Nearing the Home Stretch

I had an appointment with my oncologist Friday (July 24) just prior to my scheduled chemotherapy infusion. All of the various blood counts were looking strong; but then as I left her office to go to the infusion room, I knew that in a matter of about three hours most of those good numbers would be destroyed by the chemo drugs. Dr. Fox made a couple of adjustments, as this was my next to last chemotherapy treatment, and the side effects of the drugs is cumulative. She cut the strength of one of the chemo drugs but assured me that this would not hinder its effectiveness. Then she ordered seven days of the follow-up drug that helps build white blood cells in the bone marrow instead of the ten days we did the last round. While I am not looking forward to going back to the weakness, dizziness, achiness, etc., I am hopeful that these modifications will diminish the side effects. I did so enjoy my extended time of respite and have been able to attend four of the CMF concerts. What a blessing they have been to my soul. This time of feeling good has renewed my hope for a more permanent healing by this fall. With medical help, your prayers and the many other ways you are supporting Willie and me, we can attain this goal. Pattie K

Chemotherapy Postponed

The chemotherapy scheduled for today had to be postponed due to a low blood platelet count. It has to right itself on its own, so we will give it another week to improve. The postponement is welcome news on two fronts. I have just experienced three days of feeling amazingly well -- rather like the former Pattie, and not cancer Pattie. I am hoping without the chemo after effects this will be extended for a while longer. Also -- in May for my birthday Willie bought us tickets for the five piano concerto performances with the CMF which begin this Sunday night and go through next Sunday night. We were thinking we would be giving our tickets away, but now it looks possible for going to at least some of the nights. I am so excited. More good reports -- I WAS able to go to see Annie with the family, and even felt good enough for our twins (age 8) to spend the night with us for the first time in a long time. Also the report from Monday's CT scan was positive; not perfect yet, but on track. So I just keep giving Thanks for all the good news and thank each of you for your part in my journey. Joyfully, Pattie K

A BRIEF UPDATE

Today I received a call from Rose Medical Center to inform me that the results of the Hepatitis C test were negative! Friday, July 10, I had another blood transfusion which did wonders for my weakness and dizziness, so I am enjoying a few good days before my next chemo treatment this Friday. As of today things look positive for going with the family to see Annie tomorrow night; keep your fingers crossed! Pattie K

A Bend in the Road

Today I received a letter from Rose Medical Center in Denver sent to patients who might have been exposed to hepatitis C. I began my treatment there on April 6, when I had surgery for ovarian cancer. I will go tomorrow to be tested. I solicit your prayers and support that my results be negative. As is often the case, the news since my chemotherapy on June 26 has been both good and bad. The really good news is that I have experienced virtually no pain this time around. On the other hand, the weakness and dizziness following the chemo has hung on much longer, just today showing a slight improvement. I will have a shot on Friday to bolster my red blood count, and that should help. I have a goal of being able to go with Willie, Kurt, Barb and our twin grandchildren to BDT's performance of Annie on July 15. This would be my initial time going out after getting off the oxygen -- actually it would be my first time out since all of this started on February 26!

FREEDOM

Your chorus of prayers lifted up in my behalf for healing of the lung and release from the use of oxygen have been answered in the way we had hoped God would grant. On Friday my oncologist heard good sounding lungs, and so I am free during the day to use oxygen at my discretion. I will continue to use it during the night for a while anyway. I can certainly live with that. We are ordering a CAT scan to have a look at the lung and also the abdomen and pelvic areas. That will probably be some time this coming week. The chemotherapy treatment went without any problem, as we continue to start the drip slowly and build up to what I can tolerate. It takes a little longer that way, but what a small price to pay. Dr. Fox is addressing the concern of the extreme bone pain the last round by switching from one mega shot for increasing the white blood cells created through the bone marrow to a series of ten daily shots at a lesser dosage. As it builds in my system day-by-day I will still experience some pain but hopefully not as intense. I still anticipate the usual post-chemo weakness, dizziness, etc. this coming week and will sleep and rest a lot. But we are well on our way to recovery, as I have only two more chemo sessions to go. In the meantime I was able to actually use my stove to cook a hearty breakfast this morning and look forward to going out into the back yard to see where Willie has put the plants I have been given and to see his vegetable garden. Lots to be thankful for. Pattie K

READY FOR THE NEXT STEP

Hello to my family and friends. Thank you so much for your interest in and concern for my well-being. This is a reminder that my next chemotherapy session is coming up the morning of Friday, June 26. I will have blood drawn and talk with my oncologist prior to the treatment. We are all hoping for good news regarding getting rid of the oxygen, right? We also want the chemo drug to do its job in killing any and all cancer cells in my body. I will try to be courageous in facing the inevitable pain and weakness that comes the week following the chemo. Knowing that I am in your thoughts and prayers helps so much. Pattie K

FEELING BETTER

I wanted to let you know that starting over the weekend, I have begun to gradually feel better each day. I have learned, though, that how I feel is quite relative. Compared to six months ago I feel rather lousy; but compared to last week I feel great. I would say my level of weakness and pain is about 10% of what it was last week. My greatest desire right now is to get rid of the oxygen. I have had it 24/7 for three months now. I have a concentrator in the living room with a super long cord attached that I drag with me to go from room to room (even into the shower). On the other end is the cannula that goes across my face and into my nose. About the only time I take it off is to wash my face and put on make-up. Obviously I am pretty well limited to the house; not even the yard. I cannot cook as we have a gas stove, and I can't go near the flame. We do have a portable to use to go to medical appts.; but the tank holds only about an hour's worth of oxygen, which means that Willie watches it and always has an extra tank or two on hand. I needed the oxygen whenever I was having the fluid build-up of my lung; but with the chemo the build-up has stopped and the fluid is drying. My last drain was May 26. Let's pray the time is near for freedom from the limitations of the oxygen. I appreciate your thoughts and prayers. Pattie K