As one of the goals of my vacation, I was able to accompany Cathy to her chemo today. Although she didn't have her pre-treatment meeting with the doctor and there was only one drug administered, the flowrate made this chemo nearly 4.5 hours long [future chemos should go quicker as they learn of Cathy's ability to handle the drug]. Many updates as a result of Cathy's round #5 [and first of Taxol]
1] I've been meaning to remind those who have seen Cathy on her "good week" that they shouldn't be misled. Cytoxin and especially Adriamycin were BRUTAL. When Cathy left home she would burn brightly with friends and family, then flame out. Furthermore, the cumulative effect has taken a toll on her. This most recent "good week", albeit during Christmas, was never really good - lots of nausea. Cathy's diet, physical conditioning and stamina, attitude and faith enabled her to rise above much of the nasties.
2] However, we've been told that Taxol doesn't produce as much nausea as the first cocktail. As a result, I need to refrain from assuming that she'll be unfazed by Taxol with regard to nausea completely due to #1 above, but I sure would like to see that!
3] Side effects from Taxol, we've been told, include the total loss of any remaining hair she has and neuropathy [which she already experienced after round #4]
4] Pre-chemo labs showed very acceptable white blood cell counts but VERY LOW hemoglobin. Beef and green leafy vegetables high in iron are now in order and an extra blood test will be conducted next week to check the hemoglobin.
5] I need to set the record straight or risk a libel suit from the "innocent" Neulasta shot [day-after-chemo shot designed to boost the immune system]. The timing of the shot seemed to indict Neulasta as the nausea culprit. It turns out the steroids administered during chemo wear off 24 - 48 hours after they were administered and it was, indeed, the chemo drugs that caused the nausea.
6] Prayer requests, then, include:
- increased hemoglobin; Cathy dreads the thought of a blood transfusion if not
- a marked reduction in nausea
- successful interventions to limit neuropathy
Thank you for reading, caring and praying. I hope to report soon on better results.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
MERRY CHRISTMAS
Since it's been so long since last I blogged, perhaps we've lost our readership. It seemed during round 3 we had settled into a bit of a routine [albeit a real yucky one]. I had considered blogging since 11/21 with the simple line of:
DITTO
Well, regardless, we want to thank each and everyone who has followed this blog, prayed for Cathy, provided meals, treats, well-wishes at church or helped Hope in the AM/PM shifts for your faithful service on her account. We have so much to be thankful for and at this Christmas time, when we reflect on God's greatest gift to humanity in the provision of Christ for what really ails us all, we can only be thankful and humbled by His grace and your love as a result.
As far as the news goes; we are now wrapping up chemo #4 as Cathy begins to regain her strength and appetite. The oncologist and we were looking forward to getting beyond the "red stuff" [the kidney and heart-toxic Adriamycin] and are hoping the last four treatments with Taxol might be a little gentler. However, Taxol has the side-effect of neuropathy [nerve implications]. Cathy has already begun to experience this in her hands and fingertips, leading her to believe they may have given her the wrong dose during her fourth treatment on 12/16.
Some other good news: we are pleased with how we scheduled the chemos such that Cathy has been able to enjoy [and recharge / replenish her diet] Thanksgiving, our first First Trust Christmas party [12/15] and now Christmas [New Year's eve will be a different story with #5 occurring on Tuesday, 12/30]. Additionally, I was able to combine my remaining 8 vacation days with Christmas and New Years Day and take a full two weeks off to care for Cathy, take care of Hope while off for Christmas break and provide a reprieve our "Hopie's Helpers".
Now, having spent 23 years in the motivation / reward / recognition industry, should I reward the first person who reads this post to the end and "comments" ... ?
We wish a joyous and blessed Christmas to you and yours.
DITTO
Well, regardless, we want to thank each and everyone who has followed this blog, prayed for Cathy, provided meals, treats, well-wishes at church or helped Hope in the AM/PM shifts for your faithful service on her account. We have so much to be thankful for and at this Christmas time, when we reflect on God's greatest gift to humanity in the provision of Christ for what really ails us all, we can only be thankful and humbled by His grace and your love as a result.
As far as the news goes; we are now wrapping up chemo #4 as Cathy begins to regain her strength and appetite. The oncologist and we were looking forward to getting beyond the "red stuff" [the kidney and heart-toxic Adriamycin] and are hoping the last four treatments with Taxol might be a little gentler. However, Taxol has the side-effect of neuropathy [nerve implications]. Cathy has already begun to experience this in her hands and fingertips, leading her to believe they may have given her the wrong dose during her fourth treatment on 12/16.
Some other good news: we are pleased with how we scheduled the chemos such that Cathy has been able to enjoy [and recharge / replenish her diet] Thanksgiving, our first First Trust Christmas party [12/15] and now Christmas [New Year's eve will be a different story with #5 occurring on Tuesday, 12/30]. Additionally, I was able to combine my remaining 8 vacation days with Christmas and New Years Day and take a full two weeks off to care for Cathy, take care of Hope while off for Christmas break and provide a reprieve our "Hopie's Helpers".
Now, having spent 23 years in the motivation / reward / recognition industry, should I reward the first person who reads this post to the end and "comments" ... ?
We wish a joyous and blessed Christmas to you and yours.
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