Treatment: Day Two

Well, the first day of radiation, followed by chemo, is over.

Dad was fighting a bug of some kind (or some reaction to the coumadin) that pretty much had him feeling bad since he got out of the hospital last night. Not exactly the way he wanted to start out treatment, but he started on time and made it through.

The email from him this AM (and confirmation with Mom while Dad took a nap) indicated that he actually felt quite a bit better than yesterday. He's still really tired, but feels better than the past several days. Let's hope that lasts!

32 more radiation treatments to go, with daily chemo tablets the entire time. I need to get him a calendar to mark off the days completed.

HOME!

After a quick (sanctioned) escape this AM to get a CT scan across the street, Dad is officially home in Elkhorn.    He gets pretty tired quickly after being in bed for nearly five days, but he's home.

Treatment officially starts Monday afternoon.  The "mask" has been molded that will hold the head still during treatment.  Interpreting what Dad said to me earlier today, that experience ranked second only to having the frame attached for his biopsy a few weeks ago.  Neither were pleasant.

Chemo/Radiation in combo for the next 6 1/2 weeks.  We're all hoping for minimal side effects on both.  The blog should take a bit of a breather until treatment kicks in, so don't panic if you don't hear from us.  :)

Mary

Off Bed Rest, Home Tomorrow

The doctors have given in to Dad's demands (after the bloodwork came back with levels where they wanted), and he's up out of bed and getting ready to start walking the halls. Apparently there is the reward of free ice cream down near the nurse's lounge, so he's a man on a mission to get both his strength back and a little treat.

Assuming all goes well today, he'll be home at some point tomorrow. He's been cleared to go SLOWLY on the treadmill and riding the mower later in the week. He is definitely anxious to get out of the hospital. Although apparently watching little Sam saying "Hi" to EVERYONE in the hallway when he was up for a short visit was quite entertaining for all involved.

Radiation/Chemo will likely start next Monday (July 28th). He'll continue on with the planning part of treatment the rest of this week.

Thanks for all of the calls, emails, comments, and visits!

Day Three of Complete Bed Rest

Yesterday Dad was thinking that just because he saw the sun rise twice, that his 48hr prescription for complete bed rest while the blood thinners worked their magic was over.  Not quite.  He just finished his two day stint and on his third.

His hopes of getting to the "Chair Rest" stage this morning were dashed by a too low coumadin level.  Tomorrow he's told.

Grandkids Emily and Dillon made an appearance earlier today, which brightened things up a bit and relinquished some of the boredom.  He was also greeted with two John Grisham paperbacks, and I believe his laptop.  

He's doing really well - just waiting for the medicine to work.  His request to mow the lawn with the walk-behind mower and a sturdy walk on the treadmill were declined today by the doctor.  One day at a time until they get his circulatory system acting normally again.

That's all for now. . .

The Most Common Inquiry: What Can I Do?

I'm getting quite a few inquiries into what you can do for Mom and Dad.  First of all, thank you!

  

At this point, I've been convinced, there really isn't much.  Maybe as treatment starts kicking in and the need to reach out a bit more comes into play, we'll let you know.  Things that I know help:

1. Emails or phone calls: if you need an email address, please ask.  Calling the house is probably the best location
   
2. Stopping by (please call first): Dad loves visitors, and it helps break up his day.  However, we never know what kind of day he's going to have, so please call first and when the warden (usually Mary when in town) comes out to the porch and says its time to wrap it up, please don't get mad.  He gets tired pretty easily, but really does like seeing a fresh face.
   
3. Good book to read: with five days in the hospital coming up, and quite a bit of down time at the house during treatment, he's going to need an escape.  "Oprah" and "Bold and the Beautiful" only take up 90 minutes (even less on TiVo).  :)

As time goes on, I will let those of you that have asked more specifically what they can do as the needs arise.

Again - thank you all for your communications, thoughts, prayers, and genuine caring for Dad!

Mary

Little Hiccup on the way to Treatment. . .

Okay, probably not so little.

If anyone knows the direct number to "The Universe," can you please pass it along?  Dad found himself in the Lakeside Hospital ER late last night for confirmed blood clots in his lung (fancy term is pulmonary embolism); and this morning they found the culprit in his lower left leg as well.  We'd all like to send a message to The Universe that we've had enough, thank you.  Dad and Mom (and Tracy) pretty much are wrapping up on their West Omaha Urgent Care and ER tour, finally settling in on Lakeside as the best.  No more research is needed, thank you.  :)

He's going to be spending five full days (at least) in the hospital while they get rid of the clots. The nurse likely broke quite a few rules today when she allowed him to shave with a fresh razor after all the heparin and blood thinners they are pumping into him.  Thankfully he had a steady hand.  The oncologists have stopped by (which is a bit unusual, at least based on what we're used to), and Dr. Silverberg even brought Dad two packages of cookies: one from Dr. Hsu (radiation oncologist) and a package of Fig Newton's from himself.  

The other part of the primary team in Minnesota (Drs. Lachance and Lee) have been consulted and all agree on the plan of action.  Next week Dad will get the "mapping" CT for the final step in treatment planning; and while a setback, this five days in the hospital will only push treatment by a few days.

More updates as I get them from Omaha. . .

Diagnosis In, Treatment Begins Monday

It has been quite a whirlwind of activity, but since May 13th, we've found out the following:

• The Mayo Clinic is probably the best medical facility in all the land.  Can't say enough about the level of care, doctors, and facilities.  Unbelievable.
• The numerous MRIs and CT Scans, stereotactic biopsy and multiple doctor appointments has revealed a Grade 3 anaplastic astrocytoma in the right (and likely the left) temporal lobe.  
• Recommended treatment is six and a half weeks of radiation (to be done in Omaha) alongside pill-form chemotherapy.  Chemo will continue monthly (five days each month) for six months to a year.  Scans will be taken at regular intervals to monitor progress and the state of Dad's remission.
• Doctors are very encouraging and positive on how well Dad will tolerate treatment due to his overall great health, relatively young in age, lack of symptoms (perhaps indicating we caught it early) and great attitude/support system.

Thanks for all of your ongoing support, checking in, mowing the lawn, getting the mail/papers, and for stopping by!  I'll keep this updated as I can from Portland, and when I travel back to Omaha regularly this summer/fall.  

Feel free to add comments to the posts, or just overall messages of support!

Mary