Friday, November 14, 2008

IT'S BEEN A GOOD WEEK !!

First of all , all of our kids but Placitas Daughter & Hubby Stacie and Barry were here at Kenneth's house for an early celebration of my 80TH Birthday. Which was actually on Tuesday Nov. 11. We had a great deal of visiting, A lot of GREAT Birthday cards, chips and dips, and a SUPER CAKE. (NO, it did not have 80 candles as the local fire ordinance will not permit such a blaze!!!)

Then, Tuesday the 11th was an easy day down at MD Anderson, so that was celebration enough for the real day.

A MINOR CELEBRATION YESTERDAY THE 13TH!! The Last Chemo was taken yesterday!!! The last one, that is, until Dec 10th. Dr. Blumenschein may or may not order another one then and again on January 7 maybe another one. But at least they are all over for now!!

Including today there are only 4 more Proton Radiation treatments. HURRRRRAY!! Next Wednesday the 19th will be the last Proton and we fly home on the 20th!! I get a haircut on the 21st. (Of what's still left of the grey stuff) I have found the ONE TINY benefit of Chemotherapy. Takes about 3 minutes to shave every third day. The beard REALLY slowed down it's growing!! I assume that it will resume it's normal growth along with the hair on the head once all this Chemo stuff stops. It's my understanding that both the chemo and the radiation continue to do their work for about 2 to 3 weeks after the last treatment.

Everyone have a good week-end and rest assured that all is going well here because of your prayers and the incredible treatments that I am receiving.

Stan & Carol

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Yesterday we met with Dr. Blumenschein, the Oncologist (Chemo Dr.) He had not seen me in 3 weeks. He did his usual exam of listening, poking and prodding and a lot of questions about how I have been coping with the usual side effects. He was thrilled with what he SAW, HEARD, and MY ANSWERS. Then he said "YOU just don't look like you are in treatment. You don't look it at all, your chest doesn't sound like you are in treatment, and the side effects you have are like those of a person JUST STARTING treatment." We were thrilled!!

We talked a bit about when we come back for the larger dose of Chemo. He said, "originally I had said 3 weeks and 3 weeks. Let's plan on 5 weeks from today and that makes it Dec. 10. We'll examine you and decide if you need another Chemo at that time. Chances are we will do one, and it will be a very much larger dose. Then see you again on Jan 7 and examine you, and probably another Chemo, and then probably about 6 weeks later have a CT scan to see if we got it all. (With all those trips in the near future I need to remember to buy stock in Southwest Airlines!!)

Then he really blew me away. He said something like "this is the worst of it." I took him to mean the two larger doses were the worst of it, and I said, "I've heard that the larger doses are the worst." Then he said, "NO, NO, I mean right now is the worst of it! You will skate thru the larger doses because they are not every 7 days like these have been and your system has more time to recuperate and you won't be getting Radiation at the same time."

He is about 6' 4" or 5", and at one time I was standing on a small stool getting down off the exam table and therefore was about an inch taller than him. I said, " I'm really losing my hair right now," and I looked at the top of his head and even though I have about 35 years on him, I right now have more hair than he does. Oh, wow, he looked at me and simply said, "It'll probably come back in RED."

As he was walking out the door, he was saying, "YOU just don't look like you are in treatment." Carol and I were on top of the world and did a little dance there in the exam room and did some high 5's to Celebrate.

On Monday past I sent out an update that told of my increased nausea and fatigue. Must have been a sort of phase I was going thru because that is actually somewhat better now. (Three Cheers) I am currently leaving a Grey trail behind me. Hair seems to be falling out fast. (The good news is that my beard has actually slowed down it's growth.) - Stan

November 3, 2008

The effects of both Chemo and Radiation are both building. They are
cumulative and we see it almost daily. In fatigue and nausea. Don't
I look tired in the photo above?? But I get some really good rest in
between bouts. Soooo... I would say that I'm doin fine and can FEEL all
the prayers that are being said for us. Only 13 more Proton Radiation
treatments and only TWO more Chemo's before we go home for a while.
We do fly home on Nov. 20. We should find out this week just exactly
when we will be coming back twice for the two large doses of Chemo
about 3 weeks and 6 weeks after this main regimen is over. So, when
we find that out, I'll let you know. Stan & Carol