I am feeling especially weak this time around. I sorta feel like the day after you have the flu when you feel better, but really weak...only about double that. Jeanah and I were able to do some yard work in the great sunny weather on Saturday and we put together some new outdoor furniture. It looks great. I'm tired, but sitting down helps!
I'm going to watch the OSU Beaver's baseball team play this evening. Hoping there is still some sunny weather left by 6pm...the forecast in Corvallis is for showers :( better take my rain gear...
Dr. Chang says as long as I can tolerate the punishment we will go the full term of 12 treatments. This last one was #8 so I have 4 more. I can't wait to be done! We will probably continue with Avastin after these 12 treatments. Will be anxious to see what the "after" CaT scan shows to see if there is anything to be concerned about at that point.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Kauai Cancer Treatment Center
Well, we can all wish such a place officially existed because then we could travel to Kauai and get our medical insurance to pay for it. It is incredible to me that one day of Chemo drip costs WAY more than our entire trip to Kauai (including EVERYTHING, even the things we didn't do because the weren't in the tourist budged).
That said, we had a great time in Kauai and got lots of vitamin D in the form of Sunshine on our skin!
Today I got the results of my April 28 CaT scan which I see I neglected to report on the blog.
Well, Doctor Chang says it is great news. There has been no spread to anywhere else in the torso (these bad guys tend to like to spread to the liver and lungs). There is still a "hot spot" in the pelvis region near the original tumor site. It is possible this is metastatic disease, but it is also possible this is just continued healing and inflamation from the major surgery six months ago. It has shrunk considerably since the February 12 CaT scan. This is encouraging.
We have added a new "Chemo Poison" to the mix. Avastin. This is a DNA Genetically designed drug to suppress the creation of blood vessels. It is designed to specifically target any bad guys that may be trying to get blood supply and tell them "NO!" It has some lovely, but rare side effects including "Extreme Hypertensive Events" and "Possiblility of Stroke and/or Congestive Heart Events" and "blurry vision", "loss of balance", "loss of short term memory"
umm...what was I typing??
Anyway, I am to report anything unusual to Dr. Chang and take my Blood Pressure daily and report it at each appointment.
The good news is it sounds like we will only have 3-4 more "cocktail" Chemo treatments and the continue with the Avastin only for the rest of the year or whatever seems appropriate....
The Avastin drip only takes about an hour so that will be much nicer for my work schedule and hopefully it won't knock me down as much either with fatigue (or the insomnia that I am currently experiencing at 3:30am)
Thank you all so much for your constant prayers!
Love ya'll...
Victor
That said, we had a great time in Kauai and got lots of vitamin D in the form of Sunshine on our skin!
Today I got the results of my April 28 CaT scan which I see I neglected to report on the blog.
Well, Doctor Chang says it is great news. There has been no spread to anywhere else in the torso (these bad guys tend to like to spread to the liver and lungs). There is still a "hot spot" in the pelvis region near the original tumor site. It is possible this is metastatic disease, but it is also possible this is just continued healing and inflamation from the major surgery six months ago. It has shrunk considerably since the February 12 CaT scan. This is encouraging.
We have added a new "Chemo Poison" to the mix. Avastin. This is a DNA Genetically designed drug to suppress the creation of blood vessels. It is designed to specifically target any bad guys that may be trying to get blood supply and tell them "NO!" It has some lovely, but rare side effects including "Extreme Hypertensive Events" and "Possiblility of Stroke and/or Congestive Heart Events" and "blurry vision", "loss of balance", "loss of short term memory"
umm...what was I typing??
Anyway, I am to report anything unusual to Dr. Chang and take my Blood Pressure daily and report it at each appointment.
The good news is it sounds like we will only have 3-4 more "cocktail" Chemo treatments and the continue with the Avastin only for the rest of the year or whatever seems appropriate....
The Avastin drip only takes about an hour so that will be much nicer for my work schedule and hopefully it won't knock me down as much either with fatigue (or the insomnia that I am currently experiencing at 3:30am)
Thank you all so much for your constant prayers!
Love ya'll...
Victor
Friday, March 18, 2011
Booked!!
25% of my Chemo sessions are done, and I have seen very little in the side-effects category. After 1 and 2 I saw some issues with a "cold tongue" but that went away after about 24 hours.
After #2 I forgot and drank a gulp of cold water. I won't forget again, but it wasn't super horrible. I felt like I just drank an ice cube, but it was OK once it warmed up again. After #3, I had a little bit of tingle in my fingers after I pulled some frozen meat out of the freezer, but not too bad.
I still have a fair amount of fatigue for a day or two after the Chemo and will continue to try to eat healthy and get activity where I can and when I feel like it. I am trying to get 40+ hours per week in at work, some from the office, some from home.
At the end of last week, we BOOKED our flight to Hawaii!! We're going!! About six weeks away...should be great...that will be the half-way point for Chemo too, so will be a great time to take "half time". Dr. Chang says going an extra week between treatments won't hurt a thing.
Thank you for all who are praying for me. It encourages me and I know it He strengthens me through this struggle.
Love ya'll!
After #2 I forgot and drank a gulp of cold water. I won't forget again, but it wasn't super horrible. I felt like I just drank an ice cube, but it was OK once it warmed up again. After #3, I had a little bit of tingle in my fingers after I pulled some frozen meat out of the freezer, but not too bad.
I still have a fair amount of fatigue for a day or two after the Chemo and will continue to try to eat healthy and get activity where I can and when I feel like it. I am trying to get 40+ hours per week in at work, some from the office, some from home.
At the end of last week, we BOOKED our flight to Hawaii!! We're going!! About six weeks away...should be great...that will be the half-way point for Chemo too, so will be a great time to take "half time". Dr. Chang says going an extra week between treatments won't hurt a thing.
Thank you for all who are praying for me. It encourages me and I know it He strengthens me through this struggle.
Love ya'll!
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Some have asked...
So after being 5 days out from the fires Chemo round, I feel pretty good. I haven't had to battle side effects much. When I got out of the Dr.'s office, I did have a cold tongue, and I was a bit cold and fatigued for the next two days when the 5FU was pumping, but I feel well now.
Jeanah and I are considering keeping our plans to go to HAWAII the first two weeks in May as long as I can tolerate the next couple treatments nearly as well as the first.
One nurse did tell me that sometimes people do experience effects after the 2nd or 3rd treatments they didn't see in the first. Also, (mean) Dr. Chang may boost the quantity of Chemo given if I'm tolerating it.
Anyway, seems encouraging to this point.
Love ya'll
Jeanah and I are considering keeping our plans to go to HAWAII the first two weeks in May as long as I can tolerate the next couple treatments nearly as well as the first.
One nurse did tell me that sometimes people do experience effects after the 2nd or 3rd treatments they didn't see in the first. Also, (mean) Dr. Chang may boost the quantity of Chemo given if I'm tolerating it.
Anyway, seems encouraging to this point.
Love ya'll
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Drip...drip...drip...
Today was relatively painless. I got there at 9am and they started me on a drip of Calcium and Magnesium which is to lessen the potential side-effects. After this, they gave me a drip of Steroids for the same reason. At that point, they gave the O...and L... and then I waited 15 minutes before they could give the last which was a dosage of the 5FU and then hook up the take-home pump.
I didn't have much of a problem with side effects today. Some fatigue and a funny flushed feeling. I also had some coolness on my tongue, but that is gone now.
We shall see how the 5FU affects me over the next day or two...hoping I will be right as rain (which we have plenty of right now).
The CT scan I had Sunday didn't show anything of concern and Dr. Chang gave the drugs as previously discussed.
I didn't have much of a problem with side effects today. Some fatigue and a funny flushed feeling. I also had some coolness on my tongue, but that is gone now.
We shall see how the 5FU affects me over the next day or two...hoping I will be right as rain (which we have plenty of right now).
The CT scan I had Sunday didn't show anything of concern and Dr. Chang gave the drugs as previously discussed.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Here we go...
Today I saw Dr. Chang, my oncologist and we discussed the Chemotherapy option he thinks is best. We will start at 9:00am next Tuesday, Feb 15. The way I understand it is I will get 5 hours of IV Pump Chemo that day with two chemicals and a hint of the third. Leucovorin and Oxaliplatin are given with a flush of the Flourouracil (5FU).
Then, the 5FU is used in a slow push pump which I take home with me for 46 hours and I go back in 2 days to get disconnected.
So basically from 9am Tuesday to 3pm Thursday I will have chemicals going through my body hopefully targeting and destroying any "microscopic baddies" that may still be left over after the surgery...
If you want to read more about chemotherapy, go here Chemocare.com or to find out more about the particular drugs click on the names below:
Leucovorin
Oxaliplatin
Fluorouracil
I will have the second of 12 treatments on Monday, Feb 28. He said the protocol is to do this for 6 months (12 treatments) but if something non-desirable is occurring we can modify or even stop the treatments as needed.
He will prescribe medication to help fight nausea which is a potential side effect. Numbness in the fingers and toes is another potential side effect.
Please pray that I will be able to tolerate the treatments well and that the side effects will be minimal.
Love ya'll!
Victor
Then, the 5FU is used in a slow push pump which I take home with me for 46 hours and I go back in 2 days to get disconnected.
So basically from 9am Tuesday to 3pm Thursday I will have chemicals going through my body hopefully targeting and destroying any "microscopic baddies" that may still be left over after the surgery...
If you want to read more about chemotherapy, go here Chemocare.com or to find out more about the particular drugs click on the names below:
Leucovorin
Oxaliplatin
Fluorouracil
I will have the second of 12 treatments on Monday, Feb 28. He said the protocol is to do this for 6 months (12 treatments) but if something non-desirable is occurring we can modify or even stop the treatments as needed.
He will prescribe medication to help fight nausea which is a potential side effect. Numbness in the fingers and toes is another potential side effect.
Please pray that I will be able to tolerate the treatments well and that the side effects will be minimal.
Love ya'll!
Victor
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Back to Normal! (For at least a week)
I saw Dr. Lee, my surgeon, today. He says everything looks great and is healed nicely. I have no more drainage issues and he says "eat normal, have normal activity"...keeping in mind I have the stoma.
Next Tuesday, Feb 8, at 3:30pm, I see Dr. Chang. We will discuss Chemotherapy and what that will look like (assuming I choose to do that, which is most likely).
I worked full-time, mostly from the office last week, and Jeanah and I took a long weekend in La Grande with her parents this weekend. I was tired after the work week and the end of my tailbone didn't allow me to drive much on the way there. I'm hoping my body gets more used to sitting up and working!
Thank you all for your continued prayer and kindness!
Next Tuesday, Feb 8, at 3:30pm, I see Dr. Chang. We will discuss Chemotherapy and what that will look like (assuming I choose to do that, which is most likely).
I worked full-time, mostly from the office last week, and Jeanah and I took a long weekend in La Grande with her parents this weekend. I was tired after the work week and the end of my tailbone didn't allow me to drive much on the way there. I'm hoping my body gets more used to sitting up and working!
Thank you all for your continued prayer and kindness!
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Hawaii or Chemo...tough choice!
I'm about 90% certain I will start preventative chemotherapy sessions sometime in February and will do a session about every 2 weeks for 6 months (that's until July). Dr. Chang says he estimates a 40+ % increased chance of cure if we do. That sounds like a winner to me! We had planned on going to Hawaii in May, but are going to change that to most likely a trip to sunny Mexico in October.
On a good note, the drainage I had to endure out my backside has subsided. To me, this means probably no "secondary probing" surgery visit in February. We will know more Feb 1 when I talk to Dr. Lee.
On a good note, the drainage I had to endure out my backside has subsided. To me, this means probably no "secondary probing" surgery visit in February. We will know more Feb 1 when I talk to Dr. Lee.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Clear PET scan
The PET Scan was clear, no hot spots, nothing abnormal. It does show "healing" taking place in the rectal area...I could have told you that....
So what does this mean?
We decided that since there is still some healing and drainage on the backside and I am seeing Dr. Lee on Feb 1 to see what is going on at that point, that we will wait for that. Dr. Chang says he would like to start Chemotherapy no later than end of Feb, but we will see what happens with Dr. Lee on Feb 1.
Dr. Chang says doing Chemo at this point will increase the chances of "a cure" by about 40-50%. That sounds good to me! He said by cure, he means no more cancer for 20-30+ years. With that said, I think I'm probably going to do the Chemo... He thinks we should be able to go to Hawaii in May depending on how I "tolerate" the Chemo.
He said if there had been evidence of spread on the PET scan, the prognosis would be more like "let's keep you alive as long as we can"...probably more like 5-10 years. Ummm...I didn't realize that was what we were looking at, but the 20-30+ year timeframe sounds much better :)
Earlier yesterday I went to the Ostomy nurse. She says everything looks good, and gave me a slightly smaller base to use (this is the base that sticks to my stoma). It didn't work so well and I had to replace it in the afternoon prior to my Oncology appointment. Later, Jeanah was able to get one to stick OK, but I am going to contact her today and let her know it didn't work as well as we'd hoped. This is not an exact science. We just are trying to get the best equipment for my situation so I can have the best results and the easiest time of installation every 3-5 days.
So what does this mean?
We decided that since there is still some healing and drainage on the backside and I am seeing Dr. Lee on Feb 1 to see what is going on at that point, that we will wait for that. Dr. Chang says he would like to start Chemotherapy no later than end of Feb, but we will see what happens with Dr. Lee on Feb 1.
Dr. Chang says doing Chemo at this point will increase the chances of "a cure" by about 40-50%. That sounds good to me! He said by cure, he means no more cancer for 20-30+ years. With that said, I think I'm probably going to do the Chemo... He thinks we should be able to go to Hawaii in May depending on how I "tolerate" the Chemo.
He said if there had been evidence of spread on the PET scan, the prognosis would be more like "let's keep you alive as long as we can"...probably more like 5-10 years. Ummm...I didn't realize that was what we were looking at, but the 20-30+ year timeframe sounds much better :)
Earlier yesterday I went to the Ostomy nurse. She says everything looks good, and gave me a slightly smaller base to use (this is the base that sticks to my stoma). It didn't work so well and I had to replace it in the afternoon prior to my Oncology appointment. Later, Jeanah was able to get one to stick OK, but I am going to contact her today and let her know it didn't work as well as we'd hoped. This is not an exact science. We just are trying to get the best equipment for my situation so I can have the best results and the easiest time of installation every 3-5 days.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Moving Forward and Learning...
As we move into 2011 (YAY!!) we will be continuing to take in data from doctors and learn the result of the PeT scan taken on 12/31/2010.
I meet with Dr. Lee on Tuesday, 1/4, to make sure everything is going well with my incisions.
Still getting stronger week by week, and right now I have almost no pain due to surgery. Still have some numbness in my middle and ring fingers on my right hand, hoping that will continue to heal.
We hope 2011 is a better year than 2010!!
Love you all!
I meet with Dr. Lee on Tuesday, 1/4, to make sure everything is going well with my incisions.
Still getting stronger week by week, and right now I have almost no pain due to surgery. Still have some numbness in my middle and ring fingers on my right hand, hoping that will continue to heal.
We hope 2011 is a better year than 2010!!
Love you all!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
