Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.
I was in Indianapolis for the feast. There is a sense of comfort sitting, talking, and of course eating with family. I really enjoyed the several acts that Sam, Emily, Julie , Ross, Uncle john and the wonderful narrator Aunt Lisa. It was informative and very funny. We missed those who couldn't make it.
This was a special holiday for me this year. i have so many people that have helped and sent their love and support this year. I am so thankful for this. This has and continues to be a very hard year for me. I reflected on how truly lucky I am. i have a ways to go but having every ones love and support will make me stronger.
We have pictures of course but they won't get up until tomorrow.
Love andrea
Andrea's home in Indy & feeling better :-)
Dear family & friends
Andrea got out of IU on Thursday night. She was still puny then, but by the next day the nausea and dizziness was much better.
The next day we enjoyed a short walk at eagle creek and enjoyed seeing and hearing the migrating sandhill cranes. They sounded so neat. Yeserday we enjoyed alittle walk and ride to our grove. It was a beautiful day. We enjoyed the scenery and watching Kathleens little dog Penny run and play. Then Penny actually jummped in the creek after Joe. Andrea is still very weak and she had to ride in the wheelchair back but it was still nice for all of us to see her enjoying more and being sick less. John, Lisa, Sam & Emily came by and we enjoyed a nice visit and some pizza. It was nice. So wonderful day Andrea had less pain and only one episode of nausea and dizziness.
Today a little rough to start but she quickly regrouped and we enjoyed watiching the birds,a little drauma with a visiting? Sharp Shinned or Cooper Hawk, and listening to old albums and Joe playing guitar. So off to good start for a day of rest and healing for Andrea and all of us.
Tomorrow Andrea has a couple appointments one of them being a follow up appointment with Dr. Azar. Then there is the up coming Thanksgiving at Aunt Mary's & Joe and we'er looking forward to making pies. :-)
So thank you all for your continued interest, love and support for Andrea and all of us. Hopefully Andrea will continue her recovery and remission. She is working so hard and it is a daily battle.
Love Sharon
- Sunday, November 22, 2009
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Andrea is at home and big decision ahead
Andrea was discharged from the hospital yesterday. She is at home in Indianapolis and recovering. She is still having pain in her back and vertigo. The pain is being controlled by pain medicine and hopefully over time the pain will subside. The doctors are trying some differents things for the vertigo to try and get that under better control. They are trying a scapalamine patch to see if that helps Andrea's vertigo. She did try that patch early on in her treatment and it was not effective. However, it is worth a shot now and so many things have changes since then that maybe now it may be more effective.
Additionally, the big decision that is weighing on Andrea's mind is whether she should receive more chemo or stop the treatment. Originally, the protocol that Andrea put on by Dr. Kent at Rush in Chicago was a treatment that had a near 90% cure rate and had a total of 9 chemo treatments. That protocol was and has been very intense and was only meant for patients up to the age of 21. There was not much data on its effectiveness on persons near Andrea's age, but Dr. Kent and all of us were hopeful that it would achieve the same 90% cure rate in Andrea.
However, due to its intensity and other factors, the treatment has been extremely hard on Andrea and even near fatal at times. Everytime Andrea has gotten chemo, she has had to be subsequently rushed to the hospital with an infection. Thus, the doctors at IU Medical have recommended that maybe stopping the treatment is the way to go to prevent any more near fatal incidents. Alternatively, even if additional chemo is not fatal, it may lessen Andrea's future quality of life greatly. For example, additional chemo may cause such an infection that she has be on a ventilator or make it so she simply cannot participate in the things she has always enjoyed - like gardening/being creative and other things.
Andrea still is going to have a conversation with Dr. Kent though to get his input and opinion on this issue. The downside of not receiving any more chemo is that it does not give Andrea the satisfaction of completing the protocol that she is on. She has completed 6 out of the 9 treatments. Also, it gives her less hope that her cure rate is in the 90% range. The doctors at IU have indicated that an adult who receives 6 rounds of chemo has a 50% cure rate. However, the three rounds of chemo that are left are called Maintenance Rounds and even Dr. Kent has stated that he doesn't know how necessary these rounds are to achieve the 90% cure rate. Thus, even if she stops, she still may be at a much higher cure rate than 50%. Also, Andrea in her 6 rounds of chemo has still received much more chemo at a much higher intensity than a normal adult who would receive 6 rounds of chemo.
There are other considerations to think of as well. One such consideration is Andrea's stem cells. If she were ever to relapse and needed a bone marrow transplant, she would need healthy stem cells for a transplant. However, right now, she does not have healthy enough stem cells to get a transplant. Thus, stopping chemo now would allow her stem cells to recover in order for her to receive a transplant. If she were to get more chemo and she relapses, she may not have had enough time to have her stem cells recover and would not be able to get a transplant.
Another consiration is that Andrea's bone marrow and immune system is extremely weak. The doctors have told us actually that there is more risk of relapse if her bone marrow stays suppressed for a long period time and if her immune system is weak. If she stops chemo now, it may allow her to recover and get healthy and strong to be better able to fight a possible relapse.
So, she has a great deal on her mind and great number of things to consider. Whatever she decides however, we are all behind her 100% and will always support her no matter what. She is very strong and she has and will beat this cancer no matter what she decides.
Additionally, the big decision that is weighing on Andrea's mind is whether she should receive more chemo or stop the treatment. Originally, the protocol that Andrea put on by Dr. Kent at Rush in Chicago was a treatment that had a near 90% cure rate and had a total of 9 chemo treatments. That protocol was and has been very intense and was only meant for patients up to the age of 21. There was not much data on its effectiveness on persons near Andrea's age, but Dr. Kent and all of us were hopeful that it would achieve the same 90% cure rate in Andrea.
However, due to its intensity and other factors, the treatment has been extremely hard on Andrea and even near fatal at times. Everytime Andrea has gotten chemo, she has had to be subsequently rushed to the hospital with an infection. Thus, the doctors at IU Medical have recommended that maybe stopping the treatment is the way to go to prevent any more near fatal incidents. Alternatively, even if additional chemo is not fatal, it may lessen Andrea's future quality of life greatly. For example, additional chemo may cause such an infection that she has be on a ventilator or make it so she simply cannot participate in the things she has always enjoyed - like gardening/being creative and other things.
Andrea still is going to have a conversation with Dr. Kent though to get his input and opinion on this issue. The downside of not receiving any more chemo is that it does not give Andrea the satisfaction of completing the protocol that she is on. She has completed 6 out of the 9 treatments. Also, it gives her less hope that her cure rate is in the 90% range. The doctors at IU have indicated that an adult who receives 6 rounds of chemo has a 50% cure rate. However, the three rounds of chemo that are left are called Maintenance Rounds and even Dr. Kent has stated that he doesn't know how necessary these rounds are to achieve the 90% cure rate. Thus, even if she stops, she still may be at a much higher cure rate than 50%. Also, Andrea in her 6 rounds of chemo has still received much more chemo at a much higher intensity than a normal adult who would receive 6 rounds of chemo.
There are other considerations to think of as well. One such consideration is Andrea's stem cells. If she were ever to relapse and needed a bone marrow transplant, she would need healthy stem cells for a transplant. However, right now, she does not have healthy enough stem cells to get a transplant. Thus, stopping chemo now would allow her stem cells to recover in order for her to receive a transplant. If she were to get more chemo and she relapses, she may not have had enough time to have her stem cells recover and would not be able to get a transplant.
Another consiration is that Andrea's bone marrow and immune system is extremely weak. The doctors have told us actually that there is more risk of relapse if her bone marrow stays suppressed for a long period time and if her immune system is weak. If she stops chemo now, it may allow her to recover and get healthy and strong to be better able to fight a possible relapse.
So, she has a great deal on her mind and great number of things to consider. Whatever she decides however, we are all behind her 100% and will always support her no matter what. She is very strong and she has and will beat this cancer no matter what she decides.
- Friday, November 20, 2009
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3
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Still in remission
We found out yesterday that the PET scan showed that Andrea is still in remission. This is great news and more forthcoming...
- Wednesday, November 18, 2009
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10
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ANDREA IS IN REMISSION YAH ;-)
Dear Family and Friends
Yesterday was a big day, though the radiologist and the infectious disease team still think the lesions on Andreas spleen are lymphoma the oncologist agreed with Dr. Kent that he thinks it is a the fungal infection. He told Andrea that the only more sure he could be is if they had a biopsy of her bone when the pet scan was so positive last time, then they might have additional information of what was in the bones. But he also thought it was reasonable to assume and treat Andrea as she was for a fungal infection. Also he thinks 99.5% that she is remission. Which sounds wonderful but somehow it is not the total relief we had hoped for in the beginning. The doctor spoke to us for a couple hours again and Andrea asked him about his thoughts about future chemo. Before the last chemo Dr. Kent had suggested that Andrea think about if she had had enough since she had so many complications or to think about if she was up for more. Boy what a hard decision Andrea said she didn't want to be a quiter and she was up for the fight if that is what was needed. So after more problems even with the low chemo Dr. Azar had a very thoughtful convervation with her about treatment approaches, studies and that Andrea has had so many terrible toxic side affects from chemo he thought it was time for her to think about what she felt wanted to do. He readily noted that if she had come here she would have been given a 50% survival rate and that what doctor Kent apparently felt that she might benefit from the extremly high doses of chemo so that might increase her survival rate but she had alot of toxic affects so she need to way the potential risks and benefits with more treatment or stopping. His information seem to be that he felt the cancer was gone and giving more chemo may have no proven increase in her survival rate and she may have even more toxic complications. He thought that if the cancer was still there it was probably resistent to the current treatment and more chemo at this time may not still get rid of it and really important for her to heal so that if it came back she could have stem cells for a possible transplant. He advised her to discuss that with Dr. Kent who might feel differently and could advise her what he thought she might benefit from because there are different treatment approaches so she should think about it, read about it and talk to Dr. Kent and she said she would. So it ended with him suggesting some web sites for her to get information and then search her own self on what could she live with or regret less. He said he thought she was cured from cancer now and she has to think if it returns will you regreat more that " I should have had more chemo and maybe it wouldn't have returned or if she does more chemo will she be too weak to fight if it returns. (he is talking about stem cell transplant and currently she could not have one and for ?6months or longer before her bone morrow recovered) Or she had more chemo she could have an even worse toxic effect from chemo not unlike her last icu episode where she could have died or have other more lasting side effects because its toxic effects are usually cumilative. His opinion was she has had alot of chemo and suffered alot of side effects and he would not give her more chemo because he didn't think it would help and could potentially cause her more terrible side effects and now she could focus on getting stronger again. So it ended with Andrea being thoughtful but she said it was a very informative and that was a comfort. She also got two units of blood and more potassium IV( her bone morrow is still trying to recover) She alot met with a nutritionist who recommend some vitamin supplements that might also help with her taste, nausea and protein.
Today she had two neuro exams. They said her MRI of her head looked good and the thought her dizziness and nausea vomiting could have been from the chemo or an antiobiotic but that she could have an injury to part of the cerebellum or ear and they made some recomendations. The pharmasist also has been assisting with suggested medications and possible interactions. She also met with the infectious disease doctors, Dr. Azar, his team and social worker hoping to make Andrea feel better for when she went home. Unfortunately Andrea was really sick all day so hopefully she will have everything ajusted and have a better night. Its another girls night so I think lucky charms are in order for supper :-)
So to all of you who has sent Andrea and all of us your thoughts and prayers thank you we think it is helping and I am hoping a Andrea is in remission party will come soon, as soon as she starts feeling alittle better.
Take care
Love Sharon
Yesterday was a big day, though the radiologist and the infectious disease team still think the lesions on Andreas spleen are lymphoma the oncologist agreed with Dr. Kent that he thinks it is a the fungal infection. He told Andrea that the only more sure he could be is if they had a biopsy of her bone when the pet scan was so positive last time, then they might have additional information of what was in the bones. But he also thought it was reasonable to assume and treat Andrea as she was for a fungal infection. Also he thinks 99.5% that she is remission. Which sounds wonderful but somehow it is not the total relief we had hoped for in the beginning. The doctor spoke to us for a couple hours again and Andrea asked him about his thoughts about future chemo. Before the last chemo Dr. Kent had suggested that Andrea think about if she had had enough since she had so many complications or to think about if she was up for more. Boy what a hard decision Andrea said she didn't want to be a quiter and she was up for the fight if that is what was needed. So after more problems even with the low chemo Dr. Azar had a very thoughtful convervation with her about treatment approaches, studies and that Andrea has had so many terrible toxic side affects from chemo he thought it was time for her to think about what she felt wanted to do. He readily noted that if she had come here she would have been given a 50% survival rate and that what doctor Kent apparently felt that she might benefit from the extremly high doses of chemo so that might increase her survival rate but she had alot of toxic affects so she need to way the potential risks and benefits with more treatment or stopping. His information seem to be that he felt the cancer was gone and giving more chemo may have no proven increase in her survival rate and she may have even more toxic complications. He thought that if the cancer was still there it was probably resistent to the current treatment and more chemo at this time may not still get rid of it and really important for her to heal so that if it came back she could have stem cells for a possible transplant. He advised her to discuss that with Dr. Kent who might feel differently and could advise her what he thought she might benefit from because there are different treatment approaches so she should think about it, read about it and talk to Dr. Kent and she said she would. So it ended with him suggesting some web sites for her to get information and then search her own self on what could she live with or regret less. He said he thought she was cured from cancer now and she has to think if it returns will you regreat more that " I should have had more chemo and maybe it wouldn't have returned or if she does more chemo will she be too weak to fight if it returns. (he is talking about stem cell transplant and currently she could not have one and for ?6months or longer before her bone morrow recovered) Or she had more chemo she could have an even worse toxic effect from chemo not unlike her last icu episode where she could have died or have other more lasting side effects because its toxic effects are usually cumilative. His opinion was she has had alot of chemo and suffered alot of side effects and he would not give her more chemo because he didn't think it would help and could potentially cause her more terrible side effects and now she could focus on getting stronger again. So it ended with Andrea being thoughtful but she said it was a very informative and that was a comfort. She also got two units of blood and more potassium IV( her bone morrow is still trying to recover) She alot met with a nutritionist who recommend some vitamin supplements that might also help with her taste, nausea and protein.
Today she had two neuro exams. They said her MRI of her head looked good and the thought her dizziness and nausea vomiting could have been from the chemo or an antiobiotic but that she could have an injury to part of the cerebellum or ear and they made some recomendations. The pharmasist also has been assisting with suggested medications and possible interactions. She also met with the infectious disease doctors, Dr. Azar, his team and social worker hoping to make Andrea feel better for when she went home. Unfortunately Andrea was really sick all day so hopefully she will have everything ajusted and have a better night. Its another girls night so I think lucky charms are in order for supper :-)
So to all of you who has sent Andrea and all of us your thoughts and prayers thank you we think it is helping and I am hoping a Andrea is in remission party will come soon, as soon as she starts feeling alittle better.
Take care
Love Sharon
- Tuesday, November 17, 2009
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Today is big day please send your thoughts & prayers
Dear family and friends
We are sorry we did not post for several days. I had hoped Andrea could help write this one and we could post some pictures. However Andreas time at home has had a few wonderful moments filled with wonderful distractions and love by family and friends, mixed feeling really terrible. We started off Andrea's time at home by joining Joe and Rod for the famous friday chinese buffet, regularly attended by the Wishard biomed group. We missed Dan & several of the other regular members but it was still nice. We also enjoyed visiting Stephanie, a close childhood friend of Andreas, at her new home. She has really a nice place in broadripple. We enjoyed those wonderful twins and the winning :-) Uncle John for a visit and dinner at MCL, we enjoyed a visit from Uncle Tom, Uncle Ralph and dinner at home with friends Kathy and Kate. It was a nice dinner, but unfortunately Andrea had gotten progressively weaker and dizzy and then ran a high fever. It was upsetting to her to have to go to the hospital, especially since this was the 50% chemo dose and we all hoped she would not be in the hospital for any of the time. We had scheduled an appointment for an oncologist to see her at IU so that if she had any problems while visiting it wouldn't be so scary for Andrea if she got sick. The oncologist had the reputation of being not only an excellent doctor but also wonderful to his patients. He spent alot of time with Andrea, us and reviewing her history. Andrea, Joe, Kathleen and I thought he was really good and kind so it felt comforting. Unfortunately Andrea got a fever and we had to go to the ER. However Dr. Azar had a 4 page history and physical and even his recomendations for antiobiotics so it made the ER visit and Andrea's admission much easier. We had just got Andrea in bed and fast a sleep when the power went off because of some accident. But despite emergency power and flashlights for the bathroom everyone has been incrediable. The doctors have sent alot of time explaining, and talking to Andrea and us as they are working up some of Andreas symptoms and her abnormal previous tests to see how those problems might be impacting her current symptoms. Unfortunately they had to remove her PICC line because of its age and its possibly being a source of infection and because of her fevers and terrible headaches she had to have a spinal. That was a terrible day since Andrea has had ?12 spinal chemo's and they had become so painful Andrea was really worried. But one of the doctors actually made arrangements with two different radiologists and got medications from the floor so he could give her medications for comfort during the procedure. It was really something Andrea and I really appreciated. When they were unable to replace the picc line, since her major vessels in her arms clotted probably from previous procedures the talked her and came out and talked to us about why they needed to put in a hickman catheter. Andrea came through like a champ two more painful experiences behind her. So I can't say enough about how terrible it is Andrea has to go through all this but it has been wonderful having her home and such a comfort that the doctors, the nurses are seem so good and so kind and Andreas room is so quiet and beautiful. It has made one more frighting experience alittle easier. We did also enjoy a visit while here from Aunt Joanne & Uncle Brian who brought us cupcakes and Uncle John and Aunt Lisa who brought us candy :-). Last night was girls night for Kathleen & Andrea who worked on a puzzle and watched a movie. Today Joe played music and Andrea had her Pet scan and was examined by the opthomologist to check to see if the fungus or the medication has affected her eyes. He thought looked good but needs rechecked in a few weeks. During this admission Andrea has had CT scans of her abd, chest, pelvis, and an MRI of her head and several episodes with hours of painful, headaches, dizziness,nausea,vomiting and back pain and through it all she smiles at me and says tomorrow will be a good day and I pray it is.
Andreas last CT's were abnormal. Her MRI showed leasions in her brain. The PET scan was frightening to read. She had multiple active lesions in her soft tissues,lymph nodes in her chest & abd multiple bones,liver and spleen and it said they were unable to differentiate between inflammatory and malignant lesions. We were told it looked like a fungal infection. However since Andreas counts were down so long from previous treatments and the fungal infection it actually put her at risk for cancer. I couldn't believe it, how could such a terrible thing happen, But we were and are hopeful. Here the infectious disease team think the lesions on her bones and in liver and spleen look like cancer. The hematology team talked to dr. Kent and he too was a little worried but they are hopeful that it is the infection. So Andrea was told that if she has lesions on the bones with the new pet scan that they would recomend a bone marrow biopsy to see what it is. So tomorrow we dare to hope for Andrea a break in this terrible cancer journey. She's tired and she's tired of being sick and everything envolved with the painful treatment but in some her most difficult times closes her eyes and she chants I am strong, we are strong and I cry.
So today is another big day for Andrea and she can use all the extra love, thoughts and prayers you all can send her. Today all the tests from here will be reviewed and some compared with some of tests at Rush. Then they will give us their interpretations and recomendations. So thank you all for all the love and support you send to Andrea and all of us. Today and tuff days ahead(and may they be fewer) we will continue to get strength from all of you and all the wonderful ways you show Andrea and us your love and support.
Thank you, Take care Love Sharon,
We are sorry we did not post for several days. I had hoped Andrea could help write this one and we could post some pictures. However Andreas time at home has had a few wonderful moments filled with wonderful distractions and love by family and friends, mixed feeling really terrible. We started off Andrea's time at home by joining Joe and Rod for the famous friday chinese buffet, regularly attended by the Wishard biomed group. We missed Dan & several of the other regular members but it was still nice. We also enjoyed visiting Stephanie, a close childhood friend of Andreas, at her new home. She has really a nice place in broadripple. We enjoyed those wonderful twins and the winning :-) Uncle John for a visit and dinner at MCL, we enjoyed a visit from Uncle Tom, Uncle Ralph and dinner at home with friends Kathy and Kate. It was a nice dinner, but unfortunately Andrea had gotten progressively weaker and dizzy and then ran a high fever. It was upsetting to her to have to go to the hospital, especially since this was the 50% chemo dose and we all hoped she would not be in the hospital for any of the time. We had scheduled an appointment for an oncologist to see her at IU so that if she had any problems while visiting it wouldn't be so scary for Andrea if she got sick. The oncologist had the reputation of being not only an excellent doctor but also wonderful to his patients. He spent alot of time with Andrea, us and reviewing her history. Andrea, Joe, Kathleen and I thought he was really good and kind so it felt comforting. Unfortunately Andrea got a fever and we had to go to the ER. However Dr. Azar had a 4 page history and physical and even his recomendations for antiobiotics so it made the ER visit and Andrea's admission much easier. We had just got Andrea in bed and fast a sleep when the power went off because of some accident. But despite emergency power and flashlights for the bathroom everyone has been incrediable. The doctors have sent alot of time explaining, and talking to Andrea and us as they are working up some of Andreas symptoms and her abnormal previous tests to see how those problems might be impacting her current symptoms. Unfortunately they had to remove her PICC line because of its age and its possibly being a source of infection and because of her fevers and terrible headaches she had to have a spinal. That was a terrible day since Andrea has had ?12 spinal chemo's and they had become so painful Andrea was really worried. But one of the doctors actually made arrangements with two different radiologists and got medications from the floor so he could give her medications for comfort during the procedure. It was really something Andrea and I really appreciated. When they were unable to replace the picc line, since her major vessels in her arms clotted probably from previous procedures the talked her and came out and talked to us about why they needed to put in a hickman catheter. Andrea came through like a champ two more painful experiences behind her. So I can't say enough about how terrible it is Andrea has to go through all this but it has been wonderful having her home and such a comfort that the doctors, the nurses are seem so good and so kind and Andreas room is so quiet and beautiful. It has made one more frighting experience alittle easier. We did also enjoy a visit while here from Aunt Joanne & Uncle Brian who brought us cupcakes and Uncle John and Aunt Lisa who brought us candy :-). Last night was girls night for Kathleen & Andrea who worked on a puzzle and watched a movie. Today Joe played music and Andrea had her Pet scan and was examined by the opthomologist to check to see if the fungus or the medication has affected her eyes. He thought looked good but needs rechecked in a few weeks. During this admission Andrea has had CT scans of her abd, chest, pelvis, and an MRI of her head and several episodes with hours of painful, headaches, dizziness,nausea,vomiting and back pain and through it all she smiles at me and says tomorrow will be a good day and I pray it is.
Andreas last CT's were abnormal. Her MRI showed leasions in her brain. The PET scan was frightening to read. She had multiple active lesions in her soft tissues,lymph nodes in her chest & abd multiple bones,liver and spleen and it said they were unable to differentiate between inflammatory and malignant lesions. We were told it looked like a fungal infection. However since Andreas counts were down so long from previous treatments and the fungal infection it actually put her at risk for cancer. I couldn't believe it, how could such a terrible thing happen, But we were and are hopeful. Here the infectious disease team think the lesions on her bones and in liver and spleen look like cancer. The hematology team talked to dr. Kent and he too was a little worried but they are hopeful that it is the infection. So Andrea was told that if she has lesions on the bones with the new pet scan that they would recomend a bone marrow biopsy to see what it is. So tomorrow we dare to hope for Andrea a break in this terrible cancer journey. She's tired and she's tired of being sick and everything envolved with the painful treatment but in some her most difficult times closes her eyes and she chants I am strong, we are strong and I cry.
So today is another big day for Andrea and she can use all the extra love, thoughts and prayers you all can send her. Today all the tests from here will be reviewed and some compared with some of tests at Rush. Then they will give us their interpretations and recomendations. So thank you all for all the love and support you send to Andrea and all of us. Today and tuff days ahead(and may they be fewer) we will continue to get strength from all of you and all the wonderful ways you show Andrea and us your love and support.
Thank you, Take care Love Sharon,
Big day today
Andrea is still in the hospital in Indy. The blood cultures and CT-scans and MRIs have all come back negative so far for infection. She is doing okay but still is fighting nausea and back pain. Yesterday she got very nauseated early in the morning and then again in the evening. I still do believe though that she is getting stronger. Her white counts are in a safe range and hopefully she will be able to leave the hospital soon.
Today is especially a big day for her. She has another PET scan today. This scan is the best scan available to tell if she is still in remission. The last few PET scans have shown she is in remission and all signs point to this scan showing she is in remission also. Andrea, however, and all of us are still a little nervous. So, send a few extra prayers and positive thoughts her way today for positive results on this PET scan.
Today is especially a big day for her. She has another PET scan today. This scan is the best scan available to tell if she is still in remission. The last few PET scans have shown she is in remission and all signs point to this scan showing she is in remission also. Andrea, however, and all of us are still a little nervous. So, send a few extra prayers and positive thoughts her way today for positive results on this PET scan.
- Monday, November 16, 2009
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Doing better today
Andrea seems to be doing better today. Her main symptoms right now are pain in her back which she has had for a while and dizziness/vertigo which she also has had for a while. The meds though are seeming to control the pain and vertigo ok. She still is very dizzy at times, but there seems to be no answer for the dizziness except valium.
She is no longer having any fevers. The doctors don't really know why she did have fevers. They have a few theories though. It could have been due to an infection generally, it could be an infection that she had in her PICC line, or it could be just her immune system recovering. They don't know if it is an infection because no cultures have come back positive for cultures. The CT scans also didn't show any new infections. So, maybe it is just her immune system recovering. Although the part that may seem like an infection is that the fevers stopped after the PICC line was removed and after she was put on antibiotics.
Either way, she seems to be recovering and feeling better today. She has mostly been relaxing and taking lots of naps. A walk and maybe a cheesy movie is also in her future.
She is no longer having any fevers. The doctors don't really know why she did have fevers. They have a few theories though. It could have been due to an infection generally, it could be an infection that she had in her PICC line, or it could be just her immune system recovering. They don't know if it is an infection because no cultures have come back positive for cultures. The CT scans also didn't show any new infections. So, maybe it is just her immune system recovering. Although the part that may seem like an infection is that the fevers stopped after the PICC line was removed and after she was put on antibiotics.
Either way, she seems to be recovering and feeling better today. She has mostly been relaxing and taking lots of naps. A walk and maybe a cheesy movie is also in her future.
- Saturday, November 14, 2009
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2
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In the hospital
I apologize about not many updates on the blog past 10 days or so. Just started a new job and been very busy unfortunately.
Andrea had to be rushed to the emergency room last Tuesday night in Indianapolis. She is currenly at IU Medical getting care for a possible infection. She was in Indy visiting her parents and family and, then, on last Tuesday night she had a fever of 102. We thought she may have been past her danger point because her counts were up. However, if anything we have learned from her condition is to expect the unexpected.
She was taken to IU Medical and has been receiving antibiotics and antifungal medications. The doctors there are not sure yet what is going on. They believe it may be an infection. Her blood cultures so far have come back negative for infections, but sometimes it takes many days/week for bacteria or fungus to grow. She also had to have her PICC line replaced with another type of line. The PICC had moved and the doctors thought it may be a source of infection as well. Along with the PICC being removed, she also had a spinal tap to make sure there is no infection in her central nervous system or brain. Andrea has been having severe headaches so doing the spinal tap seemed prudent.
She had those two procedures done last night under sedation. She came out just fine. Hopefully she will be feeling better today. I will once again try and keep everyone updated and I am hoping this is a small bump in the road to recovery.
Andrea had to be rushed to the emergency room last Tuesday night in Indianapolis. She is currenly at IU Medical getting care for a possible infection. She was in Indy visiting her parents and family and, then, on last Tuesday night she had a fever of 102. We thought she may have been past her danger point because her counts were up. However, if anything we have learned from her condition is to expect the unexpected.
She was taken to IU Medical and has been receiving antibiotics and antifungal medications. The doctors there are not sure yet what is going on. They believe it may be an infection. Her blood cultures so far have come back negative for infections, but sometimes it takes many days/week for bacteria or fungus to grow. She also had to have her PICC line replaced with another type of line. The PICC had moved and the doctors thought it may be a source of infection as well. Along with the PICC being removed, she also had a spinal tap to make sure there is no infection in her central nervous system or brain. Andrea has been having severe headaches so doing the spinal tap seemed prudent.
She had those two procedures done last night under sedation. She came out just fine. Hopefully she will be feeling better today. I will once again try and keep everyone updated and I am hoping this is a small bump in the road to recovery.
- Friday, November 13, 2009
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1
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Happy Halloween
Above is video of Andrea and Jaden. Below are some pictures of Andrea's Halloween.
Andrea has a pretty good Halloween weekend. Yesterday in the morning she had some trouble with pain but it was quickly controlled by pain medication. Then, I made her breakfast and we watched a movie (it was not a romantic comedy - it was just a plain 'ole comedy). After that, Andrea and I went trick or treating with Jaden, Max, and Brody. They are our friends' and neighbors', Bela/Andy & Sarah/John, children. Jaden was a mermaid, Max was a polar bear, and Brody was a cat.
After going treat or treating with them, my brother Vipul, his wife Morgan, and my nephew Layton (dressed as a lion) came over with my parents and we again went trick or treating. We didn't get very far as Layton is only about 7 months old. We did try and get candy for him though. He was dressed up a lion. Also, after Andrea trick or treated with all the kids, she and her mom handed out candy to the neighborhood kids. After the Halloween festivities, we all had dinner together. Andrea really had a good Halloween.
Additionally, Andrea today got the best treat of all. The home health nurse came this morning to draw her blood for the regular blood test. We got the results back today and her white blood count is up to 6.1! That means that she is not at risk for infection anymore. This will be the first time after chemo since she started treatment that she has not gotten an infection between rounds of chemo. Looks like our doctor's plan for her chemo regimen worked and she will hopefully have another few weeks of healing at home before her next round of chemo.
- Sunday, November 1, 2009
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