Thanksgiving is typically a time for people to sit back and think about all the things they are thankful for. This year I am thankful for all the doctors and nurses currently taking care of me. I am thankful for the life I can continue to live each day, I am also thankful for the many people that help and care for me in many ways. You all know who you are and what you do.
Thursday would have been a chemo day but since the center was closed I needed to choose the Day before or the day after. Naturally I chose to get treatment the day after Thanksgiving. This meant Yesterday was the first day I've had Chemo Treatment in 4 weeks. I was thankful for the break (even if it was due to low counts) which enabled me to do much needed work done on my master bathroom.
2 weeks ago I met with my Oncologist to go over the MRI results and talk about quality of life. He talked about what to do to reduce the Nausea I had the 2 previous treatments. His suggestion was to reduce the amount of the Irinotecan. So this treatment the amount was reduced from 360 to 270. I felt better immediately after and felt better on the way home. I even felt hungry when I got home. I was optimistic the nausea would be much less and managed with food. However at 9:45 p.m. the feeling of nausea was back and back every hour for the next 4 hours. I don't know what else they can do with the mix to change this feeling but I'm game to try things. The other thing my doc prescribed was a steroid for days 2-4 of chemo. My problem is usually the worst is over day 1.
My next treatment day will be two weeks from this past Thursday which will be Dec 12. I will see then what they are able to do with the nausea.
I got a call from U of M last week and wasn't able to answer it. They left a message wanting to talk about next steps. I need to call them back Monday or they will call me again next week. It will be interesting to see what they have to say about what they feel the next steps should be.
So for now we wait.
--Kent
Saturday, November 30, 2013
Thursday, November 14, 2013
Support
Today is Thursday... Thursday in our house has many different meanings. It means one day til we have some days of out of the normal routine, every other week it means chemo weeks and on the opposite Thursdays we attend Gilda's Support Group. A cancer Support for all three of us to attend that my Dad introduced us to.
Today was going to be a Chemo day for Kent along with a Dr. appointment to review what an MRI showed of Kent's Pelvis and Abdomen. We saw the Dr. and he shared with us Good News! When Kent had the ablation back in Oct along with the chemo he is receiving lately the results show there is NO active cancer in him at this point. This DOES NOT mean that has become cancer free, it just means that the cancer in Kent's body is showing no growth and there is no new growth. What this does this mean now, you may wonder... well he will continue chemo for 4 more months. We do this to continue on the hopes that we keep him inactive. You see there are still cysts that at this time could become active and to assure that it doesn't happen we need to keep up on this regimen. Today he could not receive chemo due to his Neutrophil level being very low. See if he would of had active cancer they would of gave him the chemo with the level he had. He doesn't have an urgency to have the chemo so why give it to him and make him ill. We will wait a week when he is more "healthy and continue what the Dr. has planned which is in about three months we will do another scan to keep up with how Kent's body is responding to chemo. Then if we are still in the all clear we may begin a maintenance routine which will only include a pump hook up and home routine, no sitting in the "Chemo Chair", for four hours then pump. We will take each step as it comes.
Tonight, Lydia was at a party of a classmate and then went to a friends house. Tonight Kent and I went to Gilda's. Tonight we both received a round of applause as we announced to our support groups (individual) that Kent's Cancer was inactive. As Kent and I were sitting telling our story of celebration we had those in our group that had good news also but those to who have had hardship and grief in there cancer journey. Kent and I really have been supported though this organization but at the same time feel that we have been put in our groups to encourage those around us. Tonight I pray for those in our Gilda's family as some weep over the end of their journey and some rejoice as God has given them another year in life.
So you may ask how Kent Celebrated his day, well.... He tore apart our "master bath." Yup. He said, he was going to take the back splash off which led to a series of things like... taking the mirror off, sanding the walls, taking the counter off and mudding any holes in the room oh which led to A LOT more. Only Kent would do that. But it is back to work for this boy tomorrow. I think I may call his bosses to tell them I know he isn't afraid to get to work:)
There are so many places of Support. Support groups for many things that are happening in and around our Community. It may not be cancer it may be ?? you fill it in, but don't be afraid of the care that is out there for you. people may need to hear your story, people may touch your heart somehow. Love and care for those around you, you may be blessed in so many ways. I have.
-- Leah
Today was going to be a Chemo day for Kent along with a Dr. appointment to review what an MRI showed of Kent's Pelvis and Abdomen. We saw the Dr. and he shared with us Good News! When Kent had the ablation back in Oct along with the chemo he is receiving lately the results show there is NO active cancer in him at this point. This DOES NOT mean that has become cancer free, it just means that the cancer in Kent's body is showing no growth and there is no new growth. What this does this mean now, you may wonder... well he will continue chemo for 4 more months. We do this to continue on the hopes that we keep him inactive. You see there are still cysts that at this time could become active and to assure that it doesn't happen we need to keep up on this regimen. Today he could not receive chemo due to his Neutrophil level being very low. See if he would of had active cancer they would of gave him the chemo with the level he had. He doesn't have an urgency to have the chemo so why give it to him and make him ill. We will wait a week when he is more "healthy and continue what the Dr. has planned which is in about three months we will do another scan to keep up with how Kent's body is responding to chemo. Then if we are still in the all clear we may begin a maintenance routine which will only include a pump hook up and home routine, no sitting in the "Chemo Chair", for four hours then pump. We will take each step as it comes.
Tonight, Lydia was at a party of a classmate and then went to a friends house. Tonight Kent and I went to Gilda's. Tonight we both received a round of applause as we announced to our support groups (individual) that Kent's Cancer was inactive. As Kent and I were sitting telling our story of celebration we had those in our group that had good news also but those to who have had hardship and grief in there cancer journey. Kent and I really have been supported though this organization but at the same time feel that we have been put in our groups to encourage those around us. Tonight I pray for those in our Gilda's family as some weep over the end of their journey and some rejoice as God has given them another year in life.
So you may ask how Kent Celebrated his day, well.... He tore apart our "master bath." Yup. He said, he was going to take the back splash off which led to a series of things like... taking the mirror off, sanding the walls, taking the counter off and mudding any holes in the room oh which led to A LOT more. Only Kent would do that. But it is back to work for this boy tomorrow. I think I may call his bosses to tell them I know he isn't afraid to get to work:)
There are so many places of Support. Support groups for many things that are happening in and around our Community. It may not be cancer it may be ?? you fill it in, but don't be afraid of the care that is out there for you. people may need to hear your story, people may touch your heart somehow. Love and care for those around you, you may be blessed in so many ways. I have.
-- Leah
Sunday, November 3, 2013
Gift Giving!
Kent, Lydia and myself have always kept quite busy on weekends. Every other week on and off for about 2 years now we have been slowed down due to Chemo. You can often find us on non chemo weeks going from earlier morning to late evening doing this that and everything in between. We have never been ones to just sit. Lydia loves when we have many things to do together as a family.
This week WAS a chemo week and one of those do nothing weekends. Lydia was simply bored.
Kent had Chemo on Thursday (Halloween) and was very sick that evening. Often during chemo you can find Kent laying completely flat. Despite him feeling ill, I still took Lydia for our annual night at my moms with a soup dinner and Trick or Treating. The night just wasn't the same as my Dad loved this holiday and wasn't there and Kent was home not feeling well all night. I worried how Kent was holding up by himself. Lydia stayed with my mom that evening as she doesn't do well with Kent being ill. I returned later that evening to find Kent NOT doing well at all. Well, what do I do? It is a guessing game. I was out of ideas. I was very nervous myself. I grabbed the phone and called after hours. They returned my call within a half hour. I explained that Kent simply was not holding food down and just was miserable. They explained that I needed to give him two of his Meds. at the same time and then continuing him laying flat. You need to know that they don't like you to give these meds very quickly because too soon after the chemo they administer because it could mess up the regimen. After a couple of hours he was zonked out,( a symptom of both Meds.) the whole night! He did Not wake or become sick at any point that night, for that I was very happy.
This weekend, Saturday into Sunday Kent was doing better. He is holding food down and moving ever so gingerly wherever he went. His appetite was very little but he was gaining that back ever so slowly. He eats little and often. He found himself eating every hour or two, so do I, which is good for him and not for me!
Tonight, I sat next to him and he was definitely doing better but you can tell he isn't a hundred percent yet. He often complained about his stomach being off and needing some relief. I feel helpless. I feel like I am not doing what needs to be done.
Today, I was wondering if he would make it to church. We often have the Saturday evening discussion on Chemo weeks if he feels like going in the morning and he will tell me that he will face that in the morning. I sometimes am amazed he wants to go, but Kent loves his church family and needs his few hugs that he always receives every Sunday morning without fail! ( Those of you know who you are ) :) It is the best way we start our week.
This week will bring a Doc appointment. Kent will have an MRI of the abdomen and the pelvis to see the results of the RFA procedure back in Oct. We will not find out anything information wise until the 14th of November when Kent has an oncologist appt. and Scheduled chemo on that day. We are praying for the best results.
Kent and I were calculating a few things out today and Kent told me that He will be done with Chemo around Christmas if all goes as we had it planned out. We will be talking to our Dr. about how to avoid the Holidays as Kent is suppose to receive Chemo on Thanksgiving and a day after Christmas.
As I end this I have been reminded of how much life is a gift. A gift that has to be shared. Today in Kid zone the kids and I talked about talents that we have are to be given away not be just received. Today, I was given a gift by a few people. In slowing down every other weekend because of Kent I have been shown to that I need to stop and care for those around me. Not being so focused on me. Caring for others, has been taught to me by two loving parents. One who still shows me that and one who I will always remember how he showed me. Another person today showed me that I was meant to teach the young people in church and that they saw my dad in me. I promised my dad before he passed that I will teach his grand kids and the kids of Sunrise more about living for Jesus!
So Living for Jesus is what Kent, Lydia and myself will do. We each have gifts to be given away. So do you. What do you have going on next weekend? It's a non Chemo week here at this household but maybe I (we) just need to slow down and give someone a gift. Will you give one along with me?
Leah
This week WAS a chemo week and one of those do nothing weekends. Lydia was simply bored.
Kent had Chemo on Thursday (Halloween) and was very sick that evening. Often during chemo you can find Kent laying completely flat. Despite him feeling ill, I still took Lydia for our annual night at my moms with a soup dinner and Trick or Treating. The night just wasn't the same as my Dad loved this holiday and wasn't there and Kent was home not feeling well all night. I worried how Kent was holding up by himself. Lydia stayed with my mom that evening as she doesn't do well with Kent being ill. I returned later that evening to find Kent NOT doing well at all. Well, what do I do? It is a guessing game. I was out of ideas. I was very nervous myself. I grabbed the phone and called after hours. They returned my call within a half hour. I explained that Kent simply was not holding food down and just was miserable. They explained that I needed to give him two of his Meds. at the same time and then continuing him laying flat. You need to know that they don't like you to give these meds very quickly because too soon after the chemo they administer because it could mess up the regimen. After a couple of hours he was zonked out,( a symptom of both Meds.) the whole night! He did Not wake or become sick at any point that night, for that I was very happy.
This weekend, Saturday into Sunday Kent was doing better. He is holding food down and moving ever so gingerly wherever he went. His appetite was very little but he was gaining that back ever so slowly. He eats little and often. He found himself eating every hour or two, so do I, which is good for him and not for me!
Tonight, I sat next to him and he was definitely doing better but you can tell he isn't a hundred percent yet. He often complained about his stomach being off and needing some relief. I feel helpless. I feel like I am not doing what needs to be done.
Today, I was wondering if he would make it to church. We often have the Saturday evening discussion on Chemo weeks if he feels like going in the morning and he will tell me that he will face that in the morning. I sometimes am amazed he wants to go, but Kent loves his church family and needs his few hugs that he always receives every Sunday morning without fail! ( Those of you know who you are ) :) It is the best way we start our week.
This week will bring a Doc appointment. Kent will have an MRI of the abdomen and the pelvis to see the results of the RFA procedure back in Oct. We will not find out anything information wise until the 14th of November when Kent has an oncologist appt. and Scheduled chemo on that day. We are praying for the best results.
Kent and I were calculating a few things out today and Kent told me that He will be done with Chemo around Christmas if all goes as we had it planned out. We will be talking to our Dr. about how to avoid the Holidays as Kent is suppose to receive Chemo on Thanksgiving and a day after Christmas.
As I end this I have been reminded of how much life is a gift. A gift that has to be shared. Today in Kid zone the kids and I talked about talents that we have are to be given away not be just received. Today, I was given a gift by a few people. In slowing down every other weekend because of Kent I have been shown to that I need to stop and care for those around me. Not being so focused on me. Caring for others, has been taught to me by two loving parents. One who still shows me that and one who I will always remember how he showed me. Another person today showed me that I was meant to teach the young people in church and that they saw my dad in me. I promised my dad before he passed that I will teach his grand kids and the kids of Sunrise more about living for Jesus!
So Living for Jesus is what Kent, Lydia and myself will do. We each have gifts to be given away. So do you. What do you have going on next weekend? It's a non Chemo week here at this household but maybe I (we) just need to slow down and give someone a gift. Will you give one along with me?
Leah
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