July 27, 2013
The Journey Ends
It is with a heavy heart that I write this news. My wonderful husband and best friend, Dennis, past away yesterday morning. He was a great man who will be truly missed by many. I love you, Dennis, with all my heart. May you now rest in peace.
July 18, 2013
Stopping Treatment
The latest scan show progression on Inlyta. From the scan report - Dennis' liver demonstrates severe worsening of the mets with innumerable hypodense lesions scattered throughout all segments of the liver. Over the weekend Dennis and I had a discussion about quality over quantity and we were planning on asking the hard questions associated with that decision. When we learned the news of no further treatment being appropriate I was personally relieved the decision of quality over quantity was no longer left to us. We have now been referred to hospice...
We met with the hospice nurse yesterday, made a list of needed supplies, and received those supplies yesterday afternoon. Most are not need at this time, but we will have them available for the future. The nurse talked with the social worker yesterday and he will stop by this morning. I have started the paperwork for FMLA and will take the time when needed.
Surprisingly, I'm keeping it together remarkably well...
We met with the hospice nurse yesterday, made a list of needed supplies, and received those supplies yesterday afternoon. Most are not need at this time, but we will have them available for the future. The nurse talked with the social worker yesterday and he will stop by this morning. I have started the paperwork for FMLA and will take the time when needed.
Surprisingly, I'm keeping it together remarkably well...
July 6, 2013
Struggling on the inside
I can't help but think about the future. How bad will it get? How much will he suffer?
I hate what this cancer is doing to my husband. He feels crappy. He's unable to get comfortable. He has almost no appetite. He walks slowly to minimize the shortness of breath. It breaks my heart to see him so thin and frail. I wish there was more I could do for him.
Dennis doesn't say much, but I can see a sadness in his eyes. Haylee doesn't talk much about her dad's health because it makes her sad and she doesn't want to cry. I'm strong on the outside, but...
We're all struggling on the inside.
April 25, 2013
Update
On April 19 Dennis went in for his CT scan, with results on April 22. The Afinitor is not working. There is an increase in the size and number of lesions in the liver. An increase in lymph node involvement, along with an increase in bilateral pulmonary nodules. Certainly not the news we wanted. Dennis will be starting a new drug, Inlyta, in a few weeks. He will have a CT scan in mid July to see if the medicine is working.
April 13, 2013
Change...
A change was made to the list serve I use for kidney cancer information. Waaaah!!!
Oh well, it's a work in progress...
Update: I went back in the site again and I'm still not a fan of the new format. I know I need to give it a chance, but it was so much easier to just read it in my email. I'm looking forward to a daily digest to be implemented which would work much better for me. Hope they add that feature soon because I hate scrolling through stuff!
Oh well, it's a work in progress...
Update: I went back in the site again and I'm still not a fan of the new format. I know I need to give it a chance, but it was so much easier to just read it in my email. I'm looking forward to a daily digest to be implemented which would work much better for me. Hope they add that feature soon because I hate scrolling through stuff!
Blood Transfusion
It's been an interesting week...
Last Friday Dennis commented his chest was tight, and in his words "feels like vise grips". The nurse Onc told him to stop the Afinitor until she saw him on Monday. Her first comment, "you look really pale". The blood work showed Dennis' hemoglobin was 5.4, normal is 12. Tuesday he went in for a blood transfusion. He returned on Thursday and his hemoglobin was at 7.7. The nurse said 8 is the deciding factor, so he had another transfusion.
Dennis also had a MRI on Thursday to take a closer look at his spine. Unfortunately, he was unable to complete the contrast part of the MRI, but after the nurse took a quick look at the report she believes he was scanned long enough for the information they need. He has a CT scan on 4/19, so I'm pretty sure we will get the MRI results during his visit on 4/22.
I hate to assume, but with Dennis' increased pain, and a few other issues, I'm not too sure the Afinitor is working. Usually when I assume, I'm wrong. I hope this is the case.
Last Friday Dennis commented his chest was tight, and in his words "feels like vise grips". The nurse Onc told him to stop the Afinitor until she saw him on Monday. Her first comment, "you look really pale". The blood work showed Dennis' hemoglobin was 5.4, normal is 12. Tuesday he went in for a blood transfusion. He returned on Thursday and his hemoglobin was at 7.7. The nurse said 8 is the deciding factor, so he had another transfusion.
Dennis also had a MRI on Thursday to take a closer look at his spine. Unfortunately, he was unable to complete the contrast part of the MRI, but after the nurse took a quick look at the report she believes he was scanned long enough for the information they need. He has a CT scan on 4/19, so I'm pretty sure we will get the MRI results during his visit on 4/22.
I hate to assume, but with Dennis' increased pain, and a few other issues, I'm not too sure the Afinitor is working. Usually when I assume, I'm wrong. I hope this is the case.
February 2, 2013
Disease Progression
It's been a very long time since I've updated this blog. To be honest, I've been busy living life and not worrying too much about cancer. That changed on Monday when Dennis' scan showed progression. The cancer has now spread to his lymph nodes, liver, and there are new spots in his lungs. There is also a change to the soft tissue component of his left iliac wing lesion.
About three weeks ago Dennis had his morphine increased since the pain medication wasn't lasting 12 hours, and he was increasing his breakthrough meds, along with taking Aleves. After reviewing xrays and talking with the radiologist on Thursday, Dennis will start palliative radiation treatments next week in hopes of relieving the pain. He will also start a new cancer drug - Afinitor. As with any of these cancer drugs there are more than a handful of side effects to look out for. I believe the biggest one for Afinitor is a lung problem called noninfectious pneumonitis. We go back in 2 weeks for his checkup and his scans will be in about 8 weeks.
Now for some better news.
On October 27, 2012 we had our Coleman Classic Golf Tournament and raised $1900.00. The proceeds were donated to the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center for kidney cancer research. Once again, we are so thankful for our wonderful friends and family who help support this cause.
About three weeks ago Dennis had his morphine increased since the pain medication wasn't lasting 12 hours, and he was increasing his breakthrough meds, along with taking Aleves. After reviewing xrays and talking with the radiologist on Thursday, Dennis will start palliative radiation treatments next week in hopes of relieving the pain. He will also start a new cancer drug - Afinitor. As with any of these cancer drugs there are more than a handful of side effects to look out for. I believe the biggest one for Afinitor is a lung problem called noninfectious pneumonitis. We go back in 2 weeks for his checkup and his scans will be in about 8 weeks.
Now for some better news.
On October 27, 2012 we had our Coleman Classic Golf Tournament and raised $1900.00. The proceeds were donated to the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center for kidney cancer research. Once again, we are so thankful for our wonderful friends and family who help support this cause.
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