Sandi was supposed to see the radiologist tomorrow for a followup appointment and to have the spinal tumor imaged to see if it had shrunk as we all hope. After some back and forth between everyone involved the appointment has been canceled at their direction.
Instead, the new plan is for her to see her regular oncologist on the 15th for the normal bloodwork and followup. At that point, depending on her blood work, they most likely will restart chemo immediately as well as schedule the PET Scan to do the full body imaging and look at her cancers.
Showing posts with label chemotherapy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label chemotherapy. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 31, 2016
Thursday, December 03, 2015
Chemotherapy can cause tumor evolution (lukor.net)
Something similar has been happening with Sandi's cancers. They keep mutating/evolving which makes it very hard to stop growing let alone destroy them.
Chemotherapy can cause tumor evolution (lukor.net)
Chemotherapy can cause tumor evolution (lukor.net)
Tuesday, June 30, 2015
Chemo Again Delayed
Not surprisingly after what Sandi has been through the last 48 hours they made the determination to hold off on the chemo. They took a very large amount of blood out of her to do blood cultures. The worry now is the strong possibility that she has contracted some sort of blood infection on top of everything else. The hope is that the fever and other issues are just related to the persistent viral croup and not another infection.
Since they are closed Friday for the upcoming holiday we go back Thursday and see where things stand. In the meantime, monitor all her symptoms and let them know immediately if anything seems to be getting worse.
Since they are closed Friday for the upcoming holiday we go back Thursday and see where things stand. In the meantime, monitor all her symptoms and let them know immediately if anything seems to be getting worse.
Monday, June 29, 2015
Sandi Tonight
Sandi has had a very rough time of it the last two days. Her fever and chills are back with a vengeance. This is on top of the congestion, coughing, etc she has been dealing with the viral croup deal. Tonight she has full body aches as well and says that she feels like it is the flu.
The doctor had planned to start chemo tomorrow morning and to do that she would be admitted to the hospital. Considering how weak and sick she has been the last couple of days I expect they will be admitting her to the hospital to treat this instead of the cancer. There is no question in my mind that things are going backwards and that Sandi is definitely way worse than she has been in recent days.
The doctor had planned to start chemo tomorrow morning and to do that she would be admitted to the hospital. Considering how weak and sick she has been the last couple of days I expect they will be admitting her to the hospital to treat this instead of the cancer. There is no question in my mind that things are going backwards and that Sandi is definitely way worse than she has been in recent days.
Friday, June 26, 2015
Chemo Delayed Again
Sandi remains way too sick for chemo so it has now been delayed till at least Tuesday. Today in the doctor's office she was running two degrees of fever and having other issues. Her blood work was okay though her kidneys are not cooperating very well again.
Because of the vomiting occurring each evening they have stopped one of the drugs that is designed to be helpful for her lungs. She is to drink plenty of fluids, rest and do nothing, so that hopefully things will finally start getting better. As always, if she gets worse over the weekend we are to use the emergency contact deal.
We try all this again on Tuesday.
Because of the vomiting occurring each evening they have stopped one of the drugs that is designed to be helpful for her lungs. She is to drink plenty of fluids, rest and do nothing, so that hopefully things will finally start getting better. As always, if she gets worse over the weekend we are to use the emergency contact deal.
We try all this again on Tuesday.
Tuesday, June 23, 2015
A Sandi Update
We are back home and she is here and sound asleep. Going to the doctor was a major effort for her today and it took a lot out of her.
The viral croup is not getting better. While she has no fever, she is again throwing up due to excessive coughing. Her lungs sound worse. So, in her very weakened and very state, chemo is far too dangerous for her right now. Everything that was scheduled for today has been rescheduled for Friday in the hope she is well enough then to do chemo. In all likelihood we have a better chance of seeing unicorns prancing in the streets under skies full of flying pigs and hostile drones.
The blood work was okay--not good--- and that was another indication things have to wait. We are told that further delaying the chemo won't matter much as to how it does or does not impact the cancer. The far bigger issue right now is her inability to get over this and the high risk she is at for more issues either directly due to this or getting sick with something else on top of what she already has.
The viral croup is not getting better. While she has no fever, she is again throwing up due to excessive coughing. Her lungs sound worse. So, in her very weakened and very state, chemo is far too dangerous for her right now. Everything that was scheduled for today has been rescheduled for Friday in the hope she is well enough then to do chemo. In all likelihood we have a better chance of seeing unicorns prancing in the streets under skies full of flying pigs and hostile drones.
The blood work was okay--not good--- and that was another indication things have to wait. We are told that further delaying the chemo won't matter much as to how it does or does not impact the cancer. The far bigger issue right now is her inability to get over this and the high risk she is at for more issues either directly due to this or getting sick with something else on top of what she already has.
Tuesday, June 16, 2015
Back Home
We are finally back home from the visit with the cancer folks this morning. Sandi is doing okay. Her lungs are making noises, but they do not seem any worse right now. She remains anemic, but is above the blood transfusion level that would make it absolutely necessary. Everything else is okay.
The next round of chemotherapy is pushed back for now at least one week plus as she needs more time to recover not only from the last round, but everything else that has happened since. Our next doctor visit is planned for Friday. In the meantime she needs to stay home and rest.
That is pretty much my plan as well. Fortunately, we had to contend with a little bit of rain today. We are stocked up and barring an emergency plan on staying put and watching the rain fall as Tropical Depression Bill hits the coast and eventually comes up through here. Hopefully, we can keep the power on here for her oxygen equipment if she needs it.
The next round of chemotherapy is pushed back for now at least one week plus as she needs more time to recover not only from the last round, but everything else that has happened since. Our next doctor visit is planned for Friday. In the meantime she needs to stay home and rest.
That is pretty much my plan as well. Fortunately, we had to contend with a little bit of rain today. We are stocked up and barring an emergency plan on staying put and watching the rain fall as Tropical Depression Bill hits the coast and eventually comes up through here. Hopefully, we can keep the power on here for her oxygen equipment if she needs it.
Sunday, May 31, 2015
Sandi Home
Sandi is home and has done fairly well this afternoon and evening. So far so good and feel free to knock on wood.
As it stands right now she see the doc and does stuff Tuesday morning.
As it stands right now she see the doc and does stuff Tuesday morning.
Saturday, May 30, 2015
Sandi's Status
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| Sandi Today--Picture by Scott |
One of the chemo drugs has a strong potential side effect of dry eyes. So, they put drops in her eyes to prevent that. The drops triggered a massive and severe allergic reaction within minutes as her eye lids swelled and began to itch, her eyes went very blood shot, and then the swelling started extending away from the eyes. They were able to stop the spread fairly quickly and then they were able to reverse it and clear most of it up. Her eyes still are bothering her some, but nothing like they were.
They are running tremendous amounts of saline and other liquids through her by IV to try and keep her kidneys function. So far they seem to be handling the chemo beating okay which was a major concern going into all this.
She will get another chemo drug late this evening into the overnight hours. Assuming all continues to go okay, they plan on releasing her sometime tomorrow afternoon.
Our next doctor/blood work/ shot visit is scheduled for Tuesday.
Thursday, May 28, 2015
The New Chemo Plan
After spending several hours at Texas Oncology having blood work, a doctor visit, and some chemo Sandi was finally admitted to the Medical City Dallas Hospital late this afternoon for further chemo. As we understand things now, they are trying a different drug combo of four or five drugs that relate to what was successful back when this nightmare started.
Obviously, the hope is that her body will respond to these drug variations. It damn well better.
She will be getting chemo around the clock the next four days. Depending on how things go she might be out Sunday, but more likely Monday.
Obviously, the hope is that her body will respond to these drug variations. It damn well better.
She will be getting chemo around the clock the next four days. Depending on how things go she might be out Sunday, but more likely Monday.
Tuesday, May 12, 2015
Chemobrain: A Chemotherapy Side Effect
Chemobrain: A Chemotherapy Side Effect
Without question it has seriously impacted Sandi and continues to do so. It does not get the attention that the other side effects do.
Without question it has seriously impacted Sandi and continues to do so. It does not get the attention that the other side effects do.
Thursday, May 07, 2015
Chemo Round 6: Part 2---Done
Sandi finished the second half of her chemo today with minimal problems. No scares like yesterday. If things play out like they normally do, she will be very sick the next couple of days and I will be online very little.
Her next doctor deal is Monday.
Her next doctor deal is Monday.
Wednesday, May 06, 2015
Chemo Round 6--Part 1--DONE
Finally home after the chemo today. Sandi had a very rough time this afternoon for awhile, but they intervened and got things back under control. Hopefully things will go better tomorrow.
Friday, April 24, 2015
Friday Medical Update
Sandi's blood work was "okay" so no shot today. If things hold the next round of chemo will start Tuesday after they check her blood again and she sees the doc.
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
Chemo--Round Five: Part Two
Chemo for this round is completed and went a little betetr than last time. She is very tired and in considerable pain from her feet as well as her left leg which has recent swelled up again. Hopefully the chemo will help both issues.
Friday we go back to check her blood as well as get the usual shot if needed.
Friday we go back to check her blood as well as get the usual shot if needed.
Friday, March 27, 2015
Chemo--Round 4:Part 2 Done
Second day of chemo is in the books and Sandi had a very hard time with it. This was, without a doubt, her worst one ever since all this began in 2011. She is home, in bed, and sleeping.
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Chemo: Round 3- Part 2---DONE
We are finally home after another long day. Round 3 is done.
Next up is Friday when she has a blood work, doctor visit, and a shot. Hopefully we will also learn the results of the CT scans.
Next up is Friday when she has a blood work, doctor visit, and a shot. Hopefully we will also learn the results of the CT scans.
Friday, February 20, 2015
Sandi Update
Blood work indicates everything is okay so chemotherapy will go ahead next week.
Tuesday she will have more blood work, a doctor visit, and then chemo for the rest of the day.
Wednesday will be chemo for most of the day with another shot.
While not scheduled just yet, we have been told to expect to be back next Friday for more blood work, a doctor visit, and a shot.
It also really says something when the nurses tell her how good she looks and then pull me aside to ask if I am okay. Then we get here and over the course of five minutes, two different neighbors stop by while walking their dogs to say the same thing to both of us. One went so far to ask me if I needed help getting up the outside stairs.
Tuesday she will have more blood work, a doctor visit, and then chemo for the rest of the day.
Wednesday will be chemo for most of the day with another shot.
While not scheduled just yet, we have been told to expect to be back next Friday for more blood work, a doctor visit, and a shot.
It also really says something when the nurses tell her how good she looks and then pull me aside to ask if I am okay. Then we get here and over the course of five minutes, two different neighbors stop by while walking their dogs to say the same thing to both of us. One went so far to ask me if I needed help getting up the outside stairs.
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
Sandi Update
Long day trying to see the doc and getting the blood work done. So far, things are okay. As expected her weak immune system is in free fall headed towards collapse so they gave her a shot today to try and stem that. They will give her another one Friday as we as do the usual blood work.
Next week we will have very long days Tuesday and Wednesday as they do doctor stuff, blood work, and hours of chemo. Most likely she will be back there that Friday for a doctor visit, blood work, and a shot.
Next week we will have very long days Tuesday and Wednesday as they do doctor stuff, blood work, and hours of chemo. Most likely she will be back there that Friday for a doctor visit, blood work, and a shot.
Friday, February 13, 2015
Update
Just got home from the doctor. Things so far look good bloodwork wise. Next Tuesday she has bloodwork and a doctor visit.
The following week she will get chemotherapy on two days---schedule to be determined.
The week after that she will have bloodwork and a doctor visit.
Along the way she will get shots to try and maintain her white blood cell count--that schedule to be determined.
Today's insurance stupidity with Aetna--- She is also on an ZOFRAN to fight chemo nausea. Insurance won't allow her to have thirty pills. Instead, she has to pay $4.00 for NINE PILLS at a time.
The following week she will get chemotherapy on two days---schedule to be determined.
The week after that she will have bloodwork and a doctor visit.
Along the way she will get shots to try and maintain her white blood cell count--that schedule to be determined.
Today's insurance stupidity with Aetna--- She is also on an ZOFRAN to fight chemo nausea. Insurance won't allow her to have thirty pills. Instead, she has to pay $4.00 for NINE PILLS at a time.
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