May 23, 2011

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS!

Ruth/Mom/Grammy had another visit with Susan, the Physician's Assistant, today. Mom gained back the 2 pounds she had lost. Her BP, blood counts, liver, and kidneys continue to be at good levels.

Mom is going to increase the dosage of her pill form of chemo from 1 pill in the a.m. and 2 pills in the p.m. to 2 pills in the a.m. and 2 pills in the p.m. Pray that the increased dosage will not increase her vertigo. The dosage of the IV chemotherapy will stay the same.

Dr. Barker (Mom's radiologist) emailed Susan, and he would like her to schedule Mom for a new diagnostic CT scan of Mom's neck to compare the original pictures of Mom's tumor with new pictures. A couple of days after the scan, Mom will meet with Dr. Barker to discuss the results and plan out the next stage of mom's treatment. These appointments will be the first full week in June. Mom's new "Phase B" treatment plan will probably include daily radiation along with weekly chemo, but we will find out more after the CT scan and the visit with Dr. Barker.

I'd like to take time to thank my brother, Kip, for all he has done during the last few months to make sure Mom has made it to all her appointments. He and I are a great team. While I took Mom to most of the appointments that led up to her cancer diagnosis, Kip has taken over the last few months. For those of you who don't know, I (Carolyn) am a 4th grade teacher, and it was becoming hard for me to continue getting substitutes, and I had run out of "sick" days. Now that school is out for me for the summer, I will start taking Mom to most of her appointments, knowing that Kip is there if I need him. I know my other brother, Dana, wishes he lived closer at times like these, and I know all I have to do is call and ask, and he will be here to help. He is doing a great job praying for Mom, and his calls always lift her spirits.

AGAIN, THANK YOU ALL FOR ALL YOUR PRAYERS!

May 17, 2011

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR PRAYERS!

Ruth/Mom/Grammy had a visit with Susan, Dr. Nugent's PA, today. She has lost 2 pounds since her last visit, but she weighs 3 pounds more than her lowest weight. Her blood pressure was low at her last visit, but today it is good. Her chemistry panel is "fabulous" which means her liver, kidneys, and blood counts are all at good levels.
Mom will continue the same doses of chemotherapy at this time, both the IV and the pill form. Dr. Nugent may decide to increase the doses at the next visit.
It is about time to reevaluate and check the cancer as mom heads toward the next phase in her cancer treatment. Susan wants to schedule a new CT scan to compare to the first one she had. We will find out if the cancer has shrunk, grown, or stayed the same.

May 9, 2011

Ruth/Mom/Grammy began her second round of  "2 week on-1 week off" chemotherapy last Monday, May 2. The doctor also increased the pill form of her chemotherapy from 1 pill in the morning and 1 pill in the evening to 1 pill in the morning and 2 pills in the evening. Her weight is holding steady and other than a little increase in her vertigo when she first increased the pill dosage in the morning instead of the evening, she has been doing extremely well. (Now that she takes the 2 pills in the evening before bed instead of in the morning, her vertigo is back under control.) She feels well enough to once again drive herself to Baker Street and the hairdresser. Today she had the 2nd infusion of chemotherapy in this round. Next week (May 16-20) will be her week off of chemotherapy in this round. Please continue praying and sending cards as the prayers must be the reason she is doing so well and the cards lift her spirit and make her smile.