Dear Family and Friends:
I just sent out my annual letter to many of you that live far away and now I have my latest health update.
I had my oncology appt. today where I would learn the results of my latest CT scan taken last week. For some reason, I was really nervous about this appt. I asked Ray to go with me eventhough he is extremely busy at work. I tried to be calm, but my blood pressure and pulse were both a bit higher than normal......
Anyway, all my worries were for nothing. All is well. The scans showed that my cancer is still in check---no growth. I was so relieved!
Furthermore, I am having a sinus procedure done on Feb. 3rd and my oncologist says I am doing well enough that she recommends I take a few extra weeks off of my chemo until after the sinus thing is done. YEAH!!!!!!!!!!! I can't even tell you how excited this makes me. My hands and feet will get two extra weeks to feel better before going back on the meds.
Don't get me wrong....I am grateful for the chemotherapy. I am alive and functioning (though dealing with some side-effects). I am very grateful for modern medicine and that my life is being prolonged with a decent quality to it. It is nice, though, to get a break every once in awhile so my body can heal a bit.
Thank you for all of your love and concern. I am at peace with all that is happening in my life. That is a good thing.
Love, Kathy
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Monday, January 11, 2010
JANUARY BRINGS REMINDERS
The holidays went pretty well. Kathy was so busy with all the boys home that she didn't take it as easy as she should have. Instead of being just more tired it seems it affected her feet too. She had much more soreness in her feet than she had in prior weeks and would get up and walk around gingerly the whole time.
Eveyone left on Saturday, January the 2nd to go back to school etc so Mom and I and for part of the time David and Kathryn just relaxed and watched NCIS marathos on TV. It was a very lazy day and much needed. On Sunday her feet felt much better and on Monday she was back on her chemo drugs.
We changed insurance coverage at my company January 1. So we are finding out that we have to get clearance on all the drugs and procedures from the new insurer. We can't just assume it is covered. She had to buy a few drugs last weekend just to get her thru the weekend and it was over $250.00. I asked her today how much a daily dose of medications would cost and she said over $250.00. That doesn't count the infusions she gets monthly, the docstors visits, the treatments for lymphodema or anything else but the drugs. She is an expensive lady!!
I am so glad for insurance. I wonder about the future and hope we can always have the coverage we need. We would go broke quickly if we had to pay for this for long.
For now, Kathy feels good and is strong. It is January, though. Last year on Martin Luther King Jr. day we took Kathy to the hospital. Too many bad memories. Things aren't the same this year. This medication doesn't lower her white blood cell count like last years. We are hopeful.
Eveyone left on Saturday, January the 2nd to go back to school etc so Mom and I and for part of the time David and Kathryn just relaxed and watched NCIS marathos on TV. It was a very lazy day and much needed. On Sunday her feet felt much better and on Monday she was back on her chemo drugs.
We changed insurance coverage at my company January 1. So we are finding out that we have to get clearance on all the drugs and procedures from the new insurer. We can't just assume it is covered. She had to buy a few drugs last weekend just to get her thru the weekend and it was over $250.00. I asked her today how much a daily dose of medications would cost and she said over $250.00. That doesn't count the infusions she gets monthly, the docstors visits, the treatments for lymphodema or anything else but the drugs. She is an expensive lady!!
I am so glad for insurance. I wonder about the future and hope we can always have the coverage we need. We would go broke quickly if we had to pay for this for long.
For now, Kathy feels good and is strong. It is January, though. Last year on Martin Luther King Jr. day we took Kathy to the hospital. Too many bad memories. Things aren't the same this year. This medication doesn't lower her white blood cell count like last years. We are hopeful.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Tired and Tired of Being Tired
It has been another three weeks of medications and this is the rest week. That also means a trip to the doctor, blood tests and a look at where we stand. Nothing has changed. That is the good news and the bad news.
Kathy continues to do OK with the medication. She wears gloves most of the time as her hands are sore and get leathery unless she keeps them moisturized. They are red and achy just like her feet. She can't really open up bottles or cans or anything as her feeling in her fingertips is not good. It makes me more valuable.
Her blood count on the white blood cells is good so her risk for infection is pretty good right now. Her hair is growing back, mostly on the top of her head but pretty much everywhere (like places it never used to but she can't complain because I have more hair in my ears and nose than on the top of my head). The tumors aren't growing so we live with all the side effects.
Her red blood cell count isn't so good so she is border line anemic. She has a hard time getting going in the morning and is always tired. The scary thing is that she is a little light headed at times. A couple nights ago she got up to use the restroom and fell down. It got me pretty excited as she banged into the dressor with her head. She was OK and a little wiser from the experience but just one more thing to live with. They say it isn't severe enough to warrent a blood transfusion or anything which made her cry cause she just has to buck up and live with it. She is tired of living with everything.
The other day in church I leaned over and said what a lousy year it had been and how I was glad it was almost over. She said some good things have happened too. I said, oh yea, name three. She wispered, "I came home from the hospital". Enough said.
Kathy continues to do OK with the medication. She wears gloves most of the time as her hands are sore and get leathery unless she keeps them moisturized. They are red and achy just like her feet. She can't really open up bottles or cans or anything as her feeling in her fingertips is not good. It makes me more valuable.
Her blood count on the white blood cells is good so her risk for infection is pretty good right now. Her hair is growing back, mostly on the top of her head but pretty much everywhere (like places it never used to but she can't complain because I have more hair in my ears and nose than on the top of my head). The tumors aren't growing so we live with all the side effects.
Her red blood cell count isn't so good so she is border line anemic. She has a hard time getting going in the morning and is always tired. The scary thing is that she is a little light headed at times. A couple nights ago she got up to use the restroom and fell down. It got me pretty excited as she banged into the dressor with her head. She was OK and a little wiser from the experience but just one more thing to live with. They say it isn't severe enough to warrent a blood transfusion or anything which made her cry cause she just has to buck up and live with it. She is tired of living with everything.
The other day in church I leaned over and said what a lousy year it had been and how I was glad it was almost over. She said some good things have happened too. I said, oh yea, name three. She wispered, "I came home from the hospital". Enough said.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Week Off Meds and All is Well
Kathy went back east with me to Mark Forsyth's memorial service. I needed the help both emotionally and travel wise. It seems the older I get the worse I travel. I don't mind the flights from a safety perspective. I feel totally safe. What bothers me is all the hassels of flying. The long lines, the scanning, the shoes on and off, the tiny seats and no leg room. What I hate the most is the worry about my carry on luggage and whethor I'll find space for it. That and knowing where the bathroom's are really seem to concern me. Weird, I know, but bathrooms have become a big part of my life.
Kathy flet well enough to go with me. I bet most people didn't notice that she was wearing a wig. They did see the arm all bandaged up due to the lymphodema but I doubt many noticed the red, pealing fingers and hands and the redness on the knees and bottoms of her feet. She didn't complain or bring up her aches with anyone, she rarely does. I guess that is all good, it was a time to mourn and not a time to discuss our problems.
Kathy has just decided to "man up" when it comes to her battles. She does an excellant job. I just hope I can continue to man up too. I've realized this past two weeks that I'm just as sensitive as I always was and that I can cry at the drop of a hat. This is not a good thing I don't believe. We have a long way to go with this cancer thing and my father still has a lot of health concerns too. I can do all I need to do but I'm just afraid I'll not feel the way I want to feel. When I start to bawl it can get others a bit concerned.
We all have troubles, no? This is Kathy's week off the medicines. She gets to recover some from the buildup before she starts again next Monday. We like this week.
Kathy flet well enough to go with me. I bet most people didn't notice that she was wearing a wig. They did see the arm all bandaged up due to the lymphodema but I doubt many noticed the red, pealing fingers and hands and the redness on the knees and bottoms of her feet. She didn't complain or bring up her aches with anyone, she rarely does. I guess that is all good, it was a time to mourn and not a time to discuss our problems.
Kathy has just decided to "man up" when it comes to her battles. She does an excellant job. I just hope I can continue to man up too. I've realized this past two weeks that I'm just as sensitive as I always was and that I can cry at the drop of a hat. This is not a good thing I don't believe. We have a long way to go with this cancer thing and my father still has a lot of health concerns too. I can do all I need to do but I'm just afraid I'll not feel the way I want to feel. When I start to bawl it can get others a bit concerned.
We all have troubles, no? This is Kathy's week off the medicines. She gets to recover some from the buildup before she starts again next Monday. We like this week.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Kathy CT scan results
Well I'm still suffering from the blow of learning that Mark Forsyth died in a crash two days ago (see my yesterday posting). I found an article in his local paper that was disturbing and it seems they don't know a lot about what happened. I still can't absorb this right now.
In good new.... and thank goodness that there is some. We found out that Kathy's latest CT scan results indicated that the tumors have not grown in any location. The only negative from last CT scan was that there was some unidentified cloud in the lung but even that is gone. This means a lot of good things. She gets to continue on the same medication which is great since it is just a pill twice a day. The side affects are noticable but not too drastic and her hair can grow back.
Right now her hair is longer than mine and she will be showing it off more and more in public. I still like the wig but I've never been able to talk her into the blond or redhead wigs I wanted. Oh well, she looks good with the ones she has.
In good new.... and thank goodness that there is some. We found out that Kathy's latest CT scan results indicated that the tumors have not grown in any location. The only negative from last CT scan was that there was some unidentified cloud in the lung but even that is gone. This means a lot of good things. She gets to continue on the same medication which is great since it is just a pill twice a day. The side affects are noticable but not too drastic and her hair can grow back.
Right now her hair is longer than mine and she will be showing it off more and more in public. I still like the wig but I've never been able to talk her into the blond or redhead wigs I wanted. Oh well, she looks good with the ones she has.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Two Passings
My mother passed away on Monday, October 26th. She had been going downhill for some time and could no longer swallow without the food or drink going into her lungs. She was taken to the hospital on October 18th and after a few days we were told what the outcome was going to be and the choices to be made. Mom refused to be fed thru a tube and so tough decisions were made to let her slip away. She came home on Friday and passed away on Monday. She went peacefully and quietly surrounded by friends and family.
The funeral was held October 31st and was attended by many friends and family. Dad, Rosanne and husband Chris and Kathy and I went to Utah for the burial. She was buried on November 3rd next to my brother James who passed away in 1963 due to injuries from a motorcycle accident.
We got home last night and this morning when I came to work the first email I received informed me that one of my closest lifelong friends (and the inspiration behind these blogs), Mark Forsyth, was killed in a car accident last night. The shock and the pain is still pretty intense and I'm not able to focus too much on my work. I loved the guy. He was one of the most caring people I know and a great friend. He and I had both settled in the San Franciso Bay Area after college and even worked for the same company for a couple years. Having him near by was great even though we didn't get together as often as I wish.
We had recently talked and he had told me how much I had meant to him and the example I had set. Funny, I thought it was the other way around. Mark got me started on gospel study and mission preparation. I have often thought of those High School years and the great friend he was to me. I will miss him. My heart goes out to Liz and their family.
The funeral was held October 31st and was attended by many friends and family. Dad, Rosanne and husband Chris and Kathy and I went to Utah for the burial. She was buried on November 3rd next to my brother James who passed away in 1963 due to injuries from a motorcycle accident.
We got home last night and this morning when I came to work the first email I received informed me that one of my closest lifelong friends (and the inspiration behind these blogs), Mark Forsyth, was killed in a car accident last night. The shock and the pain is still pretty intense and I'm not able to focus too much on my work. I loved the guy. He was one of the most caring people I know and a great friend. He and I had both settled in the San Franciso Bay Area after college and even worked for the same company for a couple years. Having him near by was great even though we didn't get together as often as I wish.
We had recently talked and he had told me how much I had meant to him and the example I had set. Funny, I thought it was the other way around. Mark got me started on gospel study and mission preparation. I have often thought of those High School years and the great friend he was to me. I will miss him. My heart goes out to Liz and their family.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Good News From CT Scan
I think we got the best news so far from a doctors visit yesterday. Kathy had a CT scan just before we left for Idaho to take Michael to school. We thought the doctor might call us while we were gone but she didn't so we went to the appointment yesterday with our usual amount of concerns and nervousness. But it turned out to be our best visit yet.
The CT scan indicated some of the spots on the lymph nodes on her chest had gone "off radar" or schrunk enough that they don't show up. Also, there was no indication of progression in the liver. That is the first we have heard that in some time so that was the news of the day. The only negative was that there was a little fluid in her right lung that they couldn't understand why it would be there. It could be so many things and the amount wasn't enough to cause too much concern. They will keep their eye on it for the next scan and if it continues they may take a sample (via needle) and analyze. We hope it goes away.
With the results of the CT Kathy will be able to keep on the same medication for about six more weeks. Two weeks on, one week off. Then we will see what is going on. The medication she is taking is oral so it is nice and convenient and her hair is growing back in. She likes that.
The side affects from the current medication is that she has tender hands and feet. She can't open lids on things very well or do intricate things with her fingers such as counted cross-stitch. Towards the end of her two weeks "on" medication she gets sore feet where it hurts to stand up and start walking. But that doesn't last too many days and subsides when she goes "off" for a week. We will see if this continues. She also has to deal with the medicine burn she gets on her arms whenever exposed to even small amounts of sunlight.
Side effects-----they stink. But overall, the results were good and we are happy.
The CT scan indicated some of the spots on the lymph nodes on her chest had gone "off radar" or schrunk enough that they don't show up. Also, there was no indication of progression in the liver. That is the first we have heard that in some time so that was the news of the day. The only negative was that there was a little fluid in her right lung that they couldn't understand why it would be there. It could be so many things and the amount wasn't enough to cause too much concern. They will keep their eye on it for the next scan and if it continues they may take a sample (via needle) and analyze. We hope it goes away.
With the results of the CT Kathy will be able to keep on the same medication for about six more weeks. Two weeks on, one week off. Then we will see what is going on. The medication she is taking is oral so it is nice and convenient and her hair is growing back in. She likes that.
The side affects from the current medication is that she has tender hands and feet. She can't open lids on things very well or do intricate things with her fingers such as counted cross-stitch. Towards the end of her two weeks "on" medication she gets sore feet where it hurts to stand up and start walking. But that doesn't last too many days and subsides when she goes "off" for a week. We will see if this continues. She also has to deal with the medicine burn she gets on her arms whenever exposed to even small amounts of sunlight.
Side effects-----they stink. But overall, the results were good and we are happy.
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