12 Chemo is done!!

Marilyn has asked me to write this entry as she had her 12th Chemo on Tuesday after worrying that it would not happen. Last Friday her cell counts crashed again to their lowest levels yet.They did not admit her into the hospital but immeadeatly gave her antibiotics and we do that everyday for 7 days. That meant trips to the hospital on Saturday and Sunday as they had to be administered by an IV. She had run a temperature on Friday afternoon but it resolved itself quickly. When we went for #12 we were not sure if she would be allowed to have the treatment. Fortunately her cell counts had bounced back enough to let us do this. Now Marilyn will get 4 weeks off from any kind of treatment. She should get another PET scan in mid October and then the decision will be made to either let her have surgery or go on a maintanence level of chemo hoping that the liver will continue to improve so she can then have surgery.I want to thank everyone for their support and prayers. As Marilyn's strength improves she will be back writing her own blog.

Chemo 11 is over

Chemo 11 on Tuesday dragged me down again. I am starting to regain strength, thankfully. My oncologist said I will have a month free of chemo after #12, Sept. 13. Then modified doses starting sometime in October.

$75 a pill is worth it!

I have taken the $75 pill for over a week . I no longer feel so drowsy and drugged. I have more energy and balance. It's great!

Following chemo

Following #10, I have had a pretty sleepy week. I just got  a new anti-nausea drug (15 pillls for $1100). Thankfully my good old Federal BC/BS covers the cost now. Is it worth it? I think so; I slept less last nigh tand not at all during the day--and I'm writing a blog!

Chemo--Down!!

Here are a few of the facts from the results of the PET Scan, of which we got today while at my hydration appointment today. It said that the "the cancer has decreased in the liver" and that "the lesions demonstrate necrosis." The dimensions on the liver with cancer have shrunk, from one place from 16.1 to 11.5 mm. and on the lower lobe (right) the measure was 9.3 and now it is 6.8 mm. These measurements are comparing the June PET Scan to yesterday's. The results also show that the mass in my colon is shrinking. From looking at the pictures, it looks like the colon is more improved than the liver.

I'm glad that PET Scan shows the cancer to be shrinking once again. Maybe in the next week I'll have a little respite since I'll have gone three weeks without chemo and I'll feel a bit better.

Megan, our daughter, has now returned to New York after her visit here, she left in the early hours Friday morning. And I always appreciate the love and support from local friends.

...

Hello everyone! This is Erin writing, Marilyn's youngest daughter. Above is what my mom dictated to me since it is easier for her to talk that it is to touch cold computer keys (because of the neuropathy). As she stated in the previous post, she was released from the hospital early Monday morning, which made her hospital stay a total of three nights and today she had a her regular hydration. I got to visit her for awhile on Sunday before going to work where we were able to watch the Rockies game, just like we do at home. It was pretty quiet, seeing as it was a Sunday, in the hospital. I don't think my mom exactly loved the hospital food (not to mention it was their G-free choices) which might have made her enjoy the soups we give her at home a little bit more. Although she did seem quite adept at all the fun buttons to push on her bed that lowered and raised her.

Because of this setback, my mom hasn't been able to go to oncology rehabilitation. A fun little story from yesterday when we were all hanging out at home again, my dad told her that it was his goal to go back to rehab on Thursday, to which my mom replied, "Well, I hope I can go with you!" My dad and I are so glad that she still has that sense of humor!

I would just like to thank everyone who visits and who call to say hello, I know it seems small but my mom really does love it and she loves having different people to chat with! 

Home Again

Today I was discharged fom the hospital, and had my third PET scan. I will not have chemo tomorrow, now scheduled for next Tuesday.

Setback .

Marilyn has had a setback as of Friday. She has become very weak and wobbly. When we went to hydration on Friday they did some tests and her white and red blood cells numbers had dropped to a very low level. She has been admitted to the hospital and will get a blood transfusion today (Saturday) and they are also looking for any infection since her white cell count has gotten so low. She will probably have chemo #10 delayed but are not sure at this point. Hopefully she will get out of the hospital quickly but cannot be sure about that. I will try to keep this  up to date as much as possible and hopefully she will be able to do it herself.

John