Tony's parents arrived last night and everyone is in the best of moods... I'm not sure who was most pleased at seeing the other, Tony or his parents. Tony is in good form and has more energy every day. So I'm happy!
Tomorrow we have an appointment with the liver surgeon... we'll find out whether or not the embolization worked. Keep your fingers crossed...
The weekend was busy with basketball. Richard's team did very well. They played four games and only lost one of them. The team that beat them was from Long Island, NY. They were really good. It was a good experience; but exhausting... I'm not cut out to be a taxi driver.
Sandee, I read your post today... Thanks! You are in our thoughts.
Take good care everyone!
Renée
Monday, April 30, 2007
Friday, April 27, 2007
TGIF
Thank God it's Friday! It's been a busy and stressful week. And next week promises to be even busier. But, thankfully, Tony (aka Richard) is feeling relatively well. Of course, he is sleeping the afternoon away and going to bed really early at night; but that's okay. It's part of the deal when you're on chemo. Knock on wood, other than some nausea, so far he hasn't had any really bad side effects.
We're getting ready for Tony's parents' arrival on Sunday. And, Richard is participating in a basketball tournament with his school team. I will be the appointed driver. They play at least 3 games (1 tonight, 2 tomorrow) and could play another 2 on Sunday if they win.
Well, we're off to get the car washed at the Novartis Community Partnership Day Charity Car Wash, so that's it for now.
I wish you all a very good weekend. Enjoy your loved ones... and take good care!
Renée
We're getting ready for Tony's parents' arrival on Sunday. And, Richard is participating in a basketball tournament with his school team. I will be the appointed driver. They play at least 3 games (1 tonight, 2 tomorrow) and could play another 2 on Sunday if they win.
Well, we're off to get the car washed at the Novartis Community Partnership Day Charity Car Wash, so that's it for now.
I wish you all a very good weekend. Enjoy your loved ones... and take good care!
Renée
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Keep your fingers crossed
Well, Tony (aka Richard) got his Erbitux this morning. All things considered, it went very well. The risk of adverse reaction is always greater the first time you take a medication. But, so far, so good... We're home and he's had lunch and has just gone to bed for his afternoon nap. I think/hope that the fact that he's off the Xeloda will help in terms of his level of fatigue. Not quite sure what the Erbitux will do... We're told that the most common side effect is skin rashes, etc. As Tony's parents are arriving from Belfast on Sunday, I hope this chemo will be easy on him. Keep you fingers crossed.
I've just had a special request for cheesecake (I guess that's better than poutine)... So off I go to the store! Thank you all for your thoughts and messages. We both appreciate them very much.
Take good care.
Renée
I've just had a special request for cheesecake (I guess that's better than poutine)... So off I go to the store! Thank you all for your thoughts and messages. We both appreciate them very much.
Take good care.
Renée
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
We'll try again tomorrow
Well, today's treatment just wasn't meant to be... We arrived at the hospital at 7:30 am for Tony's blood tests. His results were satisfactory as he was given the green light for treatment at around 8:10 am. It took a while before we were called into the treatment room because his file hadn't yet arrived. Once in the treatment room, it was a question of which drugs he was meant to get. A quick call to our Oncologist confirmed that we should discontinue the Xeloda and that this first treatment would only be the Erbitux and the next ones would be in combination with CPT-11. An i.v. was started and Benedryl was administered. Then everything was stopped. There had been a problem with the refrigerators over the weekend and the pharmacist was waiting for confirmation from BMS that the Erbitux could still be used because it had not been stored at the recommended temperature. At 11:30 , we were sent home. I just spoke to our Oncologist's assistant and she confirmed that the Erbitux is okay and that Tony can have his treatment tomorrow afternoon. So we'll try again tomorrow. The Erbitux will be administered once a week for six weeks.
In order to reduce the amount of frustration I was feeling (funny enough, Tony was very calm), I thought of my good friend Happie and stopped to admire the clouds. Thanks Happie!
Take good care!
Renée
Monday, April 23, 2007
Another CT Scan
Although there is no amount of studying in the world that could help you get different results, these tests that Tony has to go through (CT, blood, etc.) still make him (and me) nervous. So much is riding on them, and yet you're just a passenger along for the ride. No control whatsoever. This morning we went to the Vic for a CT scan and blood test. They will tell us whether or not the embolization was a success or not. Unfortunately, we have to wait until next week to get the word from the surgeon. So we'll just have to hurry up and wait; once again.I must take my hat off to our Oncologist. In a bit of a panic on Saturday night, I wrote him an e-mail. Tony had a fever of 38.3 during the evening so I gave him so Tylenol. Then, I started thinking... (not always a good thing for me!) When patients are on chemo, they usually tell them to go directly to the emergency if they get a fever of 38.5. Well, believe it or not, when I checked my e-mail on Sunday, I realized that our doc had responded to me sometime around 11 pm on Saturday night (bit of a workaholic- but good for us). He said that if the fever persists to go to the ER and d/c (which I take to mean discontinue) chemo. Thankfully, Tony's temperature only went up to 38.1 on Sunday. However, as he had to fast for 12 hours for his blood test Tony opted to skip last night's dose as well as this morning's. He gets really sick on an empty stomach. Because he will be starting another chemo tomorrow, he will most likely stay off the Xeloda until we see the nurse or oncologist tomorrow. In the meantime, I hope and pray that his temperature will not spike again.
I wanted to say THANKS! to my Mom and Dad for the beautiful flowers. They did bring a smile to my face... Also, thanks to everyone for their comments. Stéphanie and Maureen, our thoughts are with you and your family...
Take good care everyone!
Renée
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Knowledge is a powerful thing
In March 2006, just before we left for Cuba, my good friend and colleague, Linda, gave me a wonderful gift - the following article was her gift to me (along with some sunscreen)... I thought I would share this with you so that you might get a better understanding of this dreaded disease and how wonderful a husband I have. Thanks Linda! And dont' worry - I never thought for a moment that you weren't supportive. I actually realize how neurotic I can get. Thanks again... and keep writing!
KNOWLEDGE IS A POWERFUL THING (by Linda Thompson)
March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in Canada and this year I know more about the disease than Iever dreamed I would. For example, I know that colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in the country [i]. I also know it's very treatable if detected early, yet it’s the second leading cause of death from cancer [ii] in Canada. I know these things because just over a year ago my friend and colleague, Renée, began to voice fears about her 38-year old husband having colorectal cancer.
I didn’t really take her seriously in the beginning because Renée is one of those people who can’t help giving herself a good medical scare. She loves to pour over medical literature, yet she’s the first to admit that she shouldn’t be allowed within miles of a medical textbook. Internet medical information sites should also be permanently blocked on her computer. That’s because, in her case, a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing. No sooner does she read up on a disease than she or someone in her family suddenly exhibits the symptoms. I, on the other hand, am the total opposite. The less I know about any number of diseases that could be lying in wait to attack, the happier I am. Somewhere between the two of us of there’s a happy, healthy medium.
So when Renée began to talk about the possibility of her husband, Tony, having colorectal cancer, I scoffed at the suggestion. I pooh-poohed her concerns and repeatedly told her that it was highly unlikely. My goal was to reassure her, but I don’t think I did a very good job. I probably didn’t come across as entirely sympathetic either, since I was sure her imagination was working overtime again. Other than making frequent trips to the washroom (it’s amazing how close colleagues share the most intimate family details), Tony had no symptoms whatsoever. He was as strong as a horse, hadn’t lost an ounce of weight and had a hearty appetite. And after all, colorectal cancer at 38 years old, well, what were the odds? In retrospect, I know I wasn’t as supportive as I could have been and I have regretted it ever since.
As it turns out,Tony was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in December of 2004 despite the fact that none of the high risk factors for the disease applied to him. These factors include a family history of colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease or a previous removal of a polyp or tumour. Risk also increases with age, and people over age 50 are at a higher risk. But, as Tony discovered, cancer doesn't follow any set rules or always pay attention to risk factors.
Since then, he has undergone three surgeries and two rounds of chemotherapy. The first operation to remove his colon revealed metastases to the liver. He had to go under the knife two more times to completely erase the tumours from his liver, and is now waiting for a final round of chemotherapy. Through it all, he has maintained a hugely positive attitude and an impressive sense of humour. And through it all, Renée's extensive reading and research has been a great asset. Her knowledge has put them in the driver’s seat when it came to treatment options and choices instead of being passengers along for the ride. The information obtained from Tony’s doctors, patient groups, medical literature and other sources allowed them to evaluate and choose the best course of action for Tony’s circumstances. Now both she and Tony are putting that knowledge to good use. Together they are promoting awareness about the screening, detection and treatment of colorectal cancer among their circle of friends, family and acquaintances. Family members in particular are now sensitive to the fact that there is a history of the disease in the family. As well, several of his colleagues have undergone screening as a result of Tony’s story.
So, thanks to Renée, I know a lot more about colorectal cancer than I did just over a year ago. I know that an average of 377 Canadians will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer every week [iii]. I know that one in 14 men and one in 16 women is expected to develop colorectal cancer during their lifetime [iv]. I know that colorectal cancer can develop overtime with no signs or symptoms and that an average of 162 Canadians will die from it every week. The most valuable thing I’ve learned is that wide screening could significantly reduce this death rate [v]. And thanks to Renée, I’ve learned that knowledge is power, and that this information could just possibly save my life.
[i] Canadian Cancer Society/National Cancer Institute of Canada: Canadian Cancer Statistics 2005
[ii] Canadian Cancer Society,www.bc.cancer.ca/ccs/internet/standard/0,3182,3278_14447_371429_langId-en,00.html[iii] http://www.bc.cancer.ca/ccs/internet/standard/0,3182,3278_14447_371429_langId-en,00.html
[v] http://www.bc.cancer.ca/ccs/internet/standard/0,3182,3278_14447_371429_langId-en,00.html
UPDATE: Since Linda wrote this article, Tony (aka Richard), has undergone two more procedures for his liver: radiofrequency thermal ablation and embolization. As well, he completed an additional two chemo regimens and is now on his third - so fifth in total. Unfortunately, the liver metastases have progressed in spite of the last chemo (which ended in Jan 07). We are hoping that the embolization and this new chemo treatment will be effective in shrinking these tumours.
NOTE: Tony's cancer is attributable to Gardner's Syndrome, a variant of familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). Approximately 1% of all colorectal cancer cases are attributable to FAP close to one third of these have no family history of the disease.
I apologize for the long post... but thought it was well worth it.
KNOWLEDGE IS A POWERFUL THING (by Linda Thompson)
March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in Canada and this year I know more about the disease than Iever dreamed I would. For example, I know that colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in the country [i]. I also know it's very treatable if detected early, yet it’s the second leading cause of death from cancer [ii] in Canada. I know these things because just over a year ago my friend and colleague, Renée, began to voice fears about her 38-year old husband having colorectal cancer.
I didn’t really take her seriously in the beginning because Renée is one of those people who can’t help giving herself a good medical scare. She loves to pour over medical literature, yet she’s the first to admit that she shouldn’t be allowed within miles of a medical textbook. Internet medical information sites should also be permanently blocked on her computer. That’s because, in her case, a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing. No sooner does she read up on a disease than she or someone in her family suddenly exhibits the symptoms. I, on the other hand, am the total opposite. The less I know about any number of diseases that could be lying in wait to attack, the happier I am. Somewhere between the two of us of there’s a happy, healthy medium.
So when Renée began to talk about the possibility of her husband, Tony, having colorectal cancer, I scoffed at the suggestion. I pooh-poohed her concerns and repeatedly told her that it was highly unlikely. My goal was to reassure her, but I don’t think I did a very good job. I probably didn’t come across as entirely sympathetic either, since I was sure her imagination was working overtime again. Other than making frequent trips to the washroom (it’s amazing how close colleagues share the most intimate family details), Tony had no symptoms whatsoever. He was as strong as a horse, hadn’t lost an ounce of weight and had a hearty appetite. And after all, colorectal cancer at 38 years old, well, what were the odds? In retrospect, I know I wasn’t as supportive as I could have been and I have regretted it ever since.
As it turns out,Tony was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in December of 2004 despite the fact that none of the high risk factors for the disease applied to him. These factors include a family history of colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease or a previous removal of a polyp or tumour. Risk also increases with age, and people over age 50 are at a higher risk. But, as Tony discovered, cancer doesn't follow any set rules or always pay attention to risk factors.
Since then, he has undergone three surgeries and two rounds of chemotherapy. The first operation to remove his colon revealed metastases to the liver. He had to go under the knife two more times to completely erase the tumours from his liver, and is now waiting for a final round of chemotherapy. Through it all, he has maintained a hugely positive attitude and an impressive sense of humour. And through it all, Renée's extensive reading and research has been a great asset. Her knowledge has put them in the driver’s seat when it came to treatment options and choices instead of being passengers along for the ride. The information obtained from Tony’s doctors, patient groups, medical literature and other sources allowed them to evaluate and choose the best course of action for Tony’s circumstances. Now both she and Tony are putting that knowledge to good use. Together they are promoting awareness about the screening, detection and treatment of colorectal cancer among their circle of friends, family and acquaintances. Family members in particular are now sensitive to the fact that there is a history of the disease in the family. As well, several of his colleagues have undergone screening as a result of Tony’s story.
So, thanks to Renée, I know a lot more about colorectal cancer than I did just over a year ago. I know that an average of 377 Canadians will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer every week [iii]. I know that one in 14 men and one in 16 women is expected to develop colorectal cancer during their lifetime [iv]. I know that colorectal cancer can develop overtime with no signs or symptoms and that an average of 162 Canadians will die from it every week. The most valuable thing I’ve learned is that wide screening could significantly reduce this death rate [v]. And thanks to Renée, I’ve learned that knowledge is power, and that this information could just possibly save my life.
[i] Canadian Cancer Society/National Cancer Institute of Canada: Canadian Cancer Statistics 2005
[ii] Canadian Cancer Society,www.bc.cancer.ca/ccs/internet/standard/0,3182,3278_14447_371429_langId-en,00.html[iii] http://www.bc.cancer.ca/ccs/internet/standard/0,3182,3278_14447_371429_langId-en,00.html
[v] http://www.bc.cancer.ca/ccs/internet/standard/0,3182,3278_14447_371429_langId-en,00.html
UPDATE: Since Linda wrote this article, Tony (aka Richard), has undergone two more procedures for his liver: radiofrequency thermal ablation and embolization. As well, he completed an additional two chemo regimens and is now on his third - so fifth in total. Unfortunately, the liver metastases have progressed in spite of the last chemo (which ended in Jan 07). We are hoping that the embolization and this new chemo treatment will be effective in shrinking these tumours.
NOTE: Tony's cancer is attributable to Gardner's Syndrome, a variant of familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). Approximately 1% of all colorectal cancer cases are attributable to FAP close to one third of these have no family history of the disease.
I apologize for the long post... but thought it was well worth it.
Friday, April 20, 2007
Sick and tired of being sick and tired
Tony is quite tired; and having a hard time accepting it. The chemo, the thing that can make him better, is making him very tired. He was up two hours between breakfast and lunch and had to go to bed. He was up for one or two hours when Mathieu came home from school but had to go back to bed. He is out of bed for maybe six hours a day. It's a vicious circle. How much rest is too much rest? How far should he push himself? Cancer and chemo - particularly - make you a different person physical. While everything else about you remains the same; your body is unable to do what it did before or what you would like... It's not always easy. But he's a fighter and while the tiredness is getting to him, he is, in spite of it all, quite positive.
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