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
Saturday, January 15, 2011
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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