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. 

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. 

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. 

It begins, C1d1...

The chemo begins. My husband, Jim, began his first day of cycle one of his chemotherapy. It is abbreviated as C1d1. Jim had treatments on day1, day2, and day3. Day 1 was nearly seven hours of treatment; day 2 was four hours; day 3 was five hours. Jim did very well on all three days. Jim had a good, positive attitude. Nausea was under control. Jim felt good physically, Jim had energy, and Jim felt strong. Jim continued becoming friends with the nurses, and some of the patients. It was amazing that there were no side effects. We were both very pleasantly surprised by no side effects.

Jim’s “Power Port” worked beautifully. The nurses used a special needle that went through Jim’s skin and into the port. They lightly secured this needle with tape to ensure that he didn't bump the needle. There were no multiple pokes to find a vein. There was no tenderness at the entry sight. Jim could not feel the medicine as it entered his body. They were able to deliver the meds at a slightly faster pace because of the port; which meant less time in “the chair.” I was glad that Jim had the port because we witnessed others in the room that struggled with finding a good vein. Those patients had severe bruising up and down their hands and arms. Jim had no pain, and no bruising.

Jim's chemo session on C1d2. 

The side effects begin. Beginning on day 4, Jim began to feel some side effects of the chemo. Jim became nauseated. His physical stamina was decreased. Jim’s positive attitude took a hit because he (and I) had thought perhaps he would avoid the nausea. Jim is not terribly sick, yet, but I’m sure that is to come. Jim’s weight is maintained. Jim has had no signs of hair loss. Both Jim and I understand that Jim will get worse before he gets better, but the reality of this statement is beginning to hit home.