Treatment #30

Ok, you know when you have one of those big milestone birthdays that end in a zero.  Well, I sort of feel that way with mom's treatments.  Today was treatment #30.  Where has the time gone?  All things considered, mom is doing great.
She had a rough couple of days this week.  We are "blaming" it on the flu shot that she had last week.  However, she is now doing much better.
She received a full dose of the chemo treatment today.  Hopefully her hands and feet won't get too numb this week again.
Well, we see Dr. Margolis every week.  After a while, you get sort of comfortable with people when you see them frequently.  I would say that we have that relationship with Dr. M.  We had a family dinner this week and the subject of medical marijuana came up.  So, we decided to see what Dr. M would say about the subject.  Does he prescribe it?  Well, we asked.  The answer is "yes."  He has prescribed it for nausea and loss of appetite.  His feeling is that it really shouldn't be prescibed for pain.  The best candidates for it are those that have smoked it in the past.  He sort of bases the discussion around the specific patient.  Well, the laughter started at this point.  He rightfully guessed that mom probably wasn't a user in the past and is not likely to take it up now.  However, he did say that he would be more than happy to get her "a card."  He thinks she would be the talk of Rainbow Village if she pulled out her user card when she goes back to Florida.  Also, dad would be eligible for a card because he would be considered the primary caregiver.  Needless to say, we were all laughing at even the thought of it.
So nice that laughter is still part of our lives.

Treatment #29

Today was treatment number 29.  Mom just got the Herceptin.  He feet and hands were numb this week, so the doctor skipped the Abraxane today.
Moms mammogram results are good.  The tumor is shrinking.  She still has some redness on the skin, so we continue to monitor that.
Moms potassium level was a bit low today, so they added some to her treatment.
She is also getting a flu shot today.  Are you getting one too?
All in all, she is still feeling good.  Her energy level is good and she continues to do some hand work.  She finished her afghan this week.
Well, we are taking this one week at a time.

Treatment #28

Well, mom had another full chemo treatment today.  She continues to feel pretty well, all things considered.  Mom is able to take some day trips to see friends/relatives on a regular basis.  Her spirit continues to be positive. 
She is going to be having a follow-up mammogram next week.  We now know how the liver is responding, we want to see how the lump in her breast is doing. 
We discussed mom and dad going to Florida this winter.  Dr. Margolis feels pretty comfortable that mom can continue her treatment down south.  So, no plans right now, but we are hopeful that she will continue to feel well and be able to join the Rainbow Village group at some point.  Timing, travel and treatments are still all up for discussion.  However, it is something nice to look forward to.

Treatment #27

Well, it has been just over 6 months of treatments for my mom.  Wow, how time flies.  I would have never guessed that we would still be doing this after so many months.  She was diagnosed at the beginning of February and had her first treatment at the beginning of March.  I look back and think about what she has gone through personally and what we have been through as a family.  Thank you to all of you that have supported us in your own way (cards, prayers, calls, and well wishes just to name a few). 
Mom's treatment was pretty typical today.  She received the full dose of chemo as well as the Herceptin.  She continues to feel good.  These last several weeks have been really good for her.  Her energy level is good and the pain is manageable.  We are thankful for every good day that she has.