After more than a week in Door County, my parents returned for a chemotherapy treatment and appointment with Dr. Ritch. My dad has never had more than two chemotherapy treatments consecutively. For the third treatment he goes in and gets blood drawn, but his blood levels are not high enough for Dr. Ritch to approve a treatment.
Based on that history, Dr. Ritch has decided to change the treatment schedule. The new schedule will be two weeks of treatment followed by two weeks without treatment. (Now my dad doesn't have to show up at the cancer center and have the blood draw on the third week.)
Also, Dr. Ritch is planning to do another CT scan in August. He doesn't feel it is necessary to do another scan any sooner. My dad has to premedicate before every scan because he is allergic to the dye used in the scan. The medication, the dye, or some other part of doing the scan gives my dad a headache for a day afterwards. So, the fewer scans the better in my opinion.
To all dads I wish you a happy Father's Day! Daughters remember to hug your dads this Father's Day. I know I won't miss the chance to hug my dad this Father's Day.
Friday, June 15, 2007
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
No news is good news
I didn't get around to publishing that last post in a timely manner. I apologize for that. It sat as a draft for almost a month!
No news is been good news though. My dad continues to do fine. He gets tired often and frustrated easily. But, considering what he is facing (leaving my mom, possible pain, ultimately death), I can understand. He is still able to work on projects at both houses. Mostly, he works on the house in Door County and supervises contractors they hire at home. My mom is continuing to work on both houses. To my knowledge his physical symptoms have remained unchanged from before the diagnosis.
My parents spend more than half of their time in Door County. They come home for chemotherapy. Sometimes they stay for a few days, but often they are back to Door County the same day or the next day.
My dad has planted some tomato plants, cantaloupe plants, and daffodil bulbs at the land. He also put in some tomato plants at home. I took him the garden center and bought the plants for him for Father's Day. He also picked out some petunias to plant in Door County.
Mark, the kids, and I made the trip to Door County for Mother's Day and Memorial Day weekends. My brother Michael joined us for Mother's Day weekend and made a wonderful breakfast on Sunday morning. Michael didn't join us for Memorial Day, but there were many other family members and friends that stayed on the land or stopped by to visit. My dad told me he is happy to see the visitors come up the driveway, but also is just as happy to see everyone go back down the driveway!
No news is been good news though. My dad continues to do fine. He gets tired often and frustrated easily. But, considering what he is facing (leaving my mom, possible pain, ultimately death), I can understand. He is still able to work on projects at both houses. Mostly, he works on the house in Door County and supervises contractors they hire at home. My mom is continuing to work on both houses. To my knowledge his physical symptoms have remained unchanged from before the diagnosis.
My parents spend more than half of their time in Door County. They come home for chemotherapy. Sometimes they stay for a few days, but often they are back to Door County the same day or the next day.
My dad has planted some tomato plants, cantaloupe plants, and daffodil bulbs at the land. He also put in some tomato plants at home. I took him the garden center and bought the plants for him for Father's Day. He also picked out some petunias to plant in Door County.
Mark, the kids, and I made the trip to Door County for Mother's Day and Memorial Day weekends. My brother Michael joined us for Mother's Day weekend and made a wonderful breakfast on Sunday morning. Michael didn't join us for Memorial Day, but there were many other family members and friends that stayed on the land or stopped by to visit. My dad told me he is happy to see the visitors come up the driveway, but also is just as happy to see everyone go back down the driveway!
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Many thanks
Thank you to all the friends and family who have posted comments to the blog. I am encouraged to continue the updates whenever I see a new comment.
My dad is in an off week for chemotherapy. Last week he went to the cancer clinic by himself and had no treatment because of one or more low blood levels. (My dad didn't give me any more details.)
As summer approaches my parents have many trips planned. Some of these trips we will enjoy together. Several days will be spent on a houseboat on the Mississippi in June. My family, my brother and I will be joining them for this trip. Also, there will be several trips to Door County that have become annual events for my parents.
My dad is in an off week for chemotherapy. Last week he went to the cancer clinic by himself and had no treatment because of one or more low blood levels. (My dad didn't give me any more details.)
As summer approaches my parents have many trips planned. Some of these trips we will enjoy together. Several days will be spent on a houseboat on the Mississippi in June. My family, my brother and I will be joining them for this trip. Also, there will be several trips to Door County that have become annual events for my parents.
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Judy's birthday and glassblowing
A few more notes to update the blog. . .
My mom's birthday was during the Florida trip. We celebrated at my brother's house last Sunday. Happy belated birthday, Mom!
Last Monday, the kids, my parents, and I had an unique opportunity to observe and try glassblowing. The type of glassblowing we did is called lampwork. The demonstration was performed by my friend from our homeschool group, Erich.
Above my dad is creating his masterpiece, a glass bead. Rhys, Kyle and I made glass marbles. My dad's and my creations had to be left behind for later delivery because they were still too hot when we left. We can't wait to see how they turn out. (The colors all look orange when the glass is hot.) Thanks again to Erich for opening up his studio for the day to my family and other homeschoolers.
My mom's birthday was during the Florida trip. We celebrated at my brother's house last Sunday. Happy belated birthday, Mom!
Last Monday, the kids, my parents, and I had an unique opportunity to observe and try glassblowing. The type of glassblowing we did is called lampwork. The demonstration was performed by my friend from our homeschool group, Erich.
Above my dad is creating his masterpiece, a glass bead. Rhys, Kyle and I made glass marbles. My dad's and my creations had to be left behind for later delivery because they were still too hot when we left. We can't wait to see how they turn out. (The colors all look orange when the glass is hot.) Thanks again to Erich for opening up his studio for the day to my family and other homeschoolers.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
An overdue update
Well, many of you have noted that I have not updated the blog in some time. Some of you know that is because my computer has been broken. On Tuesday the computer was repaired at no cost to me (with a new logic board)!!!
So, here is what you have missed. . .
The second cycle of chemotherapy followed the pattern of the first. The first treatment went well. The second treatment had to be approved by Dr. Ritch because of a borderline platelet count. The third treatment was skipped because my dad's platelets were too low. Of course, in this cycle there were only three treatments scheduled.
My parents went to Door County for a few days before Easter. Rhys was very excited to join them on this trip. He hadn't been to the house since fall and was thrilled with all the new changes.
My family and I all spent Easter together. It was a wonderful day, but I was very sick with a fever, sore throat, and headache. I joked that my dad felt better than I did which was very true. I am finally better although I still have a lingering cough.
After Easter, my dad continued to keep very busy doing taxes for all the last minute clients. I wish I could have helped him, but was too sick to be of any use to him.
On Monday after Easter my mom went to the Milwaukee Catholic Home and resigned her position. With a tearful goodbye to fellow employees, she answered a few questions relating to her job and collected her personal belongings.
The next day my dad was informed of the death of his Aunt Charolette McCauley. My parents had visited Aunt Charolette just before Easter because her health was failing rapidly. The obituary from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel can be read here. Below is a photograph of Aunt Charolette (on the left) and her daughter, Maureen. The photo was taken at my dad's birthday party in January.
My parents left for a week long trip to visit family and friends in Florida. Being that we live in Wisconsin, it snowed about five inches while they were gone! They enjoyed visits with Enders, Slaytons, Gordons (my dad's sister Francesca and her husband), and others. Alligators, anoles and geckos were prevalent.
While my parents were in Florida, I attended Aunt Charolette's funeral and enjoyed visiting with several of my cousins (one of whom I hadn't seen for about 25 years). I know my dad would have enjoyed visiting with everyone, too. I am glad I was able to attend in spite being ill. I wish I could have provided the above picture to the family for the funeral, but it was trapped inside my broken computer. Hopefully, the McCauley's will enjoy seeing it here.
That about brings everyone up-to-date. My dad continues to feel physically very well. His primary physical symptom is still that annoying diarrhea. There are some minor side effects from the dye when he has a CT scan. The anti-depressant medication helps to keep his mood more upbeat, so we are all pleased about that.
So, here is what you have missed. . .
The second cycle of chemotherapy followed the pattern of the first. The first treatment went well. The second treatment had to be approved by Dr. Ritch because of a borderline platelet count. The third treatment was skipped because my dad's platelets were too low. Of course, in this cycle there were only three treatments scheduled.
My parents went to Door County for a few days before Easter. Rhys was very excited to join them on this trip. He hadn't been to the house since fall and was thrilled with all the new changes.
My family and I all spent Easter together. It was a wonderful day, but I was very sick with a fever, sore throat, and headache. I joked that my dad felt better than I did which was very true. I am finally better although I still have a lingering cough.
After Easter, my dad continued to keep very busy doing taxes for all the last minute clients. I wish I could have helped him, but was too sick to be of any use to him.
On Monday after Easter my mom went to the Milwaukee Catholic Home and resigned her position. With a tearful goodbye to fellow employees, she answered a few questions relating to her job and collected her personal belongings.
The next day my dad was informed of the death of his Aunt Charolette McCauley. My parents had visited Aunt Charolette just before Easter because her health was failing rapidly. The obituary from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel can be read here. Below is a photograph of Aunt Charolette (on the left) and her daughter, Maureen. The photo was taken at my dad's birthday party in January.
My parents left for a week long trip to visit family and friends in Florida. Being that we live in Wisconsin, it snowed about five inches while they were gone! They enjoyed visits with Enders, Slaytons, Gordons (my dad's sister Francesca and her husband), and others. Alligators, anoles and geckos were prevalent.
While my parents were in Florida, I attended Aunt Charolette's funeral and enjoyed visiting with several of my cousins (one of whom I hadn't seen for about 25 years). I know my dad would have enjoyed visiting with everyone, too. I am glad I was able to attend in spite being ill. I wish I could have provided the above picture to the family for the funeral, but it was trapped inside my broken computer. Hopefully, the McCauley's will enjoy seeing it here.
That about brings everyone up-to-date. My dad continues to feel physically very well. His primary physical symptom is still that annoying diarrhea. There are some minor side effects from the dye when he has a CT scan. The anti-depressant medication helps to keep his mood more upbeat, so we are all pleased about that.
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Shrinking tumor!
Kyle and I went to the Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Cancer Center with my parents today. This is where my dad has oncology appointments and receives treatments. We saw Dr. Ritch, and my dad had a chemotherapy treatment.
After having four treatments out of a scheduled seven, the CT scan showed some shrinkage of the tumor mass in the body and tail of the pancreas!!! No cancer was seen on the CT scan in the abdomen or lungs. There can be cancer in these areas that doesn't show up on a CT scan. However, it is still better to not see cancer in these areas on the CT scan than to have them show up with cancer.
Also, the blood test used to monitor patients with pancreatic cancer had favorable results. My dad's level in January was about 4500; the result from Friday's test was 1162! More information about this test called the CA 19-9 Radioimmunoassay test is available on the PanCAN Website.
Dr Ritch said this is "very good news" especially considering my dad only had about half of the scheduled treatments! Unfortunately, we don't know how long the tumor will continue to respond to the treatments.
As was anticipated, chemotherapy treatments will now follow a three weeks on followed by one week off schedule. CT scans will be done after every two cycles. The treatments will still be once per week.
Chemotherapy days follow a usual pattern and take the whole morning. Blood draws are done first. Chemotherapy treatment is last. In the middle there is much waiting. Sometimes my dad has other appointments scheduled at the clinic. These occupy some of the waiting time. My dad may see Mary Jo (the psychiatric nurse practitioner), Dr. Ritch (the oncologist) or the rabbi (the rabbi). Mary Jo manages my dad's "psychedelic drugs" as he likes to call the antidepressant medication. Dr. Ritch monitors the cancer and manages the chemotherapy treatments. The rabbi provides spiritual care.
My family appreciates all of your prayers thus far. Keep up the good work! Also, I have a request: post a comment. My parents don't understand how many of you are reading this blog to keep up on his progress. Please post a comment to let them know you've been reading the blog, thinking about them, or praying. Thanks.
p.s. My dad's weight is up to 136 pounds from a low of 127. More good news. :-)
After having four treatments out of a scheduled seven, the CT scan showed some shrinkage of the tumor mass in the body and tail of the pancreas!!! No cancer was seen on the CT scan in the abdomen or lungs. There can be cancer in these areas that doesn't show up on a CT scan. However, it is still better to not see cancer in these areas on the CT scan than to have them show up with cancer.
Also, the blood test used to monitor patients with pancreatic cancer had favorable results. My dad's level in January was about 4500; the result from Friday's test was 1162! More information about this test called the CA 19-9 Radioimmunoassay test is available on the PanCAN Website.
Dr Ritch said this is "very good news" especially considering my dad only had about half of the scheduled treatments! Unfortunately, we don't know how long the tumor will continue to respond to the treatments.
As was anticipated, chemotherapy treatments will now follow a three weeks on followed by one week off schedule. CT scans will be done after every two cycles. The treatments will still be once per week.
Chemotherapy days follow a usual pattern and take the whole morning. Blood draws are done first. Chemotherapy treatment is last. In the middle there is much waiting. Sometimes my dad has other appointments scheduled at the clinic. These occupy some of the waiting time. My dad may see Mary Jo (the psychiatric nurse practitioner), Dr. Ritch (the oncologist) or the rabbi (the rabbi). Mary Jo manages my dad's "psychedelic drugs" as he likes to call the antidepressant medication. Dr. Ritch monitors the cancer and manages the chemotherapy treatments. The rabbi provides spiritual care.
My family appreciates all of your prayers thus far. Keep up the good work! Also, I have a request: post a comment. My parents don't understand how many of you are reading this blog to keep up on his progress. Please post a comment to let them know you've been reading the blog, thinking about them, or praying. Thanks.
p.s. My dad's weight is up to 136 pounds from a low of 127. More good news. :-)
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