Celebrating "Parents' Night Out" @ Thoroughbreds in Myrtle Beach, July 2013
Friday, July 26, 2013
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
Happy, Happy, Happy!
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| June 12, 2013~ Celebrating Matt's birthday in Myrtle Beach, SC
Since last posting, Dad's been building his strength and stamina from finishing up that nasty Folfirinox in April. In May, the CT scan showed no growth in the tumor or the cancer, which is really great news. His CA19-9 level had decreased, and Dr. Jiang believed Dad was ready and able to take a nice, long break from any treatments or visits to Baltimore until July. What a great day May 14th turned out to be! Woo-hoo!
Since then, summer has officially begun and Dad's enjoyed all the sights, sounds and celebrations that it brings---river parties, boating, golfing, hard shell crabs, and vacations. The picture above shows the 5 of us at one of our favorite Italian places in Myrtle Beach. Good food, great drinks, and glorious company! As you can see, Dad looks great!
Today was the follow-up appointment from yesterday's CT scan. It's always a little unnerving to wait for the results of these tests, especially when it's been almost 3 months since any treatment has been done, and you're talking about pancreatic cancer. It's a tricky one, and its behavior is not predictable. However, in the words of the Duck Dynasty patriarch (as well as the Snead Family patriarch....aka Dad), today was a day to be, "Happy, happy, happy!"
Yesterday's CT scan once again showed NO growth in the tumor or spread of the cancer, and the CA19-9 level had gone down again. Dad has also gained a little bit of weight since May and is feeling pretty good. Therefore, (drum roll please..........) he can continue enjoying a break from treatments and check-ups for another 3 months!!!! Flying high and happy, happy, happy:)
It's going to be a GREAT rest of the summer:) Me thinks a big 49th anniversary party might be in order for Mom and Dad over Labor Day Weekend. Stay tuned, my friends!
To our prayer warriors~ THANK YOU and keep it coming and going!
As always, much love to all
XOXO~ Jen
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Monday, April 29, 2013
Turns out it IS possible to drink too much water......
So much has happened since last posting. Let me bring everyone up to date since the golf trip mentioned in my last post......
In the weeks going into the last treatment weekend, 4/12-4/14, the big golf trip was coming up. The trip "officially" began on April 3rd. Dad traveled half the trip with a buddy the day before, and finished it up on the 3rd. There was a round of golf to be played later that day; unfortunately, only 4 holes could be tolerated. The temperatures were rather chilly, and one of the side fx has been sensitivity to the cold. The fatigue and weakness had taken its toll, as well. Thursday, April 4th brought chilly rain to the greens, and evidently Dad bowed out of any golf that day. Later in the afternoon on the 4th, I received a text message from Dad's buddy that they were returning home that night. Dad had begun to pee brown.......if you remember, that's what started this whole mess back in September. You can imagine the panic.
Turns out, it is possible to drink too much water. Blood and urine tests done Friday the 5th showed nothing to be really concerned about, which was a huge relief! Evidently, Dad had been drinking too much water, and it had flushed his system almost free of potassium. The balance of sodium and potassium throughout his body was out of whack, and had concentrated all the other waste materials in his urine, making it a dark color. The recommendation was to stop drinking water, and load up on Gatorade for hydration.....something with electrolytes in it, rather than just water. Within a couple of days, all was "clear," but Dad was having a tough time bouncing back from the Easter weekend treatment. He was just so tired and weak, and just could gather only the energy to climb their steps. With each treatment, the weakness and fatigue and magnitude of side fx have increased. With the last treatment right at his heels at that point (4/12-4/14), it was concerning as to how well the 4th dose of Folfirinox would be tolerated, and let's just say there was good reason for concern.
4th and final treatment weekend: 4/12-4/14
On or about 4/16, Dad really started to feel lousy. Historically, that crappy-icky feeling didn't kick in so early after a treatment weekend, and when it did, it didn't last very long. This time, however, not so much. The last 14 days have been really rough. Dad started vomiting at one point. In all my life, I don't believe I have ever witnessed my dad getting sick like that. It's like there has been some tax law against it all these years that all CPAs must follow, and the rule follower he is..... he's just never been sick. He's lost weight. He's needed to receive two bags of IV fluid to help with dehydration. Sigh....it's been stressful and exhausting for him and Mom. Through it all, though, he's been a trooper, trying to maintain some semblance of normalcy. He even mowed the lawn. (Yeah, I know. That may have been too much.) He's eating well, considering how he feels, trying to maintain a good weight. Of course, my mother is a great cook, which helps!
If you remember, the CA 19-9 cancer marker had decreased quite a bit....down to 289 after the first treatment on March 1st. A major source of excitement for all of us. That was the best news in months. Well, unfortunately, for some reason after the 2nd treatment on March 15th, that number increased to over 400. Dr. Jiang was not sure why, but didn't seem to be overly concerned; it is just one indicator and not always reliable, as there are other systemic issues that can cause that number to rise. We would find out at the 4/26 follow up appointment how that number responded after the 3rd March 29th treatment.
Last Thursday, Dad had a CT scan done to check the effect of the chemo on the tumor and surrounding tissue and organs. Our hope was the tumor had continued to decrease in size after the 4 rounds of Folfirinox. Dr. Jiang's hope was that we'd see either a) no change (which also means no growth/mets) or b) a shrinkage of the tumor. On Friday, we learned that the scan didn't show a remarkable change in the size of the tumor. It had stayed the same, which is good. We also learned that after the 3rd treatment, the CA 19-9 level shot up to 1000. Not the news we were hoping for, and therefore, a very solemn conversation with Dr. Jiang ensued.
We left on Friday feeling quite deflated. Yes, it was very good news that the tumor was the same. It did not appear to have metastasized beyond the pancreas. Yet, that darn CA 19-9 increase crushed our spirits. So we wondered what the heck was going on that the scan was not showing. After all, we had been fooled before by a scan that presented itself in our favor. Well.....hang tight b/c we did receive some good news today.....
Dr. Jiang called Mom and Dad today to share the results of the CA 19-9 number that had been ordered as part of his blood draw on Friday. Mom couldn't remember exactly what it had gone down to, but it had DECREASED a little.....700 or 800. Again, Mom didn't remember the exact number, but there has been an observed decrease between treatment 3 and treatment 4. Praise God! This new info is fantastic to hear!
Our next appointment is May 14th, (which by the way is on the eve of my sister's 40th birthday). At that time we talk further about the next type of chemo to be administered (Abraxane/Gemzar combo), and at what point that new treatment would be introduced. Dad was really hoping to get a significant break from any kind of treatment. Let's hope with this new news of the decrease in the CA 19-9, he can get that!
Keep the prayers coming! It has been an extraordinarily difficult last couple of weeks.....for everyone. Dad has felt super icky and is slowly shedding that, but his journey continues beyond the completion of Folfirinox. Please pray that those numbers keep going down, that the tumor stays status quo (although a complete disappearance would be nice!). Pray that Mom has the strength to continue to give the care she has. (Dad can be....ummm.....at times.....a somewhat grumpy patient.)
Your love and support is always appreciated.....Much love to all! Jen
In the weeks going into the last treatment weekend, 4/12-4/14, the big golf trip was coming up. The trip "officially" began on April 3rd. Dad traveled half the trip with a buddy the day before, and finished it up on the 3rd. There was a round of golf to be played later that day; unfortunately, only 4 holes could be tolerated. The temperatures were rather chilly, and one of the side fx has been sensitivity to the cold. The fatigue and weakness had taken its toll, as well. Thursday, April 4th brought chilly rain to the greens, and evidently Dad bowed out of any golf that day. Later in the afternoon on the 4th, I received a text message from Dad's buddy that they were returning home that night. Dad had begun to pee brown.......if you remember, that's what started this whole mess back in September. You can imagine the panic.
Turns out, it is possible to drink too much water. Blood and urine tests done Friday the 5th showed nothing to be really concerned about, which was a huge relief! Evidently, Dad had been drinking too much water, and it had flushed his system almost free of potassium. The balance of sodium and potassium throughout his body was out of whack, and had concentrated all the other waste materials in his urine, making it a dark color. The recommendation was to stop drinking water, and load up on Gatorade for hydration.....something with electrolytes in it, rather than just water. Within a couple of days, all was "clear," but Dad was having a tough time bouncing back from the Easter weekend treatment. He was just so tired and weak, and just could gather only the energy to climb their steps. With each treatment, the weakness and fatigue and magnitude of side fx have increased. With the last treatment right at his heels at that point (4/12-4/14), it was concerning as to how well the 4th dose of Folfirinox would be tolerated, and let's just say there was good reason for concern.
4th and final treatment weekend: 4/12-4/14
On or about 4/16, Dad really started to feel lousy. Historically, that crappy-icky feeling didn't kick in so early after a treatment weekend, and when it did, it didn't last very long. This time, however, not so much. The last 14 days have been really rough. Dad started vomiting at one point. In all my life, I don't believe I have ever witnessed my dad getting sick like that. It's like there has been some tax law against it all these years that all CPAs must follow, and the rule follower he is..... he's just never been sick. He's lost weight. He's needed to receive two bags of IV fluid to help with dehydration. Sigh....it's been stressful and exhausting for him and Mom. Through it all, though, he's been a trooper, trying to maintain some semblance of normalcy. He even mowed the lawn. (Yeah, I know. That may have been too much.) He's eating well, considering how he feels, trying to maintain a good weight. Of course, my mother is a great cook, which helps!
If you remember, the CA 19-9 cancer marker had decreased quite a bit....down to 289 after the first treatment on March 1st. A major source of excitement for all of us. That was the best news in months. Well, unfortunately, for some reason after the 2nd treatment on March 15th, that number increased to over 400. Dr. Jiang was not sure why, but didn't seem to be overly concerned; it is just one indicator and not always reliable, as there are other systemic issues that can cause that number to rise. We would find out at the 4/26 follow up appointment how that number responded after the 3rd March 29th treatment.
Last Thursday, Dad had a CT scan done to check the effect of the chemo on the tumor and surrounding tissue and organs. Our hope was the tumor had continued to decrease in size after the 4 rounds of Folfirinox. Dr. Jiang's hope was that we'd see either a) no change (which also means no growth/mets) or b) a shrinkage of the tumor. On Friday, we learned that the scan didn't show a remarkable change in the size of the tumor. It had stayed the same, which is good. We also learned that after the 3rd treatment, the CA 19-9 level shot up to 1000. Not the news we were hoping for, and therefore, a very solemn conversation with Dr. Jiang ensued.
We left on Friday feeling quite deflated. Yes, it was very good news that the tumor was the same. It did not appear to have metastasized beyond the pancreas. Yet, that darn CA 19-9 increase crushed our spirits. So we wondered what the heck was going on that the scan was not showing. After all, we had been fooled before by a scan that presented itself in our favor. Well.....hang tight b/c we did receive some good news today.....
Dr. Jiang called Mom and Dad today to share the results of the CA 19-9 number that had been ordered as part of his blood draw on Friday. Mom couldn't remember exactly what it had gone down to, but it had DECREASED a little.....700 or 800. Again, Mom didn't remember the exact number, but there has been an observed decrease between treatment 3 and treatment 4. Praise God! This new info is fantastic to hear!
Our next appointment is May 14th, (which by the way is on the eve of my sister's 40th birthday). At that time we talk further about the next type of chemo to be administered (Abraxane/Gemzar combo), and at what point that new treatment would be introduced. Dad was really hoping to get a significant break from any kind of treatment. Let's hope with this new news of the decrease in the CA 19-9, he can get that!
Keep the prayers coming! It has been an extraordinarily difficult last couple of weeks.....for everyone. Dad has felt super icky and is slowly shedding that, but his journey continues beyond the completion of Folfirinox. Please pray that those numbers keep going down, that the tumor stays status quo (although a complete disappearance would be nice!). Pray that Mom has the strength to continue to give the care she has. (Dad can be....ummm.....at times.....a somewhat grumpy patient.)
Your love and support is always appreciated.....Much love to all! Jen
Sunday, March 31, 2013
615......
In Friday's post, I mentioned that the CA 19-9 decreased from 315 to 289. It was actually 615 in November. Not 315. Even better!
Friday, March 29, 2013
CCLXXXIX = ?
172 = ?
(8 + 9)^2 = ?
Are you smarter than a 5th grader?
Hint: The answer is the same for all three math problems above. Keep trying.......don't give up! You can do it!
Ok, ok.....well, if Roman numerals aren't your strength, or figuring Friedman numbers, hopefully 17 squared (17 x 17) helped? Yep, the answer is 289. Why, may you ask, is a math lesson part of today's blog? It's not the lesson that is important, but rather the answer to each one: 289. That, my friends, is what Dad's CA 19-9 count was on March 15th BEFORE the 2nd round of Folfirinox. CA 19-9 is the tumor marker that shows up in blood work that is used to measure the effectiveness of the current and prior treatments. When we first started this whole venture back in October 2012, the CA 19-9 was almost 1400. The normal range is 0-37. The chemo radiation combo of treatments in the fall helped drop that number quite a bit. On 11/30/2012, the count was 315. The fact that after only one treatment the number dropped to 289 is a good sign that folfirinox is not giving that tumor a chance to grow. We'll take that!
Today Dad and I are sitting in Room 23 of the infusion center here in UMMC Baltimore. The oxaliplatin was just started about 30 minutes ago. Dad's napping. Typically, he starts to feel really icky about 60 minutes into this drug and requires a shot of Zofran. Once he gets that, he's good to go the rest of the day. We have about 4.5 hours more ahead of us just in infusion time, and then we'll head home to WV. Easter Sunday night, Laura will come back and disconnect the chemo, flush the port, and Dad will be able to roam free without being hooked up to anything. Free!
On Tuesday night, Dad plans to head south with a buddy to what he hopes are warmer temperatures. It is time for the annual golf outing, or what I refer to as the "testosterone fest." Sixteen guys with beer coolers and golf clubs. By the end of the trip I think they're all pretty pickled. What happens in MB, stays in MB!
When Dad returns, it will be time to rest up and re-coup for the 4th round of chemo, which begins on April 12th. After that last round, a CT scan will be done to take a look at the tumor and see how it is responding to Folfirinox. Lots of prayers that the tumor is losing not only the battle, but also the war. Lots of prayers that Dad can then get a break from chemo for a bit. Lots of prayers that my parents can enjoy all of the trips they have planned over the next several months. Many thanks to everyone who reads this blog. We truly appreciate your support! Have a wonderful Easter and much love to all......Jen
(8 + 9)^2 = ?
Are you smarter than a 5th grader?
Hint: The answer is the same for all three math problems above. Keep trying.......don't give up! You can do it!
Ok, ok.....well, if Roman numerals aren't your strength, or figuring Friedman numbers, hopefully 17 squared (17 x 17) helped? Yep, the answer is 289. Why, may you ask, is a math lesson part of today's blog? It's not the lesson that is important, but rather the answer to each one: 289. That, my friends, is what Dad's CA 19-9 count was on March 15th BEFORE the 2nd round of Folfirinox. CA 19-9 is the tumor marker that shows up in blood work that is used to measure the effectiveness of the current and prior treatments. When we first started this whole venture back in October 2012, the CA 19-9 was almost 1400. The normal range is 0-37. The chemo radiation combo of treatments in the fall helped drop that number quite a bit. On 11/30/2012, the count was 315. The fact that after only one treatment the number dropped to 289 is a good sign that folfirinox is not giving that tumor a chance to grow. We'll take that!
Today Dad and I are sitting in Room 23 of the infusion center here in UMMC Baltimore. The oxaliplatin was just started about 30 minutes ago. Dad's napping. Typically, he starts to feel really icky about 60 minutes into this drug and requires a shot of Zofran. Once he gets that, he's good to go the rest of the day. We have about 4.5 hours more ahead of us just in infusion time, and then we'll head home to WV. Easter Sunday night, Laura will come back and disconnect the chemo, flush the port, and Dad will be able to roam free without being hooked up to anything. Free!
On Tuesday night, Dad plans to head south with a buddy to what he hopes are warmer temperatures. It is time for the annual golf outing, or what I refer to as the "testosterone fest." Sixteen guys with beer coolers and golf clubs. By the end of the trip I think they're all pretty pickled. What happens in MB, stays in MB!
When Dad returns, it will be time to rest up and re-coup for the 4th round of chemo, which begins on April 12th. After that last round, a CT scan will be done to take a look at the tumor and see how it is responding to Folfirinox. Lots of prayers that the tumor is losing not only the battle, but also the war. Lots of prayers that Dad can then get a break from chemo for a bit. Lots of prayers that my parents can enjoy all of the trips they have planned over the next several months. Many thanks to everyone who reads this blog. We truly appreciate your support! Have a wonderful Easter and much love to all......Jen
Sunday, March 17, 2013
The Neglectful Blogger...
Yeah, yeah, yeah.....I know, I know....it's been way too long since I've kept everyone up to date on the goings on with Dad. My apologies. There's not been much time lately. I've been a neglectful blogger. Anyway, let me bring everyone up to speed.....
Just today, Dad was disconnected earlier this evening from the latest infusion of Folfirinox. This weekend was Round #2. In two weekends, March 29-31, he will undergo Round #3. He will undergo 4 rounds total, and then the team will run some tests and scans to see where things lie.
So on Fridays of these chemo weekends, we pretty much spend the entire day in Baltimore in the infusion center, receiving the most toxic of the drugs first, Oxaliplatin, followed by a combo of others. (If you research this Folfirinox, you'll see it is a combo of several different chemo drugs, which are introduced into the system over a 3 day regimen.) We've typically been finishing up on these Fridays around 5pm or so. By the time we get home, the in-home nurse also gets to the house; she hooks Dad up for another 46 hour infusion of the rest of the ingredients of the recipe that constitutes Folfirinox. Having this in-home treatment has been very convenient.
I'm sure as you're reading this blog, and perhaps also reading up on this chemo and the side effects, your question is, "How's he handling it?" Honestly, he's been a ROCK STAR! I am truly amazed with how well he has tolerated the stuff. The other meds he's been taking during the treatment have really curbed the nausea. He's had very little of that. I know that's always a big concern. He's had a serious case of the hiccups both times. (He's actually hiccuping beside me right now.) Bowel issues have cropped up, but eventually "work out" (literally). His feet have been tingly. Overall, though, he has done very well. There has not been a side effect that he says he cannot handle. But you all know him, he can tolerate a lot. His appetite has been very healthy, so he's been able to continue to enjoy my mother's yummy cooking, which has helped keep his weight up.
Just to share some indicators of truly how well he's tolerated the treatments, everyone should know that he played 8 holes of golf last Sunday. He also worked with Mom to get the yard raked and cleaned up for spring. The warm weather, and being able to be active has encouraged his energy level. He's doing what he wants to do, and for those of you who know him, that's important! In fact, I originally scheduled the treatments to begin the weekend of Feb. 22nd. However, that schedule conflicted with his social calendar. Who knew? Guess I need access his Google Calendar more often. Yeah, he had already made plans with the super-awesome neighborhood folks that ARE my parents' family to attend an all-you-can-eat (and beer to drink) oyster feed on Feb 24th. He didn't want to have to haul around the chemo pump that day, but more importantly, he wanted to be able to partake fully without feel sick. Awesome, isn't it????
Today we had a great visit. It's been several weeks since Sam has been around. They enjoyed a little bit of time with him, to include a heated game of "Go Fish!" Matt set Dad up with a new email address. If you've missed your daily emails from Dad, then please send Dad an email to jhans1941@gmail.com. This will be the email address that he will be using from now on. If everyone sends him a message, it will save him from having to copy his contacts into ....... oh wait, actually it will save ME from having to copy his contacts from his First Action Team address book to the gmail one. Just kidding (sort of)! Seriously, please send a little message to him. I know he'd love to hear from everyone and get connected again.
Please keep those prayers coming. Yes, I believe my dad is an amazingly strong man who can tolerate a lot, but I also believe the power of prayer has also played an important part of each day. We cannot thank everyone enough for your continued support and love.
Time to get out the door back home. Much love to all......Jen
Just today, Dad was disconnected earlier this evening from the latest infusion of Folfirinox. This weekend was Round #2. In two weekends, March 29-31, he will undergo Round #3. He will undergo 4 rounds total, and then the team will run some tests and scans to see where things lie.
So on Fridays of these chemo weekends, we pretty much spend the entire day in Baltimore in the infusion center, receiving the most toxic of the drugs first, Oxaliplatin, followed by a combo of others. (If you research this Folfirinox, you'll see it is a combo of several different chemo drugs, which are introduced into the system over a 3 day regimen.) We've typically been finishing up on these Fridays around 5pm or so. By the time we get home, the in-home nurse also gets to the house; she hooks Dad up for another 46 hour infusion of the rest of the ingredients of the recipe that constitutes Folfirinox. Having this in-home treatment has been very convenient.
I'm sure as you're reading this blog, and perhaps also reading up on this chemo and the side effects, your question is, "How's he handling it?" Honestly, he's been a ROCK STAR! I am truly amazed with how well he has tolerated the stuff. The other meds he's been taking during the treatment have really curbed the nausea. He's had very little of that. I know that's always a big concern. He's had a serious case of the hiccups both times. (He's actually hiccuping beside me right now.) Bowel issues have cropped up, but eventually "work out" (literally). His feet have been tingly. Overall, though, he has done very well. There has not been a side effect that he says he cannot handle. But you all know him, he can tolerate a lot. His appetite has been very healthy, so he's been able to continue to enjoy my mother's yummy cooking, which has helped keep his weight up.
Just to share some indicators of truly how well he's tolerated the treatments, everyone should know that he played 8 holes of golf last Sunday. He also worked with Mom to get the yard raked and cleaned up for spring. The warm weather, and being able to be active has encouraged his energy level. He's doing what he wants to do, and for those of you who know him, that's important! In fact, I originally scheduled the treatments to begin the weekend of Feb. 22nd. However, that schedule conflicted with his social calendar. Who knew? Guess I need access his Google Calendar more often. Yeah, he had already made plans with the super-awesome neighborhood folks that ARE my parents' family to attend an all-you-can-eat (and beer to drink) oyster feed on Feb 24th. He didn't want to have to haul around the chemo pump that day, but more importantly, he wanted to be able to partake fully without feel sick. Awesome, isn't it????
Today we had a great visit. It's been several weeks since Sam has been around. They enjoyed a little bit of time with him, to include a heated game of "Go Fish!" Matt set Dad up with a new email address. If you've missed your daily emails from Dad, then please send Dad an email to jhans1941@gmail.com. This will be the email address that he will be using from now on. If everyone sends him a message, it will save him from having to copy his contacts into ....... oh wait, actually it will save ME from having to copy his contacts from his First Action Team address book to the gmail one. Just kidding (sort of)! Seriously, please send a little message to him. I know he'd love to hear from everyone and get connected again.
Please keep those prayers coming. Yes, I believe my dad is an amazingly strong man who can tolerate a lot, but I also believe the power of prayer has also played an important part of each day. We cannot thank everyone enough for your continued support and love.
Time to get out the door back home. Much love to all......Jen
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Super Bowl, Baby!!
As you can tell from these pictures, the boys had a GREAT time in NOLA. They were all a little tired on Tuesday, feeling as if they themselves had played in the game, but I think the aches and pains were worth it. Yes, they were all in the Dome when the lights went out, but don't really have much to say about it. The experience of being here through it all has far outweighed a little power surge.
Today Mom and I are in the waiting area once again down here in Baltimore, hoping Dad is released from Same Day Surgery soon. He had a medi-port put in to assist with systemic chemotherapy in the coming months. Since the tumor cannot come out, the plan is to work toward pushing this cancer into remission.....keeping it from spreading and growing via more chemo. Dad responded VERY well to the first treatments, shrinking his tumor by a full centimeter. We pray that he responds as well to this chemo. "Folfirinox" is the name of this next therapy. It is a combination of 4 different drugs, released into his system throughout a 3-day schedule. Mom and Dad will only need to come to Baltimore once every two weeks to get started on Day 1. Day 2 and 3 will be released through the port while in the comforts of their home, with the cats. A nurse will come to their home to help take care of the port and treatments on Day 2 and 3. This will last for 4 separate treatments, about 2 months.
To my prayer warriors, please continue more than ever! This chemo could potentially deliver some side effects that Dad may have a difficult time adjusting to. Please pray his side effects are minimal and that the cancer cells cease to spread!
Many thanks for all of the love and support everyone has shown my parents. They have TRULY loved receiving the cards. Some of you are still sending them (Thank you, SG:)).
Hugs and love to ALL......Jen
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