Hello all!
Well, I had my scans last week which turned out not too be so much fun the barium I had to drink did not agree with my system at all but I was feeling much better after replenishing fluids all day Friday.
Due to the weather, I didn't go in for my doctor appt and was hoping to review all results and questions over the phone but that hasn't happened to my satisfaction. I have talked to the nurses who let me know the scans looked really good and the tumors on my liver are shrinking too so treatment IS working and they are all very happy. The tumor indicator blood tests that have been run monthly are only a preliminary indication and do not confirm on their own the treatment is working. After having these scans, they can visually confirm it is working. I'm very happy but I would like answers to how much longer I will be on this treatment, what's next, etc.
I have another appt with my doctor next Thursday to answer my questions and do an exam. :) I also meet with the surgeon next Tuesday for my "pre-op" blood work for surgery to install the Port on Monday, 02/22/10.
Hope everyone has a great weekend!!!
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Week 16
6 More weeks of winter according to the ground hog! Yuck
It's been a good couple of weeks, knock on wood - I feel really good, all the aches and pains have subsided for the moment and I am enjoying it!!!!
The fogginess or chemo brain as it is affectionately known as is somewhat worse this week but I'll take that over pain for right now.
This Thursday is my scan day and they will finally be looking at everything to determine if in fact the treatments have been working as well as the blood tests have lead us to believe. I will have CT scans of my chest, abdomen and spine. With my next doctor appoint scheduled for February 9th to discuss the results so I still need the prayers and support for a VERY positive outcome. These tests should determine how much longer I will be on this type of treatment and what will be next.
I met with the surgeon last week regarding the Port being put in and the Picc line taken out, he will most likely be the same surgeon for future surgeries if all turns out good.
Love to all!!!!! Let's hope the ground hog is wrong!!!! Positive thoughts for warmer weather!
Lynn
It's been a good couple of weeks, knock on wood - I feel really good, all the aches and pains have subsided for the moment and I am enjoying it!!!!
The fogginess or chemo brain as it is affectionately known as is somewhat worse this week but I'll take that over pain for right now.
This Thursday is my scan day and they will finally be looking at everything to determine if in fact the treatments have been working as well as the blood tests have lead us to believe. I will have CT scans of my chest, abdomen and spine. With my next doctor appoint scheduled for February 9th to discuss the results so I still need the prayers and support for a VERY positive outcome. These tests should determine how much longer I will be on this type of treatment and what will be next.
I met with the surgeon last week regarding the Port being put in and the Picc line taken out, he will most likely be the same surgeon for future surgeries if all turns out good.
Love to all!!!!! Let's hope the ground hog is wrong!!!! Positive thoughts for warmer weather!
Lynn
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Week 14
Hello all - hope everyone is staying warm and safe!! Only half way thru winter.
I've had a busy couple of weeks lots going on.
Good News: Cold is finally gone!!!, Blood counts have stayed good, I've been off treatment for 2 weeks this time around instead of 1 so I've been awake for 2 weekends in a row and got to take Kyla to tumbling this past Saturday - yeahhhh!
Best News: My tumor markers for this month have gone down again - from 86 last month to 49 this month. Normal according to Rockford is 0-38 so I'm going for zero. Different hospitals use a different number scale apparently - Loyola for example is 0 - 32 ( I think).
Bad News: The reason I've had two weeks off instead of one is my newest issue is my gums, teeth and throat are hurting so badly I couldn't eat solid or spicy foods at all. Since being off two weeks in a row I do feel better and can eat more but I just had another treatment today so it will likely get worse again. In reaction to this my doctor has changed my schedule from 3 weeks on/1 week off to 2 weeks on/1 week off and lowered my medicine by about 15%.
I'm also having trouble with my PICC line because my skin is so sensitive and now he wants me to have a PORT put in my chest instead to avoid any possibility of infection. This will be a surgery I am not looking forward to but in the long run it will probably be better. The PICC is in my arm and a pain - I was just hoping to stick it out and take it OUT!
That's the bulk of my two weeks - really starting to feel good but I know that is going to change now that I'm starting my 4 month. Have to keep remembering how lucky I am and keep plowing ahead.
Love to all - have a great weekend!
Lynn
I've had a busy couple of weeks lots going on.
Good News: Cold is finally gone!!!, Blood counts have stayed good, I've been off treatment for 2 weeks this time around instead of 1 so I've been awake for 2 weekends in a row and got to take Kyla to tumbling this past Saturday - yeahhhh!
Best News: My tumor markers for this month have gone down again - from 86 last month to 49 this month. Normal according to Rockford is 0-38 so I'm going for zero. Different hospitals use a different number scale apparently - Loyola for example is 0 - 32 ( I think).
Bad News: The reason I've had two weeks off instead of one is my newest issue is my gums, teeth and throat are hurting so badly I couldn't eat solid or spicy foods at all. Since being off two weeks in a row I do feel better and can eat more but I just had another treatment today so it will likely get worse again. In reaction to this my doctor has changed my schedule from 3 weeks on/1 week off to 2 weeks on/1 week off and lowered my medicine by about 15%.
I'm also having trouble with my PICC line because my skin is so sensitive and now he wants me to have a PORT put in my chest instead to avoid any possibility of infection. This will be a surgery I am not looking forward to but in the long run it will probably be better. The PICC is in my arm and a pain - I was just hoping to stick it out and take it OUT!
That's the bulk of my two weeks - really starting to feel good but I know that is going to change now that I'm starting my 4 month. Have to keep remembering how lucky I am and keep plowing ahead.
Love to all - have a great weekend!
Lynn
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Week 12
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Hope everyone had a safe and happy New Year! Not too much new. Still fighting this cold but as of last week blood work still good, still no fever so hopefully with some extra fruits and veggies I can get rid of it! Feeling pretty good aside from the cold and looking forward again to this week OFF from treatment. This last month has been a lot harder than the two previous but I'm hoping next month without the added stress of the holidays will be better again.
Pretty frustrated with being sick and tired. Again, I have to remind myself how lucky I am to be doing this well - I know there are many that aren't as lucky.
Kids went back to school yesterday and so far are still happy about it. That will last till about Friday I figure. It's been so cold they can't even play outside. I can't wait for spring!!!!!! I know winter just started but I'm done. :)
Well, back to work. Wishing everyone a happy and healthy New Year!! I'll try to figure out how to post some picture from Christmas.
Love to All!!!
Lynn
Pretty frustrated with being sick and tired. Again, I have to remind myself how lucky I am to be doing this well - I know there are many that aren't as lucky.
Kids went back to school yesterday and so far are still happy about it. That will last till about Friday I figure. It's been so cold they can't even play outside. I can't wait for spring!!!!!! I know winter just started but I'm done. :)
Well, back to work. Wishing everyone a happy and healthy New Year!! I'll try to figure out how to post some picture from Christmas.
Love to All!!!
Lynn
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Week 11
Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and are ready for New Years!
Sorry, I haven't written in a bit but work and Christmas has kept me running a little too much and I haven't been feeling too good. Working on cold right now and hoping I can fight it with no major issues. So far no fever, so that's good. I'll keep drinking my tea and taking my vitamins and hopefully I'll be feeling better soon. So far my blood counts and lab results continue to look good, my next Treatment is this Thursday (New Years). The last one really hit me hard and I slept thru half of Christmas. :(
The kids on the otherhand, aside from the colds, had a great Christmas thanks to all the family, friends and "Secret Santas". I will post some pictures soon! There was so many wonderful gifts, clothes and games - IT IS SO MUCH APPRECIATED!
Stay Warm and Love to all!!!
Lynn
Sorry, I haven't written in a bit but work and Christmas has kept me running a little too much and I haven't been feeling too good. Working on cold right now and hoping I can fight it with no major issues. So far no fever, so that's good. I'll keep drinking my tea and taking my vitamins and hopefully I'll be feeling better soon. So far my blood counts and lab results continue to look good, my next Treatment is this Thursday (New Years). The last one really hit me hard and I slept thru half of Christmas. :(
The kids on the otherhand, aside from the colds, had a great Christmas thanks to all the family, friends and "Secret Santas". I will post some pictures soon! There was so many wonderful gifts, clothes and games - IT IS SO MUCH APPRECIATED!
Stay Warm and Love to all!!!
Lynn
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Week 9
Had a very long day today but it got better this evening. I spent most of the day at the hospital again. Today was my monthly meeting with my doctor and they were backed up again. Everything was still looking good and since I am still having constant pain on my right side he gave me more medicine to try and help. To my surprise my doctor called me tonight to let me know my blood test results came back already and showed another large decrease in the "tumor indicator" - I still don't completely understand but what I do know is decreasing is GOOD. I started out at 154 (normal is 38 or less), last month it had gone down to 132, today it is down to 83. Yeah!!!! I start my 3rd month of treatment this Thursday which won't be fun but at least all your prayers are working.
I can't thank my family and friends enough for all your prayers and your donations. As hard as it is for me to accept help I don't know what I'd do without it - I am so blessed. It is appreciated more than you can imagine.
The rest of this week will be busy trying to get ready for the holidays at work and home - hope everyone is doing well!
Love and prayers,
Lynn
I can't thank my family and friends enough for all your prayers and your donations. As hard as it is for me to accept help I don't know what I'd do without it - I am so blessed. It is appreciated more than you can imagine.
The rest of this week will be busy trying to get ready for the holidays at work and home - hope everyone is doing well!
Love and prayers,
Lynn
Sunday, December 6, 2009
End of Week 7
Hope everyone had a good week. I'm glad it's over, haven't been feeling as good this week.
I've been having some pain on my right side under my ribs which made for a very long Thursday (thank you again Theresa - : P ). After getting a late start due to a very busy doctor's office, my doctor ordered a CT Scan of my chest to find out what was causing the pain and rule out any infection. After a good 5 hours at the hospital the scan came back good, my lungs and chest were clear and the pain is attributed to my liver swelling slightly due to treatment. I was very relieved because I was afraid it might be pneumonia with the way it hurt to breath too deep. Now that I know what it is the pain is barely noticeable. Easy to get paranoid with what is normal pain and what might not be.
Slept all weekend again but I'm finally up for more than an hour tonight and hope next week will be better. No treatment - whooo hoooo! I will have an appt. for blood work and an MRI of my neck (the only part of my body they haven't checked in detail yet) but I will be awake for next weekend and as silly as it sounds I'm looking forward to it.
Prayers and love to all!
Lynn
I've been having some pain on my right side under my ribs which made for a very long Thursday (thank you again Theresa - : P ). After getting a late start due to a very busy doctor's office, my doctor ordered a CT Scan of my chest to find out what was causing the pain and rule out any infection. After a good 5 hours at the hospital the scan came back good, my lungs and chest were clear and the pain is attributed to my liver swelling slightly due to treatment. I was very relieved because I was afraid it might be pneumonia with the way it hurt to breath too deep. Now that I know what it is the pain is barely noticeable. Easy to get paranoid with what is normal pain and what might not be.
Slept all weekend again but I'm finally up for more than an hour tonight and hope next week will be better. No treatment - whooo hoooo! I will have an appt. for blood work and an MRI of my neck (the only part of my body they haven't checked in detail yet) but I will be awake for next weekend and as silly as it sounds I'm looking forward to it.
Prayers and love to all!
Lynn
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