Treatment #26

Hello All, I am back from Africa.  I know this blog is about my mom, but I at least wanted to let you know that we had an incredible, amazing trip.  The animals, scenery and people were wonderful.  It was definitely a trip of a lifetime.
Mom had her 26th treatment today.  She is continuing on her same weekly dosage of chemo.
Today we had some really great news, the results from her MRI came today.  The large mass on her liver has continued to shrink.  It is roughly half the size it was several months ago.  So, it appears that this treatment has been effective so far for her.  At this time she will maintain her current treatment and we will reevaluate in several weeks.
Mom has continued to feel well over the last few weeks.  Her energy level has been really good.  She takes a moderate amount of pain medication to ease the pain in her hands and feet.  She even made a batch of Nectarine jelly while I was gone.  It is nice to see that she is able to do more of the things that she loves.  She also recently started knitting another afghan.  All good things.
On a separate note, my Uncle Ed fell off the roof at church and broke his femur.  He is coming home from the hospital today.  Recovery will be several weeks.
Please keep both of them in your thoughts and prayers.

Treatment #23

Today was mom's 23rd treatment.  She is presently on a one week on and one week off of the full chemo treatments.  Today was the week on.  She felt good this week and this course of treatment seems to be working well for her.  Her energy level has been better than in weeks past.  She is able to do more things around the house.  She now only takes 2 pain pills a day for her feet.
Mom's hair is growing back considerably.  I'd describe it as a good miliary length.  The gray is starting to come back and she is looking more like her old self.
I won't be around for treatment 24 or 25.  I am traveling to Africa with my family and in-laws.  We will be gone for a little over 2 weeks.  Dr. Margolis will continue mom on her present treatment until I get back.  Hopefully, she will still continue to feel well while I am gone.
Mom and dad volunteered to watch our guinnea pig (Buck) while we are gone.  The girls and I delivered him to their house this morning.  Mom and dad seemed pretty happy to have the company while we are gone. 
Mom's next MRI of the liver is scheduled for Aug. 27th (the day after I get home).  We should have the results a few days later. 
So, I am signing off for a couple of weeks.  Just remember, no news is good news.

Treatment #22

Today was a very uneventful visit to the doctor.  Dr. M was out of town, so we saw another doctor in the practice.
Mom got a dose of Herceptin only today.  We were out of there in no time.
The nurse sent home an afghan for mom to fix.  There are several that are in desperate need of repair.  Mom will be bringing her hook next week and some yarn to start the repairs of the ones that are still in the treatment area.
Thankfully, she is feeling well enough to take on this task.  Her feet and hands have been much better this week.  In fact, I would say that she had a very good week all around.