Leland's treatment was in Yakima today with Washington Hematology-Oncology Clinic. It was our 3rd time there. It is not easy to change treatment facilities in the middle of a chemo course. There is the matter of communication between the clinics which the patient or advocate must monitor to make sure all is as the prescribing doctor has directed. Then there is the subtle feeling that we do not really "belong" there, the same feeling we had distinctly the 2 times we went back to Renton after we began going to LA. It is a little uncomfortable, and when we know the amounts of medication are different than the local clinic is wanting to give and insist on calling the clinic in LA for clarification, it seems to be rather an irritant. Its not really overt, but there none the less. We will both be glad when this round of treatments are finished. Then we will be finding an oncologist in Portland who will work with the LA clinic. Hopefully, we can fit in there and feel comfortable that we "belong" and that our doctors are communicating well.
One issue that has me scratching my head; how does a huge infusion room with 15 recliners for patients, all of them occupied, at least 15 or more straight chairs for companions and everyone able to hear all conversations across the room, pass the HIPPA people?? In that type of situation, one could find out one's neighbor, friend or family member has cancer when that person may have wished to keep that information private. Just wondering with all the privacy inconveniences HIPPA has caused, how this one works. I often read to Leland while we are there, but we are quite often distracted by the medical conversations between nearby patients and their nurses or the doctor, and we can hear it all.
Leland's eyes are being affected by the chemo or one of the other drugs and are rather uncomfortable in spite of a couple of medications he got a couple of weeks ago. He has two or three more treatments in September with a break next week, so we are hoping the eye irritation will resolve when the chemo is finished.
We will sign papers on our home on Friday this week, then will be renters for a month while we search for our next place. We have quite a lot of packing done-and quite a bit more to do, but bit by bit and box by box it is coming together. Our buyers are coming tomorrow to help us move the boxes which Mark helped us stage in the garage to the other side. We are going to allow them to use half of the garage for the month we have left, and in return, they will allow us to leave a few things to be picked up later that will not fit on the truck. They really wanted possession on closing, (naturally) but have been very accommodating of our situation. We seem to be able to work well together which is a blessing indeed.
We had to have the septic tank pumped last week. The tank is an oblong shape with two access lids, one of them underneath the bank in front of the house. We had to hire the digging done, and when the contractor came to do the job, decided it was too deep for a shovel, left and came back the next day with his backhoe. It was too large to fit though any of the gates, so Leland had to undo a section of the deer fence to let him in. He did a very good job, coming right up to one of the water lines for the underground sprinklers, but did not break anything. The tank was pumped on Friday while we were gone to town. Sabbath morning Leland looked out the kitchen window, and there was an adult doe in the back yard. First time that has happened since the fence went in. The guy who pumped the tank had left the gate open in the front side yard next to the driveway and we had not noticed it. We were able to herd her out and close the gate before she discovered the roses and made a meal from them. When we got home today, the front gate was open again-this time the guy with the back hoe left it open when he came to fill in the hip deep hole and get his equipment. This time we noticed it, and closed it before any deer came calling.
We have our next trip to LA booked for Sept. 8 and 9. I did some searching last night for one day round trip tickets, thinking that after chemo is finished, we would not need to stay overnight, as the treatments will not take as long as chemo does. Imagine my surprise to find it costs 400 dollars less to buy a package "vacation" which includes a hotel and rental car for one day than to fly back the same day!
Monday, August 25, 2014
Thursday, August 14, 2014
2014 August 14, Glad to be Home Again
We are always very glad to return home from the truly big city and the expenses of staying there. We had gotten a "vacation package" which included flight, hotel and rental car. However we are naive to the expenses of travel and staying in a huge hotel-the airport Sheraton. We were glad to find the hotel much better than the dump we stayed in last time, where the parking was free, but the place smelled like smoke, and made one feel unsafe to put bare feet on the floor or sit on the bedspread.
We had to pay 19 dollars to park the car at the Sheraton for one night-no choice-there is absolutely no where else to park. Then 18 dollars to park in the basement of the skyscraper where the clinic is on the 10th floor. But the trip was good, the doctor's visit and the chemo went well. Leland's PSA was down to 13 from 19 the last time, which was at least a drop, but not as much as Dr. Eshaghian wanted to see. He however, cautioned us to think of the glass as half full, not half empty. He had been concerned that he would have to make a radical change in the chemo if the Psa did not go down any further. But since there was a drop he is leaving things as they are, with the exception of a change in one of chemo drugs to slightly more next time, and adding another drug to the hormone blockade to block the estrogen receptors for estradiol since that number is too high. He also prescribed a shot to encourage the hemoglobin to come up, as that has been low.
Dr. E. also said radiation to some bone spots might be necessary in the future, if the lesions present a fracture risk, as breaking a bone filled with cancer really presents a problem. He also mentioned using alphradon, which is an oral radioactive medicine, but said they hesitate to use it because the side effects are difficult to cope with. Another case of balancing risk versus benefit.
When we asked for a prognosis, he said it is way too early to tell, that it is like calling in the decorators to begin work on the house before the walls are up. Dr. E. loves explaining complicated medical situations by using analogies, which really does enhance our understanding. We also asked how long we would need to continue a monthly visit, and he said as soon as chemo is over, we can see an oncologist in Portland and not need to go down there so often. They are so good, I wish we could have all his appointments there, but I am sure we can find someone in Portland who is willing to consult with them; we can then fly down every 2 or 3 months to be seen.
We stayed Saturday night with Cher and Todd, just arrived home from their annual summer visit with the Bertges family in Maryland. They were tired and Phoenix was sound asleep way too early, but his little body was still on east coast time. When we got up at 3:45 am to catch our 6:40 flight, Phoenix was up and ready to go. Poor Mommy and Daddy! Todd graciously insisted on taking us to the airport, then on our return our flight was delayed an hour and a half, so Cherilyn picked us up an hour later than planned, so we did not get back to the house until after 11. She had to go to work the next day; Phoenix was up at 4:00, slept 15 minutes or so snuggled in their bed, then was awake and ready to be up and have breakfast. Poor Cherilyn was pretty sleep deprived all day.
We met with our realtor in Vancouver, who in one of those "small world" instances turned out to be Chuck's ex sister in law, highly recommended by a former realtor with whom we had worked and has since retired. She took us to view 5 or 6 houses, which was instructive, but not very encouraging, as the prices have shot up 20 to 30 thousand dollars in the last 3 months. We did not find anything that we felt we could live with, but are going back tomorrow afternoon to see some more.
Mark came home with us and has been helping us with our packing. He also took Leland to the hospital yesterday for an emergency Ultra Sound on his lower left leg and foot as it is grossly swollen and does not go down at night. Our PA and Dr. E. were concerned about a blood clot, and told us to get him down immediately with his leg higher than his heart until he could get the Ultra Sound, which seemed to be normal, so it seems to be the chemo, or the hormone blockade, so now he will need to wear support stockings to try to keep it under control. I hope when chemo is over it will resolve.
I have had a very painful knee for the last 2 weeks, so went to my ortho surgeon yesterday while Leland and Mark were at the hospital. He said it is either arthritis or a torn miniscus, and gave me a cortisone shot in the joint. Also recommended 800 mg of Ibuprofen 3X per day. It is feeling a little better, but painful after being on my feet for some time. If not markedly better by next week, then he wants to do an MRI to check for a tear. Hope that does not need to happen.
Mark has been such a blessing to us this week. We got almost all the paintings, the framed family pictures, my elephants and vases and candles and their bases down and mostly packed today. Also, all the books in the living room bookcases are packed, as are most of the table linens and cloth napkins. The house is looking pretty bare and forlorn, but progress is being made. The garage is mostly done, with the exception of some of the tools, two loads have been sorted out for the school yard sale and delivered, with more accumulating to be taken next week.
I have been reading a book by Joyce Myer called Battlefield of the Mind. It has been really helpful in dealing with the stress caused by this upheaval in our lives. It is biblical and very spiritual, and has given me some new tools to give my mind some peace, rest and trust. It is a call to consider the thoughts we are entertaining and encouragement to allow the Holy Spirit to work in our minds to transform us into healthy positive people. I am finding it a real blessing.
We had to pay 19 dollars to park the car at the Sheraton for one night-no choice-there is absolutely no where else to park. Then 18 dollars to park in the basement of the skyscraper where the clinic is on the 10th floor. But the trip was good, the doctor's visit and the chemo went well. Leland's PSA was down to 13 from 19 the last time, which was at least a drop, but not as much as Dr. Eshaghian wanted to see. He however, cautioned us to think of the glass as half full, not half empty. He had been concerned that he would have to make a radical change in the chemo if the Psa did not go down any further. But since there was a drop he is leaving things as they are, with the exception of a change in one of chemo drugs to slightly more next time, and adding another drug to the hormone blockade to block the estrogen receptors for estradiol since that number is too high. He also prescribed a shot to encourage the hemoglobin to come up, as that has been low.
Dr. E. also said radiation to some bone spots might be necessary in the future, if the lesions present a fracture risk, as breaking a bone filled with cancer really presents a problem. He also mentioned using alphradon, which is an oral radioactive medicine, but said they hesitate to use it because the side effects are difficult to cope with. Another case of balancing risk versus benefit.
When we asked for a prognosis, he said it is way too early to tell, that it is like calling in the decorators to begin work on the house before the walls are up. Dr. E. loves explaining complicated medical situations by using analogies, which really does enhance our understanding. We also asked how long we would need to continue a monthly visit, and he said as soon as chemo is over, we can see an oncologist in Portland and not need to go down there so often. They are so good, I wish we could have all his appointments there, but I am sure we can find someone in Portland who is willing to consult with them; we can then fly down every 2 or 3 months to be seen.
We stayed Saturday night with Cher and Todd, just arrived home from their annual summer visit with the Bertges family in Maryland. They were tired and Phoenix was sound asleep way too early, but his little body was still on east coast time. When we got up at 3:45 am to catch our 6:40 flight, Phoenix was up and ready to go. Poor Mommy and Daddy! Todd graciously insisted on taking us to the airport, then on our return our flight was delayed an hour and a half, so Cherilyn picked us up an hour later than planned, so we did not get back to the house until after 11. She had to go to work the next day; Phoenix was up at 4:00, slept 15 minutes or so snuggled in their bed, then was awake and ready to be up and have breakfast. Poor Cherilyn was pretty sleep deprived all day.
We met with our realtor in Vancouver, who in one of those "small world" instances turned out to be Chuck's ex sister in law, highly recommended by a former realtor with whom we had worked and has since retired. She took us to view 5 or 6 houses, which was instructive, but not very encouraging, as the prices have shot up 20 to 30 thousand dollars in the last 3 months. We did not find anything that we felt we could live with, but are going back tomorrow afternoon to see some more.
Mark came home with us and has been helping us with our packing. He also took Leland to the hospital yesterday for an emergency Ultra Sound on his lower left leg and foot as it is grossly swollen and does not go down at night. Our PA and Dr. E. were concerned about a blood clot, and told us to get him down immediately with his leg higher than his heart until he could get the Ultra Sound, which seemed to be normal, so it seems to be the chemo, or the hormone blockade, so now he will need to wear support stockings to try to keep it under control. I hope when chemo is over it will resolve.
I have had a very painful knee for the last 2 weeks, so went to my ortho surgeon yesterday while Leland and Mark were at the hospital. He said it is either arthritis or a torn miniscus, and gave me a cortisone shot in the joint. Also recommended 800 mg of Ibuprofen 3X per day. It is feeling a little better, but painful after being on my feet for some time. If not markedly better by next week, then he wants to do an MRI to check for a tear. Hope that does not need to happen.
Mark has been such a blessing to us this week. We got almost all the paintings, the framed family pictures, my elephants and vases and candles and their bases down and mostly packed today. Also, all the books in the living room bookcases are packed, as are most of the table linens and cloth napkins. The house is looking pretty bare and forlorn, but progress is being made. The garage is mostly done, with the exception of some of the tools, two loads have been sorted out for the school yard sale and delivered, with more accumulating to be taken next week.
I have been reading a book by Joyce Myer called Battlefield of the Mind. It has been really helpful in dealing with the stress caused by this upheaval in our lives. It is biblical and very spiritual, and has given me some new tools to give my mind some peace, rest and trust. It is a call to consider the thoughts we are entertaining and encouragement to allow the Holy Spirit to work in our minds to transform us into healthy positive people. I am finding it a real blessing.
Thursday, August 7, 2014
2014, August 7 Another Bend in the Road
We will be heading to LA again this weekend for treatment #11 of 15-or possibly even more.
Yesterday, we had to see an ophthalmologist in The Dalles to check Leland's eyes. He has Macular Degeneration in both of them now.He can see well enough to drive and do most things, but his central vision is markedly deteriorated. In fact his vision is very poor in his right eye; 20/200- better in the left 20/50 but still not great. His eyes have been weepy, red and crusty on the edges, and quite uncomfortable, most likely a side effect of his treatments. He was given some drops and an antibiotic ointment, which has not had much of an effect yet, but perhaps in a day or two it will. We are hoping so.
In other news, we sold the house this week. We had asked God to open and close doors for us; for His will to be done, and also for this to be a blessing for any potential buyer. We met our buyers today for the first time, and it is a perfect match! They love our home, and plan to keep up the yard and garden and all the flowers. We chatted like old friends, showed them some of the details of the plumbing and drip watering systems, and how to clean the glass window in the wood stove with a damp paper towel and ashes which works better than anything else we ever tried. Thanks, Norm, for the tip : )
We spent last week after chemo on Monday in Yakima camping with Norm and Judy, Del and Chuck, Lorrance and Judy, after which we all went to the old home place in Redmond for family reunion. Nick and Jan keep the yard in great shape, and it was great to leave the dust of the campground for the clean green of the yard. The best part however, was all the family who were there, getting to visit and catch up on each other's lives.
We came home on Monday and Mark's family came to visit. They were wonderful, giving us a great kickstart to our clearing out of too much stuff and beginning the packing. We plan to keep at it every day we are home, and hopefully to have most of it done within a couple of weeks. We are hoping to find a new place quickly, and move straight from here to there. This is such a huge change, and so far from what we planned when we moved here, it is a little difficult to adjust, but we absolutely believe God is leading, so that does help calm the anxiety and the second guessing. It is a relief to know we will not have to deal with all the undone outside work any more, that we will have a place small enough to care for, be closer to medical facilities and closer to Mark and Tina, Cherilyn and Todd and of course our darling grandsons.
Yesterday on the way home from The Dalles, Leland pulled off the road to check something on the car, opened the door only to have the howling wind grab it out of his hands and slam it so far open that it bent the hinge and did other damage. Fortunately, he could close it; but when we took it to a body shop today, we were told the bill will be $200 to fix it properly! That is a few seconds we wish we could do over!
I plan on posting again after this next trip. We are hoping to have answers to several questions regarding prognosis and post chemo plans, which I will share here.
Yesterday, we had to see an ophthalmologist in The Dalles to check Leland's eyes. He has Macular Degeneration in both of them now.He can see well enough to drive and do most things, but his central vision is markedly deteriorated. In fact his vision is very poor in his right eye; 20/200- better in the left 20/50 but still not great. His eyes have been weepy, red and crusty on the edges, and quite uncomfortable, most likely a side effect of his treatments. He was given some drops and an antibiotic ointment, which has not had much of an effect yet, but perhaps in a day or two it will. We are hoping so.
In other news, we sold the house this week. We had asked God to open and close doors for us; for His will to be done, and also for this to be a blessing for any potential buyer. We met our buyers today for the first time, and it is a perfect match! They love our home, and plan to keep up the yard and garden and all the flowers. We chatted like old friends, showed them some of the details of the plumbing and drip watering systems, and how to clean the glass window in the wood stove with a damp paper towel and ashes which works better than anything else we ever tried. Thanks, Norm, for the tip : )
We spent last week after chemo on Monday in Yakima camping with Norm and Judy, Del and Chuck, Lorrance and Judy, after which we all went to the old home place in Redmond for family reunion. Nick and Jan keep the yard in great shape, and it was great to leave the dust of the campground for the clean green of the yard. The best part however, was all the family who were there, getting to visit and catch up on each other's lives.
We came home on Monday and Mark's family came to visit. They were wonderful, giving us a great kickstart to our clearing out of too much stuff and beginning the packing. We plan to keep at it every day we are home, and hopefully to have most of it done within a couple of weeks. We are hoping to find a new place quickly, and move straight from here to there. This is such a huge change, and so far from what we planned when we moved here, it is a little difficult to adjust, but we absolutely believe God is leading, so that does help calm the anxiety and the second guessing. It is a relief to know we will not have to deal with all the undone outside work any more, that we will have a place small enough to care for, be closer to medical facilities and closer to Mark and Tina, Cherilyn and Todd and of course our darling grandsons.
Yesterday on the way home from The Dalles, Leland pulled off the road to check something on the car, opened the door only to have the howling wind grab it out of his hands and slam it so far open that it bent the hinge and did other damage. Fortunately, he could close it; but when we took it to a body shop today, we were told the bill will be $200 to fix it properly! That is a few seconds we wish we could do over!
I plan on posting again after this next trip. We are hoping to have answers to several questions regarding prognosis and post chemo plans, which I will share here.
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