Hi All,
Today, we were up early to take Anita for her weekly blood testing in advance of her second chemotherapy session next Tuesday July 3rd. We drive up to the building ( an office building of medical offices). I jump out of the car and run up to the automatic sliding doors so that I can go in and get a wheel chair for Mama. The doors don't open! I peer through the glass and I see workmen in the hallway with tools and parts all over the hallway floor. There are no signs or anything to indicate what's happening. Well, geniuses that we are, we finally realize that there are absolutely no cars in the parking lot except for vans with "air conditioning" writen on the sides! Like, duh!!!
So, brilliantly realizing in our collective wisdom that the building had suffered catastrophic air conditioning failure (which in our current 108 to 112 degree daily temperatures is indeed catastrophic) and, consequently, that the building must be closed because of said problem, we head back home so that Anita can have her morning coffee and some breakfast. She proceeded to eat an "egg on a raft" again, two pieces of bacon, a small patty of sausage, OJ and electrolyte solution, milk, vitamins and a WHOLE papaya.
After that, Mother and I set off to the nail shop . . . and I don't mean hammers. We each got a manicure and a pedicure - Mama's treat! It was wonderful and although it was an effort for her, Mother totally enjoyed getting out and getting pampered. Following that we returned home in time for lunch, of which she enjoyed some white wine, potato chips, and some ham and cheese sandwich squares.
It has been a full day and a good one for Anita. She did have shortness of breath today and some chest constriction, but all in all, the day was painfree and nausea free. Her spirits are upbeat. Indeed, she is now plotting her next redecorating scheme: the master bedroom. So it is wonderful to see her so actively engaged and excited about doing projects. Her mental attitude certainly bodes well for the next stage of her treatment!
Sleep well all,
Melissa
Saturday, 30 June 2007
Friday, 29 June 2007
Post #26: Next Chemo Treatment
Hello all,
Another great day for Anita! An unbelievable roster of foods eaten: orange juice + electrolyte solution, piece of toast, bowl of protein/hi fiber 7 grain cereal with milk, additional big glass of milk, an "angelcot" (I think a hybrid of apricots and plums), vitamins, a small bowl of potato chips, two small glasses of champagne, four small lamb chops, one huge ravioli, roasted potatoes, plum juice + electrolyte solution, 3 ginger cookies and a whole papaya!!!
We also talked (twice) with the oncologist today. She is scheduled to have her next chemo treatment on Tuesday, July 3rd. We don't know what time yet but they will call us with the time. Between now and then she will get blood testing tomorrow, will eat as much papaya as she can get down (not to mention other foods), and will get as strong as possible. Her color is good. Tonight before bedtime she had morphine drops and a tranquilizer tab. She said her stomach felt a bit achy but that's because she ate too much! What a change!
We have been very concerned about her shortness of breath and rapid heartbeat. We have been reassured by the oncologist that her echocardiogram results show that her heart muscle is healthy and strong and her last blood test results show that her blood is normal - in fact, in excellent condition - that she is fully oxygenated and that there is no gas imbalance. In his opinion she is not suffering cardiotoxic effects at this point in time. She will undergo approximately 2 hours of chemotherapy on the 3rd and will NOT be getting the super chemo drug Rituxan/Rituximab that day. Rather he will give that to her a week or so later.
As a consequence I am extending my stay here (I was originally scheduled to depart on July 3rd). I will stay with Mother and John through the chemotherapy and afterward until she starts recovering from the effects of the treatment. Tonight, due to the wonderful idea of Anita and a good friend of hers, I was treated to dinner at her friend's home. Mother has been concerned that I haven't gotten out enough or had enough "social entertainment." Although that has not been a priority at all with me during my stay here, it was a very relaxing and delightful evening tonight and I very much appreciated it. I got home tonight in time to find Anita and John up watching a murder mystery together! It is so wonderful to see them having such a good time together.
So, another great day and here's to more to follow!
Melissa
Another great day for Anita! An unbelievable roster of foods eaten: orange juice + electrolyte solution, piece of toast, bowl of protein/hi fiber 7 grain cereal with milk, additional big glass of milk, an "angelcot" (I think a hybrid of apricots and plums), vitamins, a small bowl of potato chips, two small glasses of champagne, four small lamb chops, one huge ravioli, roasted potatoes, plum juice + electrolyte solution, 3 ginger cookies and a whole papaya!!!
We also talked (twice) with the oncologist today. She is scheduled to have her next chemo treatment on Tuesday, July 3rd. We don't know what time yet but they will call us with the time. Between now and then she will get blood testing tomorrow, will eat as much papaya as she can get down (not to mention other foods), and will get as strong as possible. Her color is good. Tonight before bedtime she had morphine drops and a tranquilizer tab. She said her stomach felt a bit achy but that's because she ate too much! What a change!
We have been very concerned about her shortness of breath and rapid heartbeat. We have been reassured by the oncologist that her echocardiogram results show that her heart muscle is healthy and strong and her last blood test results show that her blood is normal - in fact, in excellent condition - that she is fully oxygenated and that there is no gas imbalance. In his opinion she is not suffering cardiotoxic effects at this point in time. She will undergo approximately 2 hours of chemotherapy on the 3rd and will NOT be getting the super chemo drug Rituxan/Rituximab that day. Rather he will give that to her a week or so later.
As a consequence I am extending my stay here (I was originally scheduled to depart on July 3rd). I will stay with Mother and John through the chemotherapy and afterward until she starts recovering from the effects of the treatment. Tonight, due to the wonderful idea of Anita and a good friend of hers, I was treated to dinner at her friend's home. Mother has been concerned that I haven't gotten out enough or had enough "social entertainment." Although that has not been a priority at all with me during my stay here, it was a very relaxing and delightful evening tonight and I very much appreciated it. I got home tonight in time to find Anita and John up watching a murder mystery together! It is so wonderful to see them having such a good time together.
So, another great day and here's to more to follow!
Melissa
Thursday, 28 June 2007
Post #25: Good Ending to a Great Day
Hello all,
Well, it continued to be a primo day for Anita. A dear friend came over in the late afternoon bringing not only her great company but also dinner for all of us. We feasted on salmon and lamb chops, but more importantly Anita feasted on two small lamb chops, roasted potatoes, a little ravioli and a small glass of champagne!
Although she later admitted that at certain points in the afternoon and early evening she had felt like going back to bed, she held out and stayed up sitting on the couch and enjoying all the social activity which she has been missing greatly. For dinner, she got dressed, did her hair and managed makeup and a little jewelry.
She topped out the evening by having John and me come to talk with her in her newly redone bedroom. I think Mom missed her true calling - that of interior designer! Before going to sleep she had more fruit juice mixed with electrolyte solution, some morphine drops and another tranquilizer pill (Lorazepam). All in all a very successful day all around and one that made Anita very happy.
Sleep well everyone!
Melissa
Well, it continued to be a primo day for Anita. A dear friend came over in the late afternoon bringing not only her great company but also dinner for all of us. We feasted on salmon and lamb chops, but more importantly Anita feasted on two small lamb chops, roasted potatoes, a little ravioli and a small glass of champagne!
Although she later admitted that at certain points in the afternoon and early evening she had felt like going back to bed, she held out and stayed up sitting on the couch and enjoying all the social activity which she has been missing greatly. For dinner, she got dressed, did her hair and managed makeup and a little jewelry.
She topped out the evening by having John and me come to talk with her in her newly redone bedroom. I think Mom missed her true calling - that of interior designer! Before going to sleep she had more fruit juice mixed with electrolyte solution, some morphine drops and another tranquilizer pill (Lorazepam). All in all a very successful day all around and one that made Anita very happy.
Sleep well everyone!
Melissa
Post #24: News Flash!
Good afternoon everyone and a good afternoon it is!
First off, Anita awoke this morning feeling great and with a burst of energy got up, drew the blinds and started hanging up clothes! But she soon realized that she was moving a little too rapidly and had to lie down again. But and these are quotes: "Today is the best I have felt" and even better, "Today is the first day I've felt normal."
Other good news is that she no longer wakes up with that awful taste and scalelike feeling in her mouth (a result of the chemo drugs). The only "bad pain" she has had recently was the night before last when she had not had any morphine drops and she felt some bone pain in her shoulder joints. But that has gone now. Today she has a slight pain in her upper right stomach/abdominal area, but that is where the worst of her previous pain was located to begin with so it is not surprising that she would be feeling something, particularly when she has not been taking much in the way of painkillers.
Around 9:15 this morning, the oncologist's nurse assistant called to inform us that they have received the results of the blood test and that those turned out "OK. Fine." They are expecting to receive the cardio echogram results later today. At that point all of the results will be given to the oncologist for his review and analysis. After that, he should be calling us to discuss the next step. So we're moving along folks.
Mother asked me to tell you all that (subject to consultation with her oncologist in the coming days), she is going to do the next chemo-therapy treatment. She now realizes that the horrible aftereffects of the first chemo treatment, over time, went away and that she has gotten steadily better. Consequently, she feels that she owes it to herself and others to try a second time.
Cheerily, Melissa
P.S. Mother just informed me that if she keeps feeling this feisty, she is going to add her own words to this blogsite. [We're all looking forward to that!!!] And she asked me to type this: "If it hadn't been for my daughter taking care of me, as well as for the astonishing support of all my family and friends, I wouldn't be where I am today!"
First off, Anita awoke this morning feeling great and with a burst of energy got up, drew the blinds and started hanging up clothes! But she soon realized that she was moving a little too rapidly and had to lie down again. But and these are quotes: "Today is the best I have felt" and even better, "Today is the first day I've felt normal."
Other good news is that she no longer wakes up with that awful taste and scalelike feeling in her mouth (a result of the chemo drugs). The only "bad pain" she has had recently was the night before last when she had not had any morphine drops and she felt some bone pain in her shoulder joints. But that has gone now. Today she has a slight pain in her upper right stomach/abdominal area, but that is where the worst of her previous pain was located to begin with so it is not surprising that she would be feeling something, particularly when she has not been taking much in the way of painkillers.
Around 9:15 this morning, the oncologist's nurse assistant called to inform us that they have received the results of the blood test and that those turned out "OK. Fine." They are expecting to receive the cardio echogram results later today. At that point all of the results will be given to the oncologist for his review and analysis. After that, he should be calling us to discuss the next step. So we're moving along folks.
Mother asked me to tell you all that (subject to consultation with her oncologist in the coming days), she is going to do the next chemo-therapy treatment. She now realizes that the horrible aftereffects of the first chemo treatment, over time, went away and that she has gotten steadily better. Consequently, she feels that she owes it to herself and others to try a second time.
Cheerily, Melissa
P.S. Mother just informed me that if she keeps feeling this feisty, she is going to add her own words to this blogsite. [We're all looking forward to that!!!] And she asked me to type this: "If it hadn't been for my daughter taking care of me, as well as for the astonishing support of all my family and friends, I wouldn't be where I am today!"
Wednesday, 27 June 2007
Post #23: Started Low But Picked Up Later
Good evening all,
Anita started out the day very tired in that she had insomnia last night. That made her dizzier this morning when she got up than she has been in the past few days. We think the insomnia may have been caused by taking B vitamins too close to bedtime and/or by the long nap she had yesterday afternoon. However, as the day wore on, and after a long nap, she perked up and by evening time she was up and about somewhat. In fact, tonight she walked the longest continuous "circuit" before having to sit down than she has to date.
This evening, we all ended up watching a DVD together of Natalie Dessay's greatest moments on stage. For those who don't recognize the name (I had never heard of her before this year), and at the risk of offending fans of other singers, she is undoubtedly going to go down as one of the greatest, if not the greatest, coloratura sopranos to ever hit the opera stage. The woman is an amazing triple threat - she can sing and act - brilliantly - and is a superb athelete in physique and stamina. Truly amazing.
As is Anita. Mother's ability to rally is phenomenal. Today she consumed OJ with immune boosting powder, 9-grain toast, 1/2 banana, milk, plum juice and electrolyte solution, a ham and cheese sandwich, tea, pork loin, sweet potato and lemon and mango sherbet along with the now usual assortment of vitamins. Tonight in order to ensure a comfortable and rest-filled night, she took morphine drops as well as a tranquilizer.
We were able to get in touch with the oncologist's nurse today and should be able to speak with the oncologist soon. They are tracking down the results of Anita's recent blood test and echocardiogram. So we should be getting some defiinitive information within the next couple of days.
She continues to improve. The only pain she is experiencing is a slight chest pain when she gets very out of breath. She is reading, doing crosswords, planning activities for everyone and generally "being Anita." What a wonderful thing to see.
Melissa
Anita started out the day very tired in that she had insomnia last night. That made her dizzier this morning when she got up than she has been in the past few days. We think the insomnia may have been caused by taking B vitamins too close to bedtime and/or by the long nap she had yesterday afternoon. However, as the day wore on, and after a long nap, she perked up and by evening time she was up and about somewhat. In fact, tonight she walked the longest continuous "circuit" before having to sit down than she has to date.
This evening, we all ended up watching a DVD together of Natalie Dessay's greatest moments on stage. For those who don't recognize the name (I had never heard of her before this year), and at the risk of offending fans of other singers, she is undoubtedly going to go down as one of the greatest, if not the greatest, coloratura sopranos to ever hit the opera stage. The woman is an amazing triple threat - she can sing and act - brilliantly - and is a superb athelete in physique and stamina. Truly amazing.
As is Anita. Mother's ability to rally is phenomenal. Today she consumed OJ with immune boosting powder, 9-grain toast, 1/2 banana, milk, plum juice and electrolyte solution, a ham and cheese sandwich, tea, pork loin, sweet potato and lemon and mango sherbet along with the now usual assortment of vitamins. Tonight in order to ensure a comfortable and rest-filled night, she took morphine drops as well as a tranquilizer.
We were able to get in touch with the oncologist's nurse today and should be able to speak with the oncologist soon. They are tracking down the results of Anita's recent blood test and echocardiogram. So we should be getting some defiinitive information within the next couple of days.
She continues to improve. The only pain she is experiencing is a slight chest pain when she gets very out of breath. She is reading, doing crosswords, planning activities for everyone and generally "being Anita." What a wonderful thing to see.
Melissa
Tuesday, 26 June 2007
Post #22: Near Repeat of Yesterday
Good evening all,
Today was very close to matching yesterday in terms of Anita's energy. Certainly her enthusiasm was equal. However, she really wore herself out yesterday with all the excitement of John's homecoming and today experienced a bit more dizziness and shortness of breath than she has in the past two days. However, she took a nice long nap this afternoon and has mainly stayed in bed during the evening, watching an old movie with us and, as usual, making plans and carrying on lively conversations.
She ate well today also. Coffee, 9-grain toast, a little oatmeal, 1/2 a banana, lots of milk, orange juice with an immune booster powder mixed in, B12, B6, Folic Acid, fried chicken again with cole slaw, potato salad and tea. Yesterday she started getting a runny nose so then and today she took a simple decongestant (phenyleprhine hydrochloride). Tonight she is NOT taking any morphine drops at bedtime. She is experiencing no pain other than some slight chest pain when her heart is racing and she is short of breath. Really wonderful progress. The only worrisome item today is that she weighed herself and came in at 134 lbs. She has apparently lost additional weight since the chemotherapy. However, we are doing our best to fatten her up!
Tomorrow we are going to try and contact her oncologist to see if any of the test results have come in, to inquire about future appointments, and hopefully to get some answers to other questions we have.
Sweet dreams to all,
Melissa
Today was very close to matching yesterday in terms of Anita's energy. Certainly her enthusiasm was equal. However, she really wore herself out yesterday with all the excitement of John's homecoming and today experienced a bit more dizziness and shortness of breath than she has in the past two days. However, she took a nice long nap this afternoon and has mainly stayed in bed during the evening, watching an old movie with us and, as usual, making plans and carrying on lively conversations.
She ate well today also. Coffee, 9-grain toast, a little oatmeal, 1/2 a banana, lots of milk, orange juice with an immune booster powder mixed in, B12, B6, Folic Acid, fried chicken again with cole slaw, potato salad and tea. Yesterday she started getting a runny nose so then and today she took a simple decongestant (phenyleprhine hydrochloride). Tonight she is NOT taking any morphine drops at bedtime. She is experiencing no pain other than some slight chest pain when her heart is racing and she is short of breath. Really wonderful progress. The only worrisome item today is that she weighed herself and came in at 134 lbs. She has apparently lost additional weight since the chemotherapy. However, we are doing our best to fatten her up!
Tomorrow we are going to try and contact her oncologist to see if any of the test results have come in, to inquire about future appointments, and hopefully to get some answers to other questions we have.
Sweet dreams to all,
Melissa
Post #21: Stellar Day - Day Two
Hi Everyone!
It's very late so this post will be short. Just got home with John about an hour ago from the airport. He had a spectacular opening to his show. But even more spectacular was the reception he got when he got home. The big surprise was that while he was up north, Anita had her design for her bedroom made into reality: a built-in desk and bookshelves plus re-arrangement of the furniture and artwork on the walls.
I had to practically yell at Mama today to get her off her feet! "Slow down to 20 will ya?!!!! She was so excited about getting the project finished for John to see when he got home. She was actually stacking books on the shelves and carrying stuff around (when I wasn't looking)! But the most outstanding moment for John was to see Anita at the door welcoming him home!
No need to describe everything she ate today because it's a delightful repeat of yesterday, but it is worth mentioning that she had fried chicken for lunch! With a little potato salad and a little cole slaw!!!!! Today she took 800 mcg folic acid, 2500 mcg sublingual B12, 100 mcg B6, and a B-complex plus Vit. C. Tomorrow she will get the same plus selenium and hopefully a multi-vitamin.
Needless to say, John and I are amazed and thrilled by her improvement. Hopefully she will continue at this same rate of progress.
Melissa
It's very late so this post will be short. Just got home with John about an hour ago from the airport. He had a spectacular opening to his show. But even more spectacular was the reception he got when he got home. The big surprise was that while he was up north, Anita had her design for her bedroom made into reality: a built-in desk and bookshelves plus re-arrangement of the furniture and artwork on the walls.
I had to practically yell at Mama today to get her off her feet! "Slow down to 20 will ya?!!!! She was so excited about getting the project finished for John to see when he got home. She was actually stacking books on the shelves and carrying stuff around (when I wasn't looking)! But the most outstanding moment for John was to see Anita at the door welcoming him home!
No need to describe everything she ate today because it's a delightful repeat of yesterday, but it is worth mentioning that she had fried chicken for lunch! With a little potato salad and a little cole slaw!!!!! Today she took 800 mcg folic acid, 2500 mcg sublingual B12, 100 mcg B6, and a B-complex plus Vit. C. Tomorrow she will get the same plus selenium and hopefully a multi-vitamin.
Needless to say, John and I are amazed and thrilled by her improvement. Hopefully she will continue at this same rate of progress.
Melissa
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