I am done with chemo for the time being. I have already discussed with the oncologist that I will have some follow up chemo after surgery, but last time I had it the effect was pretty mild.
I have had six rounds of chemo, every two weeks, so three months of feeling off, fatigued, lethargic and having a mildly upset stomach will be done. I have to be off chemo for six weeks before I can have surgery. I have an appointment with the specialist in Little Rock on December 15, 2014 and I will sign a consent form then that is good for 30 days. That means that surgery will take place after the first of the year and must be before the 15th.
I'll look forward to feeling well for the 2014 Christmas.
Wednesday, November 26, 2014
Monday, November 24, 2014
Chemo: Round Six
I am becoming an old hand at this. The oncologist and I had a discussion because I want to end the chemo, he argue for it as we had agreed to six rounds, and I have completed five. In addition I realized this is a short week and I won't get in to see the specialist this week, however the week after Thanksgiving would be fine. It would also be the second week after chemo and later in the week I start to recover. So I went for Round 6.
However, there is a drug they give that helps with anti-nausea and is a strong steroid. The effect is I feel good for about three days. Thursday, Day 4 is when the effect wears off and I feel very tired, little stamina and my stomach is mildly upset, this lasts for about a week, then slowly lifts.
So tonight I am up late as I cannot go to sleep. The drug makes me feel good, I am hungry and have enjoyed half a left over Turkey sandwich from our early Thanksgiving bird, and may even enjoy a second. My mind is alert and I simply do not feel tired. I lay on the bed and listened to a number of Leon Redbone tracks then read his biography on Wikipedia. I read the news, looked up Monday night football and checked the weather. I turned the light out, rolled over and was wide awake. I'm downstairs at the computer taking advantage of the energy.
That is what my chemo is like, and has been through all 5 rounds. However, the Dr. did lower the dosage by 15% on the two remaining drugs I take so hopefully the side effects won't be as severe this time, nor last as long.
However, there is a drug they give that helps with anti-nausea and is a strong steroid. The effect is I feel good for about three days. Thursday, Day 4 is when the effect wears off and I feel very tired, little stamina and my stomach is mildly upset, this lasts for about a week, then slowly lifts.
So tonight I am up late as I cannot go to sleep. The drug makes me feel good, I am hungry and have enjoyed half a left over Turkey sandwich from our early Thanksgiving bird, and may even enjoy a second. My mind is alert and I simply do not feel tired. I lay on the bed and listened to a number of Leon Redbone tracks then read his biography on Wikipedia. I read the news, looked up Monday night football and checked the weather. I turned the light out, rolled over and was wide awake. I'm downstairs at the computer taking advantage of the energy.
That is what my chemo is like, and has been through all 5 rounds. However, the Dr. did lower the dosage by 15% on the two remaining drugs I take so hopefully the side effects won't be as severe this time, nor last as long.
Thursday, November 13, 2014
Observations from my hospital stay
I have already written about the large bowel partial blockage I experienced in late October. I hope no one has to go through that. This short blog concerns the care I received while under the care of the hospital.
The hospital just opened in November 2013. It represents over $500,000,000 investment in our area and is a state of art hospital when it comes to technology. The hospital also recently received some accredation that puts in on the same footing as MD Anderson and Mayo's for level of care. It is a gem.
I went in through ER and did not experience the painful slow intake process usually associated with the ER. Within less than half and hour I had been triaged, had an x-ray that determined I had a partial lower bowel blockage and waited on transport to a regular room
Within a half an hour I was in a room and nurses were attending to me. Several times during the admission to the hospital the "hospitalist" came in and check. Now I was have violent cramps and pain all this time but no pain meds were prescribed until a Dr. had determined the final diagnosis and settled on a course of treatment. That is frustrating and kind of scary, but I can understand how necessary it is. I've been through that several times before.
The next 6 days were spent in pain, uncontrolable bowel movements, and boredom. The nurses were efficient, compassionate, and very efficient. I was truly impressed at their work ethic and care they exhibited for their patient. Everyone was part of the team and pitched in to perform whatever task was needed to be performed, from cleaning up the messes I made to administering medications. Nothing was too low or to unimportant.
I met a Dr. in the hospital who had been a general surgeon but didn't make the change with new surgery procedures and became a hospitalist. He was straightforward and honest and I appreciated it. He gave me advice and told me things that perhaps a Dr. wouldn't. I did appreciate the input.
All in all the experience, under the circumstances, was good. Just wish I didn't have to go back, but this one will be at the University of Arkansas School of Medicine in Little Rock so we shall see what comes of that.
The hospital just opened in November 2013. It represents over $500,000,000 investment in our area and is a state of art hospital when it comes to technology. The hospital also recently received some accredation that puts in on the same footing as MD Anderson and Mayo's for level of care. It is a gem.
I went in through ER and did not experience the painful slow intake process usually associated with the ER. Within less than half and hour I had been triaged, had an x-ray that determined I had a partial lower bowel blockage and waited on transport to a regular room
Within a half an hour I was in a room and nurses were attending to me. Several times during the admission to the hospital the "hospitalist" came in and check. Now I was have violent cramps and pain all this time but no pain meds were prescribed until a Dr. had determined the final diagnosis and settled on a course of treatment. That is frustrating and kind of scary, but I can understand how necessary it is. I've been through that several times before.
The next 6 days were spent in pain, uncontrolable bowel movements, and boredom. The nurses were efficient, compassionate, and very efficient. I was truly impressed at their work ethic and care they exhibited for their patient. Everyone was part of the team and pitched in to perform whatever task was needed to be performed, from cleaning up the messes I made to administering medications. Nothing was too low or to unimportant.
I met a Dr. in the hospital who had been a general surgeon but didn't make the change with new surgery procedures and became a hospitalist. He was straightforward and honest and I appreciated it. He gave me advice and told me things that perhaps a Dr. wouldn't. I did appreciate the input.
All in all the experience, under the circumstances, was good. Just wish I didn't have to go back, but this one will be at the University of Arkansas School of Medicine in Little Rock so we shall see what comes of that.
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
Partial Lower Bowel Obstruction
I had my 4th Round of Chemo on October 20th. I enjoyed my usual two to three days of feeling good from one of the pre-meds they give me prior to chemo. However about Thursday I started having trouble going to the bath room and starting have fairly intense cramps. This worsened throughout the weekend until my belly was distended and I was encountering quite severe pain. I had no appetite and really did not eat much at all. I did try to eat and forced myself, but the minute food touch my stomach I would start these intense, hard cramps.
Finally Tuesday, Oct 28 I told my wife I couldn't take it any more and we needed to go to the ER. I was admitted that morning with a partial lower bowel obstruction. While I was relieved that an NG tube would not be of much help, I then learned the treatment is no food or water, nothing until it worked its way out. I went four days with nothing to eat or nothing to drink. One of the drugs in my chemo regime is Oxyplatin, which causes and intense reaction to cold. So even when I was able to suck on the ice chips I couldn't. I could not stand the reaction to cold.
I started to pass gas along about Thursday, heavy rumbling sounds that were almost as painful as relief. Finally Saturday, Nov. 1 I was put on a clear liquid diet. This meant juice, broth, water, etc. However my taste was all balled up and not much tasted good so I was getting much of my fluids through an IV.
In the meantime on Friday a x-ray revealed a pneumonia. That started an intense round of anti-biotics. Now my bowels have very little going on because of the blockage and then they come along with Round-Up and kill all the bacteria.
My stool looks like sludge, it is uncontrollable and comes frequently. Nurses are having to change my bed several times a shift, I am soiling myself several times and hour and wearing these hospital briefs to contain the output. Its a hell of a mess. I am not feeling any better and my wife is helping as much as she can, which is a lot.
By now, after four days we've established a good repartee with the staff and nurses. I don't know how they can work in the situation I offered them but they seem very professional and take it like just part of what goes on. In the meantime my modesty and embarrassment have fled like a fart in a windstorm.
I start feeling a little better on Saturday evening and Sunday but still I go and go. A Dr. comes in and says he believed if I kept pooping and passing gas and eating I could go home Monday. By Sunday it seemed like I was having a reversal, not in the blockage, but I just started to feel worse and worse.
Monday comes and the Dr.'s nurse comes in to check up and I tell her about feeling worse. She says it is a well known fact that if you stay in a hospital too long it will make you sick. Long story short, I was released on Monday and went home. I felt sick and weak and tired. However, I am getting better, In fact, I'd say I feel about as good as I have in a month. You see chemo colors all. I have know sense of blockage, but chemo just makes you tired, worn out and lethargic. That is where I'm at now having spent six days in the hospital and 8 days out. I'd call that about normal.
Next week a couple of tests, a PET Scan and an MRI with Contrast, then an evaluation of the situation by the Dr. in Little Rock and hopefully surgery in Mid-December. At least that is my hope, we shall see what the outcome will be.
Finally Tuesday, Oct 28 I told my wife I couldn't take it any more and we needed to go to the ER. I was admitted that morning with a partial lower bowel obstruction. While I was relieved that an NG tube would not be of much help, I then learned the treatment is no food or water, nothing until it worked its way out. I went four days with nothing to eat or nothing to drink. One of the drugs in my chemo regime is Oxyplatin, which causes and intense reaction to cold. So even when I was able to suck on the ice chips I couldn't. I could not stand the reaction to cold.
I started to pass gas along about Thursday, heavy rumbling sounds that were almost as painful as relief. Finally Saturday, Nov. 1 I was put on a clear liquid diet. This meant juice, broth, water, etc. However my taste was all balled up and not much tasted good so I was getting much of my fluids through an IV.
In the meantime on Friday a x-ray revealed a pneumonia. That started an intense round of anti-biotics. Now my bowels have very little going on because of the blockage and then they come along with Round-Up and kill all the bacteria.
My stool looks like sludge, it is uncontrollable and comes frequently. Nurses are having to change my bed several times a shift, I am soiling myself several times and hour and wearing these hospital briefs to contain the output. Its a hell of a mess. I am not feeling any better and my wife is helping as much as she can, which is a lot.
By now, after four days we've established a good repartee with the staff and nurses. I don't know how they can work in the situation I offered them but they seem very professional and take it like just part of what goes on. In the meantime my modesty and embarrassment have fled like a fart in a windstorm.
I start feeling a little better on Saturday evening and Sunday but still I go and go. A Dr. comes in and says he believed if I kept pooping and passing gas and eating I could go home Monday. By Sunday it seemed like I was having a reversal, not in the blockage, but I just started to feel worse and worse.
Monday comes and the Dr.'s nurse comes in to check up and I tell her about feeling worse. She says it is a well known fact that if you stay in a hospital too long it will make you sick. Long story short, I was released on Monday and went home. I felt sick and weak and tired. However, I am getting better, In fact, I'd say I feel about as good as I have in a month. You see chemo colors all. I have know sense of blockage, but chemo just makes you tired, worn out and lethargic. That is where I'm at now having spent six days in the hospital and 8 days out. I'd call that about normal.
Next week a couple of tests, a PET Scan and an MRI with Contrast, then an evaluation of the situation by the Dr. in Little Rock and hopefully surgery in Mid-December. At least that is my hope, we shall see what the outcome will be.
Sunday, October 26, 2014
Week 4 1/2 of 6 Chemo treatments
More than half way through the six chemo treatments. Supposedly, according to the Dr., people tolerate this type of chemo quite well. I am not one of those. Oh, at first it wasn't too bad, and I kind of fooled myself into thinking perhaps this won't be bad and I'll be able to work around the house and get a few things done.
I did wonder if as time went on the side effects would accumulate, and apparently some of them do. I had chemo on a Monday, six days ago. Chemo consists of two drugs administered via IV in the Infusion Lab. The third drug is administered via a pump I wear over 46 hours and is removed usually about Wednesday noon. The first few days I feel quite well, however that is due to a couple of anti-nausea drugs that contain a "feel good" component. That wears about about Thursday after being administered Monday.
It is all down hill from there. I did encounter a gagging sensation and in fact coughed up some phlegm a few times. I also had a soreness in my throat and a little acid reflux during the night time. I explained that to am NPA and she told me to take some Mucinex and Prilosec and that seems to have been pretty effective. However, I feel constantly ill at ease in my stomach and I am encountering abdominal cramps that are fairly painful. Early on when I would encounter these cramps I'd pass some stool which resulted in me having to change pads often and clean myself up. Last night I encountered cramps but passed no stool and no gas and got worried I was encountering a colon blockage. I don't think so as I've now passed some gas and a little stool, but I frequently encounter these cramps and they can make me catch my breath.
Food does not taste good and the smell of food cooking is almost nauseating. I am losing some weight because I just can't eat much. That effect has occurred in past weeks, and by the end of the second week after chemo my appetite has returned and I am able to put that weight back on. Last chemo round however, the cramps lasted up to the end of the two weeks and I ended up losing about 4 pounds. I'll see what happens this week.
Round 5 of chemo coming up they are going to drop the drug Avastin. It slows healing and has to be discontinued 6 weeks before surgery. I think that is the drug that causes me some constipation and cramping, I hope. We will be discontinuing the drug a week from Monday in preparation for early December surgery.
My dauber is down, but I'm not out of the race that's for sure. I'll keep you informed.
I did wonder if as time went on the side effects would accumulate, and apparently some of them do. I had chemo on a Monday, six days ago. Chemo consists of two drugs administered via IV in the Infusion Lab. The third drug is administered via a pump I wear over 46 hours and is removed usually about Wednesday noon. The first few days I feel quite well, however that is due to a couple of anti-nausea drugs that contain a "feel good" component. That wears about about Thursday after being administered Monday.
It is all down hill from there. I did encounter a gagging sensation and in fact coughed up some phlegm a few times. I also had a soreness in my throat and a little acid reflux during the night time. I explained that to am NPA and she told me to take some Mucinex and Prilosec and that seems to have been pretty effective. However, I feel constantly ill at ease in my stomach and I am encountering abdominal cramps that are fairly painful. Early on when I would encounter these cramps I'd pass some stool which resulted in me having to change pads often and clean myself up. Last night I encountered cramps but passed no stool and no gas and got worried I was encountering a colon blockage. I don't think so as I've now passed some gas and a little stool, but I frequently encounter these cramps and they can make me catch my breath.
Food does not taste good and the smell of food cooking is almost nauseating. I am losing some weight because I just can't eat much. That effect has occurred in past weeks, and by the end of the second week after chemo my appetite has returned and I am able to put that weight back on. Last chemo round however, the cramps lasted up to the end of the two weeks and I ended up losing about 4 pounds. I'll see what happens this week.
Round 5 of chemo coming up they are going to drop the drug Avastin. It slows healing and has to be discontinued 6 weeks before surgery. I think that is the drug that causes me some constipation and cramping, I hope. We will be discontinuing the drug a week from Monday in preparation for early December surgery.
My dauber is down, but I'm not out of the race that's for sure. I'll keep you informed.
Thursday, October 9, 2014
Third Chemo Treatment
I am fighting a second recurrence of my colo-rectal cancer. The first diagnosis was in 2007, the first recurrence in 2011 and the second this past August 2014. The recurrence is a small mass located right next to the incision site of the first and second surgeries. It apparently has been found early enough that it is going any place. However, I am undergoing chemo for a period of time will we determine the best course of treatment. I had my third chemo session Monday, Oct 6, 2014. I take three drugs, Oxaliplatin, Avastin and Folfox. The Folfox I take over a 48 hour period via a portable pump I carry and it comes off around Wednesday noon.
The first couple of days I don't feel too bad. In fact until the Folfox kicks in that I really start to go down hill. My stomach feels slightly upset, I am tired, just kind of worn out and don't feel good. Foods I normally enjoy begin to taste odd, in some cases down right bad.
Time takes care of it, I rest, eat realizing that as my appetite diminishes I'll lose some weight. Frankly that isn't all bad, but my energy level is very low and I don't have much ambition to do much.
I do have a sensitivity to cold that shows up in my fingers and mouth area. I have to drink tap water and be careful getting chilled foods out of the freezer or refrigerator. I seem to encounter more frequent esophageal spasms, in some cases if I am taking some pills I may even throw up, but it is just what is in my esophagus. My gag reflex seems very sensitive, I gag easily while brushing my teeth. I have not encountered mouth sores, but do have a rash around my knees and shins.
About a week after treatment I start to come out of the funk. In fact, by the weekend before I go in for more chemo I feel darn good. Right now this is my life and I'll get through this. The outlook isn't too bad, I should have surgery in Little Rock at the University of Arkansas Medical School this fall. I will end up with a colostomy, permanent, but given the aggravation I've gone through the last seven years it will probably be a relief.
The first couple of days I don't feel too bad. In fact until the Folfox kicks in that I really start to go down hill. My stomach feels slightly upset, I am tired, just kind of worn out and don't feel good. Foods I normally enjoy begin to taste odd, in some cases down right bad.
Time takes care of it, I rest, eat realizing that as my appetite diminishes I'll lose some weight. Frankly that isn't all bad, but my energy level is very low and I don't have much ambition to do much.
I do have a sensitivity to cold that shows up in my fingers and mouth area. I have to drink tap water and be careful getting chilled foods out of the freezer or refrigerator. I seem to encounter more frequent esophageal spasms, in some cases if I am taking some pills I may even throw up, but it is just what is in my esophagus. My gag reflex seems very sensitive, I gag easily while brushing my teeth. I have not encountered mouth sores, but do have a rash around my knees and shins.
About a week after treatment I start to come out of the funk. In fact, by the weekend before I go in for more chemo I feel darn good. Right now this is my life and I'll get through this. The outlook isn't too bad, I should have surgery in Little Rock at the University of Arkansas Medical School this fall. I will end up with a colostomy, permanent, but given the aggravation I've gone through the last seven years it will probably be a relief.
Tuesday, September 23, 2014
And so it goes
Well a 2nd recurrence. The prognosis for success is dropping. I do not know to what level, and I don't care to ask. The colo-rectal tumor has reappeared right next to the part of the colon the previous two surgeries occurred. It is small, 2.5 X 3.5 cm, about the size of half of my small finger nail. It has not spread, but seems to be contained.
It is in an area that does not lend itself well to further traditional surgery. There is so much scar tissue from the radiation and previous surgeries that the doctors feel a heightened risk of creating a fatal bleed if they go in there again.
Right now I am taking further chemo to reduce the size of the tumor and buy us time to search for alternative. There are several. There is a new technology called nano-knife that uses small electrodes implanted in the tumor to collapse and destroy the cells which are then reabsorbed by the body. However, it is new technology and doesn't have much history.
I am to meet with a cancer surgeon in Little Rock sometime soon, I hope. He also expressed concern over the surgery, but is willing to talk with me. What I want to really explore is what is possible and what the efficacy is? It is a small tumor. I've had two unsuccessful surgeries and would like it clean up so I can get on with a cancer free life for some years.
I originally would like to have beaten my dad's life span of 94 years. I've shortened that. Ten more years would be great so I could experience the wonders and enjoyment of retirement and living with my lovely wife Terry. I'd also get to see my grandchildren grow. That is very important to me.
In the meantime am trying to take one day at a time. I do find my mind wondering if I'll be here next year, or the next year. I worry about that, but I am adjusting and just trying to enjoy the work I have to do today, the sun and the breeze and the afternoon pleasantries with my lovely wife. So goes this life.
It is in an area that does not lend itself well to further traditional surgery. There is so much scar tissue from the radiation and previous surgeries that the doctors feel a heightened risk of creating a fatal bleed if they go in there again.
Right now I am taking further chemo to reduce the size of the tumor and buy us time to search for alternative. There are several. There is a new technology called nano-knife that uses small electrodes implanted in the tumor to collapse and destroy the cells which are then reabsorbed by the body. However, it is new technology and doesn't have much history.
I am to meet with a cancer surgeon in Little Rock sometime soon, I hope. He also expressed concern over the surgery, but is willing to talk with me. What I want to really explore is what is possible and what the efficacy is? It is a small tumor. I've had two unsuccessful surgeries and would like it clean up so I can get on with a cancer free life for some years.
I originally would like to have beaten my dad's life span of 94 years. I've shortened that. Ten more years would be great so I could experience the wonders and enjoyment of retirement and living with my lovely wife Terry. I'd also get to see my grandchildren grow. That is very important to me.
In the meantime am trying to take one day at a time. I do find my mind wondering if I'll be here next year, or the next year. I worry about that, but I am adjusting and just trying to enjoy the work I have to do today, the sun and the breeze and the afternoon pleasantries with my lovely wife. So goes this life.
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