Hi,
It's another Friday, this one ending a five days of chemotherapy. Fortunately, Denny doesn't have any side effects from the temodar, which is good because he will be taking it for an extended period of time. He's taking the maximum amount (460 mg.) and will stay at that level.
Once again, when we met with the doctor today she was pleased with his progress. It's slow and steady, which we hope will be good in the long run. All of his blood tests are good, the physical therapist is pleased with Den's strength and endurance, and the massage therapist sees definite improvement in his legs and back. Most important is that Denny feels stronger and knows he is getting better each day. It's just a very slow process but he has accepted that with the courage and patience you would expect from him. He has a stationary bike now, so he rides that a couple of times each day in addition to his other exercises.
Everything Denny has been through these past months has kind of put the cancer part of this in the background. Because he never has any headaches or any other symptoms one might expect from a brain tumor, it is sometimes still hard to believe that there is a tumor deep within his brain. We will find out how all of the chemo has affected that tumor on February 11, when he will have another MRI. We are praying that the tumor has remained encapsulated and hope that it has diminished in size. Once the tumor rids itself of the debris within, the doctors will have a better idea of treatment going forward.
One of Denny's goals was to get back to school for this term, but that hasn't happened yet. He does meet with and talk to the full time substitute who is teaching all of his classes. This week they set up a conference call so he could listen to and interact with the students. It seems like everyone enjoyed it, so there are plans for more of those. He came to school today after his doctor appointment and had lunch with all of his colleagues--he really enjoyed that.
Speaking of those colleagues, they have spoiled us rotten ever since Denny came home from the hospital. They are bringing us supper every other night. I never, ever thought I would appreciate that as much as I do! I hope they all know how grateful we are for everything they have done for us. They are all such special friends.
Tonight we are going to the basketball game at school. The rest of the weekend we'll just hang out here, as usual. It's a good thing we like each other!
Have a wonderful Super Bowl weekend! I'll check in with a much shorter note in a few days. Until then, God bless and take care.
Love,
Carla
Friday, January 30, 2009
Friday, January 23, 2009
January 23
Hi,
It's hard to believe it's Friday already! The week went by quickly with physical therapy, massage therapy, and doctor appointments taking time from each day. I have returned to work three days each week, so Denny spends his days in a routine, following a schedule of exercises he has to do at home on the days he does not go to out-patient therapy. He works out, reads, naps, eats, and then repeats those activities in the afternoon. After supper there is one last set of exercises and by then he's ready for bed.
His strength is surely increasing and his therapist is pleased with the results. The massage therapist thinks the clots are at least diminishing in size, and at his doctor appointment this morning the oncologist was very happy with all of his blood work numbers. So, he is set to start another round of chemotherapy on Monday. If all goes well, the doctor expects to reduce his steroids by another one-half milligram next Friday. She will also schedule an MRI sometime during February so we can get an idea of how the tumor is responding to these larger doses of temador.
Last night we went out for the first time in months. We attended the boys' basketball game at Xavier. It was so good for Den to see his coaching friends, other teachers, students, parents, and friends. He misses everyone and the atmosphere of school, his home away from home. He is really anxious to get back to teaching, but knows that the recovery process can't be hurried this time. He's really tired today after that night out, but it was good for his soul to be there.
He'll catch up on his sleep this weekend when it will be too cold to venture out anyhow!
Thanks for your continued thoughts and prayers,
Carla
It's hard to believe it's Friday already! The week went by quickly with physical therapy, massage therapy, and doctor appointments taking time from each day. I have returned to work three days each week, so Denny spends his days in a routine, following a schedule of exercises he has to do at home on the days he does not go to out-patient therapy. He works out, reads, naps, eats, and then repeats those activities in the afternoon. After supper there is one last set of exercises and by then he's ready for bed.
His strength is surely increasing and his therapist is pleased with the results. The massage therapist thinks the clots are at least diminishing in size, and at his doctor appointment this morning the oncologist was very happy with all of his blood work numbers. So, he is set to start another round of chemotherapy on Monday. If all goes well, the doctor expects to reduce his steroids by another one-half milligram next Friday. She will also schedule an MRI sometime during February so we can get an idea of how the tumor is responding to these larger doses of temador.
Last night we went out for the first time in months. We attended the boys' basketball game at Xavier. It was so good for Den to see his coaching friends, other teachers, students, parents, and friends. He misses everyone and the atmosphere of school, his home away from home. He is really anxious to get back to teaching, but knows that the recovery process can't be hurried this time. He's really tired today after that night out, but it was good for his soul to be there.
He'll catch up on his sleep this weekend when it will be too cold to venture out anyhow!
Thanks for your continued thoughts and prayers,
Carla
Friday, January 16, 2009
January 16
Hi,
We've had a relatively uneventful week, for which we are very grateful! Denny is regaining his strength through outpatient physical therapy and following an exercise schedule here at home. He still naps a couple of times each day, but it doesn't seem that he has that constant groggy feeling all of the time like he had before. Although he won't be returning to school for the third term like he had hoped, he has been talking to and meeting with the woman who is the long-term sub for his classes. It's good to see and hear him talking about all of that subject matter.
We went to his weekly appointment with his oncologist today and she decided to begin the weaning process of the steroids. We are hoping that the third time will be the charm! She is reducing the amount from 8 mg/daily to 7.5mg. He'll stay at this level for at least two weeks. She'll assess him weekly and continue to check all of his blood tests at those visits, so hopefully, he can look forward to getting off this evil, but necessary, medicine.
Many of our questions have no answers, i.e., what's going on with all those blood clots in his legs and lungs? The answer is that maybe they will dissolve or maybe they won't. Is there a connection between the clots and the steroids? Maybe, maybe not. And so it goes. So, we just go from one day to the next, doing what we've been told, and hoping that one day we will be able to figure out the reason for all of these unexpected and unusual setbacks.
After Denny's next round of chemotherapy, there will be an MRI to see how the tumor has dealt with everything. We pray that the debris visible in the last MRI will be gone, and that what remains will be small enough so that the stereotactic radio surgery will become an option again. There's no lack of things to pray for, that's for sure.
Thanks for your interest in Denny's progress. We cherish your calls, notes, and e-mails.
Stay warm!!
Love,
Carla
We've had a relatively uneventful week, for which we are very grateful! Denny is regaining his strength through outpatient physical therapy and following an exercise schedule here at home. He still naps a couple of times each day, but it doesn't seem that he has that constant groggy feeling all of the time like he had before. Although he won't be returning to school for the third term like he had hoped, he has been talking to and meeting with the woman who is the long-term sub for his classes. It's good to see and hear him talking about all of that subject matter.
We went to his weekly appointment with his oncologist today and she decided to begin the weaning process of the steroids. We are hoping that the third time will be the charm! She is reducing the amount from 8 mg/daily to 7.5mg. He'll stay at this level for at least two weeks. She'll assess him weekly and continue to check all of his blood tests at those visits, so hopefully, he can look forward to getting off this evil, but necessary, medicine.
Many of our questions have no answers, i.e., what's going on with all those blood clots in his legs and lungs? The answer is that maybe they will dissolve or maybe they won't. Is there a connection between the clots and the steroids? Maybe, maybe not. And so it goes. So, we just go from one day to the next, doing what we've been told, and hoping that one day we will be able to figure out the reason for all of these unexpected and unusual setbacks.
After Denny's next round of chemotherapy, there will be an MRI to see how the tumor has dealt with everything. We pray that the debris visible in the last MRI will be gone, and that what remains will be small enough so that the stereotactic radio surgery will become an option again. There's no lack of things to pray for, that's for sure.
Thanks for your interest in Denny's progress. We cherish your calls, notes, and e-mails.
Stay warm!!
Love,
Carla
Friday, January 9, 2009
January 9
Happy Friday!
We just returned from the weekly appointment with the oncologist, and all of the numbers (blood work) there are good. Yesterday Denny had his first message therapy, which also went very well, and last Tuesday he met his physical therapist who did a very thorough evaluation and has come up with a plan. All of these professionals (plus Steve Howard, who we were fortunate enough to see for a brief visit today,) agree that Den is doing very well considering how hard his body was hit with the clots and how sensitive he seems to be to all of the meds he is taking.
The biggest existing problem is the incredible fatigue that Den just can't get past. Really, he could fall asleep at any given moment during the day and to be honest, he looks tired all of the time. None of the aforementioned people have much of an explanation for this, especially in light of the fact that Den is still taking 8mg of steroids every day. He should be "wired" and be unable to sleep. They have all advised a full night of sleep and two naps each day with pt workouts in between.
Given all of that, we are hoping that a more structured routine will be of some help. I think that getting out a couple of times each week for the physical therapy will also help. He'll be doing daily physical therapy here at home, and as he gets stronger we'll go somewhere to walk longer distances plus we're hoping to get a stationary bike.
Recovery will be slow. Denny has been an incredibly good patient and is at least somewhat encouraged when everyone tells him he is getting better even when he doesn't feel it. He had very high hopes of getting back to school for the third term, but he knows he'll have adjust that goal. I know he's sad about that.
We are looking forward to seeing our kids and grandkids this weekend and hope that you, too, will have time to spend with friends and family. Be sure to laugh and have a good time!!
Love,
Carla
We just returned from the weekly appointment with the oncologist, and all of the numbers (blood work) there are good. Yesterday Denny had his first message therapy, which also went very well, and last Tuesday he met his physical therapist who did a very thorough evaluation and has come up with a plan. All of these professionals (plus Steve Howard, who we were fortunate enough to see for a brief visit today,) agree that Den is doing very well considering how hard his body was hit with the clots and how sensitive he seems to be to all of the meds he is taking.
The biggest existing problem is the incredible fatigue that Den just can't get past. Really, he could fall asleep at any given moment during the day and to be honest, he looks tired all of the time. None of the aforementioned people have much of an explanation for this, especially in light of the fact that Den is still taking 8mg of steroids every day. He should be "wired" and be unable to sleep. They have all advised a full night of sleep and two naps each day with pt workouts in between.
Given all of that, we are hoping that a more structured routine will be of some help. I think that getting out a couple of times each week for the physical therapy will also help. He'll be doing daily physical therapy here at home, and as he gets stronger we'll go somewhere to walk longer distances plus we're hoping to get a stationary bike.
Recovery will be slow. Denny has been an incredibly good patient and is at least somewhat encouraged when everyone tells him he is getting better even when he doesn't feel it. He had very high hopes of getting back to school for the third term, but he knows he'll have adjust that goal. I know he's sad about that.
We are looking forward to seeing our kids and grandkids this weekend and hope that you, too, will have time to spend with friends and family. Be sure to laugh and have a good time!!
Love,
Carla
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
January 6
Hi,
Gratefully, we don't have much to report (no news is good news!) I went back to work yesterday and today, and Den managed just fine here at home. He's still very fatigued, so he sleeps most all of the morning, but then after lunch he does the physical therapy exercises they outlined for him at the hospital. That takes almost two hours, so when he's finished he's pretty tired again.
Tomorrow Denny will have his out patient physical therapy evaluation, which should be interesting. Then on Thursday he will be enjoying an hour of massage therapy and Friday it's back to the doctor. Regardless of the situation and/or the weather, time still seems to fly by!
I'll write again on Friday. Until then, have a great week!
Love,
Carla
Gratefully, we don't have much to report (no news is good news!) I went back to work yesterday and today, and Den managed just fine here at home. He's still very fatigued, so he sleeps most all of the morning, but then after lunch he does the physical therapy exercises they outlined for him at the hospital. That takes almost two hours, so when he's finished he's pretty tired again.
Tomorrow Denny will have his out patient physical therapy evaluation, which should be interesting. Then on Thursday he will be enjoying an hour of massage therapy and Friday it's back to the doctor. Regardless of the situation and/or the weather, time still seems to fly by!
I'll write again on Friday. Until then, have a great week!
Love,
Carla
Sunday, January 4, 2009
January 4
Hi,
A new chapter in this "New Normal" (the title I may some day give to a book) began yesterday when Denny finally came home from the hospital. It will be a chapter dedicated almost entirely to rehabilitation, so our days will be structured. He will be going to outpatient physical therapy as well, but we won't know until tomorrow where that will be slotted into the daily/weekly routine. We'll be busy!
Thanks again for your prayers and concern for Den and our family. I speak for all of us when I say that without you I can't imagine what Denny's health status would be. As for me, I'd probably be in a padded room somewhere. Our faith and hope is bolstered daily by your friendship and prayers. We are and will be eternally grateful.
Hugs to all,
Carla
A new chapter in this "New Normal" (the title I may some day give to a book) began yesterday when Denny finally came home from the hospital. It will be a chapter dedicated almost entirely to rehabilitation, so our days will be structured. He will be going to outpatient physical therapy as well, but we won't know until tomorrow where that will be slotted into the daily/weekly routine. We'll be busy!
Thanks again for your prayers and concern for Den and our family. I speak for all of us when I say that without you I can't imagine what Denny's health status would be. As for me, I'd probably be in a padded room somewhere. Our faith and hope is bolstered daily by your friendship and prayers. We are and will be eternally grateful.
Hugs to all,
Carla
Friday, January 2, 2009
January 2
Hi and Happy 2009 to all,
Tonight will be Den's last dose of this round of chemotherapy and his last night in the hospital! We met with his doctor today who said that all of the test results look good and that both the occupational and physical therapists have told her they feel he is strong enough to be discharged.
Denny definitely feels greater muscle strength but is disappointed that his endurance is still so limited. During a visit last night, Phil Yazbak explained the reasons for that weakness and today Dr. Meena put that explanation in her words. It seems that both of them are actually amazed by his progress, given the severity of the blood clot situation. Den really didn't realize just how sick he was, but after hearing everything again from those two, I believe he accepts and understands why the recovery process will be slower than he would like. He's very dedicated to his physical therapy routine and he's been taking several long, slow, walks daily. We just have to find a way to get the walking done here at home. He doesn't want a treadmill, so if anyone has another suggestion, let us know!
May all of you enjoy a happy, healthy 2009, enjoying everything you want to do with those who mean the most to you. We are hoping for the same for ourselves, with the addition of "boring." (Boring would be good after the last six months!)
With love to all of you,
Carla
Tonight will be Den's last dose of this round of chemotherapy and his last night in the hospital! We met with his doctor today who said that all of the test results look good and that both the occupational and physical therapists have told her they feel he is strong enough to be discharged.
Denny definitely feels greater muscle strength but is disappointed that his endurance is still so limited. During a visit last night, Phil Yazbak explained the reasons for that weakness and today Dr. Meena put that explanation in her words. It seems that both of them are actually amazed by his progress, given the severity of the blood clot situation. Den really didn't realize just how sick he was, but after hearing everything again from those two, I believe he accepts and understands why the recovery process will be slower than he would like. He's very dedicated to his physical therapy routine and he's been taking several long, slow, walks daily. We just have to find a way to get the walking done here at home. He doesn't want a treadmill, so if anyone has another suggestion, let us know!
May all of you enjoy a happy, healthy 2009, enjoying everything you want to do with those who mean the most to you. We are hoping for the same for ourselves, with the addition of "boring." (Boring would be good after the last six months!)
With love to all of you,
Carla
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