Today Cathy met with Dr Udhrain. The CT Scan and the Nuclear Bone Scan show there is nothing new and the cancer has not grown.A stable disease is still a good sign. He said that Kadcyla could have delayed effects and that a "targeted therapy" may take longer. The tumor markers are still a little bit elevated, but this could also reflect that the tumors are dying? After 2 more treatments he will repeat the tumor marker test.
Due to Cathy's foot swelling at the last treatment, they slowed this I.V. drip down to 45 minutes and increased the Decadron. However, she did have swelling on the trip home beginning at 4 pm.
Since this is a targeted therapy, Dr Udhrain, agreed to Cathy's request to hold off on taking the Neulasta shot. He did warn her that it could delay her next treatment if the blood counts go to low.
Gratefully,
Lori
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Sunday, July 21, 2013
Tests
Scheduled for Tuesday, July 23, I will be having a CT, a bone scan, and bone densitometry (for osteopenia). I always get a little anxious about these--ignorance is bliss?--NOT. This is one way we can try to stay on top of matters. To know exactly what is going on inside informs us as to whether or not the new drug, Kadcyla, is working. Of course, I'm praying to be greatly encouraged that things are moving in a positive direction; however, if not, then we would want to change our present course of action.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayers and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayers and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
A Final Word by Charles Stanley
from his book How to Handle Adversity
"Suffering is unavoidable. It comes without warning; it takes us by surprise. It can shatter or strengthen us. It can be the source of great bitterness or abounding joy. It can be the means by which our faith is destroyed. Or it can be the tool through which our faith is deepened. The outcome hinges not on the nature or source of our adversity, but on the character and spirit of our response. Our response to adversity will for the most part by determined by our reason for living, our purpose for being on this earth, as we see it."
Next week I am to have a CT scan done. This type test always makes me a bit apprehensive. Please, intercede for me that I would remain calm, especially for the interim time between the test and my next Block Center appoint, which is scheduled for the 30th.
"Suffering is unavoidable. It comes without warning; it takes us by surprise. It can shatter or strengthen us. It can be the source of great bitterness or abounding joy. It can be the means by which our faith is destroyed. Or it can be the tool through which our faith is deepened. The outcome hinges not on the nature or source of our adversity, but on the character and spirit of our response. Our response to adversity will for the most part by determined by our reason for living, our purpose for being on this earth, as we see it."
Next week I am to have a CT scan done. This type test always makes me a bit apprehensive. Please, intercede for me that I would remain calm, especially for the interim time between the test and my next Block Center appoint, which is scheduled for the 30th.
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
26th Treatment at the Block Center
Not only did God provide safe travel, but we also managed to "skirt" all the rain storms in the area on our trip to Chicago.
For the past three visits, Cathy's port has been troublesome. While they have been able to infuse the medications, they were unable to draw blood for lab tests. Mercifully, that changed on this trip. We were so happy to see her blood flow when they drew it for a tumor marker test!! This saved her a trip to the hospital where her port was installed. Please pray that the problem has been finally resolved.
Since Cathy has discontinued the hormone therapy it has allowed her body to resume a healthier weight - that, along with due diligence concerning her diet. This was a pleasant surprise.
The Block Center has requested another CT Scan in 2 weeks. Gratefully, this will help track the progress of the new drug Kadcyla. Please pray for the radiologist who will read this scan that he will note all the information needed to make a wise decision about continuing this treatment.
Cathy also received the results from her quarterly Nutritional Lab Panel. This is a 19 page, detailed report on her levels of antioxidants, inflammation, circulation, glycemia and immune panels. Ginger, the dietitian, used words like; fantastic, stable, good and perfect The inflammation panel did reflect the tissue growth in her liver by rising just a little. They have made a few changes in her daily supplement regiment.
One "quirky" side effect happened while they were infusing the Kadcyla. Cathy noticed that her right foot and ankle was swelling. They immediately stopped the I.V. and gave Cathy a steroid. Within 5 to 10 minutes her foot was back to normal and they resumed administering the final five minutes of the Kadcyla. On our trip home she did notice that it was beginning to swell again so we ask that you keep this in prayer.
Overall, this was a positive visit. Please remember that Cathy will be exhausted for 5 to 7 days after treatment and pray for her energy levels. She also continues to experience a dry mouth which interrupts her ability to sleep and feel rested.
I would like to personally note that Cathy gives encouragement to staff, family and patients while at the Block Center. I'm thankful for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and pray that she will always have the right words for all she encounters during this journey in life.
Lori
For the past three visits, Cathy's port has been troublesome. While they have been able to infuse the medications, they were unable to draw blood for lab tests. Mercifully, that changed on this trip. We were so happy to see her blood flow when they drew it for a tumor marker test!! This saved her a trip to the hospital where her port was installed. Please pray that the problem has been finally resolved.
Since Cathy has discontinued the hormone therapy it has allowed her body to resume a healthier weight - that, along with due diligence concerning her diet. This was a pleasant surprise.
The Block Center has requested another CT Scan in 2 weeks. Gratefully, this will help track the progress of the new drug Kadcyla. Please pray for the radiologist who will read this scan that he will note all the information needed to make a wise decision about continuing this treatment.
Cathy also received the results from her quarterly Nutritional Lab Panel. This is a 19 page, detailed report on her levels of antioxidants, inflammation, circulation, glycemia and immune panels. Ginger, the dietitian, used words like; fantastic, stable, good and perfect The inflammation panel did reflect the tissue growth in her liver by rising just a little. They have made a few changes in her daily supplement regiment.
One "quirky" side effect happened while they were infusing the Kadcyla. Cathy noticed that her right foot and ankle was swelling. They immediately stopped the I.V. and gave Cathy a steroid. Within 5 to 10 minutes her foot was back to normal and they resumed administering the final five minutes of the Kadcyla. On our trip home she did notice that it was beginning to swell again so we ask that you keep this in prayer.
Overall, this was a positive visit. Please remember that Cathy will be exhausted for 5 to 7 days after treatment and pray for her energy levels. She also continues to experience a dry mouth which interrupts her ability to sleep and feel rested.
I would like to personally note that Cathy gives encouragement to staff, family and patients while at the Block Center. I'm thankful for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and pray that she will always have the right words for all she encounters during this journey in life.
Lori
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Recently, a friend recommended to me Charles Stanley's How to Handle Adversity. I have found the reading to be most encouraging and desired to share with others going through their own experiences of adversity, that the book may be helpful in providing a fresh perspective during those times.
"Through all the pain and adversity God may allow us to face, two things are always true. First, He is sensitive to what we are feeling: "For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses." --Hebrews 4:15
Second, whatever He is in the process of accomplishing through our suffering will always be for our best interest."
"God is in the process of engineering circumstances through which He can reveal Himself to each of us. And both history as well as our personal testimonies bear witness to the fact that it is in times of adversity that we come to a greater realization of God's incredible faithfulness to us."
We are honed and shaped into Christ' likeness by sharing in His suffering. Fun? No! Worth it? Yes!
Remembering all of you in prayer--for sharing in my present trouble.
~Cath~
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