When the girls were young, Linda took pictures of them on their first day of school each year. Here is Linda leaving the house for her first chemo treatment...Get ready cancer: you are about to be schooled!
Linda is a walking chemistry project. She came through her maiden chemo treatment just fine – except for the effects of Benadryl which has her talking with eyes closed and saying things like a three-quarters of a pound of turkey is less than an half-pound (call that chemo math). It was a long day – from 10:00 a.m. until 4:45 p.m. The team at the Infusion Department was outstanding; very caring, fun people to be with who gave us quite an education about nutrition, exercise, yoga, hydration, and staying infection-free. Good stuff even if you don’t need to spend your Fridays in a place like that.
The nurses also gave us guidance on Virginia wineries, get-away rentals at Smith Mountain Lake, and some restaurants in Richmond we haven’t tried. A lot to look forward to once this stuff is behind us and Linda can drink wine again. Meantime, I’ll just have to pick up the slack in that department.
Now she has to watch for signs of nausea – pretty common after chemo. She has more chemistry to counter-act that. She will avoid spicy and acidic foods (Bland is Grand!) for a while. After each chemo treatment she’ll get a protein shot to boost the production of white blood cells and neutrophils.
Thursday she had her PET scan. They loaded her up with radioactive glucose which “lights up” cancer cells wherever they are in the body. Radioactive! I was lying awake in bed thinking about that process and have to admit, I looked under the covers to see if she was glowing. She wasn’t. Bummer.
The results of the PET scan are mixed. The great news is that the cancer has not spread to any organs – no trace in the liver, lungs, kidneys, brain, pancreas, etc. The concerning news is that the test shows something on her spine which needs to be investigated further with an MRI which will be done on Sunday morning. We’ll meet with the oncologist on Tuesday morning to get the results. If the cancer did spread to the spine, they will administer a drug which specifically attacks and typically defeats bone cancer cells. So, there is some good news and some concerning news, but the good news is that they can deal with the bad news. Got it?
Jessica and TJ came down from DC to stay with us for the weekend. They are doing some grocery shopping and will be preparing some meals for us. Tomorrow, Adrienne and Jess will take Linda to the salon for a haircut…a serious haircut. Photos will follow. Sunday we’ll kick back and watch about seven hours of football – Go Patriots! Linda says they’ll win…who dares argue with her?
So now she can rest for three weeks until the next chemo treatment (they will be on Fridays from now until May 4 if all goes according to plan). We greatly appreciate the cards, e-mails, calls, and visits. Thanks for your good wishes and willingness to help.
The nurses also gave us guidance on Virginia wineries, get-away rentals at Smith Mountain Lake, and some restaurants in Richmond we haven’t tried. A lot to look forward to once this stuff is behind us and Linda can drink wine again. Meantime, I’ll just have to pick up the slack in that department.
Now she has to watch for signs of nausea – pretty common after chemo. She has more chemistry to counter-act that. She will avoid spicy and acidic foods (Bland is Grand!) for a while. After each chemo treatment she’ll get a protein shot to boost the production of white blood cells and neutrophils.
Thursday she had her PET scan. They loaded her up with radioactive glucose which “lights up” cancer cells wherever they are in the body. Radioactive! I was lying awake in bed thinking about that process and have to admit, I looked under the covers to see if she was glowing. She wasn’t. Bummer.
The results of the PET scan are mixed. The great news is that the cancer has not spread to any organs – no trace in the liver, lungs, kidneys, brain, pancreas, etc. The concerning news is that the test shows something on her spine which needs to be investigated further with an MRI which will be done on Sunday morning. We’ll meet with the oncologist on Tuesday morning to get the results. If the cancer did spread to the spine, they will administer a drug which specifically attacks and typically defeats bone cancer cells. So, there is some good news and some concerning news, but the good news is that they can deal with the bad news. Got it?
Jessica and TJ came down from DC to stay with us for the weekend. They are doing some grocery shopping and will be preparing some meals for us. Tomorrow, Adrienne and Jess will take Linda to the salon for a haircut…a serious haircut. Photos will follow. Sunday we’ll kick back and watch about seven hours of football – Go Patriots! Linda says they’ll win…who dares argue with her?
So now she can rest for three weeks until the next chemo treatment (they will be on Fridays from now until May 4 if all goes according to plan). We greatly appreciate the cards, e-mails, calls, and visits. Thanks for your good wishes and willingness to help.
Love the first-day-of-chemo picture! Hate the idea that chemo's involved. Went shopping today - look for a package in the mail! Looking for a good book to read aloud together? I highly recommend The Devotion of Suspect X, but Keigo Higashino. If you haven't seen the film Waking Ned Devine, don't delay. I still laugh when I think of some of the scenes from that one. Thanks for the update. Holding you close to my heart, L.
ReplyDeleteBob, I am so happy that you have created this blog! Writing is not too shabby either (okay, I really love the way you write :) Linda, you have an incredible fan-base-cheering-squad-prayer-group- people-who-love-you community that will follow this in support and healthy thoughts each day. I love you lots, dear friend. oh, and Bob too :) (and I totally second Laura on that great movie choice and say: keep the laughter going)
ReplyDeleteCT contingent grateful for the updates. Linda is one of the stongest and task/goal oriented people I know (see tax paying above!). I have every confidence in her beating this by shear effort of will! Chemo is tough, but necessary to kill those nasty cells. Thanks for the posts!
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