Thus begins...

Round 3
Gil's doing pretty good. The hemoglobin is a bit low, but due to a calculation error, a count of 12.6 is ok. It's when the count gets to 11 that we have to worry. How do you get your hemoglobin up? I still have yet to really research that. Blood pressure is still a little low. All of this seems to be a rest issue. The Dr. feels he is doing outstandingly well; keep up the good attitude.

Jason has shut down. After crossing the line with me and wanting to do...whatever, but can't because he doesn't have a car. He want's more freedom than we can rightfully give. Don't know what to do about that.

Me, I'm just kind of trying to keep my sanity. When you get so focused on taking care of everyone else, it's hard to make time for yourself.

210 120/80

Blood Work

Well, sorry I have been so remiss in keeping up here.
Gil has been pretty tired lately. As it turns out his hemoglobin is low...12.5; it needs to be at 13 or above for him to be able to have his chemo this week. He needs to get rest (yeah, right...if you know Gil, he hasn't slowed down much) and ...I'm not sure what, but I'm going to try to get him to take some iron pills this week. I know he's not really into leafy greens, so that's the best I can do.

He still hasn't quite shaved his head. He keeps meaning to, but the between his business and the hairstylist next to his shop, it's just been to busy. So everyday, I wait to see if he comes home shaved. His hair is very sparse - his eyebrows have thinned alot, it takes better than a week for any growth to even be felt on his face; the biggest thing we have noticed are some body odors and uncontrolled sweating around the mouth (maybe more than should be known, but...).

OK, well, now that I have overshared...

This week we have chemo coming up, if all is good with his blood count. Gil is hoping to talk the Dr. down to only 2 more treatments, but I'm not sure it's going happen...but I suppose if everything is really going better than anyone hoped for...who knows what could happen.
I will hope to have some happy news this weekend!

Lyrics

Just some lyrics that I have found most interesting at this time in our lives:

Some of us laugh, some of us cry,
Some of us smoke, some of us lie,
But it's all just the way that we cope with our lives.
~ ~ "Some Of Us" by Starsailor ~ ~

Falling from the rooftop
Crashing like a raindrop
Can you make my heart stop
Shaking like a leaf
Standing at the floodgate
Steady as an earthquake
Can you hear my heart break
Tearing at the seams
~ ~ "Drifting" by Bebo Norman ~ ~ (btw - this whole song is GREAT!!!)

Just thought I'd share. It's been kind of a rought day for Gil - he's been a bit sick today. A little suprising after had such a good weekend.

Half Way Point!

Jan 12 was Gil's 4th treatment (end of round 2 and the half-way point).
They backed off things to the same level they were during the first 2 treatments, so he is doing much better than after the last treatment. The benadryl was the only thing kept at a higher level. Also he is back to taking his old anti-nausea medication (a generic Compazine).

Monday he will probably remove what hair he has left. We have found that baby shampoo (actually body wash/shampoo) is best for his super senstive skin right now. Regular shampoo was starting to really irritate his scalp.

He say's he actually feels pretty good right now. We have this week off from church, for which I am grateful - even if he is feeling ok. I was so afraid he would be so sick like he was last time...I glad Phil took my suggestion to the next level, even if Gil wasn't.

Anyway...
4 down, 4 to go!


209 116/76

Rough week

Well, this last Thursday (12/29/05) they had increased his medication - the preventative drugs (benadryl, change in anti-nausea, saline). Unfortunately this created some side effects we were not expecting. Nausea has actually increased, low grade fever, along with general weakness and being tired. I'm also wondering if he has caught a cold (he has a stuffy nose which is not a typical side effect of the chemo that I'm aware of). I'm not sure what to do at this point. I know he has another treatment coming Jan. 12, but I'm worried that he may not have recovered from this treatment completely. He sees the Dr. at his Jan. 12 appointment, so I'm sure he will mention all this to her.

Other than that - Mom & Dad (Horton) will be coming to visit Saturday, and Jensen returns from Hong Kong Sat. evening. We are all back at work - Jason and I went back to school Monday (1/2) and Gil went back today (1/3). None of really wanted to go, but...such is life.

WAAaaaaa!!

Happy New Year!!!

It’s 11:58 pm on Dec. 31st. I’m about to ring in the new year sitting on my front porch, sparkling grape juice at my feet (and I just set my glass on a slug – eww), David’s next to me and Merlyn is on a leash. The fog has rolled in - or is it smoke from the fireworks?
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Ah – fireworks, sirens, whining dog whom David just took for a little walk. I hear distant voices probably wishing everyone a Happy New Year. Gil is asleep, Jason is playing Chinese chess and David made it back awefully quick from a walk down the street. I’m truly surprised Merlyn isn’t barking.
Well, I suppose I should be getting off to bed. Hopefully this next year will be better – no more hurricanes, no major sicknesses, Jason will be heading off to college….all I can ask for is a slightly more calm and quiet new year.
God bless.

K-bang – that one was close!

C

Round 2

The second round of treatments began today. Now, just so ya' know...each "round" consists of 2 treatments...day 1 and day 15 of the cell cycle. Gil gets a booster shot for his white cell count the day after a chemo treatment and blood work on opposite weeks (i.e. next Thursday).

Some of the other expected side effects are starting to show. Dry mouth, coughing, and one little mouth sore. The coughing has been keeping him up at night. He is very dehydrated, so drinking more is becoming an issue. Almost funny considering how much he's had to use the restroom lately.

I do want to thank everyone again for your support. My mom has obviously been keeping up with the blog. For Christmas she gave us some rather nice looking doggie bags – the kind you get from a restaurant. As decorative as they are (and they say “enjoy” on the side), that’s not the kind of doggie bag I was referring to! (I’m practically laughing as I type this and was laughing Christmas morning). In case it wasn’t terribly clear, I was referring to the doggie bags one would buy from a pet store for picking up doggie poop. They come on a nice, compact, convenient little roll. But, thanks anyway mom – I keep one in my purse now!

We also found that the Chloraseptic strips work well as cough drops for someone with a sensitive gag reflex. After discovering this, Gil got some decent sleep last night. Now I just have to find a way to keep him well hydrated.

211 118/80

Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas everyone! We hope Santa brought you what you wanted, and Christ brings you peace.
Love to ALL! God Bless!

Christmas pics

Jason gets a big Christmas hug from Gil

Jason shows off his new lightsaber

The puppies (Red (lying) and Merlyn (sitting)) wish everyone a Merry Christmas! =)

Hair today...

Gone tomorrow....
Well, it has happened. My theory was obviously wrong...or near wrong. Last night his hair started to go, falling like leaves from a tree. This morning he had it shorn real short so as it falls out it's not as noticeable (or at least that's the idea).

Other than that, and the fact he can't drink soda at this point, all is well.

BTW - you are welcome to leave comments and questions here if you would like (hint, hint...Mom, Dad, Sally & Family). We love to hear from you and I will try to answer questions in following posts.

Love to all!!

Another weekend down...

As I am writing this I am listening to a Chinese Christmas song (Lonely Christmas?) and watching Jason eat fried eggs (that I made...and am getting quite good at now).

Today is the first real day of our winter break and I have already cleaned our master bathroom & bedroom, changed sheets...etc....

Gil's weekend was ok. I'm beginning to wonder if every treatment is going to be different. Friday he got his booster shot and no side effects other than being tired. Later in the evening he started to get a bad taste in his mouth. Saturday morning he did the usual morning thing of using the restroom and tried to come back to bed, but in seconds was using his bucket and running into the bathroom. His nausea seems to have been rather sudden this weekend. Rather than feeling like he had the flu, he was fine...then he'd be sick suddenly for a few minutes! He had to leave service twice on Sunday...fortunately it was after he was done playing (I think!). I guess it's a good thing it's only dry heaves.

Did I mention the nurses were surprised he still had his hair? Now, I have a theory about that. I think he is losing hair at a normal rate...you know, we all lose some hair everyday...I just don't think it's growing back like normal. SO...by the end of these 4 months, he may still have a full head of hair, just a little thinner.

Some thing I've discovered. The roll of doggie bags that I use when I take the dogs for a walk (you can buy them at pet stores) make better barf bags than grocery bags do.

Next time, though, we have to try something to relieve some intestinal distress he is dealing with after treatment. A little fiber therapy.

Ok, more than anyone really wants to know, I'm sure. Well, better get on with my day. Gotta take the boy to change over a bank account and get his haircut. Gotta love "vacation".

2nd Chemo

Well, the echo looks good so it's a guess that there must have been somekind of technical error in the mugascan. He will see Dr. Kuo (cardiologist) again on Jan. 13th.
The Pet scan also looks good...all infected areas are contained on the right side of the neck.

An interesting turn of events: at the last Chemo session they had given him a test shot of one of the drugs (Bleomycin) because many people have an allergic reaction. After the test shot, they administered his first drug (Adriamycin). He broke out in hives and it was assumed it was the Bleo. The plan was to give him Benadryl before the Bleo. But, today, they administered the Adriamycin first and ...well...it turns out THAT's what he is allergic to. (the four chemicals are Bleomycin; Adriamyicn (or Doxorubicin); Dacarbazine and Vinblastine)

He is very tired already; say's his legs are real weak. For the next two days, he'll need a lot of rest.

213 123/87 89

Radiologist

Oh yeah...blood pressure is being tested at school. I understand why parent’s hope their kids have kids "just like" them.

Anyway, Gil had his radiologist appt. today. I was gonna post the results on Friday, but might as well do it now while the memory is fresh. Of course I (we) are also trying to figure out what to do for dinner too. Jason is sick with laryngitis, so he's being a bit picky about what he can & cannot eat (and we can't afford to let him starve...he's a toothpick already!). I have been trying to keep things so clean: I disinfect the kitchen counters every night. And I've been washing my hands and am trying to get in the habit of drying with paper towels. Well...?

On to the appt. info:
It turns out that one of the chemicals that Gil is getting (Adriamycin) does not work well with radiation...the two cannot be done at the same time. So he has to wait until after Chemo is finished before starting radiation.

SO…March 9th he should be finished with the Chemo, and he will get another PET scan (or CaT scan…from what he says they are pretty much the same). At that time, they will determine if there are still any signs of the Hodgkin’s left. IF there is he will require 15 treatments of radiation, which means treatment every day (week day?) for 3 weeks. Each treatment takes about 2 minutes from entry to exit. So I guess there is great hope that the Chemo may take care of the issue it self.

As it is, the radiologist (Dr. Gauwitz) could not find any sign of swelling or swollen nodes in his neck, although the PET scan said there were still some there. The Chemo may be doing a great job already!

I want to thank EVERYONE so much for your comments and prayers. Your love and support is appreciated.

Good weekend...so to speak

Ever have one of those weekends where you want to go to work on Monday, just to relax?
Between Jason being mad at his parent's (and the world), Gil being a little stressed, and...David...Jensen...anyone else in our house this weekend?

Anyway...it was an ok, albeit stressfull weekend. Now, I guess I was remiss on some things I posted not to long ago. In the post "1st Chemo Treatment" I mentioned that Gil got the results of some of his tests back, but I guess I didn't say which result belonged to which test. His bone marrow test was to see what stage he was in, which turned out to be 1A...the cancer is in its earliest stage and located only in one area (right side of his neck) with no symptoms.

The blood tests that they will be doing every other week (opposite his Chemo treatments) are to check his cell count (specifically white cells). I have to be careful about preparing food and cleaning up so as to not chance contaminating anything. I also have to make sure I wash my hands frequently and I should use paper towels to dry...I guess that is to keep from spreading germs that might stay in fabric. Now, I just need to find a good hand lotion!

This week will be the rough one. It's the week before winter break at school and the week of exams which means (for me) dealing with kids who are exempting exams and have nothing better to do in school...to teachers send them to the library. Joy for me! This is also the week Gil with find out about his radiology treatments and have Chemo (and hopefully get the results of his most recent tests). I'll try to post info on Friday.

BTW - it seems as though the hairloss has started. He was helping out his friend Kenny with a computer program when Ken noticed some odd hairs, and pulled out a small chunk (about 20 hairs). Gil was a little depressed, but says he had noticed a change in texture soon after the first treatment. I guess we might be doing some hat shopping soon.

Latest tests

Thursdays blood tests were good. I guess that means that his cell counts are still relatively normal. Today he had a pet scan (I guess, from what he has told me he fell asleep in the tube) and echocardiogram.

Now, I guess I need to do some research, because I'm confused with all these scans. His first CaT scan (which originally I was told he was going in for an MRI), he was given a shot of iodine and then his head and neck were scanned with what he calls a "stargate" type machine...I guess a circular machine that he goes in and out of like a copier. 2nd time, he had to drink 2 shakes (barium?) before his full body scan. Now with the PET scan, he was in a tube. I'm very curious about the differences.

Well, next week:
Tuesday, he meets the radiologist (12/13) and finds out the treatment plan there.
Thursday (12/15) is his second chemo treatment, so we expect a rough weekend.
By then, I guess we will know the results of the PET scan and echo. Hopefully all is really normal with his heart and there are no more infected areas.

I just can't wait for the end of next week. I know for Gil it means feeling sick all weekend, but for me it's the beginning of winter break from school. I need it...we need it. As the holiday approaches, the kids get nuttier and more annoying!

If Gil gives me more details, I may edit this a bit later. 'Till then...
C'Ya!

Cardiologist appt.

Today...I had had it! I yelled at three kids today. I am so tired of the constant "...yeah, but..." or "...no, but..."; wrote them up on referrals. Now the only problem is they will be in IC (the Intervention Center) tomorrow...in the library. grrr.....

Anyway, Gil went to the cardiologist today. She and Jason have something in common...they are both Asian! Dr. Kuo did an EKG - it was normal. On Friday they will do a PET scan and an Echocardiogram. Usually, the MugaScan is more accurate (or so he was told) so our guess is that the Echo is only to confirm (or not) what the Mugascan found. He will still probably have to get a heart check every couple of months.

Tomorrow he get some blood taken for blood work. Then Friday, the two tests. So much fun.

Some good days

Things are definitely back to normal, for now.
Although he was not feeling well Sunday (but played pretty well at church), he was starting to feel better Sunday afternoon. He is still very tired, but pretty much back to his old self. Joking around with Jason, setting up his new Xbox, taking the dogs out and fixing the outside decorations (lights that I put up Sunday, but keep falling down). I'm sure he'll be playing with his Xbox after his appointment with his cardiologist tomorrow.
'Till then....

To date...

First of all I just really want to thank everyone who has been keeping track of Gil & I. We appreciate all the prayers and words of encouragement...keep it coming. We need all the positive reinforcement we can get, even if it is a little hard & humbling to accept. (the picture is from Scott Neumeister's B-day at Byblos restaurant on Nov. 18)

Now, just to get anyone who has missed it "up to speed", here's the reader's digest version of what's been going on.

Sometime in late August, Gil noticed a swelling on the side of his neck. Thinking it was an overdevloped muscle or some wierd painless pulled muscle, he went to Dr. Ray who became concerned.

From there he had a CaT Scan done on Sept 9th, which, at first, he was given the impression all was good. We later found out they saw multiple suspicious lymph nodes.

A "fine needle aspiration" was done (which someone really needs to redefine "fine" needle). Dr. Jerry scared him a fair bit asking if he had ever been diagnosed with Cancer before.

Oct. 14th, he went to surgeon Dr. Berry who was unimpressed with the lump on Gil's neck, but knew the lymph nodes had to go. He figured they were just reactive...used up; he was surprised to find they were malignant. (surgery was Oct. 20th with a follow-up on Oct. 28th)

Nov. 17th he went to see Dr. Ball oncologist, but once we did...it was 0-60! (FYI - our exchange student, Jason, was hosted by Dr. Andy Hano his first year here - Andy & Dr. Ball are partners in medicine)

The week of Thanksgiving:
Nov. 21 - bone marrow test & consultation with Dr. Berry to put in a port (under right collarbone for chemo treatments)
Nov. 22 - Port put in
Nov. 24 - I ran the Turkey Trot 5k (32min 56 sec) and hosted Thanksgiving dinner

The next week...
Nov. 28 - muga scan (heart scan?)
Nov. 29 - another (but different) CT scan
Then Dec. 1st he had his first Chemo treatment with a white cell booster shot on Dec. 2nd (see previous post).

The next few weeks include even more stuff
Dec. 7 - Cardiologist
Dec. 8 - Blood work
Dec. 9 - PET scan & Echocardiogram (?)
Dec. 13 - Radiologist
Dec. 15 - 2nd Chemo

Well, I'm probably posting more info. than Gil really feels anyone needs to know, but it also helps me remember. This is also probably a good place to chronical stuff just in general...we can look back on this in a year and see what was going on.
Anyway...on with my day (Thanks Phil & Deah and everyone for giving us the rest of the day "off").
Till next time!

1st chemo treatment

Gil had his first Chemo treatment Decemebr 1st. He also got the results of his bone marrow test, mugascan and CT scan.

First off: He is stage 1A for Hodgkins. It's the earliest stage possible and no symptoms. That's a good thing. Only 8 chemo sessions, so....one down, 7 to go. We figure that will be done by about March 9th.

2nd: He has another infected lymph node just inside the right jaw (which may account for some trouble he has had with his teeth). This will require radiation therapy. At this point we don't know much about when that will start or how long it will take.

3rd: his heart is only working at 42% and should be working at 50%. Now he will have to go and have a echocardiogram done. We don't know at this point where this may go.

Yesterday (Dec. 2) he was given a booster shot to boost his white cell count so he can fight infections better. It's made him a little achey and chilled so Gil was feeling a little like he has the flu. I think he might be a little better this morning, although he is dealing with a little intestinal distress. Merlyn and Red are doing their best to show their love (Merlyn is laying in Gil's lap as I'm typing this).

Well, I suppose I should get on with my day. Laundry to do, groceries to buy, Christmas tree to set up...maybe even time to get some Christmas shopping in...humm....