We are getting ready this morning to go to Venice Regional Medical Center for most of the day. Mom needs to get a shot and a blood transfusion. Hopefully the transfusion will give her some more energy. Her energy level has been very low for a few days, but she's still been going out into the gardens when she can. (She can't jip the birds and squirrels on birdseed!)
Forever family friends Becky, Phelps and ET will be driving down from the Bradenton area to come hang out at the hospital with us for a while. In the meantime dad will be at the dentist embarking on a two-year process to "fix" some issues in his mouth.
Then... later today Nancy will come over for the dandy shot.
Quick recap of yesterday... Went to doctor's office for blood counts, cleaning of port and chat with Dr. Lifton. Everyone at the office is so pleasant and efficient. No wonder mom and dad feel so pleased and relieved with the care they're getting. I am very satisfied!!
More later.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
Adventuring out...
Today mom and I ventured out to Target and then got take-out at Island Squeeze. Mom hasn't been out a lot lately so it was nice to get out, but a rathering tiring trip. Nancy came by in the late afternoon for the magic shot. Dad continues to work in the garden oasis!
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Happy Father's Day...
Today the big goal is to see if mom feels well enough to make it to Mr. T's to pick out some flowers for dad's "oasis" project. Dad is working on the backyard in phases so mom can help out with new projects as she's feeling up to it. No big plans today other than oasis work and enjoying a nice day at home all together. More later!
Saturday...
Yesterday mom started out with a morning visit from Nancy and Leah for magic shot (Relistor) administration. Nancy reported that mom is their first patient to have success with the shot. Yay! In a nutshell, all of the pain meds, chemo (combos) cause mom's system to stop functioning correctly, so this shot helps her find some relief. The shot is administered every two days.
In the late afternoon mom and dad enjoyed a visit from out of town family who brought a massive supply of yummy taco soup.
In the late afternoon mom and dad enjoyed a visit from out of town family who brought a massive supply of yummy taco soup.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Home for two weeks!!
The gardens at home are amazing!!
Talking to Katie on the phone while watering the flowers today. I arrived home on Wednesday evening just in time for a garden tour by dad followed by dinner and a movie. (Premonition with Sandra Bullock.... mom warns not your typical Sandra flick.) Mom was ok more or less, glad to have me home (of course). Yesterday mom had a slow morning, which is pretty typical. After a while we ventured out to the oncologist to pick up a prescription, drop it off at the pharmacy and go to the post office. Mom came along for the ride but wasn't up to going in places. She spent the rest of the day on the couch not feeling too great. Nancy came over around 5 p.m. to give mom the famous "shot." Nancy is very cool and truly demonstrates what real health care is all about; the patient! We had burgers, corn on the cob and tater tots for dinner and watched another movie. (This is basically the night routine)
Today I got up around 8:30 and didn't find mom on the couch. I thought maybe she slept in. Naive me. Mom was already up and about in the gardens in the back yard, fixing the bird feeders that the squirrels persistently terrorize. She had a pretty good morning and went on an errand with dad. In the afternoon she watered flowers and didn't get on the couch until much later in the day! This is a big change from the past few weeks and mom seemed very content with having a seemingly better day.
Tomorrow we are anticipating a short visit from out-of-town family if mom is feeling up to it.
I'll try to write summaries while I'm in town until July 1.
Today I got up around 8:30 and didn't find mom on the couch. I thought maybe she slept in. Naive me. Mom was already up and about in the gardens in the back yard, fixing the bird feeders that the squirrels persistently terrorize. She had a pretty good morning and went on an errand with dad. In the afternoon she watered flowers and didn't get on the couch until much later in the day! This is a big change from the past few weeks and mom seemed very content with having a seemingly better day.
Tomorrow we are anticipating a short visit from out-of-town family if mom is feeling up to it.
I'll try to write summaries while I'm in town until July 1.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Pics from the week
Mom w/ Yvette 
Dad putting Doug to work 
Getting hydration
Watching the squirrels snatch the birdfeed 
Gail came over to visit and trimmed the hair around Mom's ears.
Ready to unpack the truck! Dad only found 1 casualty.
With Peggy about to receive Doxil on Wed.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
New chemo on Wednesday!
Since Mom's cells are now platinum-resistant, her MD is starting her on a new chemo regiment called Doxil. The primary indication is for ovarian cancer patients that have been treated with carboplatin and taxol who have become resistant to the cocktail. Her CA-125 indicates that her body isn't reponding to the chemo, so let's pray the Doxil works ....
"THINK SHRINK" according to Nana!!
"THINK SHRINK" according to Nana!!
What is CA 125?
Cancer Antigen 125 (CA-125) is a protein that is found in greater concentration in tumor cells than in other cells of the body. It is present in greater concentration in peritoneal/ovarian cancer cells than in other cells. It is used as a biomarker.
How is CA 125 measured?
CA 125 is usually measured from a blood sample. It can also be measured in fluid from the chest or abdominal cavity.
What is the normal range for CA 125?
In most laboratories, the normal value is less than 35 U /ml.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Today was a bit like reaching into a Mary Poppins bag or Forrest Gump's box of chocolates. . .
This morning Mom didn't feel so great. She felt 'weird all over' and had some recurrent pain in her lower back region that radiates upwards. On our drive to the Oncology Center, she said to both Doug and I, "Well I think this is as good as it's gonna get today."
When we arrived at the Venice Oncology Center for Mom's purple- power port access, Nurse Nancy was kind enough to also give Mom a shot of Relistor, which reduces constipation caused by narcotics. Oh, and it works within five minutes-- so you better be near a toilet!! We had to be at the hospital for fluids and a CBC so Nurse N. CAME OUT to the parking lot and gave Mom the shot IN the car-- and within seconds Doug sped away. It was quite comical! Mom made it to the bathroom at the hospital within 5 minutes and probably lost another inch or two on her slightly distended abdomen. Of course, the nurses all say that Mom's "distended abdomen" is still way flatter than any of theirs!! (true, true)
We lunched in the hospital while Mom got fluids and gawked at the low prices in the cafeteria. My noodles and veggies were 89 cents and 69 cents, respectively, and Doug's stuff was under $2. Mom had soup & salad, and by the time she had finished, exclaimed that she was feeling much better! :)
Nana came by while I drove Doug to SRQ. I came back to the house to find Mom and Nana watching the birds & squirrels in the backyard gardens competing for birdseed. After the 4th try, Nana's car started and she made her way home. Mom was obviously in pain and discomfort, so I tried massaging her back for a little while and then we switched to a heating pad. While she was trying to get comfortable, I started reading her excerpts from I'd Rather Have Chemo Than Take Out the Garbage, written by a breast and ovarian cancer survivor. After one of her "breakthrough" pain pills kicked in, she felt a bit better.
We had home-made pizza with tomatoes and fresh basil from the garden for dinner... walked halfway around the block, and relaxed with a movie.
This morning Mom didn't feel so great. She felt 'weird all over' and had some recurrent pain in her lower back region that radiates upwards. On our drive to the Oncology Center, she said to both Doug and I, "Well I think this is as good as it's gonna get today."
When we arrived at the Venice Oncology Center for Mom's purple- power port access, Nurse Nancy was kind enough to also give Mom a shot of Relistor, which reduces constipation caused by narcotics. Oh, and it works within five minutes-- so you better be near a toilet!! We had to be at the hospital for fluids and a CBC so Nurse N. CAME OUT to the parking lot and gave Mom the shot IN the car-- and within seconds Doug sped away. It was quite comical! Mom made it to the bathroom at the hospital within 5 minutes and probably lost another inch or two on her slightly distended abdomen. Of course, the nurses all say that Mom's "distended abdomen" is still way flatter than any of theirs!! (true, true)
We lunched in the hospital while Mom got fluids and gawked at the low prices in the cafeteria. My noodles and veggies were 89 cents and 69 cents, respectively, and Doug's stuff was under $2. Mom had soup & salad, and by the time she had finished, exclaimed that she was feeling much better! :)
Nana came by while I drove Doug to SRQ. I came back to the house to find Mom and Nana watching the birds & squirrels in the backyard gardens competing for birdseed. After the 4th try, Nana's car started and she made her way home. Mom was obviously in pain and discomfort, so I tried massaging her back for a little while and then we switched to a heating pad. While she was trying to get comfortable, I started reading her excerpts from I'd Rather Have Chemo Than Take Out the Garbage, written by a breast and ovarian cancer survivor. After one of her "breakthrough" pain pills kicked in, she felt a bit better.
We had home-made pizza with tomatoes and fresh basil from the garden for dinner... walked halfway around the block, and relaxed with a movie.
Mom and Nancy 
Mom getting shot in car
Sunday, June 7, 2009
6/7
Dad left this morning for Badin, NC to pack up their remaining possessions and will drive back to Englewood this week in a U-Haul. Doug & I flew down from Boston on Friday and have so far enjoyed the lovely Florida thunderstorms as well as sunshine! We managed to go for a dip in the pool on Saturday after getting home from the hospital. The day started out wondering if Mom had a bowel obstruction and ended by watching a movie together in the living room. The realm of cancer-related "issues" strikes on it's own time, with complete disregard to schedule, and is very disrespectful. After a shot of Relistor, Mom was literally running for the nearest toilet- which she would sit on for the next hour. Luckily, her bowels woke up and a CT scan revealed there was no bowel obstruction... just the ever haunting narcotic-induced sleepy bowel syndrome. We stayed in the hospital with Mom and Dad until Mom's IV fluid drip had completed, and returned home for a late lunch and catching up. Later on, we celebrated Doug's 29th by eating some delicious ice-box cake that Mom had prepared, courtesy of her grandmother's recipe.
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