Yesterday Lee left for Duke along with his youngest son, Doug who came down on Sunday from Radford, Virginia. They left around 8:30 Monday morning with rain and weather forecast for flood watches. His first appointment at the oncology clinic was for the initial 11:30 Labs. Fortunately, things were running slightly ahead of schedule so there was time for Lee and Doug to have lunch at the Sub-Way area in the cafeteria of the clinic.
His next appointment was with his assigned PA who presented him with a very good lab report. His Platelet count had risen from the low of 113K to 289K, which was even higher than before the beginning of the chemo drugs. All of the labs were within a normal range. I can only surmise from this that Lee still has a very strong body. He amazes all the health-care professionals with his ability to keep returning to a better, and healthier state. That has to be true, because very few people could have faced all the assault on their bodies such as he has while continuing to maintain an almost normal lifestyle!
Lee has always attributed this super-human feat to his background in sports, especially football. Even today he will tell you that a "winner never quits, and a quitter never wins!" He just picks himself up and continues to win and never quits!
Yesterday he was able to take the double-dose of two chemotherapy drugs. He was pre-medicated prior to the treatment with anti-nausea drugs and allowed to wait thirty minutes before the I.V.. Each chemo drug was given I.V and separately. The entire procedure lasted approximately two hours. Currently, he will be maintained on two drugs one week, skip a week, one drug the next week then skip a week, etc......A scan of his body may be done after the sixth treatment. So far, he has had only three treatments. We will be anxious to see if there is tumor shrinkage at a later time.
Today, he has felt very well. There has been no nausea or fatigue. We wait for that on the third day! He does, however continue to have some voice issues with his larynx that is probably the result of some damage to his vocal cords from the biopsy six weeks ago. He will see a local ENT doctor next week.
Thank you all for your continued support, and for your prayers,
More Later.........................................................................................Brenda
Tuesday, April 24, 2018
Friday, April 13, 2018
The Third day
We are beginning to notice a pattern post- chemo treatment. Lee had one chemo drug for one hour on Monday, April 9. He felt energetic and was without nausea or loss of appetite until Wednesday evening. He says no nausea, but he was very tired Wednesday night. Thursday morning the fatigue was more pronounced. I told him to go ahead and relax for the day. He spent most of the morning and early afternoon in the recliner reading a book loaned to him by a good friend.
His appetite was good enough for breakfast of bacon, eggs, biscuits & fig preserves (one of his favorites) on this day, Thursday. Lunch did not appeal to him and that could have been from the large breakfast. He did manage an ensure and later some gatorade. He was able to supervise some yard work by a young energetic boy who is a wonderful worker. Lee was very pleased with the way he trimmed the Nandina bushes, the Crepe Myrtles, and the pear tree. He weeded all my flower beds and then scrubbed the carport and washed the dog house! Wow!
Lee was able to keep a dental appointment @ 4:00. After resting for an hour, he did eat a good supper. By 10:00 he was in the bed and we were both hoping for a better day today. Our experience so far, is otherwise. There are usually 2-3 bad days following the 3rd. Day post chemo.
Today, Friday, the 13th, we are watching a cough that started on Wednesday. He said he thought it was the pollen because he had been out and about on Tuesday and Wednesday. The cough has continued today, and he now admits that it is a deep cough coming from his lung. If it continues, we will contact Duke. So far no fever, and not coughing up any suspicious junk. It could be that the pollen is aggravating the cough, but another pneumonia cannot be completely ruled out.
We ask for your continued prayers and support as Lee braves this battle with cancer. Please pray for the Duke oncology team in such a way that they will be successful in all the decisions they make for Lee's ability to reduce the size of the tumor and prepare him for radiation sometime this summer.
I also ask for your prayers on my behalf so I may administer the care here at home to the best advantage for his recovery.
There is no chemo scheduled for Monday. We are hoping for time for platelet count to continue to go up and that he will have a little more time to recoup before the next chemo.
More later................................Brenda
His appetite was good enough for breakfast of bacon, eggs, biscuits & fig preserves (one of his favorites) on this day, Thursday. Lunch did not appeal to him and that could have been from the large breakfast. He did manage an ensure and later some gatorade. He was able to supervise some yard work by a young energetic boy who is a wonderful worker. Lee was very pleased with the way he trimmed the Nandina bushes, the Crepe Myrtles, and the pear tree. He weeded all my flower beds and then scrubbed the carport and washed the dog house! Wow!
Lee was able to keep a dental appointment @ 4:00. After resting for an hour, he did eat a good supper. By 10:00 he was in the bed and we were both hoping for a better day today. Our experience so far, is otherwise. There are usually 2-3 bad days following the 3rd. Day post chemo.
Today, Friday, the 13th, we are watching a cough that started on Wednesday. He said he thought it was the pollen because he had been out and about on Tuesday and Wednesday. The cough has continued today, and he now admits that it is a deep cough coming from his lung. If it continues, we will contact Duke. So far no fever, and not coughing up any suspicious junk. It could be that the pollen is aggravating the cough, but another pneumonia cannot be completely ruled out.
We ask for your continued prayers and support as Lee braves this battle with cancer. Please pray for the Duke oncology team in such a way that they will be successful in all the decisions they make for Lee's ability to reduce the size of the tumor and prepare him for radiation sometime this summer.
I also ask for your prayers on my behalf so I may administer the care here at home to the best advantage for his recovery.
There is no chemo scheduled for Monday. We are hoping for time for platelet count to continue to go up and that he will have a little more time to recoup before the next chemo.
More later................................Brenda
Tuesday, April 10, 2018
The Second Chemo for Lee
This past Monday, April 9th, promised to be another unusually cold and drizzly April day. Even though the travels to Duke are long and sometimes a bit furious with traffic, Lee and his son, Lee Jr. were glad they did not have to leave until 8:15 to keep an 11:30 appointment. They were both looking forward to maybe a shorter day since Lee would be getting one chemo infusion instead of two.
Unfortunately, that was not to be. It seems that everything on the schedule was delayed. The first appointment with the lab at 11:30 was delayed by 45 minutes until approximately 12:15. That worked O.K. since it still gave them both time for lunch before the 1:30 appointment with the PA.
The PA was running a bit behind schedule and had to consult the physician before counseling Lee, especially in regard to his platelet count. It was higher, but still low when compared to the fact that his had been 208 on March 26 prior to chemotherapy.
The PA discussed all labs, along with other important issues such as diet and increased caloric and protein intake. Lee's platelet count that had been 90 the previous week was now up to 113. That increase was enough to allow him to receive one of the chemo drugs but not two as had been discussed at an earlier date.After the PA consulted the chemotherapy doctor, it was decided that it would be in the best interest for Lee to go onto an alternating schedule as in every other week, and also alternating the drugs., So, for the time being, this is how it looks:
Yesterday: One chemo drug
Next week: Skip
3rd week: two chemo drugs
4th week: Skip
He will continue that pattern for the time being. All of this, of course, will depend on how well his platelet count is doing and will also allow for any complications that Lee might encounter. It may change on any given week; however, if he is able to continue the pattern above, he may continue his chemotherapy into June
Lee did well with his chemotherapy infusion and he and Lee Jr. were able to leave by 5:30. It takes a while to retrieve the car from valet, so they were finally on the road by 6.00 p.m.to begin the long 3-hour drive home. By this time they were both very tired and hungry so a stop at the K&W in Burlington was a must and greatly contributed to their renewed energy. They arrived home around 9:45 p.m.
Lee Jr., Todd and Doug have all volunteered to drive their Dad to all Chemo sessions. I am so grateful to each of them. Lee tells me how much he enjoys the one-on-one time with each of his sons. This has truly been a treasure for Lee as he is enjoying those very special conversations. In addition, they have given me the gift of rest.
Today I can say that Lee has had an excellent day. He had a good night's sleep, and enjoyed a high- caloric and protein breakfast of french toast. He had lunch at his usual hang-out here in the country, Shorty's Short Stop, and enjoyed seeing some of his neighborhood buddies. I saw him briefly around 1:30 as he was preparing to meet with one of his friends and help him gather a swarm of bees! Yes! Lee is doing just fine!
More later..........................................................................Brenda
.
Unfortunately, that was not to be. It seems that everything on the schedule was delayed. The first appointment with the lab at 11:30 was delayed by 45 minutes until approximately 12:15. That worked O.K. since it still gave them both time for lunch before the 1:30 appointment with the PA.
The PA was running a bit behind schedule and had to consult the physician before counseling Lee, especially in regard to his platelet count. It was higher, but still low when compared to the fact that his had been 208 on March 26 prior to chemotherapy.
The PA discussed all labs, along with other important issues such as diet and increased caloric and protein intake. Lee's platelet count that had been 90 the previous week was now up to 113. That increase was enough to allow him to receive one of the chemo drugs but not two as had been discussed at an earlier date.After the PA consulted the chemotherapy doctor, it was decided that it would be in the best interest for Lee to go onto an alternating schedule as in every other week, and also alternating the drugs., So, for the time being, this is how it looks:
Yesterday: One chemo drug
Next week: Skip
3rd week: two chemo drugs
4th week: Skip
He will continue that pattern for the time being. All of this, of course, will depend on how well his platelet count is doing and will also allow for any complications that Lee might encounter. It may change on any given week; however, if he is able to continue the pattern above, he may continue his chemotherapy into June
Lee did well with his chemotherapy infusion and he and Lee Jr. were able to leave by 5:30. It takes a while to retrieve the car from valet, so they were finally on the road by 6.00 p.m.to begin the long 3-hour drive home. By this time they were both very tired and hungry so a stop at the K&W in Burlington was a must and greatly contributed to their renewed energy. They arrived home around 9:45 p.m.
Lee Jr., Todd and Doug have all volunteered to drive their Dad to all Chemo sessions. I am so grateful to each of them. Lee tells me how much he enjoys the one-on-one time with each of his sons. This has truly been a treasure for Lee as he is enjoying those very special conversations. In addition, they have given me the gift of rest.
Today I can say that Lee has had an excellent day. He had a good night's sleep, and enjoyed a high- caloric and protein breakfast of french toast. He had lunch at his usual hang-out here in the country, Shorty's Short Stop, and enjoyed seeing some of his neighborhood buddies. I saw him briefly around 1:30 as he was preparing to meet with one of his friends and help him gather a swarm of bees! Yes! Lee is doing just fine!
More later..........................................................................Brenda
.
Wednesday, April 4, 2018
Changing schedules
One of the things we are learning about this new journey with Lee is that his schedule is subject to change. He kept his early appointment at Duke on Monday, April 2. Son Todd came down on the night of Easter Sunday so they could both leave by 6:30 Monday morning. They were able to meet the demand of arriving by 9:10 to keep the appointed lab.
A complete blood count is imperative during chemotherapy, and it must be done on the morning of the infusion of the drugs. There is a waiting period of about an hour and then Lee meets with his assigned PA to receive the lab results, and her physical assessment of him. After that a decision may be made as to the type of chemotherapy he should receive for that day.
On this particular Monday, Lee's platelet count was 90. (that is 90 K). Normal platelet count is 350K or above. It is the standard of measurement at Duke to delay Chemotherapy if the platelet count is below 100.
Lee had decided several days before this appointment to ask the infusion team to remove his PICC line that had been in place since March 5. This line was established for the sole purpose of administering I.V. antibiotics at home upon his discharge on March 6. After a candid discussion with the home-health provider and the risks involved with keeping the line in, Lee decided to have it out.
Lee and Todd had a small lunch at the café in the cancer center, then returned for the removal of the PICC line. To date we are observing the site and all is well.
Yesterday he felt very good and was out and about most of the day. His good friend, a retired farmer in our neighborhood kept him occupied all afternoon. He was happy at the end of the day. It was quite a contrast in comparison to the week before when he had received two chemo drugs that unfortunately made him restless at night with night sweats and some mild nausea during the day. Fatigue became an issue later during the week. His appetite was poor and he supplemented his diet with nourishing high-protein drinks several times a day.
We are both concerned that he continues to lose weight. He has lost about nine pounds in the past two months in spite of trying to eat and supplement his diet. We both understand that this is yet another toll the cancer takes on your body.
In spite of all the changes Lee has had to endure these past almost eight years post lung transplant, the cancer appears to be the one that will require the biggest battle. I am convinced that Lee will tackle this fight the same as he has always done. He will use his defense tactics and strategy that he learned long ago on the football field. I also know that he will not give up as long as there is a shred of fight left in him.
So....blogger friends, I am depending on you to support Lee's defense team. Please drop a card, or make that phone call. It takes a family, friends, a neighborhood, a village to fight cancer. I know I can count on all of you. Any information can be obtained via the children, or me.
Thanks,...................................................................................more later, Brenda
A complete blood count is imperative during chemotherapy, and it must be done on the morning of the infusion of the drugs. There is a waiting period of about an hour and then Lee meets with his assigned PA to receive the lab results, and her physical assessment of him. After that a decision may be made as to the type of chemotherapy he should receive for that day.
On this particular Monday, Lee's platelet count was 90. (that is 90 K). Normal platelet count is 350K or above. It is the standard of measurement at Duke to delay Chemotherapy if the platelet count is below 100.
Lee had decided several days before this appointment to ask the infusion team to remove his PICC line that had been in place since March 5. This line was established for the sole purpose of administering I.V. antibiotics at home upon his discharge on March 6. After a candid discussion with the home-health provider and the risks involved with keeping the line in, Lee decided to have it out.
Lee and Todd had a small lunch at the café in the cancer center, then returned for the removal of the PICC line. To date we are observing the site and all is well.
Yesterday he felt very good and was out and about most of the day. His good friend, a retired farmer in our neighborhood kept him occupied all afternoon. He was happy at the end of the day. It was quite a contrast in comparison to the week before when he had received two chemo drugs that unfortunately made him restless at night with night sweats and some mild nausea during the day. Fatigue became an issue later during the week. His appetite was poor and he supplemented his diet with nourishing high-protein drinks several times a day.
We are both concerned that he continues to lose weight. He has lost about nine pounds in the past two months in spite of trying to eat and supplement his diet. We both understand that this is yet another toll the cancer takes on your body.
In spite of all the changes Lee has had to endure these past almost eight years post lung transplant, the cancer appears to be the one that will require the biggest battle. I am convinced that Lee will tackle this fight the same as he has always done. He will use his defense tactics and strategy that he learned long ago on the football field. I also know that he will not give up as long as there is a shred of fight left in him.
So....blogger friends, I am depending on you to support Lee's defense team. Please drop a card, or make that phone call. It takes a family, friends, a neighborhood, a village to fight cancer. I know I can count on all of you. Any information can be obtained via the children, or me.
Thanks,...................................................................................more later, Brenda
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