February 27, 2006

Hi,

We went back to Medford yesterday for another long day, although this one didn’t begin as early as the last one, and that was good, because I was not feeling well.
 
The bad head cold is still with me, as my immune system struggles to get me through a number of problems, and I expected that due to fighting that cold we would not see a dramatic change in the tumor.  I had signs that showed it was struggling all along.  First was the cold, and then my teeth began bothering me, and I was fighting to keep my eyes from becoming infected; these are all signs that my immune system is having trouble keeping up with everything. 
 
A week ago my cough became so bad that I had to take a codeine based cough syrup I had, and that helped the cough a lot, but it decreases my appetite because it creates some nausea, and this was not a good time to have that happen, as I needed to pour on more protein to fight infections, and I struggle to make food more palatable and able to be eaten at any time.  My poor teeth make it difficult to chew some meats, yet I’m not in a physical condition that will allow me to have the teeth removed and taken care of, so my immune system has to fight the infection in the teeth all the time, and it is only by the Grace of God that I’ve had so little pain and trouble with them all these last four years.
 
I did have one very good sign during this last three week period, and that was that the blood I’ve been coughing up since last November, a considerable amount, decreased and then ceased completely during the first week or so after having the first chemo treatment, although I was coughing a great deal more, due to the cold, which created a terrible tickle in the throat, and made me cough unceasingly at times.
 
As soon as the cough came, my difficulty breathing returned, and I had to go back on the oxygen full-time, and have had to use it since.  We knew the cough and congestion was affecting it, but didn’t know how much of it was or could be due to a return of fluid in my lung, but would find that out from the x-ray I had taken yesterday, in addition to seeing what the tumors were doing.  While the one tumor is largest, there are several other tumors growing in my lungs, so my immune system has several actively growing tumors to try to suppress and kill.
 
As I mentioned in my last update, waiting for this appointment yesterday was very difficult for us, and as all these other complications developed, it became worse, as we realized all that the chemo and immune system had to fight, all at the same time.  We struggled to keep a good outlook.
 
I first had blood work done at the lab, and then went up to x-ray and had my chest x-ray done, and hand-carried it back down to the doctor’s office, where we waited while he examined it, and then came in to see us.
 
After hearing all the things that have been going on during the ensuing three weeks since I saw him last, the doctor was quite encouraged by the results and the news I had for him.
 
First and foremost he said that he’d hoped for a dramatic decrease in the size of the tumor, and that did not happen.  But, on the other hand, it has not grown.  It has decreased in size, but he’s not sure just how much, because my last “picture” was a CT scan, not an x-ray, and they are two very different things, and difficult to compare in measurements.  So, until we do another x-ray in three weeks, we won’t have an actual size comparison he can give us.  Trying to compare the two tests is like trying to compare apples to oranges – they are simply not the same thing.
 
He was also encouraged at the lack of fluid increase in the lung.  That has decreased a lot, while there is some fluid there, there is definitely not enough to warrant an expenditure of $1600 to remove it at this point, so I’ll live with it for awhile.  He had expected to have to have it removed today, however, based on its previous growth, so that it is being stopped, and is a distinct good sign.
 
Also, the news about the stoppage of blood in my cough, coupled with a great increase in coughing was excellent news, he felt, and was very encouraged about that.
 
Also, I have been watching very carefully for any signs in my sputum that I have some infection (bronchitis or pneumonia) by the appearance of yellow or green, signifying infection, and there had been none at all, until this morning.  I didn’t cough much today, but did cough right on cue for the doctor, and he was very encouraged that we are catching it right at the beginning.  I begin another five-day regimen of antibiotics today.  He said it is so light, and my lungs sound so good, that we should be able to knock it down easily, and the antibiotics will help the other little infections my body’s fighting, and will allow the chemo and my immune system to work more efficiently.
 
I had my second chemo treatment after seeing Dr. Ahmann, then we left there, had a wonderful meal at the Olive Garden again, and Jim ran errands picking up things we needed at several places. 
 
While we’ve had sunny warm weather for all this time since my last appointment, it grew colder this last week, and it began raining day before yesterday.  It didn’t rain much until sometime yesterday, when it grew worse, and heavier rains were due sometime today.  Those came to Medford late, while Jim was running errands, and we drove home through the dark and a driving rain all the way.  It was raining so hard that it forced us to go quite slowly in several areas, and there were spotty areas of thick fog, a common occurrence in this kind of weather.  We made it home safely about 9:30 pm or a little later, and we were both ready for the day to end as soon as we got situated around here.
 
Unfortunately, due to the steroid I take for three days when it is time for a chemo treatment, I’m only able to sleep in 1-2 hour snatches right now, so I’m up very early working on this.  Taking this medication was well worth it, however, as I had no rash whatsoever, which it blocked, and this was wonderful.  I am thinking that there might be some rash as I continue to take it, but hopefully it will not be a severe reaction.
 
It will be much easier this time to handle the side effects, since I know what to expect, and can prepare ahead for all of it, which will make each thing easier to handle, and we picked up some things yesterday to help with that, as I’m expecting the sore mouth to return, and have on hand what I need to get a more nutritious soft-food, cool food diet that won’t plunge my immune system again, as it is improving.
 
If anyone has any great recipes for using Ensure, either in combination with ice cream, yogurt, fresh fruits (are kiwi available this time of year, and how do you know if they are ripe?), I would appreciate getting them.  Ensure is a good way to get increased protein in the diet, but with my decreased appetite and changes in tastes from medication, they have to be really tempting.
 
I want to thank everyone for their prayers, and encouragement.  We were very pleased with the results, especially that there was no new growth in anything, and think that with this second treatment and a strong regime to improve my physical condition we can get this on the run, with lots of prayer and the blessings of the Lord.
 
Our outlook is much better, and we are preparing ourselves for the second phase of this battle.  I spent much time thanking the Lord for all these blessings he has bestowed upon us, and hope you will join us in them.  What He has done is to increase our will to continue with renewed force, and that is just what is needed at this time.  With His help and yours, we can beat this off once again, and continue on with life.
 
Resting in the arms of the Lord,
 
Marcie and Jim

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