A quick note ...

At this time of [a work] night, it'll have to be a quick update. Thankfully it is a good one.

Although she is far from feeling good, Cathy is much better at this point in cycle #6 than she was in cycle #5. Sunday afternoon found us [Cathy, Hope and I] having a late lunch in Woodstock followed by a matinee of "Marley & Me" [a very good show], and running some errands [she even was jealous that I was having all the fun ... so she joined me for some snow shoveling in the evening!] Monday was down time and visiting. Today Cathy had her "extra" blood test; hemoglobin was acceptable and white blood cell count was excellent considering the previous 6 chemo cycles she has endured.

We continue to marvel at the love, prayers and care we have received. This will be, indeed, a long journey as chemo will end mid-February, radiation will likely not start until mid-March and probably not end until the end of April. And sometime shortly afterwards, one last surgery and six more weeks of convalescence. Cathy has already endured 3.5 months of absolute yuck and yet we've been tenderly loved and cared for. God's richest blessings to all you dear folks.

Silly me ... er, us

Well, we thought since she was done with Adriamycin [and Cytoxan] AND her 2nd regimen of chemo consisted only of Taxol, that the last four treatments would be more tolerable - WRONG. Cathy had lots of pain [some coming/going, others chronic and staying put in the same places]. Additionally she had g.i. "issues" which didn't seem to resolve themselves until late Friday, 1/9. Taxol is known for this, but she might have had a bug, since I had some of it, too.

We did have a delightful, and almost normal, weekend spent with dear friends and shared over food, games and "24" [not to minimize those other dear friends we weren't with!]

Today saw Cathy receive round #6 [of 8] and she is now 1/2 way done with Taxol [but not 'til all the "fun" is over as a result]. We are thrilled with the care she is receiving from her oncologist and we can trace all of Cathy's excellent care to the initial referral from her OB-GYN and fellow College Church member, Susan Acuna!

Due to Cathy's evident peeling skin on her hands and the other symptoms she expressed, Dr. Bayer is considering reducing the amount of chemo that is administered to her [evidently Cathy is so sensitive that the dose she is receiving might be superfluous]. As I write, she is tired but still awake at this late hour and "relatively" symptom free ... until the steroids and Emend [three very expensive daily anti-nausea pills she take] wear off.

We are so grateful for your interest, care, encouragement and prayers. G'nite!

Hopes not reality

Well, based on the energy Cathy appeared to exhibit Friday evening, I had hoped this chemo would, indeed, be easier on her and she could make WEEKLY attendance at church starting this Sunday. Saturday put those hopes to rest. Taxol, evidently, is also very TaxING. While Cathy has had an appetite and "satisfied" it, shortly thereafter the nausea has returned. Additionally she is more fatigued and is experiencing body pain like she didn't during rounds 1-4. The pain will make it's frenetic rounds at various locations in her body right down to her ankles and toes. The neuropathy appears to be ending up in her hands again, in addition to the aches and pains she has felt elsewhere. Another College Church Sunday with only my Hopester in tow [well, it appears Wesley will be more frequent again, too, but in his own time!]