great right before it fails.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Catch Up 2
Wednesday 12/10
Went to the clinic for another Neulasta 6 shot to build up my white blood cells. We also did another drainage procedure and only withdrew 120ml again and this was over a 2 day period. It looks like the fluid production has almost stopped (and I just ordered, and received, 10 more drainage kits.). We'll try the procedure again in 3 days (Saturday 12/13).
Thursday 12/11
Some of the chemo side effects have kicked in - tired, achy, chills etc. I spent most of the day napping.
Friday 12/12
In better shape but some of the side effects still hanging on. Todd, Lily and the boys are here. They are going to prepare a meal, on Saturday, for Lois's birthday (12/16). Gnocchi with gorganzola cream sauce and a lamb roast will be on the menu. I can't wait. We went to dinner at the local diner and I handled it well but would have been more comfortable staying home.
Saturday 12/13
In much better shape today. Its been a week now and still haven't used oxygen and have had no breathing problems.
Went to the clinic for another Neulasta 6 shot to build up my white blood cells. We also did another drainage procedure and only withdrew 120ml again and this was over a 2 day period. It looks like the fluid production has almost stopped (and I just ordered, and received, 10 more drainage kits.). We'll try the procedure again in 3 days (Saturday 12/13).
Thursday 12/11
Some of the chemo side effects have kicked in - tired, achy, chills etc. I spent most of the day napping.
Friday 12/12
In better shape but some of the side effects still hanging on. Todd, Lily and the boys are here. They are going to prepare a meal, on Saturday, for Lois's birthday (12/16). Gnocchi with gorganzola cream sauce and a lamb roast will be on the menu. I can't wait. We went to dinner at the local diner and I handled it well but would have been more comfortable staying home.
Saturday 12/13
In much better shape today. Its been a week now and still haven't used oxygen and have had no breathing problems.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)