Nine treatments left!

Just a short note to say nine treatments left, and Dad has discovered that shutting his eyes during treatment results in a fireworks show on the backs of his eyelids.

Still feeling good, and even starting to ride his bike a little in the neighborhood.  He's claimed that he will master the hills of Indian Creek (their development) in the next couple weeks.

Have a great holiday weekend!

Feeling good - 4 weeks down, 2 1/2 to go

The weekend was spent with convertible rides, Ted & Wally's Ice Cream in the Old Market, family pictures, and lots of time spent with the grandkids.  The kids were really happy to spend time with Grandpa and Grandma (and Auntie).

Thirteen treatments remain.  Morning walks, mowing the lawn (with the riding lawn mower), and a positive attitude are making the time fly!

A picture in Tracy and Rich's kitchen before the family pictures extravaganza at Boys Town. . .when all of the kids still felt like smiling at the same time.  :)

Over 50% done with radiation, 15 treatments remain

Yesterday was treatment 17, which means that Dad was more than half-way done with radiation treatments.  His final day of radiation is September 10th, and you better believe there will be a celebration that night!

Dad continues to feel pretty well.  He's tapering down on the steroids (which is a great sign, actually, that he can tolerate fewer steroids in his system), has a great appetite (best sweet corn EVER right now from the back of a farmer's truck in Elkhorn), and the doctors are all making comments that he looks really good.  Dull headaches and some fatigue are a part of his day right now, but he's trying to combat it with a daily walk around the neighborhood in the mornings, and staying as active as possible during the day.

So far, the weather in Omaha has cooperated for us to take the convertible beetle to every appointment and treatment.  We're both showing some evidence of sunshine on our noses and cheeks.  

And we got Dad to a movie yesterday: "Wall-E" with grandkids Emily and Dillon.  Since it was Emily's first movie, it proved to be more entertaining than planned.  Two tubs of popcorn, a box of Junior Mints, and a booster seat were all part of the evening.  At one point, Emily leaned over to Dad and asked, "Grandpa, why are your eyes closed?"  Let's just say that Tracy came to pick up her daughter about an hour in to the show while the rest of us stayed back to watch the rest of the movie.

Nearing end of week three. . .

Friday marks the end of week three of treatment.  Side effects (headaches, foggy, tired) start to hit towards the end of the week, but Dad is still feeling pretty darn well.  

The cookies from Eileen's went over very well yesterday at Dr. Hsu's office.  Sometimes a little treat to show how much he appreciates the great care and help they're giving him (and the entire family) is needed.

This weekend I (Mary) head home to Omaha for about eight days to see where I can help out, and just hang with the family.   First thing on tap: updating Dad's iPhone to the 2.0 software.   

Mark "pull weeds around the pond" off the list

Just got off the phone with Dad.  He was out pulling weeds around the pond.  I guess you can say he's feeling pretty well.

Today marked the 1/3rd complete milestone of radiation/chemo treatments.  He has 22 more to go, which puts his final day of radiation at September 10th.  The staff and doctors are all amazed at how well Dad is feeling.  Week three could get a bit tougher as the radiation treatments start to have a cumulative effect (radiation is given in fractions, and they all add up to one dose -- with the half life of radiation being. . .well, something bigger than six weeks. . .he's going to probably feel the effects starting this week or next).  Hopefully not!

He's taking short walks around the neighborhood a few times a day -- and he's trying to build up some stamina and walk longer each time to keep himself physically active.   He said he skipped a nap today that likely would impact his ability to stay up for watching the Olympics tonight, but otherwise he felt great (all things considered).

End of Week Two . . .and a Sleepover!

Grandson #1, Dillon (who starts first grade next week), is now sleeping soundly at Mom and Dad's house after a full evening of having Grandpa and Grandma to himself.  There were models built using K'Nex, plenty of talk of Transformers (a favorite now for a year), and likely a game of Monopoly.  When he found out I had a few boxes in the garage of Star Wars toys, it suddenly became VERY important to visit Portland, Oregon.

Auntie Mary wasn't too happy to find out he had never seen the original Looney Toons with Bugs Bunny, Yosemite Sam, and Marvin the Martian.  Trust me, that will change.   And soon.  I may be shopping at CostCo tomorrow and bringing a "Back to School" present when I visit next weekend.

Dad had a good end to the week.  The onset of a headache yesterday was responding well to a tylenol and some ice, and he felt good enough to have a 6 year-old spend the night.  So that has to tell you something!  Today marked the end of week two of radiation.  Dad continues to have a positive attitude, which is fantastic!  Keep it up!

Off to watch the spectacular Olympic Opening Ceremonies from Beijing.

Things are looking up!

After eight treatments of radiation (and daily chemotherapy), things are looking pretty good right now. Dad feels good, is not suffering major side effects since the steroids picked a fight with the headaches Saturday, and so far, the anti-nausea medication is working its magic on the chemo pills.

Rumor has it Dad was out mowing the lawn the other day (riding mower!), has been gaining a few pounds back with the help of generous helpings of dinner and dessert, and has been walking around the block to get some exercise. There's even talk of attending a Husker game in mid-September.

Apparently the woman at the Cancer Society confused him for a friend of a cancer patient, not a cancer patient, due to his overall look of health/well being. 

A fun fact: over 98 of you are following the blog, and roughly 20 people a day check in. We've hit most of the US, and even Romania! Thanks for checking in!

Preparing for Treatment: Week Two

Kind of a rough end to the first week of treatment.  Headaches that were barely touched by the turban of ice throughout the day kept Dad a bit down this week.  Steroids were prescribed and started Friday, and thankfully they seem to be helping quite a bit.  While unusual to have this much of a side effect in the first week, it's not unheard of for patients to experience the swelling during the first week.

Not sure if it's the swelling or another factor, but mini-seizures were back on Thursday.  He's still really tired from being in the hospital, as well as from the treatments.  Maintaining calorie intake is key (per the dietician working with Dad - high calorie, high protein diet is a must), so treats like full-fledged hot fudge sundae is no longer challenged in the house.  :)

However, there is good news.  One week of treatment is DONE.  He's having extremely high tolerance to the chemo (thanks to the zofran to knock out any nausea), and is getting quite a bit of rest.  The staff at Legacy West Cancer Center in Omaha has also been phenomenal.  After just a few weeks, it feels as if they're an extension of the family.  VERY nice to be able to work with that kind of environment.

All of the phone calls, cards, emails and stopping by is really helping!  Thanks!

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