Chemo was exhausting yesterday - leaving the house at 8:30 and getting back home at 6:30!! HOWEVER, we were also both lifted and relieved because the cancer marker in the blood had dropped by almost 200 points in 2 weeks! We still have almost 800 points to go to be where that marker needs to be - BUT...this is the first time since September that the number has gone down! So, the oxaliplatin is doing it's work again! The Dr. also indicated that Lou shouldn't be as sick this time after the infusion yesterday - and thus far, he's correct! Still need to work on Lou's eating! He lost another 4 lbs in the last 2 weeks! But, am hoping if he's feeling better, maybe he'll also eat better!!! We are so very thankful and looking forward to a merrier Christmas and New Year celebration!
Just wanted to share the good news and once again thank all of you for your prayers, love, and support! We wish all of you a very Merry Christmas in this season of holiness and hope!
Blessings!
Deb
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Monday, December 21, 2009
Christmas Chemo
So, the last chemo on 12/10 was the first one with the reintroduction of the Oxaliplatin in Lou's chemo regiment to try to fight the growing liver tumors. Unfortunately, Lou was VERY ill for 3 days or so after the chemo - with fever, pain in the liver region, and overall malaise. It was a really difficult return to the drug! He's just now starting to feel a little better and of course, it's time to go again tomorrow morning fo another round of chemo! I was able to read additional information about adding more vitamins to try to lessen some of the negative side effects - so.....he's going to try taking some higher doses of these vitamins for the next 2 or 3 days to see if it will help some of the problems! Supposedly other patients and CAM programs have tried these vitamins with some success - so, prayerfully and hopefully - they'll also help Lou!
Feeling ill has also taken a toll on Lou's outlook! He's been struggling since the last chemo with what I would consider to be a real depression. We will see his chemo Dr. in the morning before his chemo infusion, so, I'm hoping that MAYBE Lou would consider and the Dr. will possibly prescribe an anti-depressant. Also am praying to find a way for Lou to have some other outlets for interaction with other patients or other people! With his immune system so depressed, it's not good for him to be out in crowds - so, we limit his exposure to smaller enviroments and places! But, even when we're at the Dr.'s office - he seeks out and starts conversations with people there! For those of you who've known Lou for any length of time - it's a new side of him - Mr. Outgoing! But, I think he really needs this outlet - he enjoys having company and seeing people - but....he can't go out much - so....it's difficult! For any of you living nearby or visiting Dallas, hope you'll consider coming by to see him!
In the meantime, we appreciate the continued love, support, and prayers from so many of you!!! We both wish all of you Love, Blessings, and Happiness during this Blessed Season!
Merry Christmas!
Love,
Deb and Lou
Feeling ill has also taken a toll on Lou's outlook! He's been struggling since the last chemo with what I would consider to be a real depression. We will see his chemo Dr. in the morning before his chemo infusion, so, I'm hoping that MAYBE Lou would consider and the Dr. will possibly prescribe an anti-depressant. Also am praying to find a way for Lou to have some other outlets for interaction with other patients or other people! With his immune system so depressed, it's not good for him to be out in crowds - so, we limit his exposure to smaller enviroments and places! But, even when we're at the Dr.'s office - he seeks out and starts conversations with people there! For those of you who've known Lou for any length of time - it's a new side of him - Mr. Outgoing! But, I think he really needs this outlet - he enjoys having company and seeing people - but....he can't go out much - so....it's difficult! For any of you living nearby or visiting Dallas, hope you'll consider coming by to see him!
In the meantime, we appreciate the continued love, support, and prayers from so many of you!!! We both wish all of you Love, Blessings, and Happiness during this Blessed Season!
Merry Christmas!
Love,
Deb and Lou
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Update 12/10
Lou completed the chemo today - with the added Oxaliplatin - without any complications! The Dr. also added an additional mixture of calcium and magnesium - a 30 minute drip - both before and after Lou receives the infusion of the Oxaliplatin. This adds another hour to the already LONG chemo lab time - but, it is hoped that by him receiving the calcium / magnesium combo - it will help to lessen some of the negative side effects of the Oxaliplatin! So....if it works - that would be a real blessing! Lou did say that he already is feeling the "tingling" in his fingertips and toes - but...am hoping with added supplements and the Reiki and reflexology massages - we can keep this from becoming too big of an issue!
We also visited with the radiation oncologist after the chemo. He explained a little more about some of the complications of doing anything else for the liver right now - especially in respect to radiation! I think Lou and I both felt a little better or at least a little more assured that what's being done right now is probably the best we can hope for! And, he also confirmed again that both tumors in Lou's brain look really good - Not active! - and nothing new showing up! So....this is a good thing! After the MRIs on Lou's spine on Monday 12/14 - he'll call us probably the 16th or 17th to let us know the results. However, we all seem to think that these will be clear with no additional problems!
Right now, it's really all about the liver! The blood numbers had increased another 50 % just in the last 2 weeks! And, as they told us yesterday - the tumors had grown "significantly" since the last CT scan a month ago - and now instead of only 2 of the tumors growing - MANY were growing and in both lobes of the liver! The hopes and prayers now have to be that the Oxaliplatin will be able to bring them back down again!
Lou has lost more weight - so, I'm having to redouble the efforts to get him to eat! It's a day by day meal by meal ordeal!!! Wish I could share the weight I've found since the cancer was diagnosed last November!
Thanks again for continued prayers! We are so very thankful for all of you!
Love,
Deb
We also visited with the radiation oncologist after the chemo. He explained a little more about some of the complications of doing anything else for the liver right now - especially in respect to radiation! I think Lou and I both felt a little better or at least a little more assured that what's being done right now is probably the best we can hope for! And, he also confirmed again that both tumors in Lou's brain look really good - Not active! - and nothing new showing up! So....this is a good thing! After the MRIs on Lou's spine on Monday 12/14 - he'll call us probably the 16th or 17th to let us know the results. However, we all seem to think that these will be clear with no additional problems!
Right now, it's really all about the liver! The blood numbers had increased another 50 % just in the last 2 weeks! And, as they told us yesterday - the tumors had grown "significantly" since the last CT scan a month ago - and now instead of only 2 of the tumors growing - MANY were growing and in both lobes of the liver! The hopes and prayers now have to be that the Oxaliplatin will be able to bring them back down again!
Lou has lost more weight - so, I'm having to redouble the efforts to get him to eat! It's a day by day meal by meal ordeal!!! Wish I could share the weight I've found since the cancer was diagnosed last November!
Thanks again for continued prayers! We are so very thankful for all of you!
Love,
Deb
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Unhappy News
Got the results this afternoon of the CT scan of Lou's liver and the MRI of his brain. Fortunately, the brain tumors show no change and nothing new. Unfortunately, most of the liver tumors are now growing and active! So, tomorrow morning when we go for chemo - the Dr. is ordering the chemo mixture to once again include the Oxaliplatin which is the drug Lou was on last spring - the one that caused neuropathy in his hands and feet as well as significant hair loss. Lou is very unhappy but, has agreed to try it again. The chemo Dr. thinks since this worked so well last spring in reducing the tumors - it is our best hope for reducing them again. There are also some small areas in his lungs - but, they have not grown so, hopefully, these will not become a factor in the whole situation! Also, there was a mixup on the appointment yesterday for the MRI and they didn't schedule the 3 spine MRIs! So, we're going on Monday for those tests. It seems that the tumor at T12 on his spine may also be showing some changes. We'll know more about that one when we have the MRI on Monday! And, of course, we'll be discussing that one with the Radiation Dr. tomorrow after chemo.
Love,
Deb
Love,
Deb
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Important Week for Updates!
Happy Belated Thanksgiving to all! We hope that all of you had a blessed Thanksgiving with family and loved ones near! Since Lou had chemo the day before Thanksgiving - cooking was a bit of a challenge this year - but....Gabrielle and Christopher both pitched in and we did manage to get a big spread on the table to share with the caregivers and Dad at his house and with Miss Betty ( our dear previous neighbor and adopted "grandmother" to our kids!) who's been sharing Thanksgiving and Christmas with us for at least 15 years - at our house!
AND, as a quick update - Lou and I DID make it to Maui, Hawaii on November 3 - arriving back in Dallas early morning on November 11. What a blessed and miraculous time we had while we were there! The trip was a little much for Lou - but.....our time there was so very wonderful that it was hard to complain about the flight time!! The days were bright and balmy - the sound of the ocean, the air, and the magnificent beauty - all felt so very healing and wonderful! For that week - it was almost as if time was standing still - Lou felt better than he's felt in a while - and we truly relaxed and just enjoyed being there! If EVER we wanted a time not to end - it was our time there! It's just hard to put into words how relaxed and wonderful the week felt for both of us! The heaviness we feel here so much of the time was completely lifted! BIG SIGH! It was wonderful and we are so very thankful and feel very blessed to have had the time together! In a word - truly, it was heaven on earth for that one week!
We did come back early on the morning of the 11th - and came right back to reality - Chemo - followed the next morning on the 12th. Between the trip back and chemo - it did take Lou a little longer to bounce back from the chemo - but....again - it was such a wonderful time - we wouldn't have changed a thing! Due to the holidays, some of the chemo schedule has been adjusted - and so it was that we wound up with chemo on the day before Thanksgiving - the 25th. This chemo again left Lou more tired than usual - but...fortunately, the last 3 or 4 days, he's felt better!
While we were in Hawaii, Lou went for Reiki sessions there and also had reflexology foot massages. And, since we've been back home, he has started a weekly regiment of Reiki and reflexology foot massage with newly added Jin Shin Jyutsu too. Both the Reiki and Jin Shin Jyutsu are conducted by Christian practitioners and Lou seems to have a calmness and peace from both of these practices / sessions. He's learning guided meditation to help him relax - something that I think is very beneficial for him. And, of course, we are so very blessed to have the Healing Hands group still coming every Saturday to lay hands on and pray for Lou. Both of us look forward to this time each week - the Lord has belssed us so richly!
So, on to this coming week! We will go on Tuesday morning - 12/8/09 for the 4 hour MRI session - again brain and three sections of the spine - to see if everything is still holding and with no new areas of concern! Tuesday afternoon - right after the MRI - he has the CT scan to check his liver and internal organs. Since the CT scan last month showed 2 of the tumors in his liver were growing again, we've been quite distressed! Also, the CEA and ALP counts in his blood work continue to go up each month and have been going up since September - we're anticipating that the two problem tumors are potentially still causing problems. However, we KNOW that all things are possible through the Lord - and we're thanking the Lord for His continued blessings and praying for His healing touch to continue to be on Lou.
We'll get CT results - and possibly MRI results - on Wednesday 12/9 afternoon from the chemo Dr. Then, Lou has chemo on Thursday 12/10 and later that afternoon (after chemo!) - we'll meet with the radiation Dr. to discuss the MRI scans. So, again, we continue to ask for your prayers for healing for Lou but, we also ask for you to praise and give thanks to the Lord for all of the good - all of the blessings that He's so richly given us!!
I will really try to update the post later this week with results and plans for additional treatment! I appreciate all of the understanding from everyone when I just have a very hard time mentally trying to get the post written!!! Since my Mom's death in June - the grief of her death along with my Dad's continued decline and of course, the gravity of Lou's illness - everything seems sadder and makes it more difficult for me to write! (To borrow a phrase from a friend who just lost her Mom a couple of weeks ago - she said she feels like she's in a fog! AND, that's really a very good description of how I feel too - I'm in that fog!!!)
Your love and friendship mean everything to Lou and to me! Thank you for your prayers, cares, and concerns! We appreciate each of you more than mere words can ever say!
Love,
Deb
AND, as a quick update - Lou and I DID make it to Maui, Hawaii on November 3 - arriving back in Dallas early morning on November 11. What a blessed and miraculous time we had while we were there! The trip was a little much for Lou - but.....our time there was so very wonderful that it was hard to complain about the flight time!! The days were bright and balmy - the sound of the ocean, the air, and the magnificent beauty - all felt so very healing and wonderful! For that week - it was almost as if time was standing still - Lou felt better than he's felt in a while - and we truly relaxed and just enjoyed being there! If EVER we wanted a time not to end - it was our time there! It's just hard to put into words how relaxed and wonderful the week felt for both of us! The heaviness we feel here so much of the time was completely lifted! BIG SIGH! It was wonderful and we are so very thankful and feel very blessed to have had the time together! In a word - truly, it was heaven on earth for that one week!
We did come back early on the morning of the 11th - and came right back to reality - Chemo - followed the next morning on the 12th. Between the trip back and chemo - it did take Lou a little longer to bounce back from the chemo - but....again - it was such a wonderful time - we wouldn't have changed a thing! Due to the holidays, some of the chemo schedule has been adjusted - and so it was that we wound up with chemo on the day before Thanksgiving - the 25th. This chemo again left Lou more tired than usual - but...fortunately, the last 3 or 4 days, he's felt better!
While we were in Hawaii, Lou went for Reiki sessions there and also had reflexology foot massages. And, since we've been back home, he has started a weekly regiment of Reiki and reflexology foot massage with newly added Jin Shin Jyutsu too. Both the Reiki and Jin Shin Jyutsu are conducted by Christian practitioners and Lou seems to have a calmness and peace from both of these practices / sessions. He's learning guided meditation to help him relax - something that I think is very beneficial for him. And, of course, we are so very blessed to have the Healing Hands group still coming every Saturday to lay hands on and pray for Lou. Both of us look forward to this time each week - the Lord has belssed us so richly!
So, on to this coming week! We will go on Tuesday morning - 12/8/09 for the 4 hour MRI session - again brain and three sections of the spine - to see if everything is still holding and with no new areas of concern! Tuesday afternoon - right after the MRI - he has the CT scan to check his liver and internal organs. Since the CT scan last month showed 2 of the tumors in his liver were growing again, we've been quite distressed! Also, the CEA and ALP counts in his blood work continue to go up each month and have been going up since September - we're anticipating that the two problem tumors are potentially still causing problems. However, we KNOW that all things are possible through the Lord - and we're thanking the Lord for His continued blessings and praying for His healing touch to continue to be on Lou.
We'll get CT results - and possibly MRI results - on Wednesday 12/9 afternoon from the chemo Dr. Then, Lou has chemo on Thursday 12/10 and later that afternoon (after chemo!) - we'll meet with the radiation Dr. to discuss the MRI scans. So, again, we continue to ask for your prayers for healing for Lou but, we also ask for you to praise and give thanks to the Lord for all of the good - all of the blessings that He's so richly given us!!
I will really try to update the post later this week with results and plans for additional treatment! I appreciate all of the understanding from everyone when I just have a very hard time mentally trying to get the post written!!! Since my Mom's death in June - the grief of her death along with my Dad's continued decline and of course, the gravity of Lou's illness - everything seems sadder and makes it more difficult for me to write! (To borrow a phrase from a friend who just lost her Mom a couple of weeks ago - she said she feels like she's in a fog! AND, that's really a very good description of how I feel too - I'm in that fog!!!)
Your love and friendship mean everything to Lou and to me! Thank you for your prayers, cares, and concerns! We appreciate each of you more than mere words can ever say!
Love,
Deb
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