Cathy has resumed her standard "perky mode" now that she is 4 weeks removed from her final chemo, so she is back to her "old" glowing personality.
However, I'm referring to the fact that she has now completed her 3rd [of 28] day of daily radiation therapy so I'm thinking somewhere along the line she'll be able to light up a room literally!
Yesterday, 3/10, was another one of those busy multi-tasking medical days. Cathy left home at 7:00 AM for an 8:30 surgery appointment including general anesthesia to remove her "medi-port", was home by late AM and made it for her 1:30 PM radiation. After dinner she walked [in a rather yucky mid-western late winter rain] for nearly an hour!
Today Cathy spoke to her small group at Women's Bible Study about her experience and growth through this "journey", put in an hour or two at work and then returned home to take Hope off the bus and get her situated after school. When I got home after work I found her working on orthodontic "models" before leaving to have dinner at Gino's East [pizza] with her High School youth group girls ... right now she's back to a [nascent] red-headed whirling dervish!
And speaking of red head, her "chrome dome" is now getting fuzzy and there are distinctly pigmented areas in her scalp. THIS IS GONNA BE FUN seeing her hair grow back!
By the way, the four of us were able to get away for a 4+ day extended weekend in the sun at the end of February. It was great to have some sun, sand, warm weather and rich family time together. THIS was a few days after Cathy, against my prior stated wishes, pulled off a completely surprise party for her husband's monumental birthday [one with a "0" after it]. While languishing thru her chemotherapies over the prior 2.5 months, she had been planning for what turned out to be an outstanding evening for me ... that feat alone was overwhelming.
Thanks for your on-going concern, reading these posts and praying for Cathy's restoration.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
YEE HAH!!
Well, the "fireworks" are still to come, but Cathy received her final chemo today and it does have that feeling of completing your FINAL final exam. If the last two treatments of Taxol are a reliable guide, we can expect 2-3 brutal days with some relief coming by late Saturday or mid-day Sunday and feeling pretty spunky by Tuesday ... THEN we can say the chemo is "a wrap"!
We found out last Friday that Cathy will begin radiation oncology sometime after her "scheduling meeting" on March 3rd. What we know for sure is that she will incur 25-28 treatments, 1/day over the course of 5 - 5 1/2 weeks. Fatigue will evidently set in ~ week three. The GREAT news about it is it'll take place across the street from CDH and easily en route home from her work in Wheaton. We've been told the whole process from entrance to exit can take place in approximately 15 minutes.
We have been reminded how volatile / unpredictable Triple Negative breast cancer can be, often coming back in different parts of the body as a different type of cancer. As Dr. Bayer has stated, however, "we're going for the cure, not just buying you time", thus the aggressive chemo AND radiation regimen. It is not living in denial, it is not looking at the world through rose colored glasses, but we will remain upbeat, positive and most importantly relying on God's sovereignty for Cathy's future. His providence through all of this seems to indicate more years to enjoy Cathy's company. Please join us in prayer to that end. God's richest blessings to you for your love, care and prayers through this long [and continuing] journey.
We found out last Friday that Cathy will begin radiation oncology sometime after her "scheduling meeting" on March 3rd. What we know for sure is that she will incur 25-28 treatments, 1/day over the course of 5 - 5 1/2 weeks. Fatigue will evidently set in ~ week three. The GREAT news about it is it'll take place across the street from CDH and easily en route home from her work in Wheaton. We've been told the whole process from entrance to exit can take place in approximately 15 minutes.
We have been reminded how volatile / unpredictable Triple Negative breast cancer can be, often coming back in different parts of the body as a different type of cancer. As Dr. Bayer has stated, however, "we're going for the cure, not just buying you time", thus the aggressive chemo AND radiation regimen. It is not living in denial, it is not looking at the world through rose colored glasses, but we will remain upbeat, positive and most importantly relying on God's sovereignty for Cathy's future. His providence through all of this seems to indicate more years to enjoy Cathy's company. Please join us in prayer to that end. God's richest blessings to you for your love, care and prayers through this long [and continuing] journey.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
1 To Go!
Last Tuesday saw Cathy receive chemo #7. While the side effects of Taxol are intense, it seems they may be shorter lived than Adriamycin/Cytoxan. Saturday afternoon found us in the Ogden 6 theater enjoying "Australia". Due to the rather regular "irregularity" that has happened with each chemo, she was unable to attend church today. Eyelashes are beginning to fall out and Cathy's fingernails appear to be dying. But Cathy's energy seems to be getting stronger earlier in the Taxol cycles.
Nine days from now Cathy will brace herself for her 8th and final chemo and we are anticipating this phase to be completed.
We found out last week that, due to her impending radiation therapy, Cathy's final surgery will be postponed until sometime in the fall. Just maybe we'll be able to enjoy a respite this summer!
Thanks for following Cathy's Journey.
Nine days from now Cathy will brace herself for her 8th and final chemo and we are anticipating this phase to be completed.
We found out last week that, due to her impending radiation therapy, Cathy's final surgery will be postponed until sometime in the fall. Just maybe we'll be able to enjoy a respite this summer!
Thanks for following Cathy's Journey.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
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.
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.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
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!
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!
Sunday, January 4, 2009
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!]
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Breaking news...
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.
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.
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