Tonight, Brian and I are going to attempt another cancer support group. This will be a first for Brian, and I haven't been to one since my first bad experience. So why are we trying this? Well, in the first place, this one is through the Vince Lombardi Cancer Clinic (VLCC) so it's my "home turf" and I think that may make a difference. Also, with Brian by my side it might be a little easier to have him there to lean on if the need arises.
I'm kind of looking forward to this. VLCC hasn't had a support group, that I know of, for a little while...this is a re-start for them. So tonight will be more of a "planning session" where we can give some input as to what our needs are and what we might like to see happen. And it's quite possible that I will recognize some of the other attendees.
Mood-wise, I'm feeling pretty good these days. My energy is slowly rebounding and my naps have been cut back to only about 20 minutes per day. Sitting at Brian's softball game last night left me achy because of the cold wind, so I feel a bit of that today. But not too bad. I have some other pains that don't seem to want to go away without the aid of some Ibuprofin, but I suppose that's to be expected.
The very best news that I have to report is that my brother, Dave, is D-O-N-E with his chemo, as of yesterday!! What a huge relief for him and his wife, Kate. He will still have three weeks of radiation yet, but I think that will be a cake-walk for him, compared to what he's been through with the chemo. I am just so thrilled for him because I know what it feels like to walk out of the clinic after that last treatment.
Looks like we have a fun and busy weekend lined up for ourselves. We're going to travel a bit, relax at home a bit, and watch Dominic march in the parade on Monday. Let the holiday weekend begin!!
Safe travels to those of you who are traveling; happy times with family and/or friends; healthy relaxation to all!
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Friday, May 19, 2006
I'm Feeling Better Today...
...until someone asks me if I'm feeling better today. Then I feel all weepy again! It's so strange. But as the day progresses, my mood is improving more and more.
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Big K
I saw Dr. Kumar yesterday. First time in over two months. Now that I'm done with the radiation I kind of flip back to the other side of the clinic and see the folks over there instead.
Dr K told me that he was a little concerned when he saw that my tumor marker number had gone so high. But he was relieved to see the drop this past month. And he says he feels like we will see another drop this month. I hope he's right! June 7th is my next Zometa infusion, so I will have my next tumor marker results by then. If the number actually does go down again we may hold off on the Xeloda for "a while." Because of my age he doesn't want to exhaust all treatment options too soon. So the longer we can hold off with these chemo pills, and still see things changing in a positive direction, the better off I'll be.
I like Dr K's approach to the Xeloda. He prefers to start with lower doses and steadily increase how much I'm taking until we find my threshold for when the worst of the side effects kick in. Then we know what dosage is best for me. This sounds more comfortable and easier to monitor---rather than going through all the potential nasty side effects.
Because I don't have any new symptoms, and the ones I do have are consistent with the cancer and the radiation I've received, Dr K is confident that the cancer is still bone-only. Honestly, I don't know that it had occurred to me that it might NOT still be bone-only. I just thought that those increased numbers signaled more activity in the bones...which they did, but it still made me pause.
Is that why I've had such a bad day today? Even though my appointment went well, I think it still brought some things to the surface. The radiation has beat up my bone marrow pretty good, which is why I have no energy. That should improve over the next couple of weeks. I'm sure that being a lump on the couch all these weeks hasn't helped my mood either. So it was a bad mental health day for me. But Dominic is home, and Brian will be here soon, and I hope to shake this cloud and move into a nice evening and a happy weekend.
That's the latest update from here. I'll be better tomorrow...
Let the sun shine!!
Dr K told me that he was a little concerned when he saw that my tumor marker number had gone so high. But he was relieved to see the drop this past month. And he says he feels like we will see another drop this month. I hope he's right! June 7th is my next Zometa infusion, so I will have my next tumor marker results by then. If the number actually does go down again we may hold off on the Xeloda for "a while." Because of my age he doesn't want to exhaust all treatment options too soon. So the longer we can hold off with these chemo pills, and still see things changing in a positive direction, the better off I'll be.
I like Dr K's approach to the Xeloda. He prefers to start with lower doses and steadily increase how much I'm taking until we find my threshold for when the worst of the side effects kick in. Then we know what dosage is best for me. This sounds more comfortable and easier to monitor---rather than going through all the potential nasty side effects.
Because I don't have any new symptoms, and the ones I do have are consistent with the cancer and the radiation I've received, Dr K is confident that the cancer is still bone-only. Honestly, I don't know that it had occurred to me that it might NOT still be bone-only. I just thought that those increased numbers signaled more activity in the bones...which they did, but it still made me pause.
Is that why I've had such a bad day today? Even though my appointment went well, I think it still brought some things to the surface. The radiation has beat up my bone marrow pretty good, which is why I have no energy. That should improve over the next couple of weeks. I'm sure that being a lump on the couch all these weeks hasn't helped my mood either. So it was a bad mental health day for me. But Dominic is home, and Brian will be here soon, and I hope to shake this cloud and move into a nice evening and a happy weekend.
That's the latest update from here. I'll be better tomorrow...
Let the sun shine!!
Friday, May 12, 2006
Heinz 57
57 is the change in my tumor marker number for the past month. 57 is a relatively small number compared to the leaps and bounds that thing has been taking the past several months. So 57 is a good number, right?!
Actually...57 is an AWESOME number, because my number DROPPED 57 points!!! Can you believe it?!! And if you really start messing with the numbers then we've gained probably 357 points in the battle...because not only did it not go up another 300 points, but it dropped 57, for a net gain of 357. (ok, I'm stretching it a bit here...but work with me!)
The weather is still cold, and rainy, and super windy, and all-around crappy today---but I just don't care! Last day of radiation, my number is down a bit...It's a BEAUTIFUL day in my neighborhood!
Happy Friday All!
Actually...57 is an AWESOME number, because my number DROPPED 57 points!!! Can you believe it?!! And if you really start messing with the numbers then we've gained probably 357 points in the battle...because not only did it not go up another 300 points, but it dropped 57, for a net gain of 357. (ok, I'm stretching it a bit here...but work with me!)
The weather is still cold, and rainy, and super windy, and all-around crappy today---but I just don't care! Last day of radiation, my number is down a bit...It's a BEAUTIFUL day in my neighborhood!
Happy Friday All!
Thursday, May 11, 2006
38 Down...
...2 to Go!
It is a cold, wet, windy, miserable day here today. And yet, I feel pretty darn good! I had my bone strengthener yesterday which often leaves me with a little extra pain in my joints. The cold, wet weather usually has the same effect, but my discomfort is minimal today. Yes, I still feel it, but compared to how I was feeling for a couple of weeks there, this is nothing!
I will finish up my radiation tomorrow. I told the techs yesterday I won't know what to do with myself. I've seen them every weekday since March 23rd. That's seven weeks! Dare I say, we're friends now, not just patient/caregiver. We have a lot of laughs in there. I will miss that...but NOT the radiation.
Depending on yesterday's lab results, we'll start the Xeloda either next week or the week after. The numbers they're looking at are just barely in the normal range and they don't want to start the chemo pills until my blood has had a chance to rebound a little bit. I don't know if they tested my tumor marker or not. If they did, I'll post the number here later today or tomorrow. (Again, that's more for my reference than for yours.)
My energy level is still pretty low, but 38 radiation treatments will do that to a person. At least my mood is high! A new, odd pain that I had earlier this week has all but gone away on its own. I'm thankful for that. My first thought was "appendix" and I really don't need to deal with something like that now too!
My brother, Dave, has had a very rough week and wasn't able to get his final chemo yesterday. It's delayed until a complication with his lungs is cleared up. I think he's breathing a little better each day though. I told him I could completely relate to what he's going through. I remember sobbing in the chemo chair back in 2001 when they delayed my final chemo. You get to a point where enough is enough and they've teased you with this final date...and then they burst your bubble. Be tough, Dave! Your "normal" will return!!
Happy Mother's Day to all of the wonderful Mothers out there; especially, my own dear Mom!!! I hope the sun decides to shine on Sunday!
It is a cold, wet, windy, miserable day here today. And yet, I feel pretty darn good! I had my bone strengthener yesterday which often leaves me with a little extra pain in my joints. The cold, wet weather usually has the same effect, but my discomfort is minimal today. Yes, I still feel it, but compared to how I was feeling for a couple of weeks there, this is nothing!
I will finish up my radiation tomorrow. I told the techs yesterday I won't know what to do with myself. I've seen them every weekday since March 23rd. That's seven weeks! Dare I say, we're friends now, not just patient/caregiver. We have a lot of laughs in there. I will miss that...but NOT the radiation.
Depending on yesterday's lab results, we'll start the Xeloda either next week or the week after. The numbers they're looking at are just barely in the normal range and they don't want to start the chemo pills until my blood has had a chance to rebound a little bit. I don't know if they tested my tumor marker or not. If they did, I'll post the number here later today or tomorrow. (Again, that's more for my reference than for yours.)
My energy level is still pretty low, but 38 radiation treatments will do that to a person. At least my mood is high! A new, odd pain that I had earlier this week has all but gone away on its own. I'm thankful for that. My first thought was "appendix" and I really don't need to deal with something like that now too!
My brother, Dave, has had a very rough week and wasn't able to get his final chemo yesterday. It's delayed until a complication with his lungs is cleared up. I think he's breathing a little better each day though. I told him I could completely relate to what he's going through. I remember sobbing in the chemo chair back in 2001 when they delayed my final chemo. You get to a point where enough is enough and they've teased you with this final date...and then they burst your bubble. Be tough, Dave! Your "normal" will return!!
Happy Mother's Day to all of the wonderful Mothers out there; especially, my own dear Mom!!! I hope the sun decides to shine on Sunday!
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
"Pain Flares"
That's what I have...Pain Flares. The discomfort I feel now may have been brought on by any number of things...long ride in the car, super bumpy highway in southern Minnesota, holding Joey just a little too long, or just because the cancer felt it was time to shake things up a bit. I had intense pain on my right side yesterday (and Sunday). So now there's been an alteration in the approach to pain management. Instead of waiting until I feel some discomfort to pop an Ibuprofin or two, I am now on a regular schedule of taking larger doses throughout the day. The pain on my right seems to be under control, but the back spasms are continuing. It may take a little longer to figure those out.
I am officially done with the antibiotics now, so hopefully my tummy will get back to normal. Various side effects with those pills that I won't miss.
I am a much happier girl today than I was yesterday!
Also, for those of you who aren't aware...I have completed the radiation on my left side and have nine more to go on my right side. The date is still up in the air as to when we'll start the Xeloda, but it should be sometime this month.
I am officially done with the antibiotics now, so hopefully my tummy will get back to normal. Various side effects with those pills that I won't miss.
I am a much happier girl today than I was yesterday!
Also, for those of you who aren't aware...I have completed the radiation on my left side and have nine more to go on my right side. The date is still up in the air as to when we'll start the Xeloda, but it should be sometime this month.
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