This morning I started a new chemotherapy treatment. It is administered by infusion with a new drug just approved last summer for the use of my kind of cancer. Initially it has had very positive results. We were actually at the cancer center for 4+ hours but hope in the future that it will only take about 3 hrs. Nancy says that I slept through most of the infusion. So far I haven't felt any side effects. I was given an anti nausea medication in conjunction with the infusion. We pray that there won't be any ill effects tonight.
Thank you for your continued faith, love & support.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Weekend update
We have had quiet weekend... Yesterday the massage therapist visited our house again. Mike and I felt very relaxed after our massages. Mike slept very well last night. I have had help the last 2 nights and have also slept well. Sleep really does make all the difference!
Andy stayed with Mike this a.m. and I was able to go to church. It was nice to be there again. Two of the young men from our church brought the sacrament to Mike. We are so grateful for that. We had a couple of visitors and some nice phone calls.
We have anxiety about starting this new regimen, but tomorrow is our day and we will do it. Mike's headaches have not subsided much, so hopefully this treatment will make him more comfortable. We do worry about the side effects, but having weighed our options, this seems to be the best right now.
Your prayers in Mike's behalf will be so appreciated as he begins this new treatment.
Andy stayed with Mike this a.m. and I was able to go to church. It was nice to be there again. Two of the young men from our church brought the sacrament to Mike. We are so grateful for that. We had a couple of visitors and some nice phone calls.
We have anxiety about starting this new regimen, but tomorrow is our day and we will do it. Mike's headaches have not subsided much, so hopefully this treatment will make him more comfortable. We do worry about the side effects, but having weighed our options, this seems to be the best right now.
Your prayers in Mike's behalf will be so appreciated as he begins this new treatment.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Explanation of the treatment plan
We made another visit to the cancer center today for a "training" to get the new therapy started. Mike will have the first infusion on Monday. We were told to expect the treatment to last about 3 hours. Mike will first get antinausea medication and steroids through the IV and then the chemotherapy. We were told the side effects usually start on therapy day and can last a few days. Since hemorrhaging is a side effect, the doctor has decided to take Mike off of his blood thinner. This was a question I asked on Tuesday and after thinking about it, the doctor made the decision.
Mike's immunity will be compromised with the treatment, so we will again have to avoid crowds and sick people. The hand sanitizer will be available when you want to visit. The dosage of steroids was again increased and I think Mike's headaches may be a bit better today. We are hoping this continues as he has suffered greatly with them for the last week.
This morning, after a particularly rough night, a dear friend called from far away Peru. It was so wonderful to hear her voice and feel her calm spirit. I truly believe she was an angel sent to comfort me. We also were recipient of other angelic help today in the way of errands being run, snow being cleared and food being delivered. We appreciate all of our angel friends.
Mike's immunity will be compromised with the treatment, so we will again have to avoid crowds and sick people. The hand sanitizer will be available when you want to visit. The dosage of steroids was again increased and I think Mike's headaches may be a bit better today. We are hoping this continues as he has suffered greatly with them for the last week.
This morning, after a particularly rough night, a dear friend called from far away Peru. It was so wonderful to hear her voice and feel her calm spirit. I truly believe she was an angel sent to comfort me. We also were recipient of other angelic help today in the way of errands being run, snow being cleared and food being delivered. We appreciate all of our angel friends.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
A tiring day...
Mike does have some new malignancy around the cavity where his first tumor was removed. Obviously the current chemo treatments are not working. A new chemo drug was approved July, 2009. We will try that course. Mike will get infusions once every 2 weeks. The doc said there aren't bad side effects like with most chemo. All we can do is hope for the best, whatever that might be. We think the doctors and staff at the cancer center are the best there are anywhere in the world. We will not be going elsewhere for any treatments. Right now this is cutting edge.
What a comfort it was to have all of our kids with us today when we visited the doctor. I absolutely love our children as adults. They are all amazing. Hannah stayed an extra night and will fly out early in the morning. She is with Ty and Kim tonight so she will be closer to the airport.
Thank all of you for your prayers in our behalf. We know a kind wise Heavenly Father is listening to each and every one of them. We are buoyed up by your faith.
What a comfort it was to have all of our kids with us today when we visited the doctor. I absolutely love our children as adults. They are all amazing. Hannah stayed an extra night and will fly out early in the morning. She is with Ty and Kim tonight so she will be closer to the airport.
Thank all of you for your prayers in our behalf. We know a kind wise Heavenly Father is listening to each and every one of them. We are buoyed up by your faith.
The news isn't what we wanted to hear from the MRI... We don't know the full extent of what is happening but will have a visit with the doctor today to discuss our next course of action. Mike is sleeping much of the time with pain meds every 4 hours. All of our kids will go with us to the doctor today. They have been such support to us.
Monday, January 4, 2010
The doctor feels that an MRI will be the best approach to finding the cause of Mike's recent headaches. We will have that today and an appointment with the doctor tomorrow.
We have been through these so many times that now we feel that it is always best to know the facts. We feel peaceful and calm, knowing that our lives are in the hands of the Lord.
We so appreciate your prayers in our behalf. More later.
We have been through these so many times that now we feel that it is always best to know the facts. We feel peaceful and calm, knowing that our lives are in the hands of the Lord.
We so appreciate your prayers in our behalf. More later.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
PRESSING FORWARD with faith
After a headache which persisted for 3 days and imagining new tumor growth and lots and lots of anxiety, Nancy found a drug combination which made it go away after a morning nap. Nancy is the best caregiver ever. I am forever indebted to her.
Nancy here... I phoned the doctor this a.m. and she enlightened me as to what medications Mike could take. I didn't want anyone to think I am amazing with drugs :) Anyway, we are happy to report that Mike is feeling much, much better. We probably will proceed with another MRI at the first of the week. Persistent headaches are always alarming.
Nancy here... I phoned the doctor this a.m. and she enlightened me as to what medications Mike could take. I didn't want anyone to think I am amazing with drugs :) Anyway, we are happy to report that Mike is feeling much, much better. We probably will proceed with another MRI at the first of the week. Persistent headaches are always alarming.
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