Denise has been able to resume her walking yesterday and today--in the beautiful sunshine!
Denise saw the doctor today for the results of the ct scan she had last Friday. She has 3 areas filled with fluid or air. Two of the pockets are connected to the belly button wound and as the medical profession says, they are "communicating" with each other. The doctor gave her two options: (1) continue regiment of draining and packing the wound for two more weeks; or (2) open the surgical incision and pack it leaving it open to heal. If option 1 doesn't show signs of healing by two weeks then option 2 will be scheduled.
Regardless of the status of healing, the doctor feels the chemo therapy should resume and to avoid putting Denise in further jeopardy. So her cycle 3 will begin on Tuesday, February 8th.
As you might imagine, this has been challenging emotionally and physically for Denise.
Joan/Mom
Monday, January 31, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
Denise had her ct scan this morning. Only took 6 tries for an iv and 4 blown veins--thanks to chemo drugs veins are devasted! Now we wait for the results which should be today or early Monday.
Denise is feeling crappy due to ingesting the contrast drink for the ct scan. Hopefully some rest and sleep will get her "up" soon.
Where's the sunshine? Such dreary skies here.
Joan/Mom
Denise is feeling crappy due to ingesting the contrast drink for the ct scan. Hopefully some rest and sleep will get her "up" soon.
Where's the sunshine? Such dreary skies here.
Joan/Mom
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Per Denise, she is having "frustrating times." The two smaller wounds at her surgical incision are almost healed. The third, at her belly button, is continuing to continuously drain. It's not known where the fluid is coming from exactly--could be a fistula in the abdomen or at the resection of the bowl. Denise is waiting for a call to schedule a ct scan; the scan may or may not reveal if there is a fistula. Also the doctors will be looking at the the amount of fluid in the abdomen.
So the doctors are recommending to continue to pack the wound 2-3 times a day and give it two weeks for healing. In the meantime, chemo therapy has been postponed until this is resolved.
Statistics reveal that very few patients complete their IP regiment due to complications or discomfort of the therapy. Denise was very fearful of the IP in the beginning but now has embraced it. She is determined to complete the six cycles. The unhealed wound is causing her mental strife and is trying to refocus her energy to healing this.
Joan/Mom
So the doctors are recommending to continue to pack the wound 2-3 times a day and give it two weeks for healing. In the meantime, chemo therapy has been postponed until this is resolved.
Statistics reveal that very few patients complete their IP regiment due to complications or discomfort of the therapy. Denise was very fearful of the IP in the beginning but now has embraced it. She is determined to complete the six cycles. The unhealed wound is causing her mental strife and is trying to refocus her energy to healing this.
Joan/Mom
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Thursday, Denise walked 2 miles to prove to her infusion nurse that she could do it. A little competitive driving there. She did it and she was "wiped" out!
Friday, back to the doctor to check the incision. Two of the problem areas are healing well. The third, in the belly button, needs to be referred to the surgical oncologist for evaluation and possible little surgical procedure to close an opening. The doctor did lots of debrieing--ouches!!!!!!
After the doctor's appointment, Denise enjoying having breakfast with a friend at the Black Bear Diner in Tracy. Wow, the portions are huge!
Then home for another great visit with a colleague from her nurse practitioner program. Then early evening a few more visitors from her high school days.
As she says, an exhausting but wonderful day. She wants to fill these days that she's feeling well with good energy and good friends.
Saturday, eleven of us drove to the San Francisco zoo to see the baby anteater (sooo cute), baby monkey and young giraffe amongst many other great animals. Denise and many of her friends attended UC Irvine and were the UCI Anteaters. Denise served as the Anteater mascot for a basketball season.
Today, Denise will "veg" and watch football games with her dad. Next week she has 2 medical appointments plus 2 days of chem therapy.
Yeh for the sunshine! Joan/Mom
Friday, back to the doctor to check the incision. Two of the problem areas are healing well. The third, in the belly button, needs to be referred to the surgical oncologist for evaluation and possible little surgical procedure to close an opening. The doctor did lots of debrieing--ouches!!!!!!
After the doctor's appointment, Denise enjoying having breakfast with a friend at the Black Bear Diner in Tracy. Wow, the portions are huge!
Then home for another great visit with a colleague from her nurse practitioner program. Then early evening a few more visitors from her high school days.
As she says, an exhausting but wonderful day. She wants to fill these days that she's feeling well with good energy and good friends.
Saturday, eleven of us drove to the San Francisco zoo to see the baby anteater (sooo cute), baby monkey and young giraffe amongst many other great animals. Denise and many of her friends attended UC Irvine and were the UCI Anteaters. Denise served as the Anteater mascot for a basketball season.
Today, Denise will "veg" and watch football games with her dad. Next week she has 2 medical appointments plus 2 days of chem therapy.
Yeh for the sunshine! Joan/Mom
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Hello all, Denise here. Well I'm almost a week out from my last chemo and a week more of feeling better until round 3 starts. I mustered up a pretty good walk today. The walk felt good but caused quite a bit of pain in my abdominal port that still remains hours later. Feels like a bad stitch you would get in your side from running. Wish the cause was a good run, rather than a foreign object in my body.
Had to return to the clinic yesterday for worsening wound issues. I now have several areas in my surgical incision that are opened up and require mom to pack them twice daily. She's as excited about it as I am. The packing, as you can imagine, is quite uncomfortable.
I should be feeling well enough for visitors in the next few days if anyone has been trying to come visit and is right now HEALTHY. These are the days that the chemo has my immune system the weakest so I have to limit what I'm exposed to.
Again thank you to all who send your support and love, it is much appreciated.
Take Care,
Denise
Had to return to the clinic yesterday for worsening wound issues. I now have several areas in my surgical incision that are opened up and require mom to pack them twice daily. She's as excited about it as I am. The packing, as you can imagine, is quite uncomfortable.
I should be feeling well enough for visitors in the next few days if anyone has been trying to come visit and is right now HEALTHY. These are the days that the chemo has my immune system the weakest so I have to limit what I'm exposed to.
Again thank you to all who send your support and love, it is much appreciated.
Take Care,
Denise
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Friday Denise visited the doctor to check her surgical incision. The incision has a small opening and is leaking fluid (won't go into details here--don't think most of you could handle the raw details). An air pocket, so to speak, has developed under the skin and filled with fluid preventing complete healing.
Today, same as yesterday, the nausea and vomiting continue. We're just trying to keep the liquids going in so she doesn't have to go to ER for hydration.
Dana came over and helped me with caring for her incision (again--tmi--too much information to share). Denise did muster a walk in the sunshine to the end of our road and back
The oncologist ordered a commode and wheelchair which were delivered today--sure hope we won't need them!
Joan/Mom
Today, same as yesterday, the nausea and vomiting continue. We're just trying to keep the liquids going in so she doesn't have to go to ER for hydration.
Dana came over and helped me with caring for her incision (again--tmi--too much information to share). Denise did muster a walk in the sunshine to the end of our road and back
The oncologist ordered a commode and wheelchair which were delivered today--sure hope we won't need them!
Joan/Mom
Friday, January 14, 2011
Friday, January 14, 2011
As the nausea and vomiting continued, Denise had to return to the infusion center on Wednesday and receive an IV for hydration and more anti-nausea meds. Thankfully, this infusion perked her up and got her leveled off to be able to eat a good dinner and sleep. The infusion nurses says this is very common for patients to return for hydration--chemo meds are very dehydrating.
Thursday, she received the last treatment of cycle 2! The treatment was very uncomfortable but she handled it well. She's looking forward to almost 2 weeks before starting cycle 3. She will see her oncologist on January 26th and treatments schedule for January 27th and 28th. Denise's team of chemo therapy providers will meet prior to her doctor's appointment and look at revising her meds and therapy so hopefully the regiment will have less side effects.
Denise was able to walk 1/4 mile yesterday--the first she has walked in several days. We look forward to some sunshine today hopefully and a longer walk.
Joan/Mom
Thursday, she received the last treatment of cycle 2! The treatment was very uncomfortable but she handled it well. She's looking forward to almost 2 weeks before starting cycle 3. She will see her oncologist on January 26th and treatments schedule for January 27th and 28th. Denise's team of chemo therapy providers will meet prior to her doctor's appointment and look at revising her meds and therapy so hopefully the regiment will have less side effects.
Denise was able to walk 1/4 mile yesterday--the first she has walked in several days. We look forward to some sunshine today hopefully and a longer walk.
Joan/Mom
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Sorry I haven't posted anything for a while. Each day I hope Denise improves but that da__ chemo is kicking her butt. She has nausea but to combat the nausea she has to eat and drink--does that make sense? Not an enjoyable journey right now.
Lab test tomorrow to check the blood for the IP chemo therapy on Thursday.
Many of you have offered to prepare special food for Denise but her desires are very unpredictable even for me. When I find something she likes, she only eats a very small amount. She has lost 20 pounds thus far.
Joan/Mom
Lab test tomorrow to check the blood for the IP chemo therapy on Thursday.
Many of you have offered to prepare special food for Denise but her desires are very unpredictable even for me. When I find something she likes, she only eats a very small amount. She has lost 20 pounds thus far.
Joan/Mom
Friday, January 7, 2011
First IP Chemo Therapy Treatment
Denise had her first IP chemo therapy treatment and handled it very well. We were there almost 8 hours from start to finish. Her sensation or pain is similar to pre-op when she had the tumor which will diminish over the next few days as the fluid is absorbed by her system. She had a total of 2 liters of fluid put in her abdomen (1 liter saline and 1 liter chemo).
Now a few days of rest and recuperation and hopefully little side effects. Her next treatment of this same procedure will be next Thursday.
Now a few days of rest and recuperation and hopefully little side effects. Her next treatment of this same procedure will be next Thursday.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Denise Here-Chemo Round 2, Treatment 1
Hello all, it is actually me, Denise, posting. My first time to post since the initial post. Thank you all so much for sending all the wonderful and uplifting comments. Even though I rely on my mom to post the updates and I don't comment back to your posts, I do immensely enjoy them and when I get discouraged read them over and over again.
My first chemo, via the chest port, went very smooth. Today I received Taxol. Taxol is a more dangerous drug to have a serious allergic reaction from but via the chest port was pretty uneventful today. YEA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was so nervous they offered to give me another drug to help me relax, but I, of course, declined. I have a bit of a headache tonight, but other than that feel great. I actually feel BETTER, HA HA! I think it is probably some euphoria from having everything be smooth today. I'll take the good feelings regardless of the cause and hope that it continues.
It was quite a relief to have started chemo again and to be feeling good while it was happening. I can only hope I continue to feel good and will cherish today.
Tomorrow brings on a new challenge: my first chemo via the IP (intraperitoneal port). Tomorrow I receive Cisplatin. I can only hope to keep myself calm, positive and in good spirit. Please continue to send the healthy vibes of the chemo taking care of the cancer cells and leaving the healthy cells completely alone. :)
Love ya all and know that I am so appreciate of all your support and rely on it, so keep it coming,
Denise ('Nise)
My first chemo, via the chest port, went very smooth. Today I received Taxol. Taxol is a more dangerous drug to have a serious allergic reaction from but via the chest port was pretty uneventful today. YEA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was so nervous they offered to give me another drug to help me relax, but I, of course, declined. I have a bit of a headache tonight, but other than that feel great. I actually feel BETTER, HA HA! I think it is probably some euphoria from having everything be smooth today. I'll take the good feelings regardless of the cause and hope that it continues.
It was quite a relief to have started chemo again and to be feeling good while it was happening. I can only hope I continue to feel good and will cherish today.
Tomorrow brings on a new challenge: my first chemo via the IP (intraperitoneal port). Tomorrow I receive Cisplatin. I can only hope to keep myself calm, positive and in good spirit. Please continue to send the healthy vibes of the chemo taking care of the cancer cells and leaving the healthy cells completely alone. :)
Love ya all and know that I am so appreciate of all your support and rely on it, so keep it coming,
Denise ('Nise)
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
It's very gloomy here weather wise and have had very little sunshine to lift spirits. Denise is going to the lab today for her pre-chemo blood test to insure her cell count is high enough for a treatment. She's considering getting the hormone patch to help with the hot flashes (she was "thrown" into menopause when her ovaries were removed). Chemo treatments also cause hot flashes so a double dose can be challenging.
We're going to take a drive to find some sunshine and maybe see the ocean which is always incredibly spiritual and healing.
Denise has all her get well cards posted on her bedroom door (the whole door is covered and will now start on the hallway) and when she's a little gloomy she reflects on the encouraging comments. And for the all the wonderful, supportive blog comments, they come directly to her on her phone so she receives those immediately.
In the last 24 hours, we received word that 3 of our friends are now challenged with cancer. With that I pray for healing for all--Joan/Mom
We're going to take a drive to find some sunshine and maybe see the ocean which is always incredibly spiritual and healing.
Denise has all her get well cards posted on her bedroom door (the whole door is covered and will now start on the hallway) and when she's a little gloomy she reflects on the encouraging comments. And for the all the wonderful, supportive blog comments, they come directly to her on her phone so she receives those immediately.
In the last 24 hours, we received word that 3 of our friends are now challenged with cancer. With that I pray for healing for all--Joan/Mom
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year to all of you!
Denise's 2011 New Year's resoluton is: "It's about me and me loving myself unconditionally!"
Thursday was challenging for Denise. It was painful to move and the pain meds were not helping that much. She vegged most of the day and did some research on the internet about IPs--the port inserted in the abdomen that is causing the pain. Not much positive research about pain diminishing with time so this will be a grin and bear it situation.
Friday was better and Denise managed a short walk and enjoyed visiting with friends from the bay area. Today, Saturday, is a little better yet and is having a few more visitors. Denise is aware that when chemo starts again she won't feel like visiting much.
She has completed her prescription of antibiotics for the infection in her incision. She still has some weaping and redness and has called her doctor to prescribe another round of antibiotics.
Joan/Mom
Denise's 2011 New Year's resoluton is: "It's about me and me loving myself unconditionally!"
Thursday was challenging for Denise. It was painful to move and the pain meds were not helping that much. She vegged most of the day and did some research on the internet about IPs--the port inserted in the abdomen that is causing the pain. Not much positive research about pain diminishing with time so this will be a grin and bear it situation.
Friday was better and Denise managed a short walk and enjoyed visiting with friends from the bay area. Today, Saturday, is a little better yet and is having a few more visitors. Denise is aware that when chemo starts again she won't feel like visiting much.
She has completed her prescription of antibiotics for the infection in her incision. She still has some weaping and redness and has called her doctor to prescribe another round of antibiotics.
Joan/Mom
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