Linda's first day of cycle 5 started today with the visit to her Oncologist. He noticed and said immediately that she looked "cushingoid"....which means she was exhibiting the signs and symptoms of Cushing's Disease...ie..her face looked fat. This doesn't mean she has the disease..it means she has the same look...if that makes sense. This "look" is caused by the steroids she is taking...I noticed it a while back but she said she didn't notice anything...well today the doctor did. The solution...cut the steroid use in half and examine again next week.
If you look closely at the pictures I've taken of her in the last week or more, you will surely agree she is "cushingnoid".
The Oncologist told Linda her blood counts were back, ie..... "good".....this is great news as it has been a while...it seems the Procrit shots have done their job...no need for a shot today.
The Oncologist also discussed the finding by the 2nd opinion in Portland at OHSU.....the only thing that may be different is a recommendation of possible treatment after cycle 6. Also the possibility of a "port" for future infusions was discussed as Linda has difficulties with the needle "pokes"...ie., finding a good vein for the blood tests and infusions...we are not sure where that will go.
Linda did her 4 hours of 3 infusions without any difficulty...the $17K infusion we have talked about.
Then it was off to the Dermatologist as a followup to her Moh's surgery to remove the basal cell cancer on her face..remember the 30 stitches? the doctor was very pleased with her progress and felt that with another two months or so of massaging the area with petrolium jelly, there should be little evidence of scaring...he will do a followup check in six months.
A few more chores in Bend and then home we came...a bit worn out from the long day. Tomorrow night son Jeff comes for dinner...then Saturday daughter Janine and son Jim come for the weekend.
Next week another chemo session and getting ready for the Alaska cruise...and the trip to Portland and on to Seattle...seeing family and friends along the way.
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5 comments:
Nice photos - I see you got your favorite window office again for the infusion. The light is great.
Your face doesn't look very chushngoid or whatever, but it does look happy. Must be looking forward to your Alaska cruise!
I miss you like crazy and will be thinking of you next week while we are in Arizona celebrating Jonathan's graduation from ASU. We will raise our glasses to our friend Linda!
Love you,
Mary
"Does my hat make my face look fat?" That's what I think you are smiling about in the pictures, Linda. The garden has kept us very busy. John is working on replacing the third fence post in our back yard. The winter was hard on fence posts and the job is now hard on John. We have limestone not far down in our soil, so John has turned into a miner, too. Can anybody use some limestone rocks out there in blogland?
I am looking forward to the bluehair report from your Alaska cruise. Have fun.
Marilyn
LOL@Marilyn. I, too, am looking forward to the cruise report but I sincerely doubt that it will be "blue-hair." lol. That cracks me up.
Anyhoot, the average age of clients I have sent (figgured this out jest fer you two, Linda and Dave) is 21. Don't get your hopes up though. It's not supple 21 year olds, it is because of all the young families with children.
I didn't think your face look so bad of course your winning smile always brings a smile to mine.Anyway, I just thought that Dave's cooking was putting weight on you. I just heard they used the word "Moon Face" when you take steriods. My former boss took lots of meds. for her advanced arthritis and she always had a moon face.
I am really excited for your guys going on that Alaska crusie. We have talked about going on so take a lot of notes and let us know everything about it.
Take care and love ya!
Janet
Just got home from a convention in Vegas. I think I have walked more miles in the last few days than I usually do in a month. Tired feet is putting it mildly. You look wonderful in the pictures. I think that smile could win a contest. I haven't gone through my mail yet, but saw something that I think may be the reunion date. I will let you know when I get to opening it. Enjoy the Alaska cruise. It is a lot of beautiful scenery!!
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