Well, chemo did in fact go well. There was some misunderstanding the first day and they ended up having a long wait, but as dad said, "We are glad to have each other to lean on." Tuesday night they dined with two of the Templetons, and Wednesday they drove home through snow! I mean, I love winter, but I love it in the winter, not in the Spring. Mom was "tuckered out" but feeling okay.
Today she felt a little queasy, so she took some anti-nausea medicine which helped. That's always good (when the meds do what they are supposed to do). I spoke with her this evening, and she was tired but good. She plans to rest all day tomorrow and watch basketball Saturday! Go Cats!
Love to all,
jk
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Chemo Has Begun Again
Mom had her first day of chemo yesterday. I haven't heard yet how it went, so I don't really have any news other than I know that they went to Cincinnati, and I assume it went well. It's old hat by now. :)
One thing I learned since the last post that I wanted to share is that Dr. Rixe is looking at other possibilities besides the current chemo regimen, not because it is not working but because, as he says, "It's so toxic." So if he could lower the dose or use something other than chemo, it might be better. I think it is wise for him to avoid overkill and be open to other options. He plans to present her case to the tumor board again soon, so I am eager to hear what they discuss.
I will let you know how things are going in Cincinnati as soon as I hear.
In the meantime, be well,
jk
One thing I learned since the last post that I wanted to share is that Dr. Rixe is looking at other possibilities besides the current chemo regimen, not because it is not working but because, as he says, "It's so toxic." So if he could lower the dose or use something other than chemo, it might be better. I think it is wise for him to avoid overkill and be open to other options. He plans to present her case to the tumor board again soon, so I am eager to hear what they discuss.
I will let you know how things are going in Cincinnati as soon as I hear.
In the meantime, be well,
jk
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
More Good News
According to the MRI, there has been no growth of the tumor. So! If it's working, go with it. That seems to be the m. o. of Rixe, Inc. Which means that we will proceed with chemo. She would be eligible for it next Monday, but Dr. Rixe preferred to wait an extra week to give her more time to get her blood levels back up (not that they were too low, but her body just seems to do better with that extra week to recover). Thank goodness good for doctors like Rixe who understand these things. Plus, it will be nice that she can come home from Virginia, unpack, settle in, and rest a bit before schlepping to Cincinnati (though it actually would be on the way home-- oh well!). Anyway, this is just to say that all is well in Rosie Land.
Next time she will have a PET scan, of her whole body, just to monitor everything. They don't suspect that the tumor has spread, nor is this the type of tumor-- praise be-- that tends to spread, but they just want to make sure.
When I spoke to her this evening, they were on 75 heading toward the daughters with the son in tow. Life is good.
Be well,
jk
Next time she will have a PET scan, of her whole body, just to monitor everything. They don't suspect that the tumor has spread, nor is this the type of tumor-- praise be-- that tends to spread, but they just want to make sure.
When I spoke to her this evening, they were on 75 heading toward the daughters with the son in tow. Life is good.
Be well,
jk
Dr. Rixe and MRI Today!
Mom sees Dr. Rixe today and has another MRI, so I will let you know as soon as I hear. Then they are off to VA to see Natalie and Allie and their families. Hooray!
Peace,
jk
Peace,
jk
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Feelin' Groovy
Chemo went well last week (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday). Mom got home Wednesday and was a little "weeble-wobbly" but was cheerful and just ready to take Dr. Rixe's previous advice: "Stay home. Stay calm." That only lasted a little while, as now they are at Kentucky Lake visiting T&M (my aunt and uncle). They return tomorrow. I am eager to see them!
Hope you all are well. It has been a while since I have thanked everyone for the continuing support in the form of cards, rides, thoughts, prayers, and every little kindness we have been lucky enough to receive. It has made all the difference.
Blessings,
jk
Hope you all are well. It has been a while since I have thanked everyone for the continuing support in the form of cards, rides, thoughts, prayers, and every little kindness we have been lucky enough to receive. It has made all the difference.
Blessings,
jk
Monday, February 28, 2011
Even Better News
Now that it's over, I can admit that Dr. Rixe had us a little worried with his phone call and insistence on meeting after the low white blood cell count. But we needn't have worried! He was reassuring on all counts.
First we saw Dr. Salkeni, a fellow in Dr. Rixe's office, who explained that mom's white blood cell count had gone up to an acceptable level and her neutrophils, a subtype of the white blood cells that does most of the infection fighting, was actually very high, at 2800 (where 1500 is acceptable). Platelets were still a little low (79-- they like to see them at 100), so they asked her to have blood work done on Friday to make sure she was in good shape for chemo today, and everything turned out fine, so she is off to Cincinnati today!
So the plan is: chemo today, tomorrow, Wednesday, then MRI two weeks from Wednesday, which will be March 16th. She will also meet with Dr. Rixe that day to go over the results. One surprising thing I learned from Dr. Salkeni last week was that, since the amount of tumor left is so minute, the anecdotal accounts of how mom is doing and feeling actually tell them more about how the chemo is working than the MRI. And by those accounts, she is doing amazingly well.
She even SMELLED something, for the first time in a year! She was able to smell a particular hand soap, and when she told Dr. Rixe this, his whole face lit up, and he said, in his wonderful French accent, "This is new! This is a very good sign." He was just so pleased with how she was doing. He even told her that the low counts weren't too much to worry about and that if she felt like socializing, she could socialize, and if not, "Stay home. Stay calm." Apparently, the former has been the case because Friday she hosted a slumber party for her sisters, Saturday morning they went out for breakfast at the Farmer's Market and then shopped downtown, then Saturday evening she attended the Pope John/Shawe Auction Dinner and had a wonderful time (according to my sources).
We went up last night for a quick visit, and she was working away on the laptop, getting Harlan's FAFSA done online. She is amazing! I know I keep saying that, but it is true. :) And, as Dr. Rixe said at the close of our meeting, "She is strong. She is very strong." Indeed!
Love to all,
jk
First we saw Dr. Salkeni, a fellow in Dr. Rixe's office, who explained that mom's white blood cell count had gone up to an acceptable level and her neutrophils, a subtype of the white blood cells that does most of the infection fighting, was actually very high, at 2800 (where 1500 is acceptable). Platelets were still a little low (79-- they like to see them at 100), so they asked her to have blood work done on Friday to make sure she was in good shape for chemo today, and everything turned out fine, so she is off to Cincinnati today!
So the plan is: chemo today, tomorrow, Wednesday, then MRI two weeks from Wednesday, which will be March 16th. She will also meet with Dr. Rixe that day to go over the results. One surprising thing I learned from Dr. Salkeni last week was that, since the amount of tumor left is so minute, the anecdotal accounts of how mom is doing and feeling actually tell them more about how the chemo is working than the MRI. And by those accounts, she is doing amazingly well.
She even SMELLED something, for the first time in a year! She was able to smell a particular hand soap, and when she told Dr. Rixe this, his whole face lit up, and he said, in his wonderful French accent, "This is new! This is a very good sign." He was just so pleased with how she was doing. He even told her that the low counts weren't too much to worry about and that if she felt like socializing, she could socialize, and if not, "Stay home. Stay calm." Apparently, the former has been the case because Friday she hosted a slumber party for her sisters, Saturday morning they went out for breakfast at the Farmer's Market and then shopped downtown, then Saturday evening she attended the Pope John/Shawe Auction Dinner and had a wonderful time (according to my sources).
We went up last night for a quick visit, and she was working away on the laptop, getting Harlan's FAFSA done online. She is amazing! I know I keep saying that, but it is true. :) And, as Dr. Rixe said at the close of our meeting, "She is strong. She is very strong." Indeed!
Love to all,
jk
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Numbers Up, Spirits Still High
Mom's white blood cell count climbed steadily last week (from 0.8 to 3.9), so that is a very good sign. She is still feeling great; she volunteered again yesterday. Today we go to Dr. Rixe in Cincinnati for a consult. He was worried about the low numbers, so hopefully this gain will put his mind at ease and we can move forward. We will know this afternoon what the next steps will be. Stay tuned!
Three cheers,
jk
Three cheers,
jk
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