Chemo was pretty much all day yesterday-- blood test right before, and Dr. Chen said that the blood cell counts were still good and where they should be. If they drop he says they do things to help increase- proteins, or blood transfusions, etc. So far so good.
Chemo is interesting. She basically sits in a lounge chair with the bag of drugs dripping into her pic line all day. Sounds harsh I know but its actually quite mellow. She lounges back with ear phones on (relaxing classical piano and YoYo Ma cd's) and sleeps through most of it. (next week I'm bringing the Bose noise canceling headphones for better noise canceling!)
After 5 hours of chemo, she then had to go to her radiation appointment. That appointment is usually just about 10 minutes. To say the least it was a tiring day for her, so she slept well for most of the day and last night.
She is very tired, but not horribly weak- she still quietly awakens at 6 am or so and slowly gets to the bathroom (takes out her own feeding tube) and starts her day. We figure routine is a good thing for her so we let her do her stuff... Then she's wide awake and either watches TV (she says daytime TV is awful so she'd rather sleep anyway), and also checks email. This morning I think she may have answered some email... so some of you may have gotten a response. She has probably 2 hours total of complete awakeness and lucidity.. the rest of the time she is tired and sleepy.
Between Joe and I we are getting meds to her every 4 hours. The tricky part is the 4am meds... I am here with Joe Monday thru Thursday afternoons. Joe does the midnight meds since he doesn't go to bed until then, I go to bed around 9 or 10 and get up at 4 for the 4am meds, then go back to sleep. Then both Joe and Cyndy are awake when Cyn wakes up so Joe does the 8am. I think we've got a good pattern for at least those three nights. While a body can go without much sleep for a night, multiple nights of that would not bode well in the long run for anyone so our pattern has been working so far. My Sister Eloise is here one night and my sister Josie another night so mostly Joe has to be on his own at night for two nights a week.... its hard to try and sleep and then wake up every four hours on schedule. But if we can keep consistent with the meds it then we can keep her nausea at bay.
Cyn has had a lot of nausea today, we expected it. Luckily no horrible vomiting is happening.
Please keep thinking and visualizing the positive stuff... like cancer cells diminishing, and decreased nausea and throwing up for her (that's the part she really hates!)
(Sorry if this post is rather rambling... its past my bedtime!)
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Monday, August 23, 2010
Week 2- Radiation daily, Chemo on Tuesday.
We're not sure if the chemo reactions have set in, or if there's something else irritating her but throwing up has started up again (where it was not quite so frequent between last Thursday and Sunday)
Had the Monday radiation treatment today, and she's now more tired than last week. Chemo happens tomorrow starting at 8:30 and going for 4-6 hours. After chemo is Tuesday's radiation treatment.
Please do some positive visualizations for Cyn all day tomorrow, if even just picturing "no throwing up" for her.
She does check email regularly, so feel free to send messages too! For now we're keeping visitors to a minimum only because she tires so easily and she says she really wants to get her strength back.
More after tomorrow...
Had the Monday radiation treatment today, and she's now more tired than last week. Chemo happens tomorrow starting at 8:30 and going for 4-6 hours. After chemo is Tuesday's radiation treatment.
Please do some positive visualizations for Cyn all day tomorrow, if even just picturing "no throwing up" for her.
She does check email regularly, so feel free to send messages too! For now we're keeping visitors to a minimum only because she tires so easily and she says she really wants to get her strength back.
More after tomorrow...
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Four days of radiation, and first chemo session done.
I took her picture, told her I'm sure people will be happy to see this. I took it just a few minutes ago.
Cyn decided she'd sit in her lounge in the backyard this afternoon to enjoy the warm day. Joe took one look at her through the window and said, "now THAT's the Cyndy I know...".
Clare is here hanging out today too. Her mom is happy that she's here too, just one more day of radiation this week then two days off .
Clare is here hanging out today too. Her mom is happy that she's here too, just one more day of radiation this week then two days off .
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Cyn is home. When we got to her house, she looked around a little bit and then got into bed and promptly fell into a deep sleep nap for about an hour. When she awoke she got up, walked around, into the bathroom and brushed her teeth. She was moving so fast I told her to please slow down... she was making me nervous and if she fainted or fell Eloise and I would have to figure out how to pick her up! She said "ok", and proceeded to turn the radio on in the bathroom and get cleaned up. She doesn't have much of a voice and when she tries to talk, its mostly in a soft whisper so you have to get close to listen. Her bronchial tube is affected, which is why, the doctor says, she sounds like shes breathing out while she talks-- sort of a breathless whisper.
Then she sat with us for a little bit, sipped on some warm water and went through the mail. She must have gotten tired again, because after that she crawled into bed and asked me if I could administer her nausea medicine. (Joe and I had been schooled by the nurse on how to crush up the prescription pill, mix it with warm water to dissolve, flush the feeding tube then run the prescription mix into the feeding tube, etc). I got to do it on my own, with Josie watching, since Joe had gone out to get the rest of the prescriptions filled. Success all around.
Josie and I left Joe around 9 tonight. I do hope that they have an uneventful night. It seemed okay so far. No major nausea yet, but we'll have to see in the next couple days.
We all talked this evening and right now she doesn't want too many visitors besides immediate family (who can help Joe out), because she wants to work on getting stronger and trying to keep down clear fluids for the next couple weeks. She says thats her first goal-- to try and keep down stuff and get off the feeding tube. Her doctor says that's great, but to take it very slowly since she has not had anything in her stomach for almost 3 weeks. I'll let you all know here on the blog, when it seems like she's feeling strong consistently and its a good time to start visiting.
If you want to send her some good wishes feel free to send her an email. She awakens around 7am and immediately checks her email. She tries to answer too, but I don't think she gets to do that on many. Anyhow, her email is cfilarca@yahoo.com.
Then she sat with us for a little bit, sipped on some warm water and went through the mail. She must have gotten tired again, because after that she crawled into bed and asked me if I could administer her nausea medicine. (Joe and I had been schooled by the nurse on how to crush up the prescription pill, mix it with warm water to dissolve, flush the feeding tube then run the prescription mix into the feeding tube, etc). I got to do it on my own, with Josie watching, since Joe had gone out to get the rest of the prescriptions filled. Success all around.
Josie and I left Joe around 9 tonight. I do hope that they have an uneventful night. It seemed okay so far. No major nausea yet, but we'll have to see in the next couple days.
We all talked this evening and right now she doesn't want too many visitors besides immediate family (who can help Joe out), because she wants to work on getting stronger and trying to keep down clear fluids for the next couple weeks. She says thats her first goal-- to try and keep down stuff and get off the feeding tube. Her doctor says that's great, but to take it very slowly since she has not had anything in her stomach for almost 3 weeks. I'll let you all know here on the blog, when it seems like she's feeling strong consistently and its a good time to start visiting.
If you want to send her some good wishes feel free to send her an email. She awakens around 7am and immediately checks her email. She tries to answer too, but I don't think she gets to do that on many. Anyhow, her email is cfilarca@yahoo.com.
Going Home
Twenty-four hours since chemo began and Cyn is still okay and not feeling bad. Dr. Chen came by and told her she could go home today. She will have a visiting nurse tomorrow morning, radiation outpatient appointment in the afternoon, and chemo at Dr. Chen's office on Tuesdays.
Keep up with the positive visualizations for her, they seem to be helping- at least with the nausea!
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Radiation & Chemo Week One.
Cyn started radiation therapy yesterday (Monday) , and chemo therapy today. Radiation will happen 5 days a week and chemo once a week for 7-8 weeks. The chemo drugs they are administering are Paclitaxel (Taxol) and Cisplatin. She got the Taxol first. Since it usually takes a day or two for the yucky side affects to start, things are quiet for now. I will stay here through Thursday and depending on how she does, she may get to go home before the end of the week. They will have her go home with the feeding tube, however, because she's still not so great about keeping down fluids , much less solids.
My mother brought her fresh beef broth this morning. Cyn had asked her for some broth a little tastier than the hospital broth. Although she had alot of it, most of it didn't stay down for very long BUT Cyn did say the flavor was much better than the hospital broth! (who knew? my mothers cooking is better than the hospitals!) My 89 year old mother Tess was here all day from about 10am to 4, when I arrived. She was tired, but happy to be able to spend the time helping Cyn. And actually Cyn said that she really knew my mother meant well (even though she can be a little guilt inducing to everyone around), and it was my mother who helped empty the bedside toidy when no nurses or nursing assistants would come around. I think she actually was glad my mother was here and it was just the two of them to talk together. My mother read to her a little too.
It's now 6:20pm and the first dose of Taxol is now complete. The nurse has just come in to put the other chemo in- the Cisplatin. Which will also automatically dispense via IV. Just eyeballing the covered bag (it's light sensitive so they keep it wrapped up in a dark brown bag), gives me the heebee jeebees but I know that this might just be the thing to save her life.
Please visualize the drugs powering through her system and wiping out all that cancer but still keep her strong. That "power of positive attraction" thing sure can't hurt these days.
My mother brought her fresh beef broth this morning. Cyn had asked her for some broth a little tastier than the hospital broth. Although she had alot of it, most of it didn't stay down for very long BUT Cyn did say the flavor was much better than the hospital broth! (who knew? my mothers cooking is better than the hospitals!) My 89 year old mother Tess was here all day from about 10am to 4, when I arrived. She was tired, but happy to be able to spend the time helping Cyn. And actually Cyn said that she really knew my mother meant well (even though she can be a little guilt inducing to everyone around), and it was my mother who helped empty the bedside toidy when no nurses or nursing assistants would come around. I think she actually was glad my mother was here and it was just the two of them to talk together. My mother read to her a little too.
It's now 6:20pm and the first dose of Taxol is now complete. The nurse has just come in to put the other chemo in- the Cisplatin. Which will also automatically dispense via IV. Just eyeballing the covered bag (it's light sensitive so they keep it wrapped up in a dark brown bag), gives me the heebee jeebees but I know that this might just be the thing to save her life.
Please visualize the drugs powering through her system and wiping out all that cancer but still keep her strong. That "power of positive attraction" thing sure can't hurt these days.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Saturday Update from Josie
Eloise , Neena and I went this morning and washed her hair. I think this made her feel so much better. We figured out how to do it by watching a You Tube video. We helped her pay her bills online and Eloise read to her. Teresa B came by too.
She felt good enough to walk and made it down the hall past the elevators and back. She said it felt different walking again. Dr Chen came before Noon to ask her if she could eat anything yet, but Cyn can't really eat anything but ice, although she tried chamomile tea. He said not to worry about it since she is still on the feeding tube. He said he would be back tomorrow.
They gave her the adavan drug around 2:30 and that helped her relax. She seems to be able to go for longer stretches between doses.I left around 2:45 to take Mom home and Eloise and Neena were still with Cyn.
She felt good enough to walk and made it down the hall past the elevators and back. She said it felt different walking again. Dr Chen came before Noon to ask her if she could eat anything yet, but Cyn can't really eat anything but ice, although she tried chamomile tea. He said not to worry about it since she is still on the feeding tube. He said he would be back tomorrow.
They gave her the adavan drug around 2:30 and that helped her relax. She seems to be able to go for longer stretches between doses.I left around 2:45 to take Mom home and Eloise and Neena were still with Cyn.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
I found more information on Stage 3b lung cancer here: http://lungcancer.about.com/od/typesoflungcancer/a/stage3blungca.htm
I think we are all in a state of disbelief, yet incredible hope. Prayers all around. Prayers all around please.
I think we are all in a state of disbelief, yet incredible hope. Prayers all around. Prayers all around please.
Finally met Dr. T Chen
Cyn had an MRI on the abdomen today so they could take a look at the adrenal gland. She also had her first simulation appointment at radiology today, they do that to target the radiation area and let her know what to expect. She will start radiation on Monday. Joe and Clare and I were in the room when Dr. Chen came in, and Cyn arrived back from the MRI shortly after.
Dr. Chen says they’ve determined that surgery is not an option because the tumor in her lung is very small, but there are many cancer cells all around the center of the chest. Surgery would not be as affective as treating all those cells (the mass) with radiation and chemotherapy. Cyn is receiving the food tube with no problem (it looks like very pureed cream of wheat), so they are confident that they are increasing her caloric intake which will help increase her strength. Dr. Chen has recommended Chemo begin on Tuesday (after the initial radiation treatment), and she will have low doses of chemo weekly, and radiation 5 days a week for about 5-6 weeks. Normally they do high doses of chemo every 6 weeks, but he feels the radiation therapy will be more effective if they combine it with weekly low dose of chemo.
Dr. Chen said that her cancer is in Stage 3b, treatable but advanced. He says it was very lucky that they did that initial xray for the gurd, otherwise they would have never noticed the tumor and thus the cancer cells that are all in the center of her chest area. He says her lungs are very healthy and strong, and everyone on the oncology council (a group of specialists that review unusual cases) were perplexed as to why the cells were all around the center area when the tumor in her left lobe is so small.
So. We really don’t know what her prognosis is until she goes through treatment. It’s definitely not a great prognosis right now, but we really won’t know until the treatment starts. She will need strength from all of us. She doesn’t really mind having family around she says, we should be careful of too many other than family visitors, as she tires easily. (ie;, one at a time and maybe we should monitor to make sure a bunch of people don’t all visit at once?) She said this morning, “ I really like the peace and quiet”... So less stress is better for her.
Dr. Chen says they’ve determined that surgery is not an option because the tumor in her lung is very small, but there are many cancer cells all around the center of the chest. Surgery would not be as affective as treating all those cells (the mass) with radiation and chemotherapy. Cyn is receiving the food tube with no problem (it looks like very pureed cream of wheat), so they are confident that they are increasing her caloric intake which will help increase her strength. Dr. Chen has recommended Chemo begin on Tuesday (after the initial radiation treatment), and she will have low doses of chemo weekly, and radiation 5 days a week for about 5-6 weeks. Normally they do high doses of chemo every 6 weeks, but he feels the radiation therapy will be more effective if they combine it with weekly low dose of chemo.
Dr. Chen said that her cancer is in Stage 3b, treatable but advanced. He says it was very lucky that they did that initial xray for the gurd, otherwise they would have never noticed the tumor and thus the cancer cells that are all in the center of her chest area. He says her lungs are very healthy and strong, and everyone on the oncology council (a group of specialists that review unusual cases) were perplexed as to why the cells were all around the center area when the tumor in her left lobe is so small.
So. We really don’t know what her prognosis is until she goes through treatment. It’s definitely not a great prognosis right now, but we really won’t know until the treatment starts. She will need strength from all of us. She doesn’t really mind having family around she says, we should be careful of too many other than family visitors, as she tires easily. (ie;, one at a time and maybe we should monitor to make sure a bunch of people don’t all visit at once?) She said this morning, “ I really like the peace and quiet”... So less stress is better for her.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)