Hello All!
Well, the amazement continues. On Sunday Anita was sort of kicking herself because she didn't "bother taking her nausea pill" Saturday night." Then Sunday morning she took her now usual morning outing in the yard with Tristan and drank her usual morning glass of OJ and cup of coffee. Well . . . let's say it all didn't mix too well! But quickly realizing the error of her ways, she promptly downed one of her powerful nausea pills and all was restored to her new normal order!
And that "normal" is a wonderful one. By Sunday afternoon she was up and about and ready for a dear friend who came over to visit and came bearing presents for the puppy, and an orchid and champagne for Anita of which Mama drank a glass!
Today (I just spoke with her about 3:10 p.m. California time Monday the 30th) she is feeling a bit tired but otherwise in fine form and great spirits. As we all know - she overdid yesterday - big surprise - but had a wonderful time doing it! She started off well this morning with 1/2 a banana, cereal, vitamins, and electrolyte solution. She again didn't take a nausea pill this morning, but so far no problems. Just a general fatique which she attributes to the Rituxan. The same thing happened after the first Rituxan treatment - she started feeling tired a day or two after the treatment. She has also developed some blisters around her mouth, kind of like cold sores, but this happened after the first Rituxan treatment as well.
But the wonderful news is that she has NO PAIN - not even a twinge. She has some "crackly" sounds in her voice but her breathing is so much better (you've all read by now the Home Depot trek story)! She only gets woozy every once in a while and usually it's when she's "looking under the sofa for one of Tristan's toys." Even better news is that she has gained four - count 'em - pounds! Go Mama! She is taking Lexapro each morning which is maintaining her on an even keel emotionally. Last night she did not take a tranquilizer but still slept soundly all night long! Now if they can just keep the dog out of the mud so that Anita doesn't have to keep giving him baths!!! And apparently rapid progress is being made in that department as well.
So I can sign off today feeling joyful and happy at Mother's continued progress. And again, the continuing well wishes and healing and loving thoughts from all of you are doing their part in aiding the healing process! Thank you!
Melissa
Monday 30 July 2007
Saturday 28 July 2007
Post #54: Not to be believed, but true!
Hello Anita Fans!
Well, she's amazing! Today's quote from just a few minutes ago:
"Right now, I can't tell you how good I feel!"
Now, how she got there! Yesterday she went in for her second Rituxan treatment. It was administered over the course of three hours. A long haul, but they included some Benadryl in the administration and she says she conked right out and slept through a lot of it. That made the time speed by!
She and John got home by 6:30 p.m. or so and by 7:30 she started feeling sleepy again - but no nausea, from either the Wednesday chemo treatment or from the Rituxan. (This time she was fully prepared and had taken strong anti-nausea medication the night before and the morning of the Rituxan treatment.) She woke up around 2:30 a.m. Saturday morning, got up (without waking John), went to the computer and wrote my sister Marcia and I some emails and then went back to sleep about 3:30 a.m. Then she was up again at 6:30 a.m. this morning!
Had to let the dog out! And she's been cranking ever since! Her email to me stated that "I'm feeling much better than expected and hope to see the weekend without any sudden untoward developments. I know I'm better when my brain starts dreaming up all this stuff I want to get done." And boy is she!
The gasping for breath problem she has been experiencing "disappeared" yesterday afternoon. She still gets short of breath but now only after more extensive exertion, relatively speaking. As of 3:00 p.m. this afternoon, she is still not experiencing any nausea, is free from pain, and is feeling fine. She and John went to Home Depot today to get some fencing to keep Tristan in the back part of the yard and she walked the full length of the store (and you all know how big those stores are!) with no problems whatsoever and without having to stop and sit down. Today she also washed, fluffed up and dried the dog (it's a real mud lover), straigtened up her office and bedroom, weeded a bit and clipped some overhanging greenery in the yard! And she had pizza and beer for lunch!
She may still feel quite ill again in the next few days as the effects of the latest chemo and Rituxan treatments fully kick in, but this is the longest period of time that she has felt good after treatments to date. It all seems part of a progressively improving pattern in her overall health. How wonderful! It makes me so joyful to hear her so positive, so full of life! As she says, she is going to beat this thing!
Melissa
Well, she's amazing! Today's quote from just a few minutes ago:
"Right now, I can't tell you how good I feel!"
Now, how she got there! Yesterday she went in for her second Rituxan treatment. It was administered over the course of three hours. A long haul, but they included some Benadryl in the administration and she says she conked right out and slept through a lot of it. That made the time speed by!
She and John got home by 6:30 p.m. or so and by 7:30 she started feeling sleepy again - but no nausea, from either the Wednesday chemo treatment or from the Rituxan. (This time she was fully prepared and had taken strong anti-nausea medication the night before and the morning of the Rituxan treatment.) She woke up around 2:30 a.m. Saturday morning, got up (without waking John), went to the computer and wrote my sister Marcia and I some emails and then went back to sleep about 3:30 a.m. Then she was up again at 6:30 a.m. this morning!
Had to let the dog out! And she's been cranking ever since! Her email to me stated that "I'm feeling much better than expected and hope to see the weekend without any sudden untoward developments. I know I'm better when my brain starts dreaming up all this stuff I want to get done." And boy is she!
The gasping for breath problem she has been experiencing "disappeared" yesterday afternoon. She still gets short of breath but now only after more extensive exertion, relatively speaking. As of 3:00 p.m. this afternoon, she is still not experiencing any nausea, is free from pain, and is feeling fine. She and John went to Home Depot today to get some fencing to keep Tristan in the back part of the yard and she walked the full length of the store (and you all know how big those stores are!) with no problems whatsoever and without having to stop and sit down. Today she also washed, fluffed up and dried the dog (it's a real mud lover), straigtened up her office and bedroom, weeded a bit and clipped some overhanging greenery in the yard! And she had pizza and beer for lunch!
She may still feel quite ill again in the next few days as the effects of the latest chemo and Rituxan treatments fully kick in, but this is the longest period of time that she has felt good after treatments to date. It all seems part of a progressively improving pattern in her overall health. How wonderful! It makes me so joyful to hear her so positive, so full of life! As she says, she is going to beat this thing!
Melissa
Thursday 26 July 2007
Post #53: Treatment Changes
Hello Everyone,
Sorry for the delay in a new posting. My life here at home has resumed its normal course and gotten very busy. You all know the feeling - not enough time to do everything you want to do!
Just got off the phone with Mother. Her condition is pretty much as it has been the past few days: great appetite, up and moving about more, no nausea and no pain per se, but some chest congestion, still feeling dizzy when she bends over and still experiencing the shortness of breath. She says that today she is, on the whole, feeling great. However, the past few days she has been experiencing some "teary" spells that come without warning and at odd times. But she realizes that this is most likely the byproduct of the treatment and the oncologist says that it is normal given her condition. So she is fighting off these episodes by actively trying to think in a positive way.
She had her appointment with the oncologist yesterday. In a surprise move, rather than scheduling her for her next chemo treatment in the next few days, he had her go in for it right then and there. She was there from about 10:30 a.m. to a little past noon, so a bit over an hour and a half of chemo. He also decided to change her treatment plan a bit. She is now scheduled to go in tomorrow morning at 10:15 a.m. for her second Rituxan treatment. Including tomorrow, she will be receiving four more Rituxan treatments in addition to chemo. Her doctor is also going to order another cat scan for her to determine what is happening with her, particularly in the abdominal and chest areas.
Two humorous side notes: Anita asked the onoclogist about how her blood was doing and he told her that "you have the blood of a superwoman!" When she mentioned to him that when she bends over she gets dizzy and the feeling over her heart is like "a frog trying to jump out of my chest," her doctor said: "Well, actually two frogs!"
On a more serious note, she asked him point blank what he thought her chances for remission are. He really thought about it before answering her and then stated that personally he thinks she will go into remission - "that is what we've been doing this all for." As to how long the remission will last, he said that no one can say for sure as it all depends on the individual. But in general, it could be 6 months, 2 years, or even longer.
Anita was feeling so good today that she decided to take advantage of that fact, given that the effects of yesterday's chemo treatment and of the Rituxan treatment tomorrow will probably hit her sometime Saturday. So today, to shake off some of her cabin fever, she went out with John to Lowe's to check out some home improvement materials. She said that she is feeling and getting stronger and was able to walk through Lowes to Aisle 20 by pushing a cart and taking it slow. Along the way, she saw some stools on sale and pulled one off the rack for an impromptu rest stop! Ever resourceful, that's Anita! Then on the way out of Lowes she decided she wanted a Coke and a Woody's Chicago hot dog! Ate the whole thing!
She didn't take that swim the other day because she and John had not been given keys to the gate to the pool area. They have now corrected that situation and are well armed with their pool keys. Ever listening to prudent suggestions of others, I passed along to Mama the concern that she probably should check with her oncologist about how safe it is for her to be swimming given her lowered immune resistance. Additionally she should probably be careful about cleaning up after the puppy. Don't want to take any unnecessary risks.
As for Tristan, he is doing somewhat better in the comportment department and is still providing lots of laughs and solace to both Mother and John.
Anita will not be home from her Rituxan treatment until late in the afternoon tomorrow. As she mentioned, her post-treatment pattern seems to be that she feels fine until the next afternoon the day after the treatment. So I will be sure to update all of you as her condition changes.
Melissa
Sorry for the delay in a new posting. My life here at home has resumed its normal course and gotten very busy. You all know the feeling - not enough time to do everything you want to do!
Just got off the phone with Mother. Her condition is pretty much as it has been the past few days: great appetite, up and moving about more, no nausea and no pain per se, but some chest congestion, still feeling dizzy when she bends over and still experiencing the shortness of breath. She says that today she is, on the whole, feeling great. However, the past few days she has been experiencing some "teary" spells that come without warning and at odd times. But she realizes that this is most likely the byproduct of the treatment and the oncologist says that it is normal given her condition. So she is fighting off these episodes by actively trying to think in a positive way.
She had her appointment with the oncologist yesterday. In a surprise move, rather than scheduling her for her next chemo treatment in the next few days, he had her go in for it right then and there. She was there from about 10:30 a.m. to a little past noon, so a bit over an hour and a half of chemo. He also decided to change her treatment plan a bit. She is now scheduled to go in tomorrow morning at 10:15 a.m. for her second Rituxan treatment. Including tomorrow, she will be receiving four more Rituxan treatments in addition to chemo. Her doctor is also going to order another cat scan for her to determine what is happening with her, particularly in the abdominal and chest areas.
Two humorous side notes: Anita asked the onoclogist about how her blood was doing and he told her that "you have the blood of a superwoman!" When she mentioned to him that when she bends over she gets dizzy and the feeling over her heart is like "a frog trying to jump out of my chest," her doctor said: "Well, actually two frogs!"
On a more serious note, she asked him point blank what he thought her chances for remission are. He really thought about it before answering her and then stated that personally he thinks she will go into remission - "that is what we've been doing this all for." As to how long the remission will last, he said that no one can say for sure as it all depends on the individual. But in general, it could be 6 months, 2 years, or even longer.
Anita was feeling so good today that she decided to take advantage of that fact, given that the effects of yesterday's chemo treatment and of the Rituxan treatment tomorrow will probably hit her sometime Saturday. So today, to shake off some of her cabin fever, she went out with John to Lowe's to check out some home improvement materials. She said that she is feeling and getting stronger and was able to walk through Lowes to Aisle 20 by pushing a cart and taking it slow. Along the way, she saw some stools on sale and pulled one off the rack for an impromptu rest stop! Ever resourceful, that's Anita! Then on the way out of Lowes she decided she wanted a Coke and a Woody's Chicago hot dog! Ate the whole thing!
She didn't take that swim the other day because she and John had not been given keys to the gate to the pool area. They have now corrected that situation and are well armed with their pool keys. Ever listening to prudent suggestions of others, I passed along to Mama the concern that she probably should check with her oncologist about how safe it is for her to be swimming given her lowered immune resistance. Additionally she should probably be careful about cleaning up after the puppy. Don't want to take any unnecessary risks.
As for Tristan, he is doing somewhat better in the comportment department and is still providing lots of laughs and solace to both Mother and John.
Anita will not be home from her Rituxan treatment until late in the afternoon tomorrow. As she mentioned, her post-treatment pattern seems to be that she feels fine until the next afternoon the day after the treatment. So I will be sure to update all of you as her condition changes.
Melissa
Tuesday 24 July 2007
Post #52: A Swimming Day!
Hello all!
Just finished talking with Mother. She was up and at 'em early this morning, mainly because the dog was! She and John are investing in a baby gate today so they can confine the little darling to the kitchen when he's being on less than perfect behavior! Tristan's contribution to interior decorating this morning was to teepee the living room by unrolling a whole roll of toilet paper! Ah, the joys of puppy ownership!
Today Anita is a little dizzy, coughing somewhat, and is short of breath but nevertheless "doing" as usual! Yesterday she rested quite a bit. She has found that she needs a nap every afternoon. A friend, who is going away on a long trip, came to visit them yesterday afternoon and Anita was able to enjoy some champagne in honor of the visit. She said she had a wonderful time!
She has started drinking electrolyte solution again and is finding that it helps and is eating a papaya a day. She has an appointment with the oncologist tomorrow morning, July 25, at 10:00 a.m. She is looking forward to talking with him and getting some answers to those questions and issues which I've mentioned in earlier postings. Ironically, she's also looking foward to her next chemo treatment because she thinks it will help a lot. Her attitude is good and optimistic, as she says, about everything! She told me: "I have made up my mind I am going to go into remission! I won't have it any other way!" And knowing Mama, she won't!!
This morning she is going to have John drive her down to the swimming pool and she is going to try to swim at bit! She has always been very muscular and due to her illness has lost muscle mass and tone. So she is determined "to make muscle out of flab!" She has always enjoyed swimming so this will be a great way for her to tone up. "Now," she says, "if I can only keep my bathing cap on!" Since she's lost her hair, she's not sure the cap will stay put! So no underwater swimming for her! She's going to cruise along on her back or do the breast stroke and keep her head out of the water!
Mother said that she would report back to me in an email how the swimming adventure went this morning! I'll fill you all in as soon as I find out!
Til then,
Melissa
Just finished talking with Mother. She was up and at 'em early this morning, mainly because the dog was! She and John are investing in a baby gate today so they can confine the little darling to the kitchen when he's being on less than perfect behavior! Tristan's contribution to interior decorating this morning was to teepee the living room by unrolling a whole roll of toilet paper! Ah, the joys of puppy ownership!
Today Anita is a little dizzy, coughing somewhat, and is short of breath but nevertheless "doing" as usual! Yesterday she rested quite a bit. She has found that she needs a nap every afternoon. A friend, who is going away on a long trip, came to visit them yesterday afternoon and Anita was able to enjoy some champagne in honor of the visit. She said she had a wonderful time!
She has started drinking electrolyte solution again and is finding that it helps and is eating a papaya a day. She has an appointment with the oncologist tomorrow morning, July 25, at 10:00 a.m. She is looking forward to talking with him and getting some answers to those questions and issues which I've mentioned in earlier postings. Ironically, she's also looking foward to her next chemo treatment because she thinks it will help a lot. Her attitude is good and optimistic, as she says, about everything! She told me: "I have made up my mind I am going to go into remission! I won't have it any other way!" And knowing Mama, she won't!!
This morning she is going to have John drive her down to the swimming pool and she is going to try to swim at bit! She has always been very muscular and due to her illness has lost muscle mass and tone. So she is determined "to make muscle out of flab!" She has always enjoyed swimming so this will be a great way for her to tone up. "Now," she says, "if I can only keep my bathing cap on!" Since she's lost her hair, she's not sure the cap will stay put! So no underwater swimming for her! She's going to cruise along on her back or do the breast stroke and keep her head out of the water!
Mother said that she would report back to me in an email how the swimming adventure went this morning! I'll fill you all in as soon as I find out!
Til then,
Melissa
Sunday 22 July 2007
Post #51: Small relapse yesterday but better today
Hello Everyone!
Was super busy yesterday so didn't get a chance to talk with Mama or do a posting, but I've got one today!
Apparently she had a small relapse yesterday and spent most of the day in bed. It was the shortness of breath that came back accompanied by intermittent pain in her left lung/heart area that "sweeps" around and up under her left arm area. She also has been experiencing the urge to cough - also from that same left lung area - but nothing is coming up at the moment. It was somewhat discouraging for her yesterday inasmuch as she had had such a wonderful day on Friday. But, thank goodness, today has gone much better. She mentioned that she had stopped taking electrolyte solution, so on the premise that maybe that is contributing to the relapse, she will start drinking it again.
She has been up and about more today and tonight she and John are even getting out of the house to have dinner at a friend's house who lives nearby. This is an extraordinary event for Anita and it will take a lot of energy for her to do it. But her "cabin fever" is fairly high at this point and I think the change of scenery will do her - and John - a world of good.
She has an appointment with her oncologist this Wednesday July 25th and she plans to discuss with him many issues: referral to a cardiologist, when she will get more cat scans, what the signifigance is of her cough and the pain in her left lung/heart area, etc.
Tristan continues to provide both of them with much needed merriment. They've had to alter their household routine and habits a bit to adjust for a furniture-chomping, trash-can-diving, if-I-see-it-chew-it kind of puppy, but they're loving the activity. Apparently, the dog has not gone in the house for the past two days, so Anita and John are hopeful that they have turned the corner on the housetraining part! Luckily, I can offer advice on puppy tactics - my husband and I have had a Jack Russell terrier since her puppy days and we know all the horror stories!
Til next time,
Melissa
Was super busy yesterday so didn't get a chance to talk with Mama or do a posting, but I've got one today!
Apparently she had a small relapse yesterday and spent most of the day in bed. It was the shortness of breath that came back accompanied by intermittent pain in her left lung/heart area that "sweeps" around and up under her left arm area. She also has been experiencing the urge to cough - also from that same left lung area - but nothing is coming up at the moment. It was somewhat discouraging for her yesterday inasmuch as she had had such a wonderful day on Friday. But, thank goodness, today has gone much better. She mentioned that she had stopped taking electrolyte solution, so on the premise that maybe that is contributing to the relapse, she will start drinking it again.
She has been up and about more today and tonight she and John are even getting out of the house to have dinner at a friend's house who lives nearby. This is an extraordinary event for Anita and it will take a lot of energy for her to do it. But her "cabin fever" is fairly high at this point and I think the change of scenery will do her - and John - a world of good.
She has an appointment with her oncologist this Wednesday July 25th and she plans to discuss with him many issues: referral to a cardiologist, when she will get more cat scans, what the signifigance is of her cough and the pain in her left lung/heart area, etc.
Tristan continues to provide both of them with much needed merriment. They've had to alter their household routine and habits a bit to adjust for a furniture-chomping, trash-can-diving, if-I-see-it-chew-it kind of puppy, but they're loving the activity. Apparently, the dog has not gone in the house for the past two days, so Anita and John are hopeful that they have turned the corner on the housetraining part! Luckily, I can offer advice on puppy tactics - my husband and I have had a Jack Russell terrier since her puppy days and we know all the horror stories!
Til next time,
Melissa
Friday 20 July 2007
Post #50: Feelin' better all the time . . .
Hi Everyone!
I do like these "continuing to improve" reports. Makes all of us feel good!
Anita was up early this morning, but not quite as early as Tristan wanted! He started whining around 4:30 a.m. apparently. But Anita was firm - the dog can wait until she gets up! And up she did get around 5:30 a.m. or so. She got up, got dressed, and went out into the yard with Tristan. Nothing like a young puppy to get you going in the morning!
Mother had a comprehensive blood test done this morning. She was able to walk all the way in to the lab offices and back out to the car without losing her breath! She reports that her breathing is better and she is able to do more and more and that her appetite has greatly increased. Still no weight gain, but she is maintaining at least and not losing more weight. She does have intermittent pain in her chest area plus more chest congestion which indicates that the chemo is really working on the stuff in there. So this is good news!
She loves going into the yard in the morning to play with and watch the puppy's antics. Tristan loves going into the yard too, but for him, the main attraction is digging in the dirt and mud! Poor Anita and John - they're rapidly becoming experts at giving the puppy a bath! The dog has energy to burn which wears Anita out a bit, so Anita's technique is to pull a lounge chair into the yard, have a sit and from the comfort of her observation post, be able to enjoy watching the dog and staying out of the line of the flying dirt!
What a great image! And Mother is already talking about a trip to the beach with John and Tristan when she feels a bit better! Now that's talking!
Hope you all have a wonderful day today,
Melissa
I do like these "continuing to improve" reports. Makes all of us feel good!
Anita was up early this morning, but not quite as early as Tristan wanted! He started whining around 4:30 a.m. apparently. But Anita was firm - the dog can wait until she gets up! And up she did get around 5:30 a.m. or so. She got up, got dressed, and went out into the yard with Tristan. Nothing like a young puppy to get you going in the morning!
Mother had a comprehensive blood test done this morning. She was able to walk all the way in to the lab offices and back out to the car without losing her breath! She reports that her breathing is better and she is able to do more and more and that her appetite has greatly increased. Still no weight gain, but she is maintaining at least and not losing more weight. She does have intermittent pain in her chest area plus more chest congestion which indicates that the chemo is really working on the stuff in there. So this is good news!
She loves going into the yard in the morning to play with and watch the puppy's antics. Tristan loves going into the yard too, but for him, the main attraction is digging in the dirt and mud! Poor Anita and John - they're rapidly becoming experts at giving the puppy a bath! The dog has energy to burn which wears Anita out a bit, so Anita's technique is to pull a lounge chair into the yard, have a sit and from the comfort of her observation post, be able to enjoy watching the dog and staying out of the line of the flying dirt!
What a great image! And Mother is already talking about a trip to the beach with John and Tristan when she feels a bit better! Now that's talking!
Hope you all have a wonderful day today,
Melissa
Wednesday 18 July 2007
Post #49: Fifth Good Day and Counting!
Good afternoon everyone!
Just talked with Anita. She was out in the yard early this morning reading her newspaper, drinking coffee, and watching the puppy playing and investigating. At 8:00 a.m they both went back into the house and the puppy promptly did his business on the floor! Oh well . . . always takes a little time to housetrain!
She is continuing to "eat like a horse" as she says. This morning she had scrambled eggs and some Jimmy Dean patty sausage! She is nausea and pain free but still has the shortness of breath. She said that she has had five lovely days of walking more and more each day!
As for the cardiologist, she has decided to get a referral or recommendation from her oncologist first. Her next chemo treatment will be either Tuesday July 31st, or if her oncologist thinks she should wait another week, Tuesday August 7th.
There is an important cautionary note for those of you who want to visit Anita or who are planning to visit her in the future, and this applies throughout the entire time she is undergoing chemotherapy treatment: IF YOU ARE SICK IN EVEN THE SLIGHTEST WAY, DO NOT COME TO VISIT HER. The chemo is working on the tumor masses in her lungs. As a consequence she has a certain amount of lung congestion resulting from the breakdown of all the bad stuff. The good news is that she is beginning to cough it up since, unlike stomach or abdominal residues, the stuff in her lungs can't easily get out of her body. As a consequence, however, she is highly susceptible to inflammation in her lungs and to developing pneumonia. Chemotherapy also is severely depressing her immune system making her extremely susceptible to infections. Consequently, no person who is ill in even the slightest way should come to the house. That means if you have a cold (even a mild one), sore throat, skin rashes, infected wounds, or infections or illnesses of any other sort, you should delay seeing Anita until you are completely cured.
So thank you for heeding this precaution. None of us want to impede her progress toward remission! And although nothing is totally certain, in her own mind and in John's and mine, we think that's the road she is on!
Melissa
Just talked with Anita. She was out in the yard early this morning reading her newspaper, drinking coffee, and watching the puppy playing and investigating. At 8:00 a.m they both went back into the house and the puppy promptly did his business on the floor! Oh well . . . always takes a little time to housetrain!
She is continuing to "eat like a horse" as she says. This morning she had scrambled eggs and some Jimmy Dean patty sausage! She is nausea and pain free but still has the shortness of breath. She said that she has had five lovely days of walking more and more each day!
As for the cardiologist, she has decided to get a referral or recommendation from her oncologist first. Her next chemo treatment will be either Tuesday July 31st, or if her oncologist thinks she should wait another week, Tuesday August 7th.
There is an important cautionary note for those of you who want to visit Anita or who are planning to visit her in the future, and this applies throughout the entire time she is undergoing chemotherapy treatment: IF YOU ARE SICK IN EVEN THE SLIGHTEST WAY, DO NOT COME TO VISIT HER. The chemo is working on the tumor masses in her lungs. As a consequence she has a certain amount of lung congestion resulting from the breakdown of all the bad stuff. The good news is that she is beginning to cough it up since, unlike stomach or abdominal residues, the stuff in her lungs can't easily get out of her body. As a consequence, however, she is highly susceptible to inflammation in her lungs and to developing pneumonia. Chemotherapy also is severely depressing her immune system making her extremely susceptible to infections. Consequently, no person who is ill in even the slightest way should come to the house. That means if you have a cold (even a mild one), sore throat, skin rashes, infected wounds, or infections or illnesses of any other sort, you should delay seeing Anita until you are completely cured.
So thank you for heeding this precaution. None of us want to impede her progress toward remission! And although nothing is totally certain, in her own mind and in John's and mine, we think that's the road she is on!
Melissa
Tuesday 17 July 2007
Post #48: The dog days of summer . . .
Hello all!
Great report from Anita (tonight for me, noonish for Californians, and afternoon nap time for you East Coastians). She was up and cranking again today! Blame it on her over-exuberance but what a great thing it is that she has that! Anyhow, she says she has a "fierce appetite!" Can you believe it?! It's been months since she's been in the mood to "chow down!" Anyhow, yesterday morning she had a brunch-size breakfast of 2 eggs, ham and rice with curry and a full papaya. She plans to eat a whole papaya daily. Today she is planning on devouring pasta (lasagna to be specific), and has also treated herself to caramel ice cream! She says that it's the first time in her life where she's eaten "to put on weight" instead of taking it off and she's having a grand time doing it! How wonderful!
Still no pain in particular and no nausea. She has shortness of breath (had to stop and rest today because of overexertion with the puppy and other things this morning), but even that is better. She had her Neupogen shot yesterday. It is supposed to boost her white blood cell count. She hasn't noticed any negative effects from the shot, so hopefullly it is working its full magic. Her next appointment with the oncologist is scheduled for July 25. At that time they will schedule her next chemo session which will most likely be sometime in the first week of August.
She occasionally has a let-down moment, but that soon passes. All of your continued good wishes and thoughts help her tremendously during those times!
Til next time,
Melissa
Great report from Anita (tonight for me, noonish for Californians, and afternoon nap time for you East Coastians). She was up and cranking again today! Blame it on her over-exuberance but what a great thing it is that she has that! Anyhow, she says she has a "fierce appetite!" Can you believe it?! It's been months since she's been in the mood to "chow down!" Anyhow, yesterday morning she had a brunch-size breakfast of 2 eggs, ham and rice with curry and a full papaya. She plans to eat a whole papaya daily. Today she is planning on devouring pasta (lasagna to be specific), and has also treated herself to caramel ice cream! She says that it's the first time in her life where she's eaten "to put on weight" instead of taking it off and she's having a grand time doing it! How wonderful!
Still no pain in particular and no nausea. She has shortness of breath (had to stop and rest today because of overexertion with the puppy and other things this morning), but even that is better. She had her Neupogen shot yesterday. It is supposed to boost her white blood cell count. She hasn't noticed any negative effects from the shot, so hopefullly it is working its full magic. Her next appointment with the oncologist is scheduled for July 25. At that time they will schedule her next chemo session which will most likely be sometime in the first week of August.
She occasionally has a let-down moment, but that soon passes. All of your continued good wishes and thoughts help her tremendously during those times!
Til next time,
Melissa
Post #47: "Wired Day" Number 2
Greetings Everyone,
Well, Monday morning Anita was up at 5:00 a.m. (this has been her normal wake-up time in recent years), got dressed, and took Tristan out to the front yard for a little puppy training. Big surprise: she wore herself out! That's Anita! Boundless enthusiasm and excitement over a new project (i.e. the new puppy) and prompt action re same. And as usual, her mind is way ahead of her body. So she came inside, rested, and then promptly wrote some letters!
She did get a little short of breath and had to sit down, but overall she reports that she is feeling better, has no nausea and no pain. She's not even wearing a pain patch. She is sneezing a bit and coughing up some congestion but that is a good thing! It means she's clearing out some of that nasty stuff that has been in her lungs.
She was due for another Neupogen shot for her immune system at 3:45 p.m. Monday afternoon and also said she was going to call her primary care physician for a referral to a cardiologist. Hopefully she will be able to get an appointment soon. She will also be making an appointment to see the oncologist before her next round of chemotherapy which will be around July 24th or so.
So, it looks like Mother's phenomenal constitution is serving her well. As each day passes and she continues to show improvement, we can all take heart that she will beat this thing!
Melissa
Well, Monday morning Anita was up at 5:00 a.m. (this has been her normal wake-up time in recent years), got dressed, and took Tristan out to the front yard for a little puppy training. Big surprise: she wore herself out! That's Anita! Boundless enthusiasm and excitement over a new project (i.e. the new puppy) and prompt action re same. And as usual, her mind is way ahead of her body. So she came inside, rested, and then promptly wrote some letters!
She did get a little short of breath and had to sit down, but overall she reports that she is feeling better, has no nausea and no pain. She's not even wearing a pain patch. She is sneezing a bit and coughing up some congestion but that is a good thing! It means she's clearing out some of that nasty stuff that has been in her lungs.
She was due for another Neupogen shot for her immune system at 3:45 p.m. Monday afternoon and also said she was going to call her primary care physician for a referral to a cardiologist. Hopefully she will be able to get an appointment soon. She will also be making an appointment to see the oncologist before her next round of chemotherapy which will be around July 24th or so.
So, it looks like Mother's phenomenal constitution is serving her well. As each day passes and she continues to show improvement, we can all take heart that she will beat this thing!
Melissa
Monday 16 July 2007
Post #46: A "Wired" Day
Hello Anita Fans!
Now that I'm back home in Spain, I am nine hours ahead of PDT (Pacific Daylight Time). Which actually works out well in terms of reporting on Anita. 5:30 p.m. my time is 8:30 a.m. her time and as time and events permit, that is when I'll be talking with her each day. I last talked with her this Sunday morning July 15 around 10:30 a.m. her time.
The day started out great for Anita because she and John now have A DOG!!! Specifically a wired-haired terrier puppy approximately 3 months old that they have named "Tristan." The story:
Anita has been thinking about this for quite some time. She and John have owned dogs in the past, so having one is not a new experience. As a terrier owner myself (a Jack Russell mix), I know what an energy force and spirit booster a terrier can be. Mother studied up on possible breeds and settled on the wired hair terrier. While I was there I bought her some books on terriers, and one in particular on wired hairs. I also got her "Puppies for Dummies." This is a fabulous book, filled with incredibly good advice on how to raise and train puppies and Anita and I recommend it to anyone contemplating getting a puppy.
Anita reported that she had been up all day Saturday [her energy is returning!], that she slept like a log Saturday night, was feeling better Sunday morning, got up, made her own breakfast and then she and John got in the car and went to get the puppy. She says it felt so great getting out of the house - she felt like she was getting out of jail!
When I called they had just been home for about a half hour and the puppy was exploring the whole house and carrying on with amusing antics. I haven't heard Mother laugh so delightedly and wholeheartedly for quite some time! What a wonderful mood lifter!! And John too has fallen in love with the puppy. Although a puppy is work, I think it is a great idea for them. It gives them both a positive focus outside of Anita's illness. And there is no doubt that it brings bouncing life and action into their home!
What a trooper! Anita's nausea is gone. Her shortness of breath is better and she can now walk through the house only having to stop and sit down periodically to catch her breath. Saturday night she had some pain on her side, but she thinks it was related to heartburn and it later went away. Other than that, she has no pain. Since I left on the 10th she has read two books! And I know that each morning she and John sit together while they read the newspapers, drink their morning coffee and Mother does her crossword puzzle.
On Monday July 16th, she will get another shot of the Neupogen. She will also get a referral to a cardiologist. Given her symptoms, she shouldn't take chances with her heart, so she is going to get that thoroughly checked out! She will continue to have weekly blood testing. Her next chemotherapy session (the third and without Rituxan) should be somewhere around July 24th. After that she will have three additional sessions spaced three weeks apart.
So, I close this posting feeling joyful. To hear the joy and vibrancy in Mother's voice is the best restorative to the stress and uncertainty we have all felt - not to mention the jet lag!
Melissa
Now that I'm back home in Spain, I am nine hours ahead of PDT (Pacific Daylight Time). Which actually works out well in terms of reporting on Anita. 5:30 p.m. my time is 8:30 a.m. her time and as time and events permit, that is when I'll be talking with her each day. I last talked with her this Sunday morning July 15 around 10:30 a.m. her time.
The day started out great for Anita because she and John now have A DOG!!! Specifically a wired-haired terrier puppy approximately 3 months old that they have named "Tristan." The story:
Anita has been thinking about this for quite some time. She and John have owned dogs in the past, so having one is not a new experience. As a terrier owner myself (a Jack Russell mix), I know what an energy force and spirit booster a terrier can be. Mother studied up on possible breeds and settled on the wired hair terrier. While I was there I bought her some books on terriers, and one in particular on wired hairs. I also got her "Puppies for Dummies." This is a fabulous book, filled with incredibly good advice on how to raise and train puppies and Anita and I recommend it to anyone contemplating getting a puppy.
Anita reported that she had been up all day Saturday [her energy is returning!], that she slept like a log Saturday night, was feeling better Sunday morning, got up, made her own breakfast and then she and John got in the car and went to get the puppy. She says it felt so great getting out of the house - she felt like she was getting out of jail!
When I called they had just been home for about a half hour and the puppy was exploring the whole house and carrying on with amusing antics. I haven't heard Mother laugh so delightedly and wholeheartedly for quite some time! What a wonderful mood lifter!! And John too has fallen in love with the puppy. Although a puppy is work, I think it is a great idea for them. It gives them both a positive focus outside of Anita's illness. And there is no doubt that it brings bouncing life and action into their home!
What a trooper! Anita's nausea is gone. Her shortness of breath is better and she can now walk through the house only having to stop and sit down periodically to catch her breath. Saturday night she had some pain on her side, but she thinks it was related to heartburn and it later went away. Other than that, she has no pain. Since I left on the 10th she has read two books! And I know that each morning she and John sit together while they read the newspapers, drink their morning coffee and Mother does her crossword puzzle.
On Monday July 16th, she will get another shot of the Neupogen. She will also get a referral to a cardiologist. Given her symptoms, she shouldn't take chances with her heart, so she is going to get that thoroughly checked out! She will continue to have weekly blood testing. Her next chemotherapy session (the third and without Rituxan) should be somewhere around July 24th. After that she will have three additional sessions spaced three weeks apart.
So, I close this posting feeling joyful. To hear the joy and vibrancy in Mother's voice is the best restorative to the stress and uncertainty we have all felt - not to mention the jet lag!
Melissa
Saturday 14 July 2007
Post #45: Improvement!
Hello Anita fans!
Well I am happy that I can report that she has started to improve! She is eating and today even got up to make herself some breakfast! She no longer is having bad nausea. She still has shortness of breath but she will be getting a referral on Monday to see a cardiologist to make sure that nothing is happening heartwise for her.
Yesterday she went in for her weekly blood testing and she also received a shot of Neupogen which is supposed to help her immune system. She will get a second shot of it on Monday.
Today she said she is feeling better and even got dressed, put on a new wig, and added some jewelry! Amazing as usual! I today read to her over the phone all of your comments that have been posted over the past few days. Since I no longer have access to her computer, I cannot access her email. However, Mother informed me that she intends to look at her email either later today or tomorrow. In the meantime, feel free to send me an email and I will make sure she hears about it!
Well I'm off to the airport in a few minutes. I will be back with another posting tomorrow. Mother and I plan to talk daily, so I will be able to keep all of you updated while she undergoes further treatments.
Melissa
Well I am happy that I can report that she has started to improve! She is eating and today even got up to make herself some breakfast! She no longer is having bad nausea. She still has shortness of breath but she will be getting a referral on Monday to see a cardiologist to make sure that nothing is happening heartwise for her.
Yesterday she went in for her weekly blood testing and she also received a shot of Neupogen which is supposed to help her immune system. She will get a second shot of it on Monday.
Today she said she is feeling better and even got dressed, put on a new wig, and added some jewelry! Amazing as usual! I today read to her over the phone all of your comments that have been posted over the past few days. Since I no longer have access to her computer, I cannot access her email. However, Mother informed me that she intends to look at her email either later today or tomorrow. In the meantime, feel free to send me an email and I will make sure she hears about it!
Well I'm off to the airport in a few minutes. I will be back with another posting tomorrow. Mother and I plan to talk daily, so I will be able to keep all of you updated while she undergoes further treatments.
Melissa
Friday 13 July 2007
Post #44: Slightly better, but basically the same
Hello Everyone,
Yesterday I was unable to get to a computer so I'm glad to be able to give you an update today. I talked with Anita and John this morning. They were in the process of leaving to take her for her weekly blood testing as well as hopefully to go to the oncologist's office this afternoon so that she can get a shot. I am not sure what "the shot" contains but it is something that should help her immune system. I asked John to find out exactly what drug(s)the shot consists of and I will report that when I find out.
The good news is that her nausea has abated somewhat. However, the extreme shortness of breath has continued and she feels woozy and dizzy when she gets up. The oncologist has advised her to stay in bed resting as much as possible. I asked her if she is feeling worse or about the same as she did after her first chemo treatment. She told me that she feels worse. In a way, that is not surprising given that she received the Rituxan on top of a heavy-duty chemo dosage.
So it is a waiting game at the moment. I think that she will follow the same progression as she did after the first treatment, that the symptoms will gradually lessen and that she will start feeling better, more slowly than the first time, but steadily.
Tomorrow will be a busy one for me as I will be flying home. I am hoping to post something tomorrow morning before I leave. My next update after that will be on Sunday the 15th.
Keep thinking healthy thoughts and wishes!
Melissa
Yesterday I was unable to get to a computer so I'm glad to be able to give you an update today. I talked with Anita and John this morning. They were in the process of leaving to take her for her weekly blood testing as well as hopefully to go to the oncologist's office this afternoon so that she can get a shot. I am not sure what "the shot" contains but it is something that should help her immune system. I asked John to find out exactly what drug(s)the shot consists of and I will report that when I find out.
The good news is that her nausea has abated somewhat. However, the extreme shortness of breath has continued and she feels woozy and dizzy when she gets up. The oncologist has advised her to stay in bed resting as much as possible. I asked her if she is feeling worse or about the same as she did after her first chemo treatment. She told me that she feels worse. In a way, that is not surprising given that she received the Rituxan on top of a heavy-duty chemo dosage.
So it is a waiting game at the moment. I think that she will follow the same progression as she did after the first treatment, that the symptoms will gradually lessen and that she will start feeling better, more slowly than the first time, but steadily.
Tomorrow will be a busy one for me as I will be flying home. I am hoping to post something tomorrow morning before I leave. My next update after that will be on Sunday the 15th.
Keep thinking healthy thoughts and wishes!
Melissa
Wednesday 11 July 2007
Post #43: Same as the past two days
Hello Everyone,
Sorry for no post yesterday, but I was traveling. I am now in the San Francisco Bay Area staying with friends for the next few days. Finally got to a computer this morning.
Yesterday, Anita stayed in bed all day. She is feeling very nauseated most of the time. She was able to eat a few things, such as white rice with butter, some liquids, etc. but very little. I called John this morning. Last night she got sick again and this morning as well. Although I suspect it is, we have no idea if this is an expected reaction to the combo chemo and Rituxan treatment or not. Today John is going to call the oncologist to get his views on it as well as to request a stronger anti-nausea medication.
It is interesting to me that she was "fine" for the first two days after the Rituxan treatment. As I have reported, she was "up and cranking." Then, whammo, the past two days (today is now Day #3) she has hardly been able to get out of bed. So we shall see. I will keep you all posted as often as I can.
Melissa
Sorry for no post yesterday, but I was traveling. I am now in the San Francisco Bay Area staying with friends for the next few days. Finally got to a computer this morning.
Yesterday, Anita stayed in bed all day. She is feeling very nauseated most of the time. She was able to eat a few things, such as white rice with butter, some liquids, etc. but very little. I called John this morning. Last night she got sick again and this morning as well. Although I suspect it is, we have no idea if this is an expected reaction to the combo chemo and Rituxan treatment or not. Today John is going to call the oncologist to get his views on it as well as to request a stronger anti-nausea medication.
It is interesting to me that she was "fine" for the first two days after the Rituxan treatment. As I have reported, she was "up and cranking." Then, whammo, the past two days (today is now Day #3) she has hardly been able to get out of bed. So we shall see. I will keep you all posted as often as I can.
Melissa
Monday 9 July 2007
Post #42: Still Under the Weather
Good evening all,
It has been one of those "down" days in the up-and-down cycle we can expect in the course of chemotherapy and Rituxan treatment. She had a great two days post-Rituxan, and then today the combined effects of Rituxan and the chemo and her overachieving energy levels caught up with her. She has spent the balance of the day in bed, not eating much, and not feeling very well. I am hopeful that tomorrow she will be better.
However, I just got interrupted in this email by her getting up to wish me good night (around 9:00 p.m.) and then she got sick again. Clearly there is a process going on here. Tonight, we will wait and see what happens. Overall, she is very much improved and continues to improve. I think today is just one of the low points that only leads to the next high point. And this "low" is much, much better than how she was back in early June. However, John and I are staying very alert to the possibility of any truly new or increased negative symptoms which would merit prompt medical attention.
So, in the morning, I expect to be posting an update by 9:30 -10:00 a.m. or so after I've had a chance to see how she's doing. Although she feels a bit discouraged - we had two of her dear friends over for dinner tonight and she just didn't have the energy to be out of bed for very long - I think her discouragement is more due to her frustration at not being able to participate in the evening after looking forward to it for the past couple of days and especially since it followed an amazingly energetic day yesterday as well as her impatience with being ill at all!
So, here's to a more feel-good day for Anita tomorrow!!
Melissa
It has been one of those "down" days in the up-and-down cycle we can expect in the course of chemotherapy and Rituxan treatment. She had a great two days post-Rituxan, and then today the combined effects of Rituxan and the chemo and her overachieving energy levels caught up with her. She has spent the balance of the day in bed, not eating much, and not feeling very well. I am hopeful that tomorrow she will be better.
However, I just got interrupted in this email by her getting up to wish me good night (around 9:00 p.m.) and then she got sick again. Clearly there is a process going on here. Tonight, we will wait and see what happens. Overall, she is very much improved and continues to improve. I think today is just one of the low points that only leads to the next high point. And this "low" is much, much better than how she was back in early June. However, John and I are staying very alert to the possibility of any truly new or increased negative symptoms which would merit prompt medical attention.
So, in the morning, I expect to be posting an update by 9:30 -10:00 a.m. or so after I've had a chance to see how she's doing. Although she feels a bit discouraged - we had two of her dear friends over for dinner tonight and she just didn't have the energy to be out of bed for very long - I think her discouragement is more due to her frustration at not being able to participate in the evening after looking forward to it for the past couple of days and especially since it followed an amazingly energetic day yesterday as well as her impatience with being ill at all!
So, here's to a more feel-good day for Anita tomorrow!!
Melissa
Post #41: Small relapse this afternoon
Hello all,
Unfortunately today Anita is not feeling too well. The nausea of this morning is gone, but she has developed a bad stomach ache and what feels like swollen lips - like she has cold sores. She still has some pain in her chest area over her heart. She seems to be alternating between feeling "shivery and cold" and then "too warm." In general, she says she feels lousy. She no sooner gets up than she wants to go back to bed. The good note in all this is that she has no shortness of breath and she is still alert. John gave her a new pain patch about 45 minutes ago and she took a couple of swallows of Mylanta.
So far today, following the orange juice episode this morning, she has eaten a hard boiled egg, saltine crackers and milk, a few pieces of apple and a couple of slices of cheddar cheese and taken her vitamins. A few minutes ago she had some strawberry jello with whipped cream. She is trying to drink plenty of water.
What it seems, to me as well as to her, is that the Rituxan is kicking in along with the latest chemo treatment. It is also fairly certain that she really overdid yesterday. She says that she felt so good yesterday, and coupled with her unflagging energy, she did go overboard. I think the "feeling lousy" is all part of the healing process. Nasty things in her are being destroyed, so of course at some point she is going to feel awful. We were fortunate that she had two days of respite Saturday and Sunday. So we are keeping steady watch today and I will keep you all informed with the latest as the evening progresses.
Melissa
Unfortunately today Anita is not feeling too well. The nausea of this morning is gone, but she has developed a bad stomach ache and what feels like swollen lips - like she has cold sores. She still has some pain in her chest area over her heart. She seems to be alternating between feeling "shivery and cold" and then "too warm." In general, she says she feels lousy. She no sooner gets up than she wants to go back to bed. The good note in all this is that she has no shortness of breath and she is still alert. John gave her a new pain patch about 45 minutes ago and she took a couple of swallows of Mylanta.
So far today, following the orange juice episode this morning, she has eaten a hard boiled egg, saltine crackers and milk, a few pieces of apple and a couple of slices of cheddar cheese and taken her vitamins. A few minutes ago she had some strawberry jello with whipped cream. She is trying to drink plenty of water.
What it seems, to me as well as to her, is that the Rituxan is kicking in along with the latest chemo treatment. It is also fairly certain that she really overdid yesterday. She says that she felt so good yesterday, and coupled with her unflagging energy, she did go overboard. I think the "feeling lousy" is all part of the healing process. Nasty things in her are being destroyed, so of course at some point she is going to feel awful. We were fortunate that she had two days of respite Saturday and Sunday. So we are keeping steady watch today and I will keep you all informed with the latest as the evening progresses.
Melissa
Post #40: A little sick this morning . . but overall OK
Just a quick note,
Anita slept well during the night and woke up early this morning still very excited about the changes she and John had made in the living room last night. So, before John and I were up, realizing that she was very thirsty, and in her continued excitement, she "jumped" out of bed and was off to the kitchen to get some OJ. As soon as she got to the kitchen, she started feeling woozy and like "this is not such a good idea." So she grabbed her glass of OJ and headed back to bed - but not before hanging up some of her clothes!!!
Well, the OJ and the activity didn't sit very well so she got sick. However, realizing the error of her ways, she promptly got back in bed, took a nausea pill and is now recovered. I commented on the fact that she looks very alert and she replied: "I be alert. I just be stupid and too impatient!!"
So, she is SLOWLY learning that her mind is racing ahead of her body and she's got to be mindful (no pun intended) of that. As I keep telling her, "Mom, you've got to mosey!" Other than that episode early this morning she has recovered from the nausea and has very little shortness of breath. She still has the pain in her chest over the heart area that she has been experiencing the past few days as well as the numbness in her left hand. However, the pain is on the low intensity side and the numbness has not increased or spread.
However, she was so happy this morning: "Yes! I got to boss all day long yesterday!!" She did have fun!
Until next time,
Melissa
Anita slept well during the night and woke up early this morning still very excited about the changes she and John had made in the living room last night. So, before John and I were up, realizing that she was very thirsty, and in her continued excitement, she "jumped" out of bed and was off to the kitchen to get some OJ. As soon as she got to the kitchen, she started feeling woozy and like "this is not such a good idea." So she grabbed her glass of OJ and headed back to bed - but not before hanging up some of her clothes!!!
Well, the OJ and the activity didn't sit very well so she got sick. However, realizing the error of her ways, she promptly got back in bed, took a nausea pill and is now recovered. I commented on the fact that she looks very alert and she replied: "I be alert. I just be stupid and too impatient!!"
So, she is SLOWLY learning that her mind is racing ahead of her body and she's got to be mindful (no pun intended) of that. As I keep telling her, "Mom, you've got to mosey!" Other than that episode early this morning she has recovered from the nausea and has very little shortness of breath. She still has the pain in her chest over the heart area that she has been experiencing the past few days as well as the numbness in her left hand. However, the pain is on the low intensity side and the numbness has not increased or spread.
However, she was so happy this morning: "Yes! I got to boss all day long yesterday!!" She did have fun!
Until next time,
Melissa
Sunday 8 July 2007
Post #39: Another Fascinating Day!
Dear Everyone,
Well, she's finally tired and going to bed and it's ten minutes to 11:00! It's been that kind of day! One hour ago she was directing John in rearranging the living room. And she wasn't even feeling that well earlier!
Specifically, she has eaten well today, taken her vitamins, and drunk fluids to stay well hydrated. Her shortness of breath problem appears to be abating. She has been up and about more today than I have seen her since early May, and this is despite feeling some pain and nausea today. Her pain was in her chest area and we believe is associated with the drug Rituxan - as well as the chemotherapy - working on the bad stuff in her lungs and upper stomach area. She took some morphine drops to help with the pain, but after a while the drops made her feel nauseated, so she took her nausea medication. She also has experienced some numbness in her left hand. We are watching this closely.
Today all three of us re-read the adverse reactions section of the prospectus on Rituxan. It includes rhinitis (which she has to a certain extent), brochospasm, and other pulmonary related reactions. So we are keeping a close eye on current symptoms increasing and/or additional symptoms appearing. She "had" to go back to bed today a few times. However, by eveningtime she emerged in full throttle! She was "directing" John like a drill sargeant! Move this painting here, shove the piano over there! Truly remarkable.
As I type, just now, she got up out of bed and announced to John that he's right - the new sheers in the master bedroom shouldn't be the darker shade that we got yesterday, they should be the lighter taupe color!! She just now informed me of that decision and said "On that note, good night!" That's Anita! So, although she had some tired or painful or nauseated moments today, her spirits are high. When she is awake and up she is acting more "normal" than I have seen her for a long time. It is a blessing to see . . . and hear . . . and enjoy!
On another note, I must inform you all that I am leaving here on Tuesday July 10th (plane leaves in the late afternoon) for the San Francisco Bay Area to spend a few days attending to personal matters (e.g. my annual dentist appointment), seeing friends and my brother and sister, and then finally departing for Spain on Saturday July 14th. But this is not farewell. I intend to keep the blogsite going for awhile. I will be calling Mother and John daily and getting their verbal updates, and believe me, I know the questions to ask and I take good notes! So there may be a small hiatus here and there in my postings, particularly while I'm mid-air over the Atlantic, but the friends I am staying with have computers and I will update the blogsite whenever I am able to. Eventually, however, and as and if Mother's condition continues to improve, I will discontinue the daily updates. But, I will let you know in advance when that will occur.
So sleep well nighttime readers or have a good morning morning readers! And it is a good night and a good morning in that she continues to improve throughout!
Melissa
Well, she's finally tired and going to bed and it's ten minutes to 11:00! It's been that kind of day! One hour ago she was directing John in rearranging the living room. And she wasn't even feeling that well earlier!
Specifically, she has eaten well today, taken her vitamins, and drunk fluids to stay well hydrated. Her shortness of breath problem appears to be abating. She has been up and about more today than I have seen her since early May, and this is despite feeling some pain and nausea today. Her pain was in her chest area and we believe is associated with the drug Rituxan - as well as the chemotherapy - working on the bad stuff in her lungs and upper stomach area. She took some morphine drops to help with the pain, but after a while the drops made her feel nauseated, so she took her nausea medication. She also has experienced some numbness in her left hand. We are watching this closely.
Today all three of us re-read the adverse reactions section of the prospectus on Rituxan. It includes rhinitis (which she has to a certain extent), brochospasm, and other pulmonary related reactions. So we are keeping a close eye on current symptoms increasing and/or additional symptoms appearing. She "had" to go back to bed today a few times. However, by eveningtime she emerged in full throttle! She was "directing" John like a drill sargeant! Move this painting here, shove the piano over there! Truly remarkable.
As I type, just now, she got up out of bed and announced to John that he's right - the new sheers in the master bedroom shouldn't be the darker shade that we got yesterday, they should be the lighter taupe color!! She just now informed me of that decision and said "On that note, good night!" That's Anita! So, although she had some tired or painful or nauseated moments today, her spirits are high. When she is awake and up she is acting more "normal" than I have seen her for a long time. It is a blessing to see . . . and hear . . . and enjoy!
On another note, I must inform you all that I am leaving here on Tuesday July 10th (plane leaves in the late afternoon) for the San Francisco Bay Area to spend a few days attending to personal matters (e.g. my annual dentist appointment), seeing friends and my brother and sister, and then finally departing for Spain on Saturday July 14th. But this is not farewell. I intend to keep the blogsite going for awhile. I will be calling Mother and John daily and getting their verbal updates, and believe me, I know the questions to ask and I take good notes! So there may be a small hiatus here and there in my postings, particularly while I'm mid-air over the Atlantic, but the friends I am staying with have computers and I will update the blogsite whenever I am able to. Eventually, however, and as and if Mother's condition continues to improve, I will discontinue the daily updates. But, I will let you know in advance when that will occur.
So sleep well nighttime readers or have a good morning morning readers! And it is a good night and a good morning in that she continues to improve throughout!
Melissa
Saturday 7 July 2007
Post #38: Continued Progress
Well folks, the amazement continues. I was beautifully treated this afternoon to a movie and dinner out by a dear friend of Anita and John's. I had a great time and it was a very relaxing break for me. I got home around 9:00 p.m. Anita was propped up in bed avidly doing her crossword puzzle, John came into the room, and we proceeded to discuss the day's activities.
When last I wrote Anita was resting in bed after having tackled the water mounds, the table setting and rearrangements in the house. Well, after I left for the movie, she made John a Manhattan and then she and John had dinner together and it wasn't just John that was eating. Mama told me that she "ate like a pig!" She had filet mignon, 1/2 tomato with basil and onion broiled with the steak, white rice with a little chicken broth (for moisture) and curry, peas with butter, jello with whipping cream, and ice cream!! That's our girl!!!
She had a few pains here and there today, some in the chest, some along her sides and some aching in her shoulders, but nothing bad. She is feeling some aching in the lymph nodes in her neck under her jawline. So she took two Tylenol and all subsided. (Apparently her oncologist had give her two Tylenol right before her Rituxan treatment on Friday, so it is safe for her to take it.) She has had no nausea at all. Her main concern right now is her weight. It is far too low, so she and we are working on getting her weight back up. If she keeps eating as heartily as she did today she will reach that goal!
She took a tranquilizer before bedtime tonight. She is sipping water - no fitness drinks, no Lexapro today, and no B vitamins other than what comes in the multi-vitamin she takes and a sublingual B-12 tab. So a good day all around. She was yawning when I closed her door, so I think she will sleep well tonight.
As I wish for all of you. Until tomorrow,
Melissa
When last I wrote Anita was resting in bed after having tackled the water mounds, the table setting and rearrangements in the house. Well, after I left for the movie, she made John a Manhattan and then she and John had dinner together and it wasn't just John that was eating. Mama told me that she "ate like a pig!" She had filet mignon, 1/2 tomato with basil and onion broiled with the steak, white rice with a little chicken broth (for moisture) and curry, peas with butter, jello with whipping cream, and ice cream!! That's our girl!!!
She had a few pains here and there today, some in the chest, some along her sides and some aching in her shoulders, but nothing bad. She is feeling some aching in the lymph nodes in her neck under her jawline. So she took two Tylenol and all subsided. (Apparently her oncologist had give her two Tylenol right before her Rituxan treatment on Friday, so it is safe for her to take it.) She has had no nausea at all. Her main concern right now is her weight. It is far too low, so she and we are working on getting her weight back up. If she keeps eating as heartily as she did today she will reach that goal!
She took a tranquilizer before bedtime tonight. She is sipping water - no fitness drinks, no Lexapro today, and no B vitamins other than what comes in the multi-vitamin she takes and a sublingual B-12 tab. So a good day all around. She was yawning when I closed her door, so I think she will sleep well tonight.
As I wish for all of you. Until tomorrow,
Melissa
Post #37: Amazing Lady!
Good Afternoon Anita Fans,
Well, she doesn't fail to please! Last night she stayed up watching TV, no pain, no nausea, no nothing except a little shortness of breath. This morning we found that she had been up half the night and had finally gone to sleep at 3:00 a.m.! A little deduction this morning and we pinpointed the cause. She had taken the drug Lexapro mid-morning yesterday (an upper), and had taken all of her B vitamin supplements, and that evening and night had been guzzling Propel Fitness Water which is full of added nutrients including more B's and C's. Then she had a tranquilizer before she went to bed. Talk about wired! She said she got up and fixed herself a glass of hot half-and-half and ate half a banana (Quote: "The way I like it - not brown anywhere - not even a brown spot!!) in an attempt to get her sleep endorphins going. Didn't help much, but sure tasted good!
So today, we cut back on the B vitamin intake. In the future she will take a Lexapro tablet only once a day early in the morning, likewise take her B vitamins only in the mornings and sip water at night instead of fortified drinks. We are very conscious of the dangers of mixing various drugs, particularly Lexapro. So consulting with a good doctor friend, we are setting up a specific regimen of when she takes when.
While her brain was racing last night, she says she came up with a complete letter to Barrak (spelling?) O'Bama in her mind! Couldn't remember all of it this morning, but she said it was a great letter nonetheless!
This morning she had coffee, electrolyte solution mixed with OJ, and ate a whole papaya. Then she sent John and I out to Penny's to finish off the "curtain caper mission" by buying up their stock of sheers in the pattern and color Anita picked out yesterday. I'm happy to report that the mission was a complete success! When we got back home this afternoon, Anita reported that she had been out in the garden digging holes!!!! She has some new fruit trees. The ground around the base of the trees was wet, so she went out there (in 108 degree heat) and dug water mounds around the base of four trees!!! Then she came inside and set the table for lunch, brought in some statues and paintings that had been stored in the garage, rearranged the objets d'art on top of the piano, and rehung paintings on the wall "her way!" Yes, I reprimanded her when I got back to the house, but frankly folks, it doesn't do any good!!!! She has the most incredible energy and will of anybody I know!
However, she finally had to admit that all that effort caught up with her and she is "aching from all the action and has shortness of breath." So she now - and finally sensibly - is back in bed resting (as she should have been all morning in my opinion!) But as she stated most emphatically to me: "Use it or lose it!!" She is truly amazing!
She has had no nausea since her Rituxan treatment yesterday. She is still short of breath and gets dizzy if she bends over much. She also has some aches/pain in her back rib area. But she's sitting up in bed writing away and ever so much, just being Anita!
Melissa
Well, she doesn't fail to please! Last night she stayed up watching TV, no pain, no nausea, no nothing except a little shortness of breath. This morning we found that she had been up half the night and had finally gone to sleep at 3:00 a.m.! A little deduction this morning and we pinpointed the cause. She had taken the drug Lexapro mid-morning yesterday (an upper), and had taken all of her B vitamin supplements, and that evening and night had been guzzling Propel Fitness Water which is full of added nutrients including more B's and C's. Then she had a tranquilizer before she went to bed. Talk about wired! She said she got up and fixed herself a glass of hot half-and-half and ate half a banana (Quote: "The way I like it - not brown anywhere - not even a brown spot!!) in an attempt to get her sleep endorphins going. Didn't help much, but sure tasted good!
So today, we cut back on the B vitamin intake. In the future she will take a Lexapro tablet only once a day early in the morning, likewise take her B vitamins only in the mornings and sip water at night instead of fortified drinks. We are very conscious of the dangers of mixing various drugs, particularly Lexapro. So consulting with a good doctor friend, we are setting up a specific regimen of when she takes when.
While her brain was racing last night, she says she came up with a complete letter to Barrak (spelling?) O'Bama in her mind! Couldn't remember all of it this morning, but she said it was a great letter nonetheless!
This morning she had coffee, electrolyte solution mixed with OJ, and ate a whole papaya. Then she sent John and I out to Penny's to finish off the "curtain caper mission" by buying up their stock of sheers in the pattern and color Anita picked out yesterday. I'm happy to report that the mission was a complete success! When we got back home this afternoon, Anita reported that she had been out in the garden digging holes!!!! She has some new fruit trees. The ground around the base of the trees was wet, so she went out there (in 108 degree heat) and dug water mounds around the base of four trees!!! Then she came inside and set the table for lunch, brought in some statues and paintings that had been stored in the garage, rearranged the objets d'art on top of the piano, and rehung paintings on the wall "her way!" Yes, I reprimanded her when I got back to the house, but frankly folks, it doesn't do any good!!!! She has the most incredible energy and will of anybody I know!
However, she finally had to admit that all that effort caught up with her and she is "aching from all the action and has shortness of breath." So she now - and finally sensibly - is back in bed resting (as she should have been all morning in my opinion!) But as she stated most emphatically to me: "Use it or lose it!!" She is truly amazing!
She has had no nausea since her Rituxan treatment yesterday. She is still short of breath and gets dizzy if she bends over much. She also has some aches/pain in her back rib area. But she's sitting up in bed writing away and ever so much, just being Anita!
Melissa
Friday 6 July 2007
Post #36: Rituxan Smuxan!!
Hello Everyone!
Sorry you had to wait all afternoon for the update, so cut to the chase: Anita is doing FANTASTICALLY!!!! You would not believe her! (I think I've typed that sentence at least 10 times in the past couple of weeks.)
First off she was up and cranking early. Had 1/2 papaya, 1/2 piece of toast with butter, OJ, coffee and all of her vitamins (Multi, B-Complex, B-12, B-6, Selenium). No nausea, no pain but she has had stuffed up sinuses for the past couple days. She also had some shortness of breath.
Off we went to the treatment center for her "appointment" at 10:00 a.m. (We've discovered that an appointment there is a very fluid concept - she didn't go in until 11:00!) Walking into the clinic, she had to stop to catch her breath, but it was not as bad as the first time that happened to her. There was no gasping but she did have to sit down and recover a bit before she walked into the front door. During her treatment John and I both went out to do errands (separate cars), but John returned to the clinic to stand by while she finished up. Once in, they administered the following combination: Decadron 10 mg IV, Benadryl 50 mg IV, and Rituxan 500 mg IV. About 35 to 40 minutes into the treatment she started getting nauseated. So they put something into her IV to control the nausea and it knocked it right out. She was finished at 3:10 p.m. When she stood up from her treatment, she was not out of breath!
During the treatment she said she read an entire New Yorker magazine. In it, she found a great cartoon which showed a doctor in his office at his desk with a patient sitting opposite. The caption reads: "I'm a doctor. I can add "-ectomy" to any word I choose!" So Anita ripped out the cartoon and wrote a note on it to her oncologist that said " Dear Doctor, any chance that you can do a B-1-Cell lymphoma-ectomy to save my hair?" She gave the edited cartoon to her doctor's assistant to give to him. For the eleventh time, can you believe her?!!! Anyhow, I think the Doctor's day has been significantly improved. How many of his patients would have that kind of attitude I wonder?!!!
So, after she got out of there, she and John went . . . NO not home . . . they went out to look for an artificial plant for the master bedroom (which Anita just last week rearranged). Got home finally around 4:30 p.m (with plant in tow) and Anita proceeded to prepare lunch! First she ate a 1/2 cup of baby carrots and 6 bites of filet mignon. Then she made a big salad. A whole tomato, whole avocado, lettuce and Anita's Secret Homemade Vinagrette Recipe. She ate a whole bowlful of it!!!
Meanwhile, I was out shopping, getting some items for Anita as well as some things for me. I was standing in the Penneys luggage department (they have a great sale going on right now) when the phone rang. It was Mama informing me that she had just got home and was resting. When she found out I was at a department store, her voice jumped excitedly and she exclaimed: "Go to the curtain department and check out the window sheers. They're on sale and I need to see samples to see what will look good in the master bedroom. You know the color scheme in that room so look for . . . . . [You all get the picture!] !!!" So I bought my suitcase and headed over to the curtain department. Found a selection of sheers in different shades and patterns, bought them, stuffed them into the suitcase and away I rolled!
Needless to say, when I got home with the treasures, Mama was ecstatic. She quickly started pulling sheers out of their packages, found one type she really liked, and then walked into the master bedroom (calling us to follow her) so that she could see what it would look like! During all this she had a couple sips of beer and some chips. Again, no nausea, no pain, and slightly stuffed up sinuses. It seems almost impossible that she underwent cancer treatment today.
Of course, she is not 100%. There may well be side effects from this Rituxan drug that won't manifest themselves for a while. She mentioned a few moments ago that she really hopes there are no big side effects to this. In the meantime, it is so joyful to see her like this. Talking, planning, DOING!!! As only Anita can do. So far, I would bet my bottom dollar that she is well on the way to complete remission. I have a feeling in my bones, in my gut, and in my heart that that is so. May I be right!!!
Melissa
Sorry you had to wait all afternoon for the update, so cut to the chase: Anita is doing FANTASTICALLY!!!! You would not believe her! (I think I've typed that sentence at least 10 times in the past couple of weeks.)
First off she was up and cranking early. Had 1/2 papaya, 1/2 piece of toast with butter, OJ, coffee and all of her vitamins (Multi, B-Complex, B-12, B-6, Selenium). No nausea, no pain but she has had stuffed up sinuses for the past couple days. She also had some shortness of breath.
Off we went to the treatment center for her "appointment" at 10:00 a.m. (We've discovered that an appointment there is a very fluid concept - she didn't go in until 11:00!) Walking into the clinic, she had to stop to catch her breath, but it was not as bad as the first time that happened to her. There was no gasping but she did have to sit down and recover a bit before she walked into the front door. During her treatment John and I both went out to do errands (separate cars), but John returned to the clinic to stand by while she finished up. Once in, they administered the following combination: Decadron 10 mg IV, Benadryl 50 mg IV, and Rituxan 500 mg IV. About 35 to 40 minutes into the treatment she started getting nauseated. So they put something into her IV to control the nausea and it knocked it right out. She was finished at 3:10 p.m. When she stood up from her treatment, she was not out of breath!
During the treatment she said she read an entire New Yorker magazine. In it, she found a great cartoon which showed a doctor in his office at his desk with a patient sitting opposite. The caption reads: "I'm a doctor. I can add "-ectomy" to any word I choose!" So Anita ripped out the cartoon and wrote a note on it to her oncologist that said " Dear Doctor, any chance that you can do a B-1-Cell lymphoma-ectomy to save my hair?" She gave the edited cartoon to her doctor's assistant to give to him. For the eleventh time, can you believe her?!!! Anyhow, I think the Doctor's day has been significantly improved. How many of his patients would have that kind of attitude I wonder?!!!
So, after she got out of there, she and John went . . . NO not home . . . they went out to look for an artificial plant for the master bedroom (which Anita just last week rearranged). Got home finally around 4:30 p.m (with plant in tow) and Anita proceeded to prepare lunch! First she ate a 1/2 cup of baby carrots and 6 bites of filet mignon. Then she made a big salad. A whole tomato, whole avocado, lettuce and Anita's Secret Homemade Vinagrette Recipe. She ate a whole bowlful of it!!!
Meanwhile, I was out shopping, getting some items for Anita as well as some things for me. I was standing in the Penneys luggage department (they have a great sale going on right now) when the phone rang. It was Mama informing me that she had just got home and was resting. When she found out I was at a department store, her voice jumped excitedly and she exclaimed: "Go to the curtain department and check out the window sheers. They're on sale and I need to see samples to see what will look good in the master bedroom. You know the color scheme in that room so look for . . . . . [You all get the picture!] !!!" So I bought my suitcase and headed over to the curtain department. Found a selection of sheers in different shades and patterns, bought them, stuffed them into the suitcase and away I rolled!
Needless to say, when I got home with the treasures, Mama was ecstatic. She quickly started pulling sheers out of their packages, found one type she really liked, and then walked into the master bedroom (calling us to follow her) so that she could see what it would look like! During all this she had a couple sips of beer and some chips. Again, no nausea, no pain, and slightly stuffed up sinuses. It seems almost impossible that she underwent cancer treatment today.
Of course, she is not 100%. There may well be side effects from this Rituxan drug that won't manifest themselves for a while. She mentioned a few moments ago that she really hopes there are no big side effects to this. In the meantime, it is so joyful to see her like this. Talking, planning, DOING!!! As only Anita can do. So far, I would bet my bottom dollar that she is well on the way to complete remission. I have a feeling in my bones, in my gut, and in my heart that that is so. May I be right!!!
Melissa
Thursday 5 July 2007
Post #35: Who Would'a Thunk!
Greetings All!
Well . . . one would think that she would be in bed . . . languishing! That is . . . anybody other than Anita would be!!! Today we really celebrated the Fourth. We had the red, white and blue decorations out, the dining table was set for three, and John cooked up a storm. Mama got up, got dressed in a colorful, bright red pedal pusher/capri pant and jacket outfit with a white blouse, blue and white shoes, and a crystal American flag brooch on her lapel! She had on her fabulous wig and put on her makeup and jewelry!!
While John was slaving away in the kitchen, Mama and I started a DVD movie: "Laura" the fantastic 1944 David Raksin music score film noir classic with Gene Tierney, Clifton Webb and Dana Andrews. I adore this film, and Anita loves it too. Incredible dialog and a performance that only Clifton Webb, Dana Andrews and Gene Tierney could have delivered.
Midway through the movie, John called us into dinner: filet mignon, broccoli and red wine. Anita ate some of the meat, a 1/2 cup of broccoli, a slice of tomato with basil and French dressing (which, by the way, she had prepared earlier), and three sips of red Cotes du Rhone wine. Back to the movie we went - along with a cone of vanilla and capuccino caramel swirl ice cream for Anita! [John, very gallantly, declined to watch the movie and did dishes instead!]
Earlier today she took all of her vitamins, drank two bottles of water and ate 1/2 a chicken salad sandwich for lunch. She has no pain, only the shortness of breath. As long as she walks in a straight line, she does OK. If she turns a lot, or twists from side to side, she gets dizzy. She also has a stuffed up nose and "popping ear." It seems that her eustachian tube/sinuses are creating pressure differentials which are causing the pressure sensation (the same kind of ear popping as when you're in an airplane that is landing). Before bedtime, she took a nausea pill and a tranquilizer, but no morphine drops. She is pysched and ready for the Rituxan session tomorrow at 10:00 a.m.!
If anything today we had to keep telling her to SIT DOWN!!! She never ceases to amaze me. As you all no doubt sense, this bodes very well!
Have a wonderful evening and I'll update tomorrow as soon as I can after her session.
Melissa
Well . . . one would think that she would be in bed . . . languishing! That is . . . anybody other than Anita would be!!! Today we really celebrated the Fourth. We had the red, white and blue decorations out, the dining table was set for three, and John cooked up a storm. Mama got up, got dressed in a colorful, bright red pedal pusher/capri pant and jacket outfit with a white blouse, blue and white shoes, and a crystal American flag brooch on her lapel! She had on her fabulous wig and put on her makeup and jewelry!!
While John was slaving away in the kitchen, Mama and I started a DVD movie: "Laura" the fantastic 1944 David Raksin music score film noir classic with Gene Tierney, Clifton Webb and Dana Andrews. I adore this film, and Anita loves it too. Incredible dialog and a performance that only Clifton Webb, Dana Andrews and Gene Tierney could have delivered.
Midway through the movie, John called us into dinner: filet mignon, broccoli and red wine. Anita ate some of the meat, a 1/2 cup of broccoli, a slice of tomato with basil and French dressing (which, by the way, she had prepared earlier), and three sips of red Cotes du Rhone wine. Back to the movie we went - along with a cone of vanilla and capuccino caramel swirl ice cream for Anita! [John, very gallantly, declined to watch the movie and did dishes instead!]
Earlier today she took all of her vitamins, drank two bottles of water and ate 1/2 a chicken salad sandwich for lunch. She has no pain, only the shortness of breath. As long as she walks in a straight line, she does OK. If she turns a lot, or twists from side to side, she gets dizzy. She also has a stuffed up nose and "popping ear." It seems that her eustachian tube/sinuses are creating pressure differentials which are causing the pressure sensation (the same kind of ear popping as when you're in an airplane that is landing). Before bedtime, she took a nausea pill and a tranquilizer, but no morphine drops. She is pysched and ready for the Rituxan session tomorrow at 10:00 a.m.!
If anything today we had to keep telling her to SIT DOWN!!! She never ceases to amaze me. As you all no doubt sense, this bodes very well!
Have a wonderful evening and I'll update tomorrow as soon as I can after her session.
Melissa
Post #34: Can't Keep A Good Woman Down
Good morning all,
Well, she's off to a great start this morning. The shortness of breath did come back, but is is still less severe than the first time she got it. This morning she used John's Pulmo machine which he used to use for his asthma. It's a sort of vaporizer-with-mouthpiece contraption into which is put a liquid called Albuterol. The mouthpiece is connected to the vaporizer by a short hose and the user breathes in the vaporized medicine through the mouthpiece. She says that it has made her chest feel less constricted.
She took nausea meds and a tranquilizer this morning. The chemo has made her a bit jittery and easy to upset. So the tranquilizer is really helping that out. She has eaten so far this morning 1/2 papaya, 2 cups diluted coffee, 1/2 piece toast with butter, glass of OJ and 1/2 a grapefruit plus vitamins.
She's sitting up in bed doing crosswords. Earlier this morning we were all in her room drinking coffee, reading the newspapers together, hearing her commenting pithily on the latest news - as only Mother can do! Today at 3:00 p.m. her hairdresser, Diane, is coming over to shave her head. Although Anita was expecting the hair loss, she is sensitive about it and the way it makes her look. She wears turbans at night and during the day her wig. The hairdresser is going to bring over pictures of new styles, so Mama will be selecting and purchasing a new wig.
So off to a good start today. So far, she is weathering this chemo treatment so much better than the first. Tonight she wants to sit with us at the still-decorated-for-the-Fourth-of-July dinner table for a steak dinner! It's really heartwarming and exciting to see her enthusiasm.
What a trooper!
Melissa
Well, she's off to a great start this morning. The shortness of breath did come back, but is is still less severe than the first time she got it. This morning she used John's Pulmo machine which he used to use for his asthma. It's a sort of vaporizer-with-mouthpiece contraption into which is put a liquid called Albuterol. The mouthpiece is connected to the vaporizer by a short hose and the user breathes in the vaporized medicine through the mouthpiece. She says that it has made her chest feel less constricted.
She took nausea meds and a tranquilizer this morning. The chemo has made her a bit jittery and easy to upset. So the tranquilizer is really helping that out. She has eaten so far this morning 1/2 papaya, 2 cups diluted coffee, 1/2 piece toast with butter, glass of OJ and 1/2 a grapefruit plus vitamins.
She's sitting up in bed doing crosswords. Earlier this morning we were all in her room drinking coffee, reading the newspapers together, hearing her commenting pithily on the latest news - as only Mother can do! Today at 3:00 p.m. her hairdresser, Diane, is coming over to shave her head. Although Anita was expecting the hair loss, she is sensitive about it and the way it makes her look. She wears turbans at night and during the day her wig. The hairdresser is going to bring over pictures of new styles, so Mama will be selecting and purchasing a new wig.
So off to a good start today. So far, she is weathering this chemo treatment so much better than the first. Tonight she wants to sit with us at the still-decorated-for-the-Fourth-of-July dinner table for a steak dinner! It's really heartwarming and exciting to see her enthusiasm.
What a trooper!
Melissa
Wednesday 4 July 2007
Post #33: Improvement!
Happy Fourth Everyone!!
And happy news from here. Since this morning, Anita has had her nausea under control. She has even gotten out of bed and walked into the living room to self-test her condition. Unfortunately, the shortness of breath issue has returned, but it does not seem as severe. So she has spent the rest of the day napping off and on, chatting with us and watching TV.
Medications during the day included 3 nausea pills, 2 tranquilizers (one a.m., one p.m.), the Fentanyl pain patch and that's it. For nutrition, around lunchtime she could only handle a bit of lemon sorbet and a vitamin fortified fruit-flavored water drink. But, by afternoon her appetite improved considerably and she ate more sorbet, strawberry jello with cream, white rice with butter and a bite of papaya. But that's not all folks - in honor of the Fourth she ate a whole hamburger! And no ill effects so far! Tonight she finished with some vanilla ice cream and 1/2 a papaya while watching fireworks on television.
Why is all this so remarkable? After her first chemo treatment, as you all may remember, she could hardly hold anything down and was too sick to enjoy much of anything for a week. Today, all day her color has been good, when awake her demeanor and attitude have been alert and normal, and she has retained a positive attitude, even smiling and laughing at our bad jokes!
Obviously, that could change tomorrow as the chemo drugs kick in even further. But comparatively speaking, she is reacting far better - so far - to this second round of treatment and that is so wonderfully encouraging to us, and particularly to Anita.
So, it's been a good Fourth of July for us, I hope it was the same for all of you!
Melissa
And happy news from here. Since this morning, Anita has had her nausea under control. She has even gotten out of bed and walked into the living room to self-test her condition. Unfortunately, the shortness of breath issue has returned, but it does not seem as severe. So she has spent the rest of the day napping off and on, chatting with us and watching TV.
Medications during the day included 3 nausea pills, 2 tranquilizers (one a.m., one p.m.), the Fentanyl pain patch and that's it. For nutrition, around lunchtime she could only handle a bit of lemon sorbet and a vitamin fortified fruit-flavored water drink. But, by afternoon her appetite improved considerably and she ate more sorbet, strawberry jello with cream, white rice with butter and a bite of papaya. But that's not all folks - in honor of the Fourth she ate a whole hamburger! And no ill effects so far! Tonight she finished with some vanilla ice cream and 1/2 a papaya while watching fireworks on television.
Why is all this so remarkable? After her first chemo treatment, as you all may remember, she could hardly hold anything down and was too sick to enjoy much of anything for a week. Today, all day her color has been good, when awake her demeanor and attitude have been alert and normal, and she has retained a positive attitude, even smiling and laughing at our bad jokes!
Obviously, that could change tomorrow as the chemo drugs kick in even further. But comparatively speaking, she is reacting far better - so far - to this second round of treatment and that is so wonderfully encouraging to us, and particularly to Anita.
So, it's been a good Fourth of July for us, I hope it was the same for all of you!
Melissa
Post #32: Not the Best Day, But Not Unexpected
Hello dear family and friends,
Well, the effects of the chemo kicked in a bit earlier this time. She woke up early this morning very nauseated. She also started feeling pain again in her abdominal area. However, these are the expected side effects and she herself realizes that this is "part of the program" - not that she likes it very much! Having these nausea bouts really hits her hard psychologically. Intellectually she realizes that it will pass, but she was hoping for an easier time of it this time around and it is disappointing to her to have it hit her hard again.
We have upped the nausea medication and also applied a Fentanyl patch to control the pain. She has not been able to eat much, but is drinking as much fluid as she can. She has had water, a vitamin fortified fruit drink, and some lemon sorbet this morning. She has been sleeping off and on, but even feeling so sick, her spirit is still there.
The big difference between this chemotherapy session and the first one is that she has been in much better condition going into this second round than she was for the first. She does weigh less now (currently 130 lbs.), but her heart muscle is strong and her blood tests show that all results are within accceptable levels. Her color before this treatment was good, she was free from pain and nausea, she had her energy back, she was vibrant and eating well. Her only complaint was the shortness of breath, but as I reported last night, that stopped right after the treatment and has not come back.
So although she feels awful, I think all the signs are good for the long run. We are monitoring her closely. I'll be working hard to keep her spirits up. Having gone through the first treatment and knowing that she made it and got better because of it, is proving a powerful aid in her continued fight!
More later,
Melissa
Well, the effects of the chemo kicked in a bit earlier this time. She woke up early this morning very nauseated. She also started feeling pain again in her abdominal area. However, these are the expected side effects and she herself realizes that this is "part of the program" - not that she likes it very much! Having these nausea bouts really hits her hard psychologically. Intellectually she realizes that it will pass, but she was hoping for an easier time of it this time around and it is disappointing to her to have it hit her hard again.
We have upped the nausea medication and also applied a Fentanyl patch to control the pain. She has not been able to eat much, but is drinking as much fluid as she can. She has had water, a vitamin fortified fruit drink, and some lemon sorbet this morning. She has been sleeping off and on, but even feeling so sick, her spirit is still there.
The big difference between this chemotherapy session and the first one is that she has been in much better condition going into this second round than she was for the first. She does weigh less now (currently 130 lbs.), but her heart muscle is strong and her blood tests show that all results are within accceptable levels. Her color before this treatment was good, she was free from pain and nausea, she had her energy back, she was vibrant and eating well. Her only complaint was the shortness of breath, but as I reported last night, that stopped right after the treatment and has not come back.
So although she feels awful, I think all the signs are good for the long run. We are monitoring her closely. I'll be working hard to keep her spirits up. Having gone through the first treatment and knowing that she made it and got better because of it, is proving a powerful aid in her continued fight!
More later,
Melissa
Tuesday 3 July 2007
Post #31: A Good Evening
Hail and well met,
The good news continues! She has been alert and feeling "Anita-OK" all evening: watching TV, ranting at politicians, getting started on yet another room design project, making plans for the 4th (hamburgers, baked beans, potato salad, decorations, etc.), chatting with John, cutting off more of her hair (it itches under the turban she wears at night), doing her crosswords, and otherwise being fantastically, and totally the Anita we know and love!
She even said that "I want to go to sleep so that I can find out how I'll be feeling in the morning!" Translation: She is excited about feeling as good as she does and is eager to see if it continues in the morning. Tonight she decided to take it easy on the food and only ate cottage cheese and applesauce topped off by an angelcot. Before going to sleep she also took her nausea medication, a tranquilizer and, as a precaution, some morphine drops . I am - and I know we all are - so proud of her and so impressed! She has met this whole situation with such courage, determination, wisdom, solicitude and bravado. Well, I always knew she was a tough act to follow!!!
So we are all off to bed and a peaceful sleep. We realize, of course, that the effect of today's treatment has not fully kicked in yet. Going on precedent, she will probably have a pretty good day tomorrow. It is what happens on Thursday that will tell us the most about how she is really handling this second treatment. But meanwhile, back at the ranch, all is peaceful.
Wishing all of you a glorious Fourth of July! It truly will be so here, in more ways than one!
Melissa
The good news continues! She has been alert and feeling "Anita-OK" all evening: watching TV, ranting at politicians, getting started on yet another room design project, making plans for the 4th (hamburgers, baked beans, potato salad, decorations, etc.), chatting with John, cutting off more of her hair (it itches under the turban she wears at night), doing her crosswords, and otherwise being fantastically, and totally the Anita we know and love!
She even said that "I want to go to sleep so that I can find out how I'll be feeling in the morning!" Translation: She is excited about feeling as good as she does and is eager to see if it continues in the morning. Tonight she decided to take it easy on the food and only ate cottage cheese and applesauce topped off by an angelcot. Before going to sleep she also took her nausea medication, a tranquilizer and, as a precaution, some morphine drops . I am - and I know we all are - so proud of her and so impressed! She has met this whole situation with such courage, determination, wisdom, solicitude and bravado. Well, I always knew she was a tough act to follow!!!
So we are all off to bed and a peaceful sleep. We realize, of course, that the effect of today's treatment has not fully kicked in yet. Going on precedent, she will probably have a pretty good day tomorrow. It is what happens on Thursday that will tell us the most about how she is really handling this second treatment. But meanwhile, back at the ranch, all is peaceful.
Wishing all of you a glorious Fourth of July! It truly will be so here, in more ways than one!
Melissa
Post #30: So far . . . so GREAT!
Greetings All!
Well, talk about contrasts. Today is night and day different than her first day of chemo. She walked into the treatment center in the most upbeat frame of mind, on her own steam, pausing to catch her breath a couple of times, but without wheel chair assistance as she needed the past two times. We waited about 15 minutes and when her name was called, she walked steadily into the treatment area in clearly good spirits and with a can-do attitude! We were told the session would take two hours, so somewhat guiltily, John and I went out to run an errand and have a quick lunch. But Anita had encouraged us to do just that. We were debating doing one last errand, but nixed that idea and headed back to the chemo place in what I must say was perfect timing because she finished a bit early.
We were sitting there in the lobby reading and all of a sudden, we heard her voice and she had marched right out to us. No shortness of breath whatever! She was as astonished as we were. She has no nausea, no pain, no shortness of breath. The only side effect (so far) has been a "heavy headed" feeling behind her eyes. Her spirits are totally upbeat!
She said the oncologist came out to check on her progress about five times. Her chemical cocktail consisted of the same stuff she got last time, only a stronger dosage: Cytoxan (generic name Cyclophosphamide), Doxorubicin, Vincristine, something for nausea, and probably the tranquilizer Lorazepam. The oncologist told her that today's is the most important chemo session she will have. It is the one that "is going to do it!"
She is scheduled to go back this coming Friday, July 6th at 10:00 a.m. to finally get the Rituxan/Rituximab drug. She will not get the other chemo drugs on Friday, only the Rituxan. After that her next chemo session will be scheduled for three weeks from today. The oncologist said that she will get six chemo sessions in all, unless something at a later date indicates that further treatments are needed.
We drove straight home this time. On the way she announced that she was really hungry so as soon as we got home she marched into the kitchen and made herself some lunch! For breakfast today she had eaten grits, 1/2 papaya, 1/2 piece of toast with butter and a big glass of orange juice. For lunch she had a whole fresh chicken sandwich on whole grain bread with lettuce and mayo, 1/2 grapefruit and hot tea. We finally got her off her feet in the kitchen and into bed! She was pulling out pots and pans and getting ready to cook the chicken carcass to make some chicken broth! John and I kicked her out of the kitchen and I got the broth started - this woman is incorrigible!!!!! But oh how wonderfully! I just left her a few minutes ago, propped up in bed reading a magazine.
So a very successful morning. We will be watching her closely for any unusual symptoms as well as paying close attention to her nutritional needs. She is also very cognizant this time of staying ahead of the nausea. As soon as she wakes from her nap this afternoon, she will take some more nausea medication which is administered every four hours.
I will do an update later this evening and/or earlier if her condition changes. But I can say now, that she is in such better condition now both before and after this session than she was with the first one. This is such a relief, not only for us, but more importantly for her.
Melissa
Well, talk about contrasts. Today is night and day different than her first day of chemo. She walked into the treatment center in the most upbeat frame of mind, on her own steam, pausing to catch her breath a couple of times, but without wheel chair assistance as she needed the past two times. We waited about 15 minutes and when her name was called, she walked steadily into the treatment area in clearly good spirits and with a can-do attitude! We were told the session would take two hours, so somewhat guiltily, John and I went out to run an errand and have a quick lunch. But Anita had encouraged us to do just that. We were debating doing one last errand, but nixed that idea and headed back to the chemo place in what I must say was perfect timing because she finished a bit early.
We were sitting there in the lobby reading and all of a sudden, we heard her voice and she had marched right out to us. No shortness of breath whatever! She was as astonished as we were. She has no nausea, no pain, no shortness of breath. The only side effect (so far) has been a "heavy headed" feeling behind her eyes. Her spirits are totally upbeat!
She said the oncologist came out to check on her progress about five times. Her chemical cocktail consisted of the same stuff she got last time, only a stronger dosage: Cytoxan (generic name Cyclophosphamide), Doxorubicin, Vincristine, something for nausea, and probably the tranquilizer Lorazepam. The oncologist told her that today's is the most important chemo session she will have. It is the one that "is going to do it!"
She is scheduled to go back this coming Friday, July 6th at 10:00 a.m. to finally get the Rituxan/Rituximab drug. She will not get the other chemo drugs on Friday, only the Rituxan. After that her next chemo session will be scheduled for three weeks from today. The oncologist said that she will get six chemo sessions in all, unless something at a later date indicates that further treatments are needed.
We drove straight home this time. On the way she announced that she was really hungry so as soon as we got home she marched into the kitchen and made herself some lunch! For breakfast today she had eaten grits, 1/2 papaya, 1/2 piece of toast with butter and a big glass of orange juice. For lunch she had a whole fresh chicken sandwich on whole grain bread with lettuce and mayo, 1/2 grapefruit and hot tea. We finally got her off her feet in the kitchen and into bed! She was pulling out pots and pans and getting ready to cook the chicken carcass to make some chicken broth! John and I kicked her out of the kitchen and I got the broth started - this woman is incorrigible!!!!! But oh how wonderfully! I just left her a few minutes ago, propped up in bed reading a magazine.
So a very successful morning. We will be watching her closely for any unusual symptoms as well as paying close attention to her nutritional needs. She is also very cognizant this time of staying ahead of the nausea. As soon as she wakes from her nap this afternoon, she will take some more nausea medication which is administered every four hours.
I will do an update later this evening and/or earlier if her condition changes. But I can say now, that she is in such better condition now both before and after this session than she was with the first one. This is such a relief, not only for us, but more importantly for her.
Melissa
Monday 2 July 2007
Post #29: An Almost As Good Day
Hello Everyone!
Today actually went very well, however she got tired more rapidly than in the past couple of days. But not too surprising considering all the activity. The day started out by going out for her blood tests. By the time we got there the waiting room was packed! Anita was about tenth in line. But, she insisted on walking in from the car! No wheel chair for her! So she walked in stages to the lab offices. Now that's a determined woman! Hopefully her lab results will be available before her chemotherapy session tomorrow. That will be at 10:30 tomorrow morning.
Her hair started really falling out yesterday and even moreso today. The medicos had told her that her hair would start falling out about 10 to 14 days after her first treatment. Well, typical of Anita, HERS didn't start falling out until 19 and 20 days after her treatment! Luckily she has been prepared for this eventuality for a long time. So she aided the process a bit by cutting off a bunch of hair and then promptly donning her wig. It looks great - just like her hair did when she had it cut short a while back - a collar length smooth dark brown modern style. It is so realistic, you'd never suspect that it isn't her real hair.
However. the real femme fatale moment came when she put on my blonde version of the same wig and sashayed into where John was studiously working at his desk. It was an hilarious moment, but truth be told, she looks good as a blonde!! So now she can really pick her look!
Today, after the blood test, she drank a "date shake" (a local delicious concoction: a milk shake made with dates), OJ with electrolyte solution, vitamins, toast - the NOW usual!!! For lunch she made herself the predicted BLT with mayo and off and on all afternoon snacked on various foods. Later on in the afternoon, the doorbell rang and a delivery guy delivered a six pack of wine - a gift from the gallery where John has his art exhibit. In a stroke of good timing, the wine was followed by a visitor and it became quite a busy afternoon.
Tonight the three us watched a movie together, the political comedy "Wag the Dog" which neither Anita or John had seen before. Mom took her goodnight morphine drops and tranquilizer and went to bed relatively early so that she will be well rested for tomorrow's session.
We are all, including Anita, looking at this next session with much less trepidation than we felt about the first session. However, the risks are still there for her. Her shortness of breath continues and I am coming to believe that it is due to a certain amount of dead bad stuff left in her lungs by the first chemo treatment's effect on the masses in her lungs. Her oncologist is aware of this issue and we all will be on the sharp lookout for any increase in this problem.
So keep sending those healing thoughts and wishes! I will try to get an update to you as soon as possible tomorrow regarding how her second session went. If attitude can win the day, Mama will do it!
Melissa
Today actually went very well, however she got tired more rapidly than in the past couple of days. But not too surprising considering all the activity. The day started out by going out for her blood tests. By the time we got there the waiting room was packed! Anita was about tenth in line. But, she insisted on walking in from the car! No wheel chair for her! So she walked in stages to the lab offices. Now that's a determined woman! Hopefully her lab results will be available before her chemotherapy session tomorrow. That will be at 10:30 tomorrow morning.
Her hair started really falling out yesterday and even moreso today. The medicos had told her that her hair would start falling out about 10 to 14 days after her first treatment. Well, typical of Anita, HERS didn't start falling out until 19 and 20 days after her treatment! Luckily she has been prepared for this eventuality for a long time. So she aided the process a bit by cutting off a bunch of hair and then promptly donning her wig. It looks great - just like her hair did when she had it cut short a while back - a collar length smooth dark brown modern style. It is so realistic, you'd never suspect that it isn't her real hair.
However. the real femme fatale moment came when she put on my blonde version of the same wig and sashayed into where John was studiously working at his desk. It was an hilarious moment, but truth be told, she looks good as a blonde!! So now she can really pick her look!
Today, after the blood test, she drank a "date shake" (a local delicious concoction: a milk shake made with dates), OJ with electrolyte solution, vitamins, toast - the NOW usual!!! For lunch she made herself the predicted BLT with mayo and off and on all afternoon snacked on various foods. Later on in the afternoon, the doorbell rang and a delivery guy delivered a six pack of wine - a gift from the gallery where John has his art exhibit. In a stroke of good timing, the wine was followed by a visitor and it became quite a busy afternoon.
Tonight the three us watched a movie together, the political comedy "Wag the Dog" which neither Anita or John had seen before. Mom took her goodnight morphine drops and tranquilizer and went to bed relatively early so that she will be well rested for tomorrow's session.
We are all, including Anita, looking at this next session with much less trepidation than we felt about the first session. However, the risks are still there for her. Her shortness of breath continues and I am coming to believe that it is due to a certain amount of dead bad stuff left in her lungs by the first chemo treatment's effect on the masses in her lungs. Her oncologist is aware of this issue and we all will be on the sharp lookout for any increase in this problem.
So keep sending those healing thoughts and wishes! I will try to get an update to you as soon as possible tomorrow regarding how her second session went. If attitude can win the day, Mama will do it!
Melissa
Sunday 1 July 2007
Post #28: Sunday and All Going Well
Good evening everyone!
Today was a very good day for Anita. Tiring at times, but overall good. Started off with visits from some dear friends who stayed and chatted for just the right length of time. They were instantly commenting on how improved she looks and acts! Sitting up in the living room drinking - get ready - a Mimosa! (That's champagne mixed with orange juice!) We were toasting all around, to her health, to great friends and family, and to life!
Not that she skimped on food or other beverages today - quite the contrary: two large glasses (she has graduated from small glasses) of OJ + electrolyte solution, a whole papaya, a piece of toast, a large glass of milk, vitamins, a small chicken sandwich with mayo, a small open face ham + cheese sandwich with mayo, an angelcot, a small glass of milk, a small package of crackers, 1/2 a croissant with butter and she's guzzling water!!! She did note that she didn't get her veggies today, but will try to do better tomorrow. She has advance-ordered for tomorrow's lunch a BLT with mayo. It's so wonderful to see her eating so much!
She told me that she is feeling her skin getting firmer. She is doing bed exercises (courtesy of a longtime friend of hers who was a ballet dancer) and is trying to tighten her muscles. She directed John and a wonderful fellow who comes to help them with work around the house with the reorganization of the master bedroom - another Anita interior design masterpiece. She attended to some correspondence (first time she has written anything in ages) and even managed to take a look briefly at the computer. All I can say is that this woman is amazing!
Tomorrow we head off early to get her blood testing done. I assume they have the air conditioning problem fixed by now. She will continue to eat and drink as heartily as she can all the way up to the chemo session on Tuesday. We still don't have the exact time on that yet but should hear tomorrow. Tonight she took 12 morphine drops and a tranquilizer before bedtime. Other than that she has had no other medication.
She has had shortness of breath today and racing heart that has come and gone in varying degrees of severity. I've noticed that as she gets tired, such as after the lively conversation with her friends this morning, that the shortness of breath and feelings of chest constriction intensify. But after napping and resting, she was restored by evening. She also experienced a new type of pain today, an area under her left arm that causes a sharp stinging sensation when she presses it in certain ways. However, it is not a constant pain and is located in a spot that in the past was very painful because of the tumor presence there. I am assuming that this new pain is yet again the chemo working on a trouble spot.
Of course she is not looking foward to the aftereffects of a new chemo treatment. However, this time there is reason to believe that her recovery time may be quicker and she will definitely be getting better medication: a stronger nausea medication, a tranquilizer every day, and more liquid hydration and nutrients. And also, this time she knows what to expect. That she will feel absolutely awful for some days, but that it will gradually keep getting better and better.
Most of all, I am so encouraged by her positive attitude, her renewed embracement of life, her making plans for new projects, etc. The chemo treatment on Tuesday will NOT include the whopper anti-B-Cell-Lymphoma drug Rituxan/Rituximab. Of course, we can't know how she will respond to that one until she finally gets it (most likely during her third treatment whenever that will be), but I like to think that she has already definitively turned the corner and is heading solidly down the road towards remission. So let's all keep thinking that way!
With lots of hopeful and happy thoughts,
Melissa
Today was a very good day for Anita. Tiring at times, but overall good. Started off with visits from some dear friends who stayed and chatted for just the right length of time. They were instantly commenting on how improved she looks and acts! Sitting up in the living room drinking - get ready - a Mimosa! (That's champagne mixed with orange juice!) We were toasting all around, to her health, to great friends and family, and to life!
Not that she skimped on food or other beverages today - quite the contrary: two large glasses (she has graduated from small glasses) of OJ + electrolyte solution, a whole papaya, a piece of toast, a large glass of milk, vitamins, a small chicken sandwich with mayo, a small open face ham + cheese sandwich with mayo, an angelcot, a small glass of milk, a small package of crackers, 1/2 a croissant with butter and she's guzzling water!!! She did note that she didn't get her veggies today, but will try to do better tomorrow. She has advance-ordered for tomorrow's lunch a BLT with mayo. It's so wonderful to see her eating so much!
She told me that she is feeling her skin getting firmer. She is doing bed exercises (courtesy of a longtime friend of hers who was a ballet dancer) and is trying to tighten her muscles. She directed John and a wonderful fellow who comes to help them with work around the house with the reorganization of the master bedroom - another Anita interior design masterpiece. She attended to some correspondence (first time she has written anything in ages) and even managed to take a look briefly at the computer. All I can say is that this woman is amazing!
Tomorrow we head off early to get her blood testing done. I assume they have the air conditioning problem fixed by now. She will continue to eat and drink as heartily as she can all the way up to the chemo session on Tuesday. We still don't have the exact time on that yet but should hear tomorrow. Tonight she took 12 morphine drops and a tranquilizer before bedtime. Other than that she has had no other medication.
She has had shortness of breath today and racing heart that has come and gone in varying degrees of severity. I've noticed that as she gets tired, such as after the lively conversation with her friends this morning, that the shortness of breath and feelings of chest constriction intensify. But after napping and resting, she was restored by evening. She also experienced a new type of pain today, an area under her left arm that causes a sharp stinging sensation when she presses it in certain ways. However, it is not a constant pain and is located in a spot that in the past was very painful because of the tumor presence there. I am assuming that this new pain is yet again the chemo working on a trouble spot.
Of course she is not looking foward to the aftereffects of a new chemo treatment. However, this time there is reason to believe that her recovery time may be quicker and she will definitely be getting better medication: a stronger nausea medication, a tranquilizer every day, and more liquid hydration and nutrients. And also, this time she knows what to expect. That she will feel absolutely awful for some days, but that it will gradually keep getting better and better.
Most of all, I am so encouraged by her positive attitude, her renewed embracement of life, her making plans for new projects, etc. The chemo treatment on Tuesday will NOT include the whopper anti-B-Cell-Lymphoma drug Rituxan/Rituximab. Of course, we can't know how she will respond to that one until she finally gets it (most likely during her third treatment whenever that will be), but I like to think that she has already definitively turned the corner and is heading solidly down the road towards remission. So let's all keep thinking that way!
With lots of hopeful and happy thoughts,
Melissa
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