Here we go again

Today was fairly similar to yesterday, except that it was much warmer (27 or so). Today again, around 6 pm - what I like to refer to as "the witching hour" - Tony's temperature spiked (38). Nonetheless, Tony managed stay up a bit and even squeezed in a short walk.

On our last visit the Oncologist told us that studies have shown a greater survival among cancer patient who keep physically active. So, yesterday I went out and bought a stationery bike. I suppose I'll have to make a go at it myself...

Tomorrow is chemo day... Here we go again! We're back at the JGH for Tony's third treatment. This time he'll be getting Erbitux and CPT-11. Hopefully, the side effects will not get any worse. Keep your fingers crossed.

That's it for now. Take good care!

Renée

Where do the days go?

I was so busy today; yet I feel like I didn't get much accomplished. Does that happen to you too? Well, I did manage to purchase the replacement canvas for our gazebo. Very important since Tony (aka Richard) has to stay out of the sun. My father-in-law brought out our deck table and chairs - so we're ready for summer. And it felt like summer today!

Tony is still very tired. Getting up in short spurts - mostly to eat. He had a bit of a fever again today... I guess there's not much to do about that, except to give him Tylenol. Of course, if it goes as high as 38.5, I will have to take him to emergency. But, I think we're okay for now... We'll just have to wait and see what tomorrow brings.

Take good care!

Renée

More of the same...

We were back at the JGH today. And it was a longer visit than anticipated. I wish there was a way to make the health-system more user-friendly, more compassionate. Well, enough of my ramblings...

We saw the Oncologist today and he told us that the blood cultures were all normal. He noted that Tony's fever is most probably due to his tumours. As for the increasing discomfort Tony is feeling because of the rash (brought on by his chemo), we were referred to the Dermatology clinic. I basically had to resort to tears, but the Dermatologist agreed to see Tony today. It was today, or at the end of June! After his chemo is completed. Tony would've much rather go home and go to bed, but I managed to convince him that staying might be worthwhile. Let's hope the pills work their magic!

Tony is still very fatigued. He went to bed and slept all afternoon. He got up for an hour at dinner time and had to go back to bed. I really hope it gets better soon and that he is able to enjoy a bit of Spring. These weekly treatments are really difficult on him and the whole family! I know this must be very difficult on my in-laws. Thank God they're strong.

Well, luckily, today was nice and sunny! I must confess, though, that I forgot to stop and admire the clouds. I'll have to make an extra effort tomorrow.

Luke, I hope you had a very happy birthday!

That's it for now... Take good care!

Renée

Alouettes, gentils Alouettes...

That's my baby... somewhere there. And, yes! that's how I spent my weekend - at the Junior Alouettes' Football Camp (American football, that is). Richard will be attending with the older boys' camp next weekend. The weather was just wonderful and the organizers and the professional football players involved were just amazing with the kids.

Unfortunately, Tony (aka Richard) was just too exhausted to attend. His rash is becoming quite uncomfortable and he did have a bit of a fever (38.0) this afternoon. We are seeing the Oncologist tomorrow morning, so maybe he can prescribe something for the rash; I've just been giving him Benedryl... We should also have some news on the blood cultures they did last Thursday. Keep your fingers crossed.

That's it for now. Take good care!

Renée

Patient be patient

We were back the the JGH today for Tony's second Erbitux treatment. We were there early (15 min.) as Tony likes to be. However, once his blood tests were done and the results were in, we had to wait because there were no available chairs. When he finally got hooked up, the nurse took his vitals and found that he had a slight fever (38.4). The oncologist had to be called and they drew some more blood for cultures. And, repeated the cultures again 30 minutes later. And then we had to wait some more for the Erbitux... Patients really have to have a lot of patience. We got to the hospital at 11:45 thinking we'd home no later than 3:00... and we got home at 5:00.

On a positive note, our nurse said that with Erbitux, from what they've experienced, the bigger the rash the better the results. So I'm happy Tony's breaking out. Somehow, that doesn't sound quite right... but you know what I mean! (I hope...)

Kim and Heather thanks for thinking of us... Hope to see you soon. Cyn and Ken it was great seeing you last weekend. Michele, if you read this... Have a great weekend in Dublin!

That's it for now... Take good care!

Renée

All is well... and clean

I did my tour of the MGH and the Children's today... and all is well with both Tony and Mathieu. Mathieu probably won't have a scope 'til the fall (or later). Things are tensing up a bit around here as tomorrow is the dreaded chemo day. I thought Tony would be getting the CPT-11 along with the Erbitux tomorrow; but that won't be until the 3rd treatment (next week). So far the side effects haven't been too too bad (I guess that's easy for me to say... I'm not the one dealing with them). Tony's had to deal with the usual chemo fatigue and nausea as well as a rash which they had warned us about with the Erbitux. He is still having a bit of pain on his side from the tumours in his ribs, but, luckily, he can control that pain with codeine. So, we'll keep our fingers crossed for tomorrow; and hope that it's an easy one.

I must say thanks to Jean and Richard (my in-laws)! I don't think our house has been this clean since the last time they were here. All the laundry has been done (we've had good drying days), there's never a dirty dish in the house and Richard even cleaned the windows inside and out... It's just great!

Well off I go to get myself ready for American Idol (I know... but I'm addicted). A special hello to all my friends at Novartis - I miss you all! Thanks for the message Claudia!

Take good care everyone!

Renée

Cautiously optimistic...

Well, Spring is here... and with it comes HOPE! - AND GOOD NEWS!! The embolization seems to have worked - it has produced a lot of dead tumor cells... That's good news. To tell you the truth, because we've never really had good news in the last two and a half years, we told ourselves that if there was no progression, that would be great. We weren't disappointed. Tony's tumour marker (CEA level) went down 300 points after the (hepatic artery) embolization. Of course, we are caustiously optimistic because his tumour marker nearly tripled between the end of January to the end of March; going from 805 to 2349. There is still a lot of disease left, but we are moving in the right direction. As well, his surgeon seemed very pleased that Tony is getting Erbitux. He said all the members of the Tumour Board cheered when they heard that the SAP application had been approved. That can only be good, right? Tony will be scheduled for another CT-scan and tumour marker test in 6 weeks time (after this round of Erbitux). At that point they will re-evaluate and decide on next steps.

So for tonight, it's all good. Hopefully our visits to the colorectal surgeon and Mathieu's gastroenterologist tomorrow will also be cause for optimism... Keep your fingers crossed.

And, take good care!

Renée