Hi all-
well, we are past the fourth chemo session, with at least 8 to go. Sometime in April, we'll probably get a PET scan (again) to see progress and determine if we need to add Radiation to the treatment. The way Dr. H explained it- if anything shows on PET scan- we can add Radiation to take care of the outlier areas that do not appear to be responding to chemo.
That said- her labs continue good and on exam- she has no palpable nodes in her neck or arm pits! Her hemoglobin is up to 13.4, and she has more color and energy. YAY. She has even started playing the Wii which helps her exercise-yes a video game that lets you move more.
Her liver enzyme remains normal- and her Potassium is in normal range again- thanks to Potassium rich foods- thank you Kim and Paige for helping me figure out more Potassium foods than I was aware of!
She did great through chemo today- even slept during the last one. Bridget came home and slept some more- and then the dreaded nausea hit. This happened the last time- which makes me think that the pre- chemo anti nausea med is not working anymore (This is the one that is supposed to last 48 hours). So, since it happened the last two times, I think we will add Compazine in between the 4 meds, which may help to keep the nausea "troll" at bay.
And probably we'll just stick with soup for lunch on chemo day!. and maybe more soup/broth for dinner on chemo day.
However, the nausea/urp ups only last at most two days, then she gets her appetite back. She gained 3 pounds this last two weeks up to 158. And she is eating almost anything she can get her hands on- except asparagus (can't convince her that it is a great tasting veggie?). Oh well, she will eat beets and spinach without too much protest.
Well, again - thanks for the positive thoughts and prayers. It's working.
Denise
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Third week chemo
Hi all- (second time at this- the first one did not save)
Bridget had chemo yesterday (Yes there was another scheduling glitch). Other than it was a 7 hour ordeal, it went well and she tolerated things fine. We arrived at 8:20 to the Cancer center- had lab work and a Chest Xray. After those were processed, we met with Dr. Hueftle.
GOOD NEWS-
Her hemoglobin is up to 12 (she is pink, has color to her cheeks and finger nails and is no longer see thru). Her liver enzyme that was so elevated at 760- is down to normal levels at 170!! YAY.
The only concern I have is that her potassium is low at 3.2, so I am giving her all the potassium rich foods we can find. Bananas, tomatoes, cheeses, yellow and orange fruits and veggies. So with the chemo and the bananas- she MAY turn into a monkey! (joking)
Dr. H was surprised to see she has not lost all her hair. It is thinning but she still has lots of hair.
So her chest Xray- without even looking at the old one (january's), I could tell that the nodes were much smaller. BUT the comparison of old to recent- Wow- the nodes are about 1/3 the size they were. She is really responding well to chemo.
So upstairs we go for chemo. She tolerated it well. We left at 3:15, so all in all a 7 hour ordeal- I still don't get why they say 4 hours in and out--- but oh well. We get to hang out together and chat with my old friends from St. James.
Today she got the booster shot for White blood cells, so by tomorrow, she will most likely be sick to her stomach (which she describes as her tummy doing handstands and flip flops) AND her bones will ache (which last time she told me felt like little trolls jumping on her bones). Not a fun Thursday. It, so far, has only lasted one day. Then a week and a half of good things. If the weather Ever warms up (-20 in Clancy this morning???), I want to get her out walking after dinner.
We thank you for your prayers and positive thoughts. Her next chemo is scheduled for March 24th. I'll post a new blog then.
Take care
Denise
Bridget had chemo yesterday (Yes there was another scheduling glitch). Other than it was a 7 hour ordeal, it went well and she tolerated things fine. We arrived at 8:20 to the Cancer center- had lab work and a Chest Xray. After those were processed, we met with Dr. Hueftle.
GOOD NEWS-
Her hemoglobin is up to 12 (she is pink, has color to her cheeks and finger nails and is no longer see thru). Her liver enzyme that was so elevated at 760- is down to normal levels at 170!! YAY.
The only concern I have is that her potassium is low at 3.2, so I am giving her all the potassium rich foods we can find. Bananas, tomatoes, cheeses, yellow and orange fruits and veggies. So with the chemo and the bananas- she MAY turn into a monkey! (joking)
Dr. H was surprised to see she has not lost all her hair. It is thinning but she still has lots of hair.
So her chest Xray- without even looking at the old one (january's), I could tell that the nodes were much smaller. BUT the comparison of old to recent- Wow- the nodes are about 1/3 the size they were. She is really responding well to chemo.
So upstairs we go for chemo. She tolerated it well. We left at 3:15, so all in all a 7 hour ordeal- I still don't get why they say 4 hours in and out--- but oh well. We get to hang out together and chat with my old friends from St. James.
Today she got the booster shot for White blood cells, so by tomorrow, she will most likely be sick to her stomach (which she describes as her tummy doing handstands and flip flops) AND her bones will ache (which last time she told me felt like little trolls jumping on her bones). Not a fun Thursday. It, so far, has only lasted one day. Then a week and a half of good things. If the weather Ever warms up (-20 in Clancy this morning???), I want to get her out walking after dinner.
We thank you for your prayers and positive thoughts. Her next chemo is scheduled for March 24th. I'll post a new blog then.
Take care
Denise
Monday, March 2, 2009
Busy week
Sorry, seemed like last week blew by too fast and I am late in putting up the latest. Apologies for that!
Bridget had her chemo last Tuesday (2/24/09) and it went well. Took about 5 hours for the infusions to go in. She went first to Chemo center for lab and MD visit. I think I reported that her hemoglobin is up (10.9) and her Liver enzymes down from 750 to around 250!! yeah!! So the chemo is working!
She tolerated chemo well. The anti nausea med lasted about 36 hours this time- she was icky feeling the next evening. More sick this time!! (probably will be as the meds buildup in her body), but she handled it well with the Compazine. The Neulasta shot (to build up white blood cells and her immunity) also must be building up in her body- this time bone pain was more noticeable. Not just twinges and cramps, but real aches and pains. This is an expected side effect of the shot. If you think about it, it makes sense. White blood cells are built in the bone marrow, so places where her bone marrow is making more WBC's in response to the shot are going to hurt more. That lasted about a day and a half, coming right on top of the 'icky' feeling- so not a pleasant couple of days for Bridge.
She has more energy, is planning future things- like what she will do this summer, what movies she wants to go watch at the drive in, etc. She did the dishes one night last week and even set up her Wii, but ended up not playing it. So things are bouncing back for her!
Next chemo is next Monday- no hiccups, we have it scheduled and planned out in advance. She will have her labs and a Chest Xray to see what the lymph nodes around her heart and lungs are doing (shrinking????).
Still have not heard back from SSA yet, I am going to call today and see what the status is, plus have Dr. Hueftle call them to see if he can push from his end. We are getting bills. I probably would have a heart attack if I did not know in advance this was going to be pricey. We'll pay what we can and go from there. Meantime, more paperwork to fill out, Now you all know why the government is in the shape its in.
Chat with you later.
Denise
Bridget had her chemo last Tuesday (2/24/09) and it went well. Took about 5 hours for the infusions to go in. She went first to Chemo center for lab and MD visit. I think I reported that her hemoglobin is up (10.9) and her Liver enzymes down from 750 to around 250!! yeah!! So the chemo is working!
She tolerated chemo well. The anti nausea med lasted about 36 hours this time- she was icky feeling the next evening. More sick this time!! (probably will be as the meds buildup in her body), but she handled it well with the Compazine. The Neulasta shot (to build up white blood cells and her immunity) also must be building up in her body- this time bone pain was more noticeable. Not just twinges and cramps, but real aches and pains. This is an expected side effect of the shot. If you think about it, it makes sense. White blood cells are built in the bone marrow, so places where her bone marrow is making more WBC's in response to the shot are going to hurt more. That lasted about a day and a half, coming right on top of the 'icky' feeling- so not a pleasant couple of days for Bridge.
She has more energy, is planning future things- like what she will do this summer, what movies she wants to go watch at the drive in, etc. She did the dishes one night last week and even set up her Wii, but ended up not playing it. So things are bouncing back for her!
Next chemo is next Monday- no hiccups, we have it scheduled and planned out in advance. She will have her labs and a Chest Xray to see what the lymph nodes around her heart and lungs are doing (shrinking????).
Still have not heard back from SSA yet, I am going to call today and see what the status is, plus have Dr. Hueftle call them to see if he can push from his end. We are getting bills. I probably would have a heart attack if I did not know in advance this was going to be pricey. We'll pay what we can and go from there. Meantime, more paperwork to fill out, Now you all know why the government is in the shape its in.
Chat with you later.
Denise
Monday, February 23, 2009
Even better followed by stop wait frustration
Ok, first today's news. Bridget had labs: Hemoglobin up to 10.9!!! and the elevated liver enzymes are down 500 points!!! White count is responding to the white blood cell boosting shot- 7.3. She has color to her cheeks, and fingers, and has more energy!
Port access is in- she is good to get chemo- or so we thought.
The CA center sent us "upstairs" to get chemo. We went up to 5th floor. They were puzzled as to why we were there. Some investigation- they had no orders, and we were told we were supposed to go to Outpatient clinic for the chemo. Downstairs we go.
After a 20 minute wait to get registered- (some daft woman/patient was directing other people to go ahead of us- which I quickly put the kibosh too- turns out she was not paying attention to the people behind her (us) ) , we get registered. The outpatient nurse comes flying out- she does not have us on her schedule, she does not have orders..... can we do this tommorrow?
I have no idea why CA center would send us upstairs and not tell us we aren't scheduled. I believe it may be due to communication failures and I hope not but maybe the fact that she does not have insurance.
So. Chemo is tomorrow- won't affect her recovery at all. Yes, mom, I have a call into the CA center to find out what the deal is. Everything happens for a reason- we shall see what the reason is- maybe St James will have pharmacy meltdown or something.
Anyway, its tomorrow.
Anyway, with the increased Hemoglobin and decreased liver enzymes, Bridget has not stopped smiling since seeing Dr. Hueftle. She is so happy. She is even cleared to do one day of dishes!
She has more energy, is talking about playing the Wii (something she has not talked about while sick), getting to see movies in the summer, and getting outside when it is nicer. All good things to hear!
Thanks for checking in.
Denise
Port access is in- she is good to get chemo- or so we thought.
The CA center sent us "upstairs" to get chemo. We went up to 5th floor. They were puzzled as to why we were there. Some investigation- they had no orders, and we were told we were supposed to go to Outpatient clinic for the chemo. Downstairs we go.
After a 20 minute wait to get registered- (some daft woman/patient was directing other people to go ahead of us- which I quickly put the kibosh too- turns out she was not paying attention to the people behind her (us) ) , we get registered. The outpatient nurse comes flying out- she does not have us on her schedule, she does not have orders..... can we do this tommorrow?
I have no idea why CA center would send us upstairs and not tell us we aren't scheduled. I believe it may be due to communication failures and I hope not but maybe the fact that she does not have insurance.
So. Chemo is tomorrow- won't affect her recovery at all. Yes, mom, I have a call into the CA center to find out what the deal is. Everything happens for a reason- we shall see what the reason is- maybe St James will have pharmacy meltdown or something.
Anyway, its tomorrow.
Anyway, with the increased Hemoglobin and decreased liver enzymes, Bridget has not stopped smiling since seeing Dr. Hueftle. She is so happy. She is even cleared to do one day of dishes!
She has more energy, is talking about playing the Wii (something she has not talked about while sick), getting to see movies in the summer, and getting outside when it is nicer. All good things to hear!
Thanks for checking in.
Denise
Monday, February 16, 2009
Great news!!
Bridget had her weekly lab check and visit with Dr. Hueftle. She was a "Little" anxious about the blood draw from her port, but finally calmed down. Blood draw went fine.
She had a weigh in - lost 2.5 lbs. I told her (kiddingly) she did not have to match me pound for pound while I am in Weight Watchers. She rolled her eyes- I thought it was funny!
Saw the nurse. No issues with her appetite- In fact, she is eating everything I make for her and sometimes more. She requested spaghetti the other day and had two helpings. We found a new topping for spaghetti- feta cheese sprinkled on top. Yummy! She had fajita tacos (thanks Paiger) the other day and ate every bit (this was when her tummy was doing handstands and somersaults). So I don't think the chemo affected her appetite. Tonite- she wants Tacos. No mouth sores yet. Nausea was handled quite well with Compazine. She does have some hair falling out (when I brush it, comb it, wash it), but that has evened off some- although Nancy the chemo nurse thinks she will lose more. No fever, blood pressure good (a little high from the anxiety of a port stick), heart rate good and oxygen level good.
Dr. Hueftle saw her- did his exam. Her neck nodes have shrunk significantly. He says she almost looks symmetrical now. I am thinking her nodes in the lungs are down as well, cause her cough is gone. He also said her spleen seemed smaller on this exam as well. Her hemoglobin is up to 9.6!! from 9.1, and that is without iron. So all in all, she is responding to chemo. She is so excited!!
Next chemo is next Monday! I did ask if it was ok for her to take the compazine the night before the 48 hour anti nausea med wears off- they said this was ok. So we'll try that in hopes of getting her stomach to stop the somersaults.
She is actually smiling and I could see a HUGE weight leap off her shoulders, with the news about the smaller nodes. (She was projecting and thinking things were not going to respond as much as they did).
So the prayers and good thoughts are working- don't stop now- keep up all the good work, thoughts and prayers!!
Thank you So much!
She had a weigh in - lost 2.5 lbs. I told her (kiddingly) she did not have to match me pound for pound while I am in Weight Watchers. She rolled her eyes- I thought it was funny!
Saw the nurse. No issues with her appetite- In fact, she is eating everything I make for her and sometimes more. She requested spaghetti the other day and had two helpings. We found a new topping for spaghetti- feta cheese sprinkled on top. Yummy! She had fajita tacos (thanks Paiger) the other day and ate every bit (this was when her tummy was doing handstands and somersaults). So I don't think the chemo affected her appetite. Tonite- she wants Tacos. No mouth sores yet. Nausea was handled quite well with Compazine. She does have some hair falling out (when I brush it, comb it, wash it), but that has evened off some- although Nancy the chemo nurse thinks she will lose more. No fever, blood pressure good (a little high from the anxiety of a port stick), heart rate good and oxygen level good.
Dr. Hueftle saw her- did his exam. Her neck nodes have shrunk significantly. He says she almost looks symmetrical now. I am thinking her nodes in the lungs are down as well, cause her cough is gone. He also said her spleen seemed smaller on this exam as well. Her hemoglobin is up to 9.6!! from 9.1, and that is without iron. So all in all, she is responding to chemo. She is so excited!!
Next chemo is next Monday! I did ask if it was ok for her to take the compazine the night before the 48 hour anti nausea med wears off- they said this was ok. So we'll try that in hopes of getting her stomach to stop the somersaults.
She is actually smiling and I could see a HUGE weight leap off her shoulders, with the news about the smaller nodes. (She was projecting and thinking things were not going to respond as much as they did).
So the prayers and good thoughts are working- don't stop now- keep up all the good work, thoughts and prayers!!
Thank you So much!
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Post chemo day
Well the antinausea med that worked for 48 hours wore off, and with that- came the upset stomach. So we did not get by this time totally unscathed. Bridget has Compazine to take to help out with the upset stomach. She was trying to be strong and not take it, but I convinced her to take it this morning so that she can get a handle on the upset.
She had read that sometimes with the first chemo dose there is not a reaction, it has to "build up" in one's system. I think she was thinking she was going to go that route.
Yesterday, she got the White Blood cell booster shot. That will cause some bone pain as the shot stimulates cell production.
And of course, Social Security call did not happen. I called them after waiting a half an hour. They gave me the excuse that my phone number was disconnected and the letter returned. What did happen was that they were unable to follow clear instructions to call my cell number as long distance. They did not and did not try again. I left a voice mail message asking the manager of the Butte office to call me back- she did not. So I will call her daily until she does. That is one reason why government is the way it is. Inefficient and inability to follow instructions.
Anyway, I am at work today. Checking on Bridget by phone frequently.
Denise
She had read that sometimes with the first chemo dose there is not a reaction, it has to "build up" in one's system. I think she was thinking she was going to go that route.
Yesterday, she got the White Blood cell booster shot. That will cause some bone pain as the shot stimulates cell production.
And of course, Social Security call did not happen. I called them after waiting a half an hour. They gave me the excuse that my phone number was disconnected and the letter returned. What did happen was that they were unable to follow clear instructions to call my cell number as long distance. They did not and did not try again. I left a voice mail message asking the manager of the Butte office to call me back- she did not. So I will call her daily until she does. That is one reason why government is the way it is. Inefficient and inability to follow instructions.
Anyway, I am at work today. Checking on Bridget by phone frequently.
Denise
Monday, February 9, 2009
Chemo day !!!
Well, Chemo day happened!! And what a LONG one it was!
We started at 8:45 in the MD office. They took vitals, checked the port, put the infusion extension cath in, answered questions and then sent us up to 5th floor for the infusion. More vitals, we got situated in the room. The nurse started with pre-meds (anti nausea med IV, Benadryl, Decadron (to lessen allergic reactions), and Ativan to help with anxiety level. These were given -oh about 1030. Nothing happening from then to noon- They had to mix drugs according to her weight etc. At noon, I was starving (having eaten at 5:30). I took a quick trip to Wendy's, by the time I got back, the first one was in.
The second chemo med (there are four) was a test dose to check for allergic reactions. We had to wait an hour after that test dose. Since no reaction- they gave that med- that took about 20 minutes. It's about 2 now. The third med took about 5 minutes to give. Then a wait for the fourth med. That one started about 4 and went in over an hour. Then the nurse held us there to make sure nothing bad happened, for an hour.
So our odyssey started at 8:45 and we left at 6. So much for the quick four hours I thought it would be.
Good thing is that she had no reactions, the Ativan relaxed her enough to take some power cat naps (she needed it cause she did not sleep well last night), and so far --- no nausea!. We have two nausea meds on hand to help in case she does get sick. Had to go fill one at Wally World, which took another 20 minutes. So round about 7:15 we had dinner. THANK YOU Aunt Miriam for the wonderful pasty!!!!! and for the fact I did not have to worry about what to fix for dinner after that long day!! It hit the spot!
Tomorrow, she has to go get a shot to boost her white blood cell count after chemo, and we have to talk to Social Security to get her set up with assistance and Medicaid. Everyone keep your fingers crossed.
Thanks everyone for all your help, your prayers and your thoughts!
Denise
We started at 8:45 in the MD office. They took vitals, checked the port, put the infusion extension cath in, answered questions and then sent us up to 5th floor for the infusion. More vitals, we got situated in the room. The nurse started with pre-meds (anti nausea med IV, Benadryl, Decadron (to lessen allergic reactions), and Ativan to help with anxiety level. These were given -oh about 1030. Nothing happening from then to noon- They had to mix drugs according to her weight etc. At noon, I was starving (having eaten at 5:30). I took a quick trip to Wendy's, by the time I got back, the first one was in.
The second chemo med (there are four) was a test dose to check for allergic reactions. We had to wait an hour after that test dose. Since no reaction- they gave that med- that took about 20 minutes. It's about 2 now. The third med took about 5 minutes to give. Then a wait for the fourth med. That one started about 4 and went in over an hour. Then the nurse held us there to make sure nothing bad happened, for an hour.
So our odyssey started at 8:45 and we left at 6. So much for the quick four hours I thought it would be.
Good thing is that she had no reactions, the Ativan relaxed her enough to take some power cat naps (she needed it cause she did not sleep well last night), and so far --- no nausea!. We have two nausea meds on hand to help in case she does get sick. Had to go fill one at Wally World, which took another 20 minutes. So round about 7:15 we had dinner. THANK YOU Aunt Miriam for the wonderful pasty!!!!! and for the fact I did not have to worry about what to fix for dinner after that long day!! It hit the spot!
Tomorrow, she has to go get a shot to boost her white blood cell count after chemo, and we have to talk to Social Security to get her set up with assistance and Medicaid. Everyone keep your fingers crossed.
Thanks everyone for all your help, your prayers and your thoughts!
Denise
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