Ok, as you can probably tell, my blog posts are getting farther apart. All in all, I think this is good news. Ultimately, it means that I haven't had much to update.
Mom and dad were in Florida for 8 weeks. They returned to Michigan about 2 weeks ago. Their time in Florida was great. They got to see all of their southern friends and enjoyed the warm weather. Thank you to all of you in Rainbow Village that took such good care of mom. All of the love and support you provided was felt all the way up here in Michigan.
The doctors office in Florida was really good. We were happy with the staff and the facilities. Mom had 3 treatments in Florida and the transition went really smooth.
Mom had her first Michigan treatment yesterday. She is still getting Herceptin (a protein drug) every 3 weeks through the IV. In addition, she takes other oral medication. The protocol for the chemo portion is 2 weeks on and 1 week off. All in all, mom has been doing really well in managing all of the side effects. Most days she feels pretty good. Yes, she has the occasional off day, but they are not really the norm.
Mom continues to crochet pot holders. She made over a hundred while she was in Florida. So, if you need some, let me know and I can probably get you a set. Also, if you supply your own yarn, for sure I can get her to make some for you. The hand work seems to help the circulation in her fingers, so she continues making something.
She is scheduled for a CT scan next week. She will have them about every 3 months or so to make sure that we continue to monitor the status of the tumors. After the test next week the doctor will make the determination on her next course of treatment.
I'll post again after we get the CT results.
Thanks for reading and Happy Spring (if it ever gets here).
Friday, April 12, 2013
Friday, March 1, 2013
Florida Update
Well, it has been about a month since my last post and a few people have asked me for updates. I guess the long wait between posts can be summed up by "No news is good news." However, since they are no longer here, I could also say "out of sight, out of mind."
Mom and dad have enjoyed the Florida weather for a little over a month now. The girls and I went down there to visit them last week. The girls had a week off for their "mid-winter break." We were lucky enough to continue our annual visit with them. We had a nice time with them. I think they were happy to see us even though we upset their normal routine.
Mom had her 2nd Herceptin treatment in Florida yesterday. She will have one more treatment down there in 3 weeks. She also has continued on the oral chemo.
The warm weather has been good all around for her. Her spirits are good and her side effects are very manageable. I think you just feel better when the weather is warmer. Your body spends less energy trying to be comfortable.
I understand that the facilities are nice at the doctor's office. Dad was able to get in a nap in one of the reclining chairs while mom had her treatment. We just hope that all of his snoring didn't bother too many of the cancer patients.
Mom and dad have enjoyed the Florida weather for a little over a month now. The girls and I went down there to visit them last week. The girls had a week off for their "mid-winter break." We were lucky enough to continue our annual visit with them. We had a nice time with them. I think they were happy to see us even though we upset their normal routine.
Mom had her 2nd Herceptin treatment in Florida yesterday. She will have one more treatment down there in 3 weeks. She also has continued on the oral chemo.
The warm weather has been good all around for her. Her spirits are good and her side effects are very manageable. I think you just feel better when the weather is warmer. Your body spends less energy trying to be comfortable.
I understand that the facilities are nice at the doctor's office. Dad was able to get in a nap in one of the reclining chairs while mom had her treatment. We just hope that all of his snoring didn't bother too many of the cancer patients.
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Florida doctor
We met moms Florida oncologist today. He has a great PA (physicians assistant) that spent a lot of time with us. She answered all of our questions before we even met the doctor. She was very impressed with how well mom responded to her treatment so far. The good news is that moms treatment seems really routine at this point. She is just here for a bit of maintenance. The practice is pretty big. The treatment room was giant and seemed very comfortable.
The doctor described mom as a bit of a miracle. I'll take that.
Although we didn't spend a ton of time with the doctor, he seemed really nice. We talked about additional medications that are now available or will be in the next few months. He also talked about how routine moms treatment is for them. They have lots of snow birds that come down. Some patients come for one shot a year.
The biggest physical attribute of moms doctor is his height. My guess is that he is at least 6 feet 8 inches tall. Dad is supposed to get me the actual height next week when moms goes for her treatment. He is going to ask one of the nurses or some other clandestine way.
I fly back to Michigan tomorrow morning. Back to the cold and snow. But also back to Andy and the girls. It was good to see how comfortable the new doctors office is. I am glad that I took the time to make sure that things are all set down here. I think she will be cared for really well, by both the new doctor and all of her wonderful friends in the park.
The doctor described mom as a bit of a miracle. I'll take that.
Although we didn't spend a ton of time with the doctor, he seemed really nice. We talked about additional medications that are now available or will be in the next few months. He also talked about how routine moms treatment is for them. They have lots of snow birds that come down. Some patients come for one shot a year.
The biggest physical attribute of moms doctor is his height. My guess is that he is at least 6 feet 8 inches tall. Dad is supposed to get me the actual height next week when moms goes for her treatment. He is going to ask one of the nurses or some other clandestine way.
I fly back to Michigan tomorrow morning. Back to the cold and snow. But also back to Andy and the girls. It was good to see how comfortable the new doctors office is. I am glad that I took the time to make sure that things are all set down here. I think she will be cared for really well, by both the new doctor and all of her wonderful friends in the park.
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Off to Florida!!
Mom had a CT scan earlier this week. We got the results today from the doctor. He was very pleased. The mass on her liver has been stable since last October. That is GREAT news.
She has a final follow-up appointment with the Radiation Oncologist on Monday. Her breast is looking good. The redness has faded considerably.
Mom and Dad are leaving for Florida on Wednesday next week. (Rainbow Village - be prepared - they are coming back.)
Mom continues on her oral chemo drug and her Herceptin every 3 weeks. We have an appointment with an oncologist in Florida at the end of the month. We anticipate that she will continue to be on these meds for quite some time. However, it should be all manageable down there. I'm flying down for a couple of days so that I can meet the new doctor. Hopefully we like him as much as Dr. Margolis.
Let's just say that Mom and Dad have been ready to head south for some time. I am SO HAPPY that they are finally getting to go down. The best part is that Mom is still feeling really good.
She has a final follow-up appointment with the Radiation Oncologist on Monday. Her breast is looking good. The redness has faded considerably.
Mom and Dad are leaving for Florida on Wednesday next week. (Rainbow Village - be prepared - they are coming back.)
Mom continues on her oral chemo drug and her Herceptin every 3 weeks. We have an appointment with an oncologist in Florida at the end of the month. We anticipate that she will continue to be on these meds for quite some time. However, it should be all manageable down there. I'm flying down for a couple of days so that I can meet the new doctor. Hopefully we like him as much as Dr. Margolis.
Let's just say that Mom and Dad have been ready to head south for some time. I am SO HAPPY that they are finally getting to go down. The best part is that Mom is still feeling really good.
Monday, January 7, 2013
Done with Radiation
Well, just a quick update regarding the radiation treatment. Mom is done with her 30 treatments. We had a follow-up appointment with the doctor this morning.
We had a minor complication where she developed a small infection on the outside of the breast near the end of her treatments. Between the infection and the radiation, let's just say that mom looked like a tomato. She got pretty toasty at the end of her treatment cycle. She has been on anti-biotics and is looking much better after a few days.
All in all, the doctor was really pleased with how she responded to her treatment.
We will be back to the regular oncologist later this week.
We had a minor complication where she developed a small infection on the outside of the breast near the end of her treatments. Between the infection and the radiation, let's just say that mom looked like a tomato. She got pretty toasty at the end of her treatment cycle. She has been on anti-biotics and is looking much better after a few days.
All in all, the doctor was really pleased with how she responded to her treatment.
We will be back to the regular oncologist later this week.
Friday, December 28, 2012
Radiation Week 6
Mom just finished her 28th radiation treatment. Two more to go next week and she is done. We have a follow up appointment with the radiation doctor after she finishes her final treatment next week. Her skin is still holding up really well; the doctor and radiation techs are really happy with the response. She will have a CT scan in 2-3 weeks to see how the cancer responded.
We meet with her regular oncologist (Dr. Margolis) on Jan 9th. At that point we'll get a better plan for the coming weeks.
We are all headed to Baroda to visit my brother and family for the weekend. It will be nice to celebrate a belated Christmas together.
Wishing all of you a healthy new year.
We meet with her regular oncologist (Dr. Margolis) on Jan 9th. At that point we'll get a better plan for the coming weeks.
We are all headed to Baroda to visit my brother and family for the weekend. It will be nice to celebrate a belated Christmas together.
Wishing all of you a healthy new year.
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Radiation Week 5
We are counting down the radiation treatments. Mom completed 24 of the 30 treatsments so far. The radiation therapy is going well. The doctor continues to be pleased with the response from treatment.
Mom had a few rough days this week. She stopped taking the oral chemo drug last week. We see the regular oncologist next week to see how long of a break she will before she begins the oral chemo again. I think it is good that she is able to have some better days around the holiday.
The big news this week is that she got a hair cut. This is her first hair cut since February. There was enough hair to shape on the sides and back. For those of you that are not able to see her, her hair is now curly. The only time I remember her hair being like that was after her getting a perm. So, a few chemo treatments and her hair came in curly. No more perms for her.
This is the first time that my parents will be joining us for the Christmas holiday in many years. They are normally in Florida by this time. I am glad that we will be able to share this holiday together.
Mom had a few rough days this week. She stopped taking the oral chemo drug last week. We see the regular oncologist next week to see how long of a break she will before she begins the oral chemo again. I think it is good that she is able to have some better days around the holiday.
The big news this week is that she got a hair cut. This is her first hair cut since February. There was enough hair to shape on the sides and back. For those of you that are not able to see her, her hair is now curly. The only time I remember her hair being like that was after her getting a perm. So, a few chemo treatments and her hair came in curly. No more perms for her.
This is the first time that my parents will be joining us for the Christmas holiday in many years. They are normally in Florida by this time. I am glad that we will be able to share this holiday together.
Friday, December 14, 2012
Radiation Week 4
Well, mom just completed her 19th radiation treatment today. Only 11 more to go. We are on the downhill side of this course of treatment. When we met with the doctor this week, he was really happy with how she has been responding. Although her breast is getting pretty red, the doctor said it is looking great. It looks pretty red to me, but I obviously don't see as many breasts as he does :) Mom had a few rough days this week, but we take one at a time.
Today is a very sad day in this country. How can anyone take the innocent life of a child? My girls will be getting an extra hug when I pick them up from their elementary school today.
I wanted to tell a quick story about how proud I am of Bridget (now in 5th grade). She has been doing a research project at school. Her subject has been breast cancer. She selected the topic herself, so I know how much mom's illness has affect her. Bridget and Julia also raised $116.41 that we donated to the Beaumont Foundation for breast cancer. She needed to interview an "expert," so we took her to one of mom's doctors appointments with Dr. Margolis. She asked him some questions for her report. She also wanted to do a section on "Someone real." So, she of course interviewed my mom. One of her questions included "How does it feel to have cancer?" Mom's response was "I am thankful to still be here to watch my grandchildren grow up." We are thankful that she is here to be a part of our lives and keeps inspiring others.
We should all feel blessed with the loved ones in our lives.
Today is a very sad day in this country. How can anyone take the innocent life of a child? My girls will be getting an extra hug when I pick them up from their elementary school today.
I wanted to tell a quick story about how proud I am of Bridget (now in 5th grade). She has been doing a research project at school. Her subject has been breast cancer. She selected the topic herself, so I know how much mom's illness has affect her. Bridget and Julia also raised $116.41 that we donated to the Beaumont Foundation for breast cancer. She needed to interview an "expert," so we took her to one of mom's doctors appointments with Dr. Margolis. She asked him some questions for her report. She also wanted to do a section on "Someone real." So, she of course interviewed my mom. One of her questions included "How does it feel to have cancer?" Mom's response was "I am thankful to still be here to watch my grandchildren grow up." We are thankful that she is here to be a part of our lives and keeps inspiring others.
We should all feel blessed with the loved ones in our lives.
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