Still ill...

My husband Jim continues to struggle with symptoms from his cancer, as well as the chemotherapy and radiation treatments that he had. Jim remains extremely tired, nauseous, and weak. The doctor stated last month that Jim's symptoms could continue for a year. We have a long road ahead of us. 

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My husband, Jim, has now completed his radiation regime for his stage 4 lung cancer NSCLC. The radiation center gave Jim a cheesy diploma (lol). Jim had already completed his four cycles of chemotherapy. Jim also completed an additional cycle of chemotherapy with a different drug.

Jim had his appointment with his oncologist. We learned… nothing. Yes your read that correctly, we learned nothing. Jim was told to “come back in five weeks” and “we’ll see how you’re doing”.

I think it is time for a second opinion. I do not like the vagueness and allusiveness of this doctor. The doctor tends to practice what I call “defensive doctoring”, meaning the tests, procedures, and health plan are all geared towards a CYA approach of doctoring and do not appear to be geared towards Jim’s unique cancer and unique situation. I was disappointed with the “nothing” report that we received.

Jim has consulted with another doctor to request that Jim’s CTs and PETs are reviewed and explained in full. Jim had asked his own oncologist but the oncologist never complied with Jim's request. As you may recall Jim had a complete left pneumonectomy. My specific concern is that Jim had a nodule in the right lung, and now they are not commenting about that nodule. If it is gone, that is actually a bad thing (not a good thing); because that means that there was actually cancer in the right lung. If the nodule is gone, that means that the chemo has worked to reduce the nodule, but the simple fact that the nodule was there at all means that the cancer has spread to other organs (the right lung). If the nodule is still there, that is actually a good thing because that means it is probably a fungus which is common in our area of the Midwest. 

On a more positive note, I suppose that a neutral "nothing" report is better than a negative report. 

Jim remains extremely nauseated. Jim remains extremely fatigued. Jim is doing his very best to manage his multiple symptoms, but it is a daily challenge. As I have said many times, and will continue to say: Play the cards that are dealt; and it is what it is.

More treatments...

My husband Jim is continuing his radiation treatments. The radiation should have ended by now, but the treatments were not deemed successful so the treatments will be extended by two weeks. Jim is also simultaneously utilizing chemotherapy treatments once per week. These chemo treatments will also be extended, but no end date has been set as of this posting. 

Jim continues to struggle with day-to-day living because he is so very tired and weak. Jim requires several naps per day, and yet he still feels quite fatigued. Things that Jim used to do, now go undone. 


Jim still has his hair. Jim was told that his first cycles of chemo would cause hair loss; but it did not. Jim was told that this round of radiation and chemo would cause hair loss; but it has not. When Jim became sick Jim had let his beard grow. Jim's beard became a sight with uneven growth. Recently, Jim decided to trim his beard. It looks much neater now. 

Jim tries to keep his spirits up, and for the most part he is successful. Of course he has his low moments, but overall Jim maintains a positive attitude. As we often say: It is what it is and play the cards that are dealt to you. 

Change in plans...

My husband Jim has had some bothersome symptoms recently. Jim's chemo is temporarily on hold for a week while they do an MRI and CT scan. After reviewing these two procedures, chemo will most likely resume. Please pray for clean results of both tests; and that chemo can resume quickly. 

On schedule...

My husband Jim's white blood cell count had risen to an acceptable level. Jim was able to pick up his chemo schedule where he left off, at C2d22. This is good news. 

Monday (20May2013) will be the first day if cycle 3, C3d1. Info on chemo cycles can be found in previous posts. 

Worried...

I am requesting prayers and good wishes that Jim’s WBC count will be acceptable and that Jim will resume his chemo schedule without any further delays. Last week Jim’s low white blood cell count forced Jim off of his chemo schedule. Jim was unable to receive his scheduled chemo treatment and instead had to take a series of five shots to try to force his WBC count back up. Today, Jim will return to the cancer center with the goal of his WBC count being at an acceptable level and that he will be able to receive his chemo treatment. Last Monday C2d22 was cancelled, so today should put him back at C2d22 again to resume his previous schedule. 

Edit: Jim's WBC was good. He did receive chemo. It was day C2d22 again, as expected. He is now resumed his chemo schedule. Good news. Thank you for praying and for caring. 

April updates about Jim...

photo google images

Jim had a busy week. Monday, 22Apr13 C2d8, Jim had his scheduled chemo treatment. His white blood cell count was just enough that he was able to receive a full dose of the medicine. This was good news because I want the cancer gone!

Also that week Jim had an echocardiogram on his heart. This was a follow up to the echo that he'd had last month. The doctors are looking to see if everything is still the same. The results were as expected.

And that week Jim had a CT scan. This CT scan will establish a post-surgery benchmark to measure the cancer movement as the chemo progresses. The results have not yet been discussed with us in detail, but nothing alarming was in the report.

On Monday, 29Apr13 C2d15, Jim had his scheduled chemo appointment. Jim’s white blood cell count was again very low. Jim was not able to receive the full dose of chemo but Jim was able to receive a half-dose.

Jim is still very nauseous. Jim is still very fatigued. Jim is still very weak. All of this was to be expected from the cancer and from the chemo treatments. 

Oncology update...

Today my husband Jim had a scheduled appointment with his oncologist for Jim's lung cancer. The doctor has decided to postpone Jim’s radiation treatments until after cycle 4 of Jim’s chemotherapy treatments, instead of after cycle 2 as originally planned. Jim is currently in cycle 2. Jim is too nauseous and too fatigued to do the radiation treatments and the chemo treatments simultaneously (after cycle 2) as we had hoped. Doing these two treatments simultaneously would increase the side effects of both the chemo and radiation, which would be very difficult to manage. So, the new plan is to evaluate a course of radiation treatments after Jim’s fourth cycle of chemotherapy.

from google images

On Monday 22Apr2013 Jim will have a repeat echocardiogram as a follow up to the one he had in Mar2013. Jim will also have a CT scan done as soon as possible to pinpoint the degree of margin that the cancer had spread. As previously stated here, Jim’s cancer is in the pericardium (sac) surrounding the heart, as well as the left superior pulmonary vein. The CT scan should display the cancer and give the doctors a new baseline to measure the results of the chemotherapy.

A PET scan is more detailed than a CT scan, but Jim cannot have another PET scan for a few more months because of his pneumonectomy. The pneumonectomy surgery that Jim had in February will cause false positive and negative results, so it is better to wait until complete healing has occurred so that true results can be seen and measured.

Jim’s fatigue is increasing daily now. Jim’s nausea is also increasing daily. As of right now, Jim is able to manage these symptoms; but management will become more and more difficult as time goes on. We will simply deal with each day as it comes.

Jim continues to have a good attitude. Jim continues to display his humor. Jim is dealing with his cancer in a positive light. Jim is courageous and faces the daily challenges. I try to do the same, but sometimes I am not as successful as Jim.

Our two kids at home are doing well. Our special needs daughter does not understand she simply knows that dad is sick. Our 11 year old is handling it well. He has stepped up and taken on more responsibility at home, as well as more babysitting of his older sister. Three of the four adult children have been very supportive and we appreciate their words, calls and kind gestures.

Our specific requests today are: that Jim’s white blood cells will fall within the acceptable range; that Jim’s side effects will continue to be manageable; and that there are no surprises on the CT scan or echocardiogram.

Catching up...

It has been unseasonably chilly here in Kansas this mid-April 2013. I am ready for spring to arrive with some new flowers, green grass, and new leaves on the trees. I am ready for a fresh start and a fresh outlook.

from google images

My husband Jim had his first three days of treatment in this second cycle of chemotherapy for his lung cancer. Jim’s white blood cells continue to be an issue. Jim is very queasy, even while taking his two anti-nausea medicines. Jim is very tired. He takes several naps to try and deal with the fatigue. Jim continues to have a good attitude and good spirits because it is what it is.

My new job is going well. I really enjoy working with children again. I love the cooperative spirit at the school with everyone on the same team and no drama. It makes going to work more like a hobby than a job because it is such an enjoyable experience. I love the “light bulb” moment when a child understands the new task. I have been there to witness their joy and pride at mastering a new skill.

My family will continue to play the cards that are dealt to us as we move forward in this journey. 

Cycle Two, C2d1...

Today is C2d1, Cycle two day one. Jim will have 4-6 cycles of chemotherapy for his lung cancer. Each cycle is 28 days. 

Jim’s white blood cell count is still low, but he was able to receive a full dose of both chemo medicines today. This full dose treatment was a blessing because at the previous two treatments Jim was only able to receive half dose. Jim will have two more treatments this week, then one per week for three weeks. I am very pleased that Jim was able to maintain his treatment schedule.

Today Jim is feeling pretty queasy. He has already had to take one nap today after he arrived back home from his chemo treatment. The nausea and the fatigue are very real issues. Jim has trouble with day-to-day events due to the fatigue and nausea. Jim has not yet lost his hair. I am surprised that Jim still has his hair because the doctor had stated that hair loss was to be expected. Perhaps that is yet to come.

At the end of this second cycle, the doctors should reevaluate Jim to assess his radiation plan. They plan to have Jim do simultaneous treatments. This may be difficult. We will have to wait and see.

I will be glad when the doctors will be able to tell us that Jim’s cancer is in remission… that will be a glorious day, and I am looking forward to it. 

White blood cells...

For the last two chemo sessions in a row, my husband Jim’s white blood cell count has been low. Those two sessions (C1d15, C1d22) Jim only received a half dose of his chemo. This is a concern for us on two levels. First, his WBC count is very low and his immune system is very weak putting him at risk for infections that he cannot fight. Second, his chemo plan may fall behind on his schedule which could delay the radiation evaluations, putting him at risk for cancer spread. 

On an up note, Jim’s red cell count was within range. Jim has been able to manage his nausea. Jim is tired but seems to be managing his fatigue with frequent naps and resting times. 

Please pray for Jim’s WBC count to rise to an acceptable range. Please pray that Jim will not be exposed to any negative germs. 

Chemo...

Jim did well, did poorly, did well again. 

Last week after the initial three days of chemo, Jim had a difficult time with nausea. He didn't start vomiting, but he really struggled with the queasiness. Later, Jim felt better again. He was still not at his starting point, but better than the previous few days. We knew the sickness would come, but we still wished that it did not. 

On Monday 25Mar13 (C1d8), Jim had another treatment. Jim felt a tad better than he had on the day before. Jim's current chemo plan is that Jim will have chemo treatments on cycle days 1, 2, 3, 8, 15, 22. 

Jim continues to struggle with chronic extreme fatigue. I have never witnessed this much fatigue in Jim before the cancer. Jim continues to struggle with the symptoms from the chemotherapy. Jim also struggles with thoracic syndrome. 

App for that...

I often hear myself say ‘there’s an app for that!’ So I decided to check and see if there was something I could use on my iPhone relating to my husband Jim’s cancer treatments. And yes, there it was! It is called Chemo Calendar. It tracks various details of the chemo treatments. I do wish it had a place for blood pressure stats, but since it doesn’t I add that information under “notes.” If you are dealing with chemotherapy you may want to check out this app for your phone. Best of all, it is FREE!