Comments

In order to make things easier, I have decided to open up comments up to anyone. One no longer has to register. So feel free to leave a note for mom.

Progress

I went to the oncologist yesterday and learned that the liver tumors are shrinking. We looked at the CT scans from Duke taken in July and compared them to those taken at the Wilson hospital last Wednesday. There is a difference in size; the largest tumor was about 2.3 cm. and now it is 1.8 cm. It may not seem significant to you, but it is progress. It indicates that my body is responding to the chemo and so we are going to keep on with the same medications.

One interesting thing that I learned about the CT scans was that the CT scan in Wilson is a higher resolution machine than the one at Duke. The doctor told me that it that was because in a teaching hospital often they have to go through 8 different committees just to get a new machine, whereas in a small community hospital there is less bureaucracy and so they just go buy what they want. Who knew? The higher resolution scan showed also that I have a number of little tumors that probably were there before but that didn't show up in the first scan. The first scan showed some shadow there, but it wasn't clear enough to see what exactly was there. Anyway, it was good news and I am thankful. I have been lifted up in prayer in many different churches and by many different individuals. I am so thankful. God is hearing and answering all those prayers. He is faithful. Thank you all for praying. Please keep it up, I've got a ways to go. I am scheduled to be on chemo for 6 months, so that means at least 4 more from this point.
The road is long and we're not there yet, but we are making progress. That's good news.
Karen

Are we there yet?

I have been thinking about my wanting to hear about how the chemo is progressing and I feel like I am responding like one of my kids when we used to drive from Mississippi to NY. Matt was only about 2 years old at the time and would ask, "Are we there yet?" when we had only gone about a half hour. The trip took about 21 or 22 hours, but he was anxious to get there and would understandably ask if we were there yet. Last week, even though I knew that the chemo was supposed to take 6 months, I was hoping for a miracle and that "we would be there" after only 7 weeks. Oh well, so I am still learning that this journey, this cancer journey that I am on (even though I didn't want or volunteer to go) is going to be long. I cannot rush it, I just must be patient and see the good in the journey. There are good things to see, just as on all journeys, such as the beauty in life, the joy of friends and family, and the power of prayer.
So I am not there yet, I am still hanging on for the ride and finding joy in the journey.
Karen

waiting for news

I thought that I would know today, Sept. 17th, about how my chemo is progressing, but because the CT scan from Duke didn't arrive here in Wilson yet, the doctor couldn't compare the two scans. Therefore I have to wait until next week to know if the chemo is working. The good news is that the doctor here didn't see any new tumors.
Today my hemoglobin was low, so I had to have an injection to help my body make more red blood cells. Other than that I feel pretty good. I have been going to my seminary classes and I really enjoy them. On Tuesday I didn't think I was up to going, but I tried it and with the Lord's help I did well. I didn't feel like I was well enough to go, but since Carol was driving and we left with the understanding that I could turn around and go home whenever I needed, I gave it a try. Sitting in a class, learning new things gives my mind other things to think about other than how I feel. It is really good for me. Because I have had a lot of medical appointments this week, it has been hard to do the classwork. Of course there has been a lot of time spent waiting, like in the hospital or at the doctor's office, so I use the time to do the required reading assignments.
I started taking a beginning piano class this semester so I just started to work at practicing the piano. It is great therapy.
Karen

A week of testing

On Monday I had my port-a-cath tested to see if it was functioning properly. Today, Wednesday, I am having a CT scan. The port was working correctly, which is great, but I am still having pain in the area. The CT scan is to look at the liver tumors and compare their size with what they looked like 7 weeks ago. This is to determine if the chemo has been effective. I'll let you know what I find out. The scan is at 1:30, but I won't hear the results until Friday, probably.

Karen

You Might Be in a Redneck Hospital...

This is an Elizabethan entry. (I love it that my name is also an adjective.)

Mom has been having some minor troubles with her portocath, and this weekend it got infected. So the nice folks at the chemo clinic scheduled an appointment for her at Wilson Memorial, so that the surgeon who put it in could have a look at it.

The main problem was that some sutures were poking out of the skin and acting as a conduit for infection. Since everyone knows that you put antibiotic ointment on infections, that's what mom did. After all, we wouldn't want it to get any worse before the doctors could look at it on Monday. The ointment worked and it started to heal, but naturally we kept the appointment.

We checked in about 8:30. The receptionist asked the reason for the visit, and my mom said she was having a problem with her sutures. The doctor looked at the portocath, and scheduled some blood work.

While she was waiting in line to have her blood drawn, Mom looked over the insurance papers. Under diagnosis, someone had neatly typed, "Suchers."

If you're getting "suchers" you might be in a redneck hospital.

Oh, and to tie things up neatly, the portocath seems fine now. They said if it gets infected again, we should not put antibiotic ointment on it but should see the doctor right away instead.

continuing chemo

I had my second chemo treatment of my second round of chemo yesterday. I have responded better today than I have in the past. I am not as nauseous or exhausted as usual. I have been drinking carrot juice and pushing liquids which I think has made a difference. I have lost most of my hair this week. I finally gave up and had Dan shave it to about a half inch length. When I looked in the mirror I was horrified. I looked like Uncle Festus on the Adams Family. But it was necessary to cut it so short since the hair was falling out continually. I would wake up in the morning and find hair all over my pillow and even in my mouth. If I even touched my hair it would come out in my hands. It makes it easier to put medicine on the sores on my scalp now that there isn't much hair in the way. I have a lot to be thankful for. I don't have the sores in my mouth that other people talk about. It seems like sores on the head must be easier to deal with than ones in the mouth. Also I continue to get cards, phone calls and many different ways people have been extending their care and concern which continues to encourage me.

I wrote a poem and put it on a thank you card that expresses briefly how much we appreciate all the acts of kindness shown to me. I will reprint it here:
We want to say,
In this simple way,
That we're thankful for your care,
Especially your prayer,
And all the other ways you show,
The Good Shepherd's love that we know.
Kind and thoughtful gestures of
His faithfulness and love,
Have been delightfully revealed,
By your cards and letters, gifts and meals.

Different people from our church have been bringing meals on Fridays, the day I have chemo, and it has been a great help. Each time the food has been delicious and just perfect for the day.
My mom came for a visit this week and it had been great. We have had a great time catching up. It is pretty quiet here. Some of the kids are away with friends for the long Labor Day weekend.
I have put the many cards and letters that I've received in a scrapbook. In fact, I've received so many I have had to start a second book. It is a great way to keep them all and to re-read each one when I want to. It wasn't until this all happened to me that I understood how important it is to send a card or note to someone. It really does make a difference. The encouragement is every therapeutic emotionally and spiritually, which inevitably makes a difference on one's physical health as well.

That's all for now. Thanks for caring for Karen.

Karen