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.
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