Hi All -
Rick was a trooper through his first round of chemotherapy. The first few days were fairly easy, but from about day 4 through 8 he felt exhausted, nauseous, and another feeling of general YUCH that he said he couldn't really describe. So much skin fell off of him that one morning it looked like it had snowed on our bedroom floor. (Too much detail?)
During that same time, the dermatologist removed a squamous cell carconoma from his arm. He was so sick from the chemo, that he had to lay down while they removed the growth from his arm. On the positive side, he was oblivious to what the doctor was doing. He said that compared to all the other pokes and prods he has had, the arm surgery was nothing.
Rick was supposed to start radiation on June 21, Monday. Dr. Chi was on vacation last week and he did not like some component of the radiation plan that had been developed - so when he got back on Monday, they had to rework the plan. We were anxious about the delay because the radiation is scheduled to run for 25 working days and based on the original plan, Rick would have been finished in time to go to Lori and Brian's wedding in Philadelphia. The radiology office was very aware of the wedding schedule and managed to get the new plan finished today (Wednesday) and we are supposed to get a call this afternoon telling us what time radiation will be tomorrow. So again, we wait - but with the hope that it may all work out after all.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Chemo - another interesting thing to learn about
Hi All -
Rick is feeling well and continues to be stronger every day. He still marvels at how weak he is, but every single day he is better than the day before (mostly). We took a chemo class on Wednesday and learned that for 48 hours after the infusion of the chemo, his body fluids are toxic and that he is even supposed to wipe off the toilet seat after using it to prevent someone else from absorbing the chemicals!
On Thursday, we went to the Cancer Center - which is a very cheerful place that has been arranged to make the patients as comfortable and supported as possible. Rick was taking a steroid and anti-nausea medication before the chemo was started and would continue those drugs for two more days. The nurse infused the Alimta first, which took about 10 minutes. Then came the cisplatin, which is the drug that has more harsh side effects. It took 2 1/2 hours for the cisplatin to drip into his vein and then we were done.
For the first two days, Rick was "wired" on the steriod. He was out for walks, busily cleaning the kitchen, and hopping into his car to pick up a prescription. He couldn't settle down, so finally I had to order him to lie down for an hour! He rested on the sofa and finally asked, "Can I get up NOW?" Today, Sunday, is the first day he has felt the effects of the chemo. He is very tired and at times he says it feels like there are little things crawling in his hands and feet. (Who knows, maybe there ARE little things crawling in his hands and feet.) He and Conner have still been taking 4-lap walks around the pool every hour or so and thankfully, he is still not nauseous. Other than that, he has rested most of the day.
What is amazing to me is Rick's ability to maintain a positive attitude. He always manages to smile and look on the bright side. So far, the chemo hasn't been as bad as we feared. We'll hope the effects continue to be minor and we'll keep you posted.
Rick is feeling well and continues to be stronger every day. He still marvels at how weak he is, but every single day he is better than the day before (mostly). We took a chemo class on Wednesday and learned that for 48 hours after the infusion of the chemo, his body fluids are toxic and that he is even supposed to wipe off the toilet seat after using it to prevent someone else from absorbing the chemicals!
On Thursday, we went to the Cancer Center - which is a very cheerful place that has been arranged to make the patients as comfortable and supported as possible. Rick was taking a steroid and anti-nausea medication before the chemo was started and would continue those drugs for two more days. The nurse infused the Alimta first, which took about 10 minutes. Then came the cisplatin, which is the drug that has more harsh side effects. It took 2 1/2 hours for the cisplatin to drip into his vein and then we were done.
For the first two days, Rick was "wired" on the steriod. He was out for walks, busily cleaning the kitchen, and hopping into his car to pick up a prescription. He couldn't settle down, so finally I had to order him to lie down for an hour! He rested on the sofa and finally asked, "Can I get up NOW?" Today, Sunday, is the first day he has felt the effects of the chemo. He is very tired and at times he says it feels like there are little things crawling in his hands and feet. (Who knows, maybe there ARE little things crawling in his hands and feet.) He and Conner have still been taking 4-lap walks around the pool every hour or so and thankfully, he is still not nauseous. Other than that, he has rested most of the day.
What is amazing to me is Rick's ability to maintain a positive attitude. He always manages to smile and look on the bright side. So far, the chemo hasn't been as bad as we feared. We'll hope the effects continue to be minor and we'll keep you posted.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Hi All -
Some of you said you are curious about what Dr. Sugarbaker's response to the question about Alympta will be. Here it is.
Sugarbaker, David John,M.D. to me
show details 5:30 PM (22 minutes ago)
Hi. An Alympta assay has not been released by the oncotech company . We would certainly get it if they had it . There are three regimes with good track records in the literature. Cis-alympta, CAP ( adriamycin,cyclophasphomide and cis plat) and gem cis plat. We have a read out on two of these for Rick on the current report. . So we have options and I would defer to Dr Garland on the course of chemo . We however are very excited about Ricks report in that it gives us another option with a very very favorable resistance pattern . I tried on several occasions to reach Dr Garland but we missed and I will try again upon my return to boston on Thursday . Sounds like Rick is doing very well. The dry nonproductive cough is common and may last up to 3 months. All the best ds
Some of you said you are curious about what Dr. Sugarbaker's response to the question about Alympta will be. Here it is.
Sugarbaker, David John,M.D. to me
show details 5:30 PM (22 minutes ago)
Hi. An Alympta assay has not been released by the oncotech company . We would certainly get it if they had it . There are three regimes with good track records in the literature. Cis-alympta, CAP ( adriamycin,cyclophasphomide and cis plat) and gem cis plat. We have a read out on two of these for Rick on the current report. . So we have options and I would defer to Dr Garland on the course of chemo . We however are very excited about Ricks report in that it gives us another option with a very very favorable resistance pattern . I tried on several occasions to reach Dr Garland but we missed and I will try again upon my return to boston on Thursday . Sounds like Rick is doing very well. The dry nonproductive cough is common and may last up to 3 months. All the best ds
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Radiation Oncology Visit
Hi All -
Rick, Tricia and I visited Dr. Alexander Chi, the radiation oncologist. We reviewed the procedures and risks of radiation. Dr. Chi had hoped to begin the radiation simulation today, but Health Net did not approve the planned procedure yet, so we will need to come back - hopefully tomorrow. In the meantime, Dr. Chi talked with Dr. Garland. We see her on Thursday and Rick will have one round of chemo before radiation. Dr. Chi said radiation will run 25 days and begin around June 21 - if all goes according to plan.
Rick, Tricia and I visited Dr. Alexander Chi, the radiation oncologist. We reviewed the procedures and risks of radiation. Dr. Chi had hoped to begin the radiation simulation today, but Health Net did not approve the planned procedure yet, so we will need to come back - hopefully tomorrow. In the meantime, Dr. Chi talked with Dr. Garland. We see her on Thursday and Rick will have one round of chemo before radiation. Dr. Chi said radiation will run 25 days and begin around June 21 - if all goes according to plan.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)