Chemo round two....

From mama:

well, today was supposed to be shorter, but it still dragged on a bit. The actual infusion was only 30 minutes, but the start was delayed by almost an hour.

they opted to go ahead and give me the chemo, provided I protect myself from possible infection and then begin a series of injections to boost my white blood cell count. those start tomorrow here in Silverdale. Bad thing is I need to get them on Saturday and Sunday too, and I had wanted to spend the weekend at Julie's. May have to be a day trip now, after the shot in the morning or something.

I felt really tired by the time I got home, and took a nap while Dad went to the store and stuff. I managed to eat a little. This chemo round apparently is not as nausea producing as the one I got last week, so they just gave me the usual anti nausea there, and then I have the other stuff here that I can take. I need to remember to take it on a regular basis, and not wait till I am feeling ill.

Next week I will go in for a bone scan, to see if my bones are clear. I can not even imagine what the result will be if they are not. Don't want to go there. Plus I meet with Dr. Sun on Friday, this week to decide what to do about the stronger chemo dosage. Do we go for the kidney drain tube or not? Anybody out there have any experience with that?

still in the oncology clinic but haven't started chemo. met with oncologist, nurse and now chemo patient education! full day!

good morning friends and family! I am with mom and we are on our way to her first chemo appt! we will be at Group Health oncology infusion center in Tacoma WA. updates to come!

P_A_T_I_E_N_C_E

From Mike:

PATIENCE as opposed to IMPATIENT. I'm naturally the latter (thanks dad for that!)

Mom is still "hanging out" as we wait for more news, which we should have VERY SOON.

Again, the consensus is that mom has "poorly differentiated non-small cell carcinoma that originated in the right ureter (tube that goes from the kidney to the bladder)."

We should have a treatment plan within the next 24 hours.

We will also be getting a second opinion from the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, probably on April 12th. However, we think her treatment might actually start before then.

In the meantime, I'm getting mama a new Mac for her to be able to cruise the 'nets while she's resting.

Also, I'm supposed to be going to Miami FL for a wedding, so that has me stressed out! I will probably be gone for just a few days, but might have to miss one treatment day which makes me sad :(

-Mike

The word from Mama!

From Jeanette:

Well, the roller coaster ride has begun. I've never liked roller coaster rides.

I have more tests to go thru before beginning chemo, so today I will get a ct scan of my head, to see if there are any signs of the cancer there. I'll also do more blood work-- one to see if I can tolerate blood thinners to prevent clots in my swollen leg and another to check my kidney function. The latter will help detemine what chemo to use.

Then next week will start off with a bang on Monday, when I go get a chest port installed. This will make it easier for the lab techs to hook me up and administer the chemo. I'm feeling like a borg already. Lets hope I have the strength of Capt. Picard too!

Next Friday, my son Michael will get me over to the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. Not sure what will go on there, but part of it will be a second opinion.

So, in the meantime, I am spending a lot of time on the couch to keep my leg elevated, and I'm teleworking a few hours a day most days. I have lots of books that my good buddy Gayle brought over for me, but I'd love some second hand home improvement or garden type magazines.

Until next time.

Jeanette [aka Mama, Auntie, and Grandma of the Nuggets!]

EDIT:

From Mike:

[EDIT 4-1-2010] We learned that mom has poorly differentiated non-small cell cancer that did NOT originate in the bladder as we were initially told; the point of origin remains unclear.

However research seems to indicate that this type of cancer is often caused by smoking or second-hand smoke.