Where do we start?
A "normal" infusion day producing a lot of stuff....
Linda went in for her infusion..2nd week of cycle 4 of 6 cycles....she had a series of questions so we met with the Oncologist, following the infusion.
First...to deal with the anemia which shows the red blood cell production has dropped again another very small amount means the red blood cell production inducer shots have yet to "kick in"...so tomorrow she will go to the hospital to receive a blood transfusion...to " kick start" things.....
Friday we go to Oregon Health Sciences University (OHSU) to start her second opinion and to set up things should we sell and move to Portland....today we talked again about it with the Oncologist and went to Central Oregon Radiation Association (CORA) to get the past scans on disk and to the Cancer Care of the Cascades for documentation of care to this point, including all chemo infusions etc., to take to Portland.
Lastly, Linda discussed some vertigo and imbalances she has started to experience...this could set off alarms, meaning something has moved to the brain...her brain scan 10 weeks ago was clear. The Oncologist explained it could be a variety of causes....one type of chemo Linda is receiving could be causing it...it could be the anemia.....or it could be cancer....rather than jump to a conclusion, Linda will receive the transfusion tomorrow and watch her symptoms for a few days ..if the imbalance and vertigo continue then another brain scan is in order....we shall see and not jump to any conclusions unwarranted.
Linda is pretty worn down...but she's watching the Blazers play again tonight and has not yelled too much yet as the Blazers are playing better defense, etc..
Next...Dave....Had his followup PDT visit with the Dermatologist...that was the photodynamic therapy done months ago to kill pre cancers on the face and scalp...there was an additional concern (on Dave's part) as he got a sunburn skiing yesterday....where was the sun screen ...you ask?...such a logical and reasonable question...Yes...he did pack it....yes it went to the mountain....no...he didn't use it....why....he forgot. The dermatologist was "ok" about it....Dave thought he was going to get chewed out..a gentle reminder of the need to use it followed....
Outcome?...a couple of pre cancers on the lip and one on the forehead..marked improvement from past exams....PDT worked....followup in 6 weeks to look at the lip again.
Next...Sadie...horrible piles and blood in the house when we returned....the good news is we had a vet scheduled for late today....she has colitis....why....unknown....why is it continuing....the medication Sadie was to take every day was not done properly...so it is not a surprise she had become very sick again....why?...no finger pointing...we suffered another big bill today and more medication....this time the directions will be followed and she will be a healthy puppy again...
That's about it...Dave skis in the am with his sunscreen on and then gets Linda for her transfusion at the hospital...Thursday, Linda goes to her local cancer support group and then we head to Portland for a few days followed by a few days with friends on the coast to rest and reflect on old times...
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
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5 comments:
Wow!!! What a day all of you had. At least the Trailblazers won, right?! :) We're rooting for the Cavs since Jim's from the Cleveland area.
Hang in there... the weekend is almost here!
Take care,
Jim and Swee
p/s: Did you hear that Ryan Hunter-Reay and Beccy are finally engaged? Woo hoo!! :)
OK Dave, seriously. All those days you spent out in the sun all weekend at Champ Car events? Don't tell me you weren't using sunscreen all those years. Good heavens! ALWAYS use your sunscreen when you're going to be outdoors!! You may not be able to prevent the effects of past damage (I've got a childhood full of So Cal sunburns that's just coming home to roost), but you can certainly prevent any new damage. And it's so simple! DO IT!!!!
Glad you two are taking it easy and not jumping to any conclusions on Linda's vertigo. Whatever the cause, I know how awful vertigo can feel. Used to have sudden, severe onsets of it, myself. Not anymore, thankfully.
Keep calm, relax and make sure you give Sadie her medicine as prescribed! She's relying on you.
Love to you both, as always.
Hi Guys, Long Beach just wasn't the same without you. It just wasn't the same, period! Many people asked about you and we passed on what we knew from your blog. We would say most of the spectators who were there had Champ Car stuff on; there didn't seem to be the excitement anywhere like CC exhibited. It was great seeing all of the drivers and they seemed to be having fun interacting with each other. Helio's news was terrific. We're thinking of you. Julie and Bob Brown
Thanks for all the updates Dave! Perhaps as you're keeping us all informed through the blog, you're also understanding the whole process better yourselves?
My mom would scold you too if she knew you were going out without sunscreen (I always got yelled at).
I hope the rest of the week brings more positive results and high energy!
Sincerely,
shelly & jason paul
Dare I start by saying I sure hope the doggie is okay?! I read an article about topical/over the counter flea and tick medications causing illnesses and thought of you. I'm glad it is something you can address, rathen than that. Having had colitis (it went away after a couple of months of proper diet), I sympathize with the poor poochie.
And both of you too, of course.
Marjorie
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