They said it would happen about two weeks after she started her chemo therapy. Lynn's hair is coming out in small clumps.
Infusion days start on the first floor in the Draw Lab for blood work (her hemoglobin was low today), then up a floor for a visit with her oncologist - Dr. Liu-Dimlao - and finally up to the the third floor and the Infusion Center.
Today was round two of her "Red Devil" infusions (out of four total). Unlike the first time, she had an afternoon appointment. She feels a little worse this time, but not nauseous.
Tomorrow we return for the neulasta injection and lymphedema therapy. I will get more instruction in lymphedema massage and Lynn will get more physical therapy.
Everyone we deal with at Banner MD Anderson makes the effort to ensure Lynn feels comfortable and to keep to the schedule.
Monday, June 29, 2015
Monday, June 22, 2015
Rough weekend
The combined lymphedema and physical therapy were too much. Lynn was in constant pain all weekend. The pain pills only reduce the pain to an ache.
Temperatures continue to hover near 110 degrees. She can't go out in the heat. She's a prisoner of air conditioning.
Temperatures continue to hover near 110 degrees. She can't go out in the heat. She's a prisoner of air conditioning.
Monday, June 15, 2015
Chemo starts
A long day at the clinic. Got there before 9 for blood lab work. Place was packed. After 10 before Lynn was finished with blood sample and insertion of tube in her port.
Appointment with Doctor to go over results of the MUGA (heart blood pooling test).
Appointment for infusion was for 11:30, but it was after 1 when they got started.
Got home after 4.
Lynn is feeling okay. We'll see what tomorrow brings. These drugs affect everyone differently. Because Lynn never suffered morning sickness when she was pregnant, she may tolerate this drug well.
Tomorrow she gets a shot of neulasta (I'm not sure of the spelling. Supposed to help prevent infection), then lymphodema therapy (massage and exercise) Wednesday and Thursday.
She returns for her next cycle of chemotherapy in two weeks. She has four cycles of this drug, followed by 12 weekly doses of a second chemical.
Saturday, June 13, 2015
Lynn's new toy
Growing tired of giving all of our money to doctors and hospitals, we decided to do something silly and fun with just a little of our reserves.
While walking through the Mesa Market, we stopped to look at a cute, refurbished golf cart. This business buys old carts, restores them, paints them (this one was teal and white), reupholsters the seat(s), puts on new tires and finds new homes for them. The cart made Lynn smile.
We left the market after buying a few small items. As we were driving out, I jokingly said "Let's go back and get that cart." Surprisingly Lynn agreed.
I turned around, went back in the market and we talked to the lady minding the store. She told us about the shop where the work is done. Since it was on the way home, we headed that way and met the owner - Joe.
We took the tour of the facilities, got the full sales routine and picked out a cart that had not yet left the shop. It's not teal, but it fits Lynn better, with cute bucket seats and copper brown paint that sparkles in the sunshine. Kind of looks like a Transformer from the front. It doesn't come with a title, so we don't know exactly how old it is, but it is suspected of having been built in 1973. Only 42 years young.
Post script: Found a company that sells parts for older carts and have learned the JM stands for Johns Manville, who owned the Club Car Company for a few years in early to mid 70's. Ours is a Club Car Caroche.
While walking through the Mesa Market, we stopped to look at a cute, refurbished golf cart. This business buys old carts, restores them, paints them (this one was teal and white), reupholsters the seat(s), puts on new tires and finds new homes for them. The cart made Lynn smile.
We left the market after buying a few small items. As we were driving out, I jokingly said "Let's go back and get that cart." Surprisingly Lynn agreed.
I turned around, went back in the market and we talked to the lady minding the store. She told us about the shop where the work is done. Since it was on the way home, we headed that way and met the owner - Joe.
We took the tour of the facilities, got the full sales routine and picked out a cart that had not yet left the shop. It's not teal, but it fits Lynn better, with cute bucket seats and copper brown paint that sparkles in the sunshine. Kind of looks like a Transformer from the front. It doesn't come with a title, so we don't know exactly how old it is, but it is suspected of having been built in 1973. Only 42 years young.
Post script: Found a company that sells parts for older carts and have learned the JM stands for Johns Manville, who owned the Club Car Company for a few years in early to mid 70's. Ours is a Club Car Caroche.
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
A port in the ER
Yesterday Lynn spent the morning getting the port installed. It sits just under the skin in the small depression near her left shoulder.
Last night was spent in the emergency room because she had a reaction to something they did during the operation. It may have just been the adhesive on the drape, we don't know, they don't know. We have repeatedly told them she reacts to just about any adhesive.
Back to the clinic today for a consult regarding the port and maybe to start lymphodema therapy.
Chemo therapy starts on Monday, with lymphodema therapy Tuesday and Thursday.
Last night was spent in the emergency room because she had a reaction to something they did during the operation. It may have just been the adhesive on the drape, we don't know, they don't know. We have repeatedly told them she reacts to just about any adhesive.
Back to the clinic today for a consult regarding the port and maybe to start lymphodema therapy.
Chemo therapy starts on Monday, with lymphodema therapy Tuesday and Thursday.
Saturday, June 6, 2015
All clear
We got the results of the CT and bone scans - no cancer cells detected. Yay! That does not change the planned course of treatment. The MUGA or blood pooling test showed that her heart is strong enough for the chemo. The port gets placed on Monday with chemo starting the 15th. Lynn is in such pain and I can't comfort her by holding or hugging. Hopefully the lymphodema therapy will help.
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