November 16, 2012 12th Treatment
Leland has had the last treatment in this series. His blood work looked good and his PSA is down to 7.6. He gained 1.5 pounds which offset the 1 pound loss of last week, so weight seems to be stable.
Today he had his CT scan. Unfortunately, we will not find out the results of that until Wednesday the 28th as his doctor is on vacation all next week. We are fairly sure that the Medical Oncologist will recommend at least another 6 treatments. I rather dread that as the toxic effects seem to be multiplying. Maybe a week off will be beneficial to more recovery.
We sat in the waiting room today next to a man drinking the same stuff Leland was having to drink for the CT scan. We got to talking and found out that he is dealing with 3 cancers at once-Leukemia, Lymphoma and Melanoma which he has been fighting for 2 ½ years. We had never heard of anyone having multiple cancers at the same time. No matter how much trouble one is having, there is always someone else having a worse time.
Leland has not been feeling very well for the last 2 weeks or so. He is unable sleep the night of the treatment, then is tired and worn out for at least the next two days. His fingers are sore, his leg muscles feel tired much of the time, his fingernails are turning brown and he goes through Kleenex by the boxes.
The PA told us that sometimes people even completely lose their fingernails during chemo. One of the patients whom I have mentioned before here, Tara, had that happen. Hers have grown back now, and she is proudly sporting bright pink polish on her new nails.
Sometimes it is hard to believe we are living the cancer lifestyle-medicines, supplements, Dr. appointments, treatments, illness-and always-hope that this is not permanent but temporary. I had an interesting phone conversation with a man who works for an organization which helps cancer patients and he told me that he was diagnosed with invasive prostate cancer 20 years ago. He has not been “cured” but has been able to “manage” it so that he has a decent quality of life, able to work and travel. So perhaps that is another scenario which would have distinct possibilities and be more realistic in our circumstance, while still affording quality of life for both of us.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone, we are thankful for each of you and the prayers you send up so faithfully for us.
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