Week 9 came and went with not much to report except a slight change at the Doc's office. Mom generally gets chemo on Wednesdays with an occasion trip back on Thursday for a follow up of Magnesium or Neupogen. But, Doc is on vacation so they moved her treatment to Thursday. No big deal, except we didn't find out until Wednesday...DOH! Apparently the nurses that have been caring for Mom up to this point are rented from the hospital. I guess Doc leases the space from Mercy Hospital and then leases the nurses as well. As of September 1 they aren't renewing the lease of the nurses and they're bringing in their own so there's a bit of transition going on and someone overlooked the appointment cards. Other than messing up mom's morning nap there wasn't any harm done and she got in on Thursday and got Erbitux.
This week (10) is the same schedule. Erbitux on Thursday. Mom has been really tired the past 2 days. However the week started off completely different...FOOTBALL!! Mom got to experience Football in the Lansberry as our Bengals took on the Cowboys in the Hall of Fame game Sunday night. Although the starters played about 10 plays total and we lost it was still a fun way to start off the week and get our minds off the rest of the everyday stuff!
The benefit (This Saturday 6-9, Take 5, Fairfield) is coming along nicely. People have been very generous with their donations to the silent auction/raffle. We've received anything from hair products to school supplies to Autographed footballs and it's all greatly appreciated. From the grapevine I hear there should be one heck of a turnout as well. We're looking forward to it.
I'll let you know how mom's treatment tomorrow goes and any last details about the Benefit on Friday! Thanks for checking in!
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Week 8...
Last week was an interesting week in regards to not only chemo but Mom n George's future arrangements. As of August 1st their lease officially started on the townhouse they'll eventually live in on the property where George works.
Two Saturdays ago (July 24) George and I took 3 trips with a trailer from storage to their place. We made a pretty good dent in the 15 foot by 30 foot storage unit where their stuff was stored. We made another trip Monday, and another Tuesday. Wednesday (July 28) was Chemo Day (full dose) and Mom had come off her bye week from chemo and was feeling pretty good that day. I took the day off, took mom to chemo about 12:30 and then Heather and I went to an all day concert. George picked mom up at about 6:00 or so that evening and she said she slept through the whole thing!!! And they brought her up in a wheelchair because she was still so tired. We had a feeling this one would take it's toll after the week off. However...
Thursday when I went to meet George at the storage unit at about 5:30pm to finish the move I find out he's taken half day, he's already taken a load over and Mom was at their place unpacking....whaaaaaaat?!
Friday chemo struck a bit. Mom started having pain for the 3rd time during this first 8 weeks in her feeding tube. It appeared to be infected again. She wanted to rip it out. We all know how doctors are. If they're concerned they tend to over explain, if they're not they tend to under explain. Well the first 2 times it bothered her they pretty much blew it off and gave her antibiotics so I'm pretty sure they were not too concerned. This time George mentioned something about it being weird that every time she gets a full dose of chemo her tube site acts up. (cue light bulb!) It dawned on me that the full doses are usually the ones that wipe out her white blood cells...you know the ones that fight infection (cough tube site cough). Hence every time her blood count drops the infection flares up, once her count goes back up add in a few antibiotics it goes back away. Whew...mystery solved and Mom is content with the explanation. Tube stays....for now.
So she made it through week 8 even though she had another minor infection, up this week was more prep work for the benefit on the 14th for Heather and I and our cast of helpers to be named later, and Erbitux only for mom. Check back for this weeks update soon.
**Side note - thanks for all your donations whether they be to the Silent Auction/Raffle, or directly to Mom through this site. It's much needed and greatly appreciated! Thanks again!
Two Saturdays ago (July 24) George and I took 3 trips with a trailer from storage to their place. We made a pretty good dent in the 15 foot by 30 foot storage unit where their stuff was stored. We made another trip Monday, and another Tuesday. Wednesday (July 28) was Chemo Day (full dose) and Mom had come off her bye week from chemo and was feeling pretty good that day. I took the day off, took mom to chemo about 12:30 and then Heather and I went to an all day concert. George picked mom up at about 6:00 or so that evening and she said she slept through the whole thing!!! And they brought her up in a wheelchair because she was still so tired. We had a feeling this one would take it's toll after the week off. However...
Thursday when I went to meet George at the storage unit at about 5:30pm to finish the move I find out he's taken half day, he's already taken a load over and Mom was at their place unpacking....whaaaaaaat?!
Friday chemo struck a bit. Mom started having pain for the 3rd time during this first 8 weeks in her feeding tube. It appeared to be infected again. She wanted to rip it out. We all know how doctors are. If they're concerned they tend to over explain, if they're not they tend to under explain. Well the first 2 times it bothered her they pretty much blew it off and gave her antibiotics so I'm pretty sure they were not too concerned. This time George mentioned something about it being weird that every time she gets a full dose of chemo her tube site acts up. (cue light bulb!) It dawned on me that the full doses are usually the ones that wipe out her white blood cells...you know the ones that fight infection (cough tube site cough). Hence every time her blood count drops the infection flares up, once her count goes back up add in a few antibiotics it goes back away. Whew...mystery solved and Mom is content with the explanation. Tube stays....for now.
So she made it through week 8 even though she had another minor infection, up this week was more prep work for the benefit on the 14th for Heather and I and our cast of helpers to be named later, and Erbitux only for mom. Check back for this weeks update soon.
**Side note - thanks for all your donations whether they be to the Silent Auction/Raffle, or directly to Mom through this site. It's much needed and greatly appreciated! Thanks again!
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Week 7...
Mom's re-established her habit of "puttering" around the house which basically means picking up after the rest of us during the days while we're gone. The more she's up and moving the better it will help her body digest food and keep the swelling down in her legs. She's still having little infection problems with the feeding tube site but neither Nurse nor Doc seem to be all too concerned about it. She can't do it for long and she can't take the stairs by herself, but it's something.
Last night Mom and George went over to look at the townhouse they'll be moving into at the property George works. Mom said she likes it a lot, except for, how did she say it...."There's only two drawers in the kitchen! That's a situation, I gotta lotta shit!" LOL It will be good though to have George on site in case anything comes up with her during work hours.
So since she gets a free pass this week for what would've been her 7th chemo treatment, instead of dreading what tomorrow's cocktail will bring, we can look forward to the weekend and moving some of their stuff from storage so they can hopefully avoid paying next months storage fee.
Only 3 weeks until the Benefit at Take 5 Bar & Grill! Thanks to all of you who have contributed to the Jeanne Cutler Cancer Fund. For those who have asked how to, we've added a donate button to the left of this page. Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers!!! I think they're working!
Last night Mom and George went over to look at the townhouse they'll be moving into at the property George works. Mom said she likes it a lot, except for, how did she say it...."There's only two drawers in the kitchen! That's a situation, I gotta lotta shit!" LOL It will be good though to have George on site in case anything comes up with her during work hours.
So since she gets a free pass this week for what would've been her 7th chemo treatment, instead of dreading what tomorrow's cocktail will bring, we can look forward to the weekend and moving some of their stuff from storage so they can hopefully avoid paying next months storage fee.
Only 3 weeks until the Benefit at Take 5 Bar & Grill! Thanks to all of you who have contributed to the Jeanne Cutler Cancer Fund. For those who have asked how to, we've added a donate button to the left of this page. Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers!!! I think they're working!
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
A week of reprieve, of sorts....(Chemo Update)
So now that you know how we got to chemo, I though I'd go back and provide an update as to how the last 6 weeks have went. I promise these posts will get smaller but I had a little catching up to do.
Chemo treatment regiment - 16 weeks recommended:
Premeds every week for nausea and inflammation and blood balancing
Erbitux - dose and a half first week, a dose each week after
Carboplatin - a dose every week
Taxotere - A dose week 1 and every 3rd week after
Week 1 (June 9):
Went off without a hitch. A little red faced (side effect) from the Erbitux and a bit tired over the weekend but other than that so far so good.
Week 2(June 16):
Anyone who knows Mom knows she walked in there as if all was well with the world. Surprised by her upbeat, healthy feeling self doc said well lets go ahead and give her all three again...whoops.
She made it until Sunday morning, woke up with extreme burning in the throat, unable to swallow water, and a fever. A call to the nurse initiated a trip to the Christ Hospital ER where she was promptly admitted with a white blood count (ANC) under under 150 (Neutropenic), acute Mucositis, an infection somewhere and her previously radiated cells from a year before became ulcerated as a direct result from the Taxotere which apparently has the ability to re-inflame radiated cells....who knew?!?!
Doc said less than 10% of the time do they actually find out where the infection comes from so they basically pump you full of antibiotics and anti-fungals until it goes away. He said looked like someone stuck a torch in her mouth and lit it.
She said they had 1 day to fix her cuz she was goin home.
Week 3 (June 23):
How many days was that again Ma?
Sill in the hospital, no chemo today so I went down to watch the US's World cup game with mom that ended with Donovan's goal in extra time. Even mom got a little excited - "They got it!" she said...then proceeded to say. "Wait, who got it?" HA!
Anyways, yesterday Doc finally convinced mom into a feeding tube since she wasn't able to get any nutrition through her mouth. That's going in this afternoon.
We've got a pretty good routine down though Heather comes down in the morning for a bit then I come down for a couple hours around lunch Heath stops in after work for a bit and the George comes down for a couple hours in the evening. So she's getting plenty of company, and as i look around starting to acquire a lot of stuff up in here.
(June 24)
Still in the hospital starting out the window, Feeding tube in, Erbitux anyways...kick her while she's down I thought. However she seemed strangely excited to be getting chemo.
(June 28)
Momma's in the house!!! Mom came home tonight followed by a nurse with a feeding contraption and a whole bag of goodies. Show n tell ensued with some instruction about a dog and a doghouse and a Christmas tree?! I think this nurse was in pediatrics before this.
Week 4 (June 30)
Well since the spell in the hospital and until mom can get her nutrition up Doc said he's going to give her another week of only Erbitux since I guess it seems to be bothering her the least and the medicines seem to be working as she hasn't been feeling any of the "cancer pain" only the pains caused by all the meds to get rid of the cancer pain if you're following me.
Mom's spirit's are high because Erbitux hasn't bothered her much since the first week for one day and this coming weekend is her birthday July 4th! Last year she was in the hospital from her surgery.
Week 5 (July 7)
After a great 4th weekend and a very happy birthday celebrated with friends and neighbors - "Bring on the Chemo!" she says! I think the meds are getting to her. She's getting all 3 today! Yay!
Doc did say today though that next week she's only get the Erbitux and then the week after she will have off!!! Sweet.
(July 11)
Minor setback, temps flirting with 100, infection around the feeding tube. cleaning of it stepped up a bit and temps taken about hourly. She's going to sleep this day away, hopefully she heals up during her nap.
(July 12)
Much better today - Neosporin and George's new gauze wrap thingamajig helping the infection clear up, temps back to normal and feeling much better.
(July 13)
HELLOOO ERBITUX!!! Well, he did say to use this cream twice a day every day. Here's the situation, Erbitux has a pretty nasty side effect. It will cause you to have a puffy swollen face and a nasty pimply rash sort of like acne all over your face which can be, well, yuck and painful. So Doc prescribes this cream that pretty much super dries out your skin so that the rash and acne can't develop (no oil) problem is mom's been using this cream for about 4 weeks so her face skin is already super dry and she's just been hit by the puffy swollen cheeks, get the picture? Dry skin doesn't stretch so much, it cracks. Ouchie, and more Erbitux tomorrow.
Week 6 (July 14)
Doc pretty much said sorry for ya cheeks. But it could be worse! He said had she not been using the cream given the swelling that's there even with it she would be broken out like crazy and in much worse pain. But he's giving her a break, she's off altogether next week and the following week she'll get the 2 big guns but no Erbitux to try to allow her to heal up from it. Compassionate little fella that Doc!
Mom's sat on the deck tonight with a big sigh of relief saying, "I don't have to go back for 2 weeks." Big smile on her face, cheeks and all she said, "Doesn't that sound nice?"
Next chemo date, July 28th! time to build up her strength until then.
Chemo treatment regiment - 16 weeks recommended:
Premeds every week for nausea and inflammation and blood balancing
Erbitux - dose and a half first week, a dose each week after
Carboplatin - a dose every week
Taxotere - A dose week 1 and every 3rd week after
Week 1 (June 9):
Went off without a hitch. A little red faced (side effect) from the Erbitux and a bit tired over the weekend but other than that so far so good.
Week 2(June 16):
Anyone who knows Mom knows she walked in there as if all was well with the world. Surprised by her upbeat, healthy feeling self doc said well lets go ahead and give her all three again...whoops.
She made it until Sunday morning, woke up with extreme burning in the throat, unable to swallow water, and a fever. A call to the nurse initiated a trip to the Christ Hospital ER where she was promptly admitted with a white blood count (ANC) under under 150 (Neutropenic), acute Mucositis, an infection somewhere and her previously radiated cells from a year before became ulcerated as a direct result from the Taxotere which apparently has the ability to re-inflame radiated cells....who knew?!?!
Doc said less than 10% of the time do they actually find out where the infection comes from so they basically pump you full of antibiotics and anti-fungals until it goes away. He said looked like someone stuck a torch in her mouth and lit it.
She said they had 1 day to fix her cuz she was goin home.
Week 3 (June 23):
How many days was that again Ma?
Sill in the hospital, no chemo today so I went down to watch the US's World cup game with mom that ended with Donovan's goal in extra time. Even mom got a little excited - "They got it!" she said...then proceeded to say. "Wait, who got it?" HA!
Anyways, yesterday Doc finally convinced mom into a feeding tube since she wasn't able to get any nutrition through her mouth. That's going in this afternoon.
We've got a pretty good routine down though Heather comes down in the morning for a bit then I come down for a couple hours around lunch Heath stops in after work for a bit and the George comes down for a couple hours in the evening. So she's getting plenty of company, and as i look around starting to acquire a lot of stuff up in here.
(June 24)
Still in the hospital starting out the window, Feeding tube in, Erbitux anyways...kick her while she's down I thought. However she seemed strangely excited to be getting chemo.
(June 28)
Momma's in the house!!! Mom came home tonight followed by a nurse with a feeding contraption and a whole bag of goodies. Show n tell ensued with some instruction about a dog and a doghouse and a Christmas tree?! I think this nurse was in pediatrics before this.
Week 4 (June 30)
Well since the spell in the hospital and until mom can get her nutrition up Doc said he's going to give her another week of only Erbitux since I guess it seems to be bothering her the least and the medicines seem to be working as she hasn't been feeling any of the "cancer pain" only the pains caused by all the meds to get rid of the cancer pain if you're following me.
Mom's spirit's are high because Erbitux hasn't bothered her much since the first week for one day and this coming weekend is her birthday July 4th! Last year she was in the hospital from her surgery.
Week 5 (July 7)
After a great 4th weekend and a very happy birthday celebrated with friends and neighbors - "Bring on the Chemo!" she says! I think the meds are getting to her. She's getting all 3 today! Yay!
Doc did say today though that next week she's only get the Erbitux and then the week after she will have off!!! Sweet.
(July 11)
Minor setback, temps flirting with 100, infection around the feeding tube. cleaning of it stepped up a bit and temps taken about hourly. She's going to sleep this day away, hopefully she heals up during her nap.
(July 12)
Much better today - Neosporin and George's new gauze wrap thingamajig helping the infection clear up, temps back to normal and feeling much better.
(July 13)
HELLOOO ERBITUX!!! Well, he did say to use this cream twice a day every day. Here's the situation, Erbitux has a pretty nasty side effect. It will cause you to have a puffy swollen face and a nasty pimply rash sort of like acne all over your face which can be, well, yuck and painful. So Doc prescribes this cream that pretty much super dries out your skin so that the rash and acne can't develop (no oil) problem is mom's been using this cream for about 4 weeks so her face skin is already super dry and she's just been hit by the puffy swollen cheeks, get the picture? Dry skin doesn't stretch so much, it cracks. Ouchie, and more Erbitux tomorrow.
Week 6 (July 14)
Doc pretty much said sorry for ya cheeks. But it could be worse! He said had she not been using the cream given the swelling that's there even with it she would be broken out like crazy and in much worse pain. But he's giving her a break, she's off altogether next week and the following week she'll get the 2 big guns but no Erbitux to try to allow her to heal up from it. Compassionate little fella that Doc!
Mom's sat on the deck tonight with a big sigh of relief saying, "I don't have to go back for 2 weeks." Big smile on her face, cheeks and all she said, "Doesn't that sound nice?"
Next chemo date, July 28th! time to build up her strength until then.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
How We Got Here...
For those who don't know, early last year my mom was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the soft palate (Mouth/Throat Cancer). Shortly after that George (her husband) was laid off. Last spring she went through seven weeks of radiation which damaged her saliva glands, taste buds, and mucous membranes but didn't touch the cancer. Last July she went through a 12 hour surgery to "remove" the cancer and replace the soft palate with skin from her arm (they call it a flap). In the fall George found another job, mom had a laser touch up and in December was deemed cancer free and ready for a few months recovery.
In January, mom's health was improving but George's company was bought out and he was laid off again. They decided to relocate to Cincinnati and moved in with Heather and I, and George found another job. Then, of course, mom's cancer came back (Stage 4). Having already been through radiation and a major surgery the only feasible option left was chemotherapy which she's been going through the past few weeks and the doctor is recommending 4 months worth. George's new job requires them to move off COBRA insurance and move to his company's health care plan which has extremely high deductibles which the doctors tell us they'll easily hit within a couple weeks of changing insurance.
We're starting this site to of course keep everyone updated on her progress, but also to provide a place to receive donations since many of you have asked us where to give.
Thanks for any and all assistance and thoughts and prayers, follow this blog and stay tuned for updates.
In January, mom's health was improving but George's company was bought out and he was laid off again. They decided to relocate to Cincinnati and moved in with Heather and I, and George found another job. Then, of course, mom's cancer came back (Stage 4). Having already been through radiation and a major surgery the only feasible option left was chemotherapy which she's been going through the past few weeks and the doctor is recommending 4 months worth. George's new job requires them to move off COBRA insurance and move to his company's health care plan which has extremely high deductibles which the doctors tell us they'll easily hit within a couple weeks of changing insurance.
We're starting this site to of course keep everyone updated on her progress, but also to provide a place to receive donations since many of you have asked us where to give.
Thanks for any and all assistance and thoughts and prayers, follow this blog and stay tuned for updates.
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