Again. I am so resistant to updating. I figure if I don't post an update, then we are all cancer free. [does that work?]
I will start from last week's doctor appointment with Rob's palliative care doc (Jane McPherson)...
3/16/2011 ~ Doctor Visit
Rob gained two pounds. His oxygen and everything else is normal. Blood levels are a little low, but within chemo parameters. Wahoo! His pain levels are much better (thanks to the doc's tweaking of his meds).
We talked to her about how much better he is breathing and how he seems to be coughing less than before. We wondered whether there was a connection between the chemo and his feeling better.
Jane told us that tumors trap infection and this constricts the airway. Chemo often times helps shrink the tumors which in turn reduces the inflammation and makes the oxygen work better in the lungs. (Phew!) Does this make sense?
Rob is still feeling a bit of pain from the chemo site from six weeks ago. Apparently, the chemo is a poison (really?) and it is causing some irritation in his veins. We talked about a PICT line and a PORT, but decided that to help combat this pain and to make it so it is better in the future, his nurses will dilute the chemo solution a bit more and he will need to apply moist heat on the site. It is less invasive this way and where we don't know how much more chemo he will be having, it doesn't make sense to hook him up and make him a Borg at this stage.
One thing we did - that everyone should think about doing - is we filled out a form called a "Pulse Form." This is a document that one carries with them at all times (glove box, wallet, at home, etc.). It tells any emergency worker/caregiver/hospital/etc. what one's wishes are in the event of a car crash, etc. It was a fantastic conversation to have with Rob and Jane. There were interesting questions: some that I wouldn't have thought to ask.
3/24/2011 ~ Chemo Day
Rob lost two pounds. (Are we seeing some sort of trend yet?) Blood levels were OK enough to get the chemo.
Chemo went well. It was long. The last few days have been good. Fatigue. Nausea. Hiccups. Nothing new.
xoxox
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Friday, March 4, 2011
Round Three
I checked out for a little while. I think that I needed a non-cancer break. Forgive my lack-of-information...
It is interesting: the last few weeks have actually been good. Rob has been able to go to work for a few hours each day. He is completely exhausted when he gets back home, but he feels more like a human being than he has in a long while.
Yesterday was chemo day. It is funny how that works. One starts to feel a bit better and then it is chemo time again and it knocks one down on one's rear. We started the chemo prior to the appointment with the doctor as he was running two hours behind. (Thank goodness we had the chemo set up, right?) He is never that late - a fluke.
At any rate, it was a good appointment day. We talked with his doctor about what is next. We decided since Rob looks so much better than he did in December/January that the chemo must be doing something. He isn't coughing like he was, he is on oxygen only whilst sleeping, and his pain is being managed much better (thanks to Dr. Macpherson).
We have opted for one more round of chemotherapy and then we will have the scan a little over a week after that. Originally, we only agreed to three rounds of chemo. However, as far as we can tell (without a scan), it seems to be helping a bit, so it seemed prudent to get one more round in. Additionally, all of his scans have been three months apart. They also have generally shown an increase of 60%. If we were to get a scan after two months, it would be difficult to compare with older scans. Based on his clinical improvement (and the scan results), he can continue for one or two more rounds of his current drugs. If he shows response (meaning: growing as fast as it has) after that the additional rounds of chemo, then we would get rid of the carboplatin drug and keep on the alimpta drug as a type of maintenance.
Next chemotherapy: three weeks
Next scan: first week of April
Again, we are so grateful for the love and support we have received from so many countless people.
It is interesting: the last few weeks have actually been good. Rob has been able to go to work for a few hours each day. He is completely exhausted when he gets back home, but he feels more like a human being than he has in a long while.
Yesterday was chemo day. It is funny how that works. One starts to feel a bit better and then it is chemo time again and it knocks one down on one's rear. We started the chemo prior to the appointment with the doctor as he was running two hours behind. (Thank goodness we had the chemo set up, right?) He is never that late - a fluke.
At any rate, it was a good appointment day. We talked with his doctor about what is next. We decided since Rob looks so much better than he did in December/January that the chemo must be doing something. He isn't coughing like he was, he is on oxygen only whilst sleeping, and his pain is being managed much better (thanks to Dr. Macpherson).
We have opted for one more round of chemotherapy and then we will have the scan a little over a week after that. Originally, we only agreed to three rounds of chemo. However, as far as we can tell (without a scan), it seems to be helping a bit, so it seemed prudent to get one more round in. Additionally, all of his scans have been three months apart. They also have generally shown an increase of 60%. If we were to get a scan after two months, it would be difficult to compare with older scans. Based on his clinical improvement (and the scan results), he can continue for one or two more rounds of his current drugs. If he shows response (meaning: growing as fast as it has) after that the additional rounds of chemo, then we would get rid of the carboplatin drug and keep on the alimpta drug as a type of maintenance.
Next chemotherapy: three weeks
Next scan: first week of April
Again, we are so grateful for the love and support we have received from so many countless people.
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