As often is the case lately, I feel that it has been too long since I have posted an update. I always like to lay eyes on Mom and see first hand how she is doing before I update the blog. Before I get into how she is doing and where things stand, take a look at this picture. A picture is worth well more than a thousand words. She looks great and yes, this is a Sunday afternoon packed with sunshine, grand kids and a journey to Norfolk Botanical Gardens. Not your typical Sunday for a woman nearing the end of a Chemo Protocol. :)
Treatment number five of six continues to prove that each Chemo treatment hits the body a bit harder than the one before. This cycle has been a rough one for Char, the roughest of the bunch. It is to be expected, just as treatment number six is likely to hit harder than number five. This week marks the third week since treatment number five and treatment number six is scheduled for this Thursday, August 20th. For previous cycles, treatment has slowed Mom down for anywhere between five and seven days. This time, she says that she is still not where she would expect to be from previous treatments. It has been eighteen days as of today. She says that she is definitely more fatigued, with more aches and more nausea than before. These symptoms have come on stronger and are lasting longer.
Again, seeing her in action all weekend, you would not know this was the case. We had a wonderful weekend of family, friends, rowdy kids, funny movies and a stroll and train ride through the Gardens. Witnessing her firsthand, she may take an extra break here and there. Knowing her well, I am able to catch a glimpse of an occasional deep breath and look of "Okay, its time to sit down". For the most part, however, she continues moving forward with minimal evidence of fatigue and symptoms. She simply looks great.
Currently, the schedule for treatment number six is in question. Last Thursday's "vampire appointment" showed significantly decreased white blood cell counts. For the first time, she was placed on antibiotics in an effort to raise these counts and to provide extra protection for warding off infection that otherwise her body would have a hard time fighting off. This seems to be having a positive impact. She says that she is able to feel herself getting a bit stronger since the beginning of this weekend. Tomorrow, she will find out if she is able to remain on track for completing treatment number six on Thursday. While her Oncology team hopes to stay on target with her scheduled protocol, it is important that she be able to remain strong and able to fight off infection throughout her treatments. We hope to have more information Tuesday.
As she is in all of our minds and all of our prayers, please send an extra thought and an extra prayer for the continued increase of white blood cell counts to allow treatment number six to proceed as scheduled and without delay. As you can imagine, Char is eager to check this Chemo Protocol off of her "to-do-list" and move on to more energetic, less achy, and less nauseated days. She certainly would not want that to sound like a complaint, "This is something that I have to do. I know what to expect and I know I have to face it and experience it. I will get through it. The next one may pack a stronger punch, but then brighter days are coming. I have five down and one to go. I will get there. I just have to get through this time first. And I am getting through it". I would have to say she is more than "getting through it". She is doing great, pushing hard and making it look quite effortless though I cannot even begin to imagine the effort involved. You are an incredible source of motivation and inspiration Mom. We are very proud of you. Keep up your hard work and keep up your positive spirit and God bless your strong will! Get that red marker ready to put a nice fat line through that to-do-list!
All of Our Love,
Your Gang
Treatment number five of six continues to prove that each Chemo treatment hits the body a bit harder than the one before. This cycle has been a rough one for Char, the roughest of the bunch. It is to be expected, just as treatment number six is likely to hit harder than number five. This week marks the third week since treatment number five and treatment number six is scheduled for this Thursday, August 20th. For previous cycles, treatment has slowed Mom down for anywhere between five and seven days. This time, she says that she is still not where she would expect to be from previous treatments. It has been eighteen days as of today. She says that she is definitely more fatigued, with more aches and more nausea than before. These symptoms have come on stronger and are lasting longer.
Again, seeing her in action all weekend, you would not know this was the case. We had a wonderful weekend of family, friends, rowdy kids, funny movies and a stroll and train ride through the Gardens. Witnessing her firsthand, she may take an extra break here and there. Knowing her well, I am able to catch a glimpse of an occasional deep breath and look of "Okay, its time to sit down". For the most part, however, she continues moving forward with minimal evidence of fatigue and symptoms. She simply looks great.
Currently, the schedule for treatment number six is in question. Last Thursday's "vampire appointment" showed significantly decreased white blood cell counts. For the first time, she was placed on antibiotics in an effort to raise these counts and to provide extra protection for warding off infection that otherwise her body would have a hard time fighting off. This seems to be having a positive impact. She says that she is able to feel herself getting a bit stronger since the beginning of this weekend. Tomorrow, she will find out if she is able to remain on track for completing treatment number six on Thursday. While her Oncology team hopes to stay on target with her scheduled protocol, it is important that she be able to remain strong and able to fight off infection throughout her treatments. We hope to have more information Tuesday.
As she is in all of our minds and all of our prayers, please send an extra thought and an extra prayer for the continued increase of white blood cell counts to allow treatment number six to proceed as scheduled and without delay. As you can imagine, Char is eager to check this Chemo Protocol off of her "to-do-list" and move on to more energetic, less achy, and less nauseated days. She certainly would not want that to sound like a complaint, "This is something that I have to do. I know what to expect and I know I have to face it and experience it. I will get through it. The next one may pack a stronger punch, but then brighter days are coming. I have five down and one to go. I will get there. I just have to get through this time first. And I am getting through it". I would have to say she is more than "getting through it". She is doing great, pushing hard and making it look quite effortless though I cannot even begin to imagine the effort involved. You are an incredible source of motivation and inspiration Mom. We are very proud of you. Keep up your hard work and keep up your positive spirit and God bless your strong will! Get that red marker ready to put a nice fat line through that to-do-list!
All of Our Love,
Your Gang
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