Last week, at Linda’s check up with her Oncologist, the progress report was “brilliant” meaning that there are definite visual signs of improvement. With that, we looked forward to confirmation from the surgeon the following Monday and we weren’t disappointed! The ultrasound shows that the tumor is dramatically smaller now indicating that the chemo is working. So, unless there is some further development along the way, Linda will continue with the course of treatment (same “cocktail” and same 3-week cycle) until May 4. That makes this coming Friday’s chemo treatment the half-way point. After that session there will likely be another PET C/T scan and MRI to assess the progress. Judging from the doctors’ smiles and enthusiasm, some stomach knots started to unravel.
The few days following chemo treatment are un-fun, but by Wednesday they start getting better as measured by appetite and energy. When Linda asks for take-out from Bocca Toscana (a favorite local restaurant) it’s a signal that she is turning the corner. In fact, last night we went there for a dinner out.
We had some terrific, roof-off-the-Jeep weather this week, despite last weekend’s snow. Linda’s sister Mary was down for a few days. Jess, TJ, and I went bowling (game one: no beer, I rolled a 106; game two, with beer, I rolled a 188!). On Tuesday, my brother Mike and his wife Debbie stopped by with my nephew’s wife Jennifer and her kids Joey and Aryana. On Wednesday night Linda and I went to see “The All New Original Tribute to the Blues Brothers” in Richmond – a fun night with Jake and Elwood Blues (great back-up band!). We got a terrific meal from Beth, a friend of Adrienne’s and Greg’s (I didn’t know peas and corn could be that good). Today we had a nice lunch with Nancy and Drew, our new friends in Richmond – quite possibly the only other Patriots fans south of the Mason-Dixon Line!
We’re getting used to our new normal and we’re pleased that good things are happening. Optimism is high, and that helped me realize that a hug in the morning is even better than a kiss goodnight.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Sunday, February 19, 2012
It's a snowy day in Richmond but we are staying warm
Mom had two guiding principles for this round of chemo:
1. I can do it better this time than the first. (Why not be a perfectionist about chemo too?!)
2. What happened the first time is a good indication of what will happen each time.
So far, both of those have been true. As Jess wrote last week, Mom had her second round of chemo last Friday. The first time, we all felt a little cocky about it and jumped right in to trying to live "normally." This time, we took it a little slower. Throughout the first few days Mom often ate bland foods in small amounts (think small potatoes cooked in the microwave and toast). This definitely seemed to help her unsettled tummy. She's discovered a deep love for peas (organic) and rekindled her fondness of beets (gross). The weather was not as great in Richmond this time around, so she was a little slower to leave the house. But, as of yesterday, one week post-chemo 2, she was able to go out to lunch, go shopping, and get her now-staple "I'm feeling a little better" meal: plain ravioli with pink cream sauce on the side from Bocca Toscana (thanks Sal & Laura!). She had some extra motivation to get out of the house this time because Aunt Mary came to visit! Jess and TJ were in town also.
We can tell that they are right about the effects of chemo being cumulative. She now relies on a 2 hour mid-afternoon nap. I have to admit, I'm completely jealous of this part of her routine. Bedtime is earlier than usual. But, during the day, her awake time has been pretty good. She has written down the exact amount and spacing of all the side effect management drugs this time (mostly to remedy nausea) so that she can use it as a guide next time. While this hasn't made it into a spreadsheet yet, I imagine it will by round 3. She also got her shipment of hats, turbans, and scarfs from www.headcovers.com. They are fabulous and a great accessory to all outfits now.
Mom and Dad went to see her oncologist for a follow-up appointment on Friday and got an "A" on Mom's progress so far. The oncologist is pleased with the noticeable improvement, at least on the surface. They will follow up with the breast surgeon on Monday to check on the below the surface progress. While we are still firmly rooted in the chemo phase, there are moments when Mom has started to glimpse ahead at phase 2: mastectomy. As the next few rounds of chemo come, we will learn more about phase 2. For now, we're concentrating on getting to the halfway point of chemo and beyond.
Today it is snowing which brings a good reason to stay inside, wear a pink fuzzy robe, rest, and enjoy some goodies sent by friends and family – thank you all for being so thoughtful!
1. I can do it better this time than the first. (Why not be a perfectionist about chemo too?!)
2. What happened the first time is a good indication of what will happen each time.
So far, both of those have been true. As Jess wrote last week, Mom had her second round of chemo last Friday. The first time, we all felt a little cocky about it and jumped right in to trying to live "normally." This time, we took it a little slower. Throughout the first few days Mom often ate bland foods in small amounts (think small potatoes cooked in the microwave and toast). This definitely seemed to help her unsettled tummy. She's discovered a deep love for peas (organic) and rekindled her fondness of beets (gross). The weather was not as great in Richmond this time around, so she was a little slower to leave the house. But, as of yesterday, one week post-chemo 2, she was able to go out to lunch, go shopping, and get her now-staple "I'm feeling a little better" meal: plain ravioli with pink cream sauce on the side from Bocca Toscana (thanks Sal & Laura!). She had some extra motivation to get out of the house this time because Aunt Mary came to visit! Jess and TJ were in town also.
We can tell that they are right about the effects of chemo being cumulative. She now relies on a 2 hour mid-afternoon nap. I have to admit, I'm completely jealous of this part of her routine. Bedtime is earlier than usual. But, during the day, her awake time has been pretty good. She has written down the exact amount and spacing of all the side effect management drugs this time (mostly to remedy nausea) so that she can use it as a guide next time. While this hasn't made it into a spreadsheet yet, I imagine it will by round 3. She also got her shipment of hats, turbans, and scarfs from www.headcovers.com. They are fabulous and a great accessory to all outfits now.
Mom and Dad went to see her oncologist for a follow-up appointment on Friday and got an "A" on Mom's progress so far. The oncologist is pleased with the noticeable improvement, at least on the surface. They will follow up with the breast surgeon on Monday to check on the below the surface progress. While we are still firmly rooted in the chemo phase, there are moments when Mom has started to glimpse ahead at phase 2: mastectomy. As the next few rounds of chemo come, we will learn more about phase 2. For now, we're concentrating on getting to the halfway point of chemo and beyond.
Today it is snowing which brings a good reason to stay inside, wear a pink fuzzy robe, rest, and enjoy some goodies sent by friends and family – thank you all for being so thoughtful!
Sunday, February 12, 2012
We are all in this together
This week's flower delivery is a mix of white and red flowers to symbolize unity. While only one of us has actually been diagnosed, we are all fighting together. 1/3 of the way done with chemo!
Friday, February 10, 2012
Chemo #2--check.
Mom, Adrienne and I went out for dinner and a movie last night. Mom was feeling strong and looking good. She seriously looked good, check out her outfit:
That really happened. And none of us noticed until she put her feet up on the railing at the movies. Two different colors and two different sized heels. Both clogs—I’ll give her that. This was way more funny and entertaining than the movie.
We made it to round 2 of chemo fashionably early, meaning she had on matching shoes and we were there 30 minutes ahead of schedule (per usual). Mom was told that she was doing awesome multiple times. “Linda has awesome platelet counts.” “You’re taking walks? That’s awesome.” They went so far as to say she was Superwoman and that I better hope I got those genes. I’m going to have to research if anyone does genetic testing for that.
We had a very productive day at the infusion center, which should be expected since we were the only people there with a cooler, 2 laptops, a binder, books and magazines. We did some online shopping, paid some bills, chatted, oh and attacked some Inflammatory Breast Cancer. Mom is 1/3 of the way done with chemotherapy and we thoroughly enjoyed watching her cross it off her schedule with a permanent marker. Fact: We love crossing things off our to do lists.
For tomorrow, dad and I might go bowling (speaking of fashionable shoes) and we are going to let mom continue to be awesome and do whatever she wants, when she wants.
Hope everyone has a good weekend! XO
That really happened. And none of us noticed until she put her feet up on the railing at the movies. Two different colors and two different sized heels. Both clogs—I’ll give her that. This was way more funny and entertaining than the movie.
We made it to round 2 of chemo fashionably early, meaning she had on matching shoes and we were there 30 minutes ahead of schedule (per usual). Mom was told that she was doing awesome multiple times. “Linda has awesome platelet counts.” “You’re taking walks? That’s awesome.” They went so far as to say she was Superwoman and that I better hope I got those genes. I’m going to have to research if anyone does genetic testing for that.
We had a very productive day at the infusion center, which should be expected since we were the only people there with a cooler, 2 laptops, a binder, books and magazines. We did some online shopping, paid some bills, chatted, oh and attacked some Inflammatory Breast Cancer. Mom is 1/3 of the way done with chemotherapy and we thoroughly enjoyed watching her cross it off her schedule with a permanent marker. Fact: We love crossing things off our to do lists.
For tomorrow, dad and I might go bowling (speaking of fashionable shoes) and we are going to let mom continue to be awesome and do whatever she wants, when she wants.
Hope everyone has a good weekend! XO
Thursday, February 9, 2012
A Night Out Before Chemo Round 2
Jess came to Richmond tonight and Dad is in class so we decided to have a ladies night. Our eyes may have been bigger than our stomachs but we were following Mom's tummy.
Next up, One For The Money at Movieland!
Next up, One For The Money at Movieland!
Saturday, February 4, 2012
A Hairy Day
This week I took the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, a highly regarded personality assessment. For those who have taken them, you know how accurate the MBTI is. One trait that was clearly obvious (this probably won’t surprise some who know me) is that I like things well planned and well executed.
Imagine my reaction standing next to Linda at the salon watching her hair fall to the floor…all of it.
This wasn’t in my plan today; with my head still on the pillow at 8:00, I’d figure I’d get up slow, hit the gym, watch some Super Bowl hype on Sports Center and do some stuff around the house. Linda noticed early today that her hair was all of a sudden coming out (normal with chemo), so plans quickly took shape for Adrienne to take her to shop for wigs. With Jess in DC and me at home, Adrienne sent us pictures of Linda in different wigs. The black one (“biker chick” according to Jess) was a no go. They chose a good one…very natural. The more she tried on wigs though, the more her hair would come out, so she decided to “cut to the chase” (obviously, pun intended).
We knew this would happen - just thought it would be after the second round of chemo (which is next Friday). A week ago she got it cut short: cute and easy to manage. The cute part remains – the easy to manage part got easier! If a Marine recruiter walked by he would have signed her up. As Maren, her stylist, was finishing up the buzz cut, we had a brainstorm, but too late: we should have had the Patriots logo designed into her new look - like Patriots wide receiver Tiquan Underwood (see photo)!
The new look both with and without hair:
As is clear from the pictures: same eyes, same smile. Go Linda!
Tomorrow, our plan is to wig out watching the Patriots win the Super Bowl. No surprises please.
Imagine my reaction standing next to Linda at the salon watching her hair fall to the floor…all of it.
This wasn’t in my plan today; with my head still on the pillow at 8:00, I’d figure I’d get up slow, hit the gym, watch some Super Bowl hype on Sports Center and do some stuff around the house. Linda noticed early today that her hair was all of a sudden coming out (normal with chemo), so plans quickly took shape for Adrienne to take her to shop for wigs. With Jess in DC and me at home, Adrienne sent us pictures of Linda in different wigs. The black one (“biker chick” according to Jess) was a no go. They chose a good one…very natural. The more she tried on wigs though, the more her hair would come out, so she decided to “cut to the chase” (obviously, pun intended).
We knew this would happen - just thought it would be after the second round of chemo (which is next Friday). A week ago she got it cut short: cute and easy to manage. The cute part remains – the easy to manage part got easier! If a Marine recruiter walked by he would have signed her up. As Maren, her stylist, was finishing up the buzz cut, we had a brainstorm, but too late: we should have had the Patriots logo designed into her new look - like Patriots wide receiver Tiquan Underwood (see photo)!
The new look both with and without hair:
As is clear from the pictures: same eyes, same smile. Go Linda!
Tomorrow, our plan is to wig out watching the Patriots win the Super Bowl. No surprises please.
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