After the 1st week

Last week was a rough one. Steve's throat was very sore and he felt crummy. He decided not to go for any additional fluids after last Monday just to give his veins and his body a rest. (It was very strange not having any appointments to go to). So, he lost another 3 pounds. This week and next he is scheduled for fluids three times each week. Mary, his PA, said his neck is even softer than last week and feels "full." This concerned us and she said the fullness is because of the swelling not because the tumor is growing back. Whew! So far, so good. I've noticed Steve's voice is getting stronger as he is "yelling" at the TV during football - GO BEARS!!!!!!!
Stephen, thank you for coming down for a couple of days and helping out, Alanna thank you for being here whenever we need you (and for letting dad drive your new wheels in the cul-de-sac). George and Chan thank you for spending Sunday with us.
Tomorrow Steve has an appt. with his radiation oncologist, hopefully we'll get great news again!
Thank you everyone for your continued calls, cards and emails!
Love to all.

Steve completed his radiation on 9/20/10

He received a certificate and his mask!

IT IS OVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank God my treatments are finally done. I received my completion certificate and my mask from the nurses / techs. We went in to see the chemo oncologist for a check up and hydration after radiation. The doctor and pa were ecstatic with how well the lymph has shrunk and disappeared. They could not feel a thing. Woo hoo. Best thing yet is I got some "LM" for my throat pain. Yes folks liquid morphine! Time to vegetate for a while. No doctors or hydration until next week.

Again I would like to thank my family, friends, and co-workers for their thoughts, prayers, and love. Without you it would have been hell for Mary and myself.

Peace out!

We were warned...

that Steve may start feeling crappy. He is. His throat is so sore that he can barely swallow and is now 100% on nutrition and hydration feedings. This should last a couple of more weeks and we are hoping that's all.
Thank you, Danalda for lunch today. It was nice getting out, and I do believe that will be my last "outing" for a while. I want to stay closer to Steve (I know you're thrilled, Steve) and make sure he eats and drinks enough to keep up his strength, because I'm sure he feels the same way I do that he needs to get back to work, soon (lol).
Love to all.

Week 7 - almost check

With one more radiation treatment to go, I can't say week 7 is really done. As the latest card from Geoff and Carol says "the end is near! (your treatments). How true. Thank you for the card and gift card - now stop!

Steve's radiation tech - Catalina is amazed at how resilient Steve's skin on his neck and face are. She said she wishes she could show him pictures of patients that have gone through what he has and their sores and burns.

This weekend hasn't started out quite as well as weekends prior. Steve woke up and said his throat has never hurt so much in his life. I really need to be after him for his feedings (he's only had 2 cans so far today (1pm)) and to drink plenty of water.

While Steve was getting hydration this past week, Dr. Chen came into the medical room and saw Steve. She stopped by, gave me a hug, checked Steve's neck, smiled and gave Steve a hug. Steve's doctors, nurses and techs just amaze me. Besides family and friends, I have never met more loving and caring people. Chan, you and Brenda were right. The medical professionals in oncology are very unique with how they make you feel.

Okay, and one more thing. I swear that Steve's hair on his head and chest are turning dark. I checked with Chan and she said it could happen, some people's hair color changes. Pretty expensive way of turning back time!

We couldn't have done this without you. Your love and support mean the world to us.

ONE MORE RADIATION TREATMENT!

1 more and I'm out the door!!!!!!

Let me tell you that these last 2 weeks have sucked big time. I really don't want to swallow or talk if I don't have to. I guess I should be grateful that this came in weeks 6 and 7 and not starting in week 3. For those of you keeping track on your scorecard it is 0 chemos left(even though I'm going to see her for hydration every week) and 1 radiation left. After that it's doctors visits and recuperation.
Thanks to everyone for their well wishes and prayers.
Oh and I would like to give a special shout out to my bald little leprechaun Michael J Lenihan. Thanks for the phone calls each week. They were very uplifting.

Peace out!

Wednesday, September 15th

I would like to thank the ladies that I work for and with - Laurie, Pam, Anita, Barb, Kathie and Kris for making our work luncheon yesterday extra special. Steve and I appreciate the super, duper large cookie (actually Steve took a nibble and I, well, we won't go into how much I had) and also the Sparking Apple Cider which will be perfect to celebrate next week!! You certainly went Above and Beyond - lol. FYI if you don't know -- I work for Above and Beyond Relocation Services. Above and Beyond is a women owned company (Pam and Laurie) that will be celebrating 10 years in business November 1. Pretty impressive! You ladies are a life saver - hugs to each and everyone.
Mary

Chemo Day

Steve had his last chemo yesterday! Very exciting! We can't believe he is in the final stretch of his treatment. Since his throat is so sore and he has a sore or two in his mouth, he will still need to see his chemo dr or PA next Monday. Steve is also scheduled for hydration Wed, Fri and next Monday. He thought that helped him through this past weekend so, why not?! What's another IV? His blood work throughout his treatment has been good, another nice surpise.

We saw Dr. N today and he is very surprised (and happy) that Steve is doing as well as he is doing. He is still eating through his mouth, very little, but anything is better than nothing. As long as he keeps swallowing this will help down the road and he may not need therapy. Steve is up to 6 cans of formula a day! Just need to get him to one more for a total of 7!

Thank you everyone, for your continued support and prayers! 4 more radiation treatments!

Week six - Check

I can't believe that in July 7 weeks seemed as such a long time. Now, we are down to the LAST week!
Steve is still a tad bit stubborn about taking his nutrition. I've been told ignore him, but that is easier said than done when it concerns his health. We are down to 7 cases! Hopefully only a few more weeks of this. Let's all keep our fingers crossed he can go back to work earlier lol.
Thank you Stephen for coming down and taking your dad out - Alanna thank you for taking me for a nice walk this morning!
1 more chemo and 6 more radiation treatments (darn that Labor day).
We thank everyone for their love and support.
Love you all!

The final stretch

Can you believe Monday starts week number 7? I can and I'm happy as a pig in you know what. If your counting at home, 1 chemo and 6 radiations left. I guess time flies when you're having fun. The sore throat is more pronounced now and knowing I only have 1 more week of radiation is a comfort. Hopefully the throat will be quick in healing because I really don't feel like talking too much right now.
I went into the chemo doctors office, after radiation yesterday, to get a bag of hydration to see if it would help with how I felt on weekends and it seems to have worked a little. Oh and I was weighed there. I am at 207 and have lost 30 pounds in 6 weeks. All in all I feel pretty good. Fatigue and the sore throat are my only foes.
Until next week sports fans. Be safe, be careful, and eat your greens.

Peace out.

Good news today

As I mentioned in my last post I was fitted with a new mask and yes I was rescanned today. After radiation treatment and rescanning I went in to see the doctor. He was pleased that I only lost 1 pound this week and he also informed us that it was a good thing with the new mask and rescan. It meant that not only did I lose weight but also the lymph has gone down so much that he can hardly feel it. Woo hoo. 1 more chemo and 13 more radiation treatments.

Week Five - Check

It really does seem like only yesterday when we were thinking seven weeks is a long time. We are already done with week five!
Steve is definitely feeling more pain now, and hopefully this will be the worse, though we both know "it will get worse before it gets better." I am nagging, but I worry that he isn't eating enough (he is getting better). I really think I'm turning into my mom!
Thank you, Alanna for taking daddy for labs and treatment yesterday. Thank you, George for helping Stephen move today and Geoff for letting Stephen use your truck. This really meant one less thing for Steve and I to worry about.
Finally, a huge thank you to Carol for taking me to lunch today, and letting me "cry" on your shoulder (which I do a lot) and Geoff for sitting with Steve while you nap - lol. Brookie and Sean, thank you for coming down and Uncle Steve's Netflix subscription. Today was a great day for me (though I may be feeling the affects tomorrow) darn that champagne and wine. Noonz - thank you for everything (except the beer - really, I finished my wine??!!!). Stephen, thank you for the phone call and birthday wishes, I know you worry about dad, but remember we will get through this for better or worse!!! I still want to go to Disneyland, but I think I was out voted tonight and we will be celebrating in November - in Vegas....can Las Vegas handle our family??!!!
Love to everyone. We so appreciate the prayers, wishes, thoughts and everything else in between!
2 more chemo and 10 more radiation treatments!!!!!

Could that be sunlight at the end of the tunnel.....

or the headlight of a freight train? Well folks 5 weeks has come and gone leaving only 2 weeks to go. The throat is beginning to get a little sorer as the weeks go on. I'm glad I have a long weekend to recuperate. After Fridays radiation session I had to be fitted with a new mask due to my weight loss and it looks like I'll have to be rescanned for new points on the mask. I'll find out Tuesday.

Thanks to Brooke and Sean for my Netflix subscription, it will be put to good use.