I have updated information from Terry on how Steve's medical status has been these last two weeks. He had several lab tests done to monitor his chemotherapy's effects on his body. They were taken during his third and fourth weeks after his latest round of Temodar. Typically, chemo's effects are worse around week three.
July 14th test July 19th test
Creatinine 1.4 1.3
Red blood cells 2.9 3.83
White blood cells 2.7 4.3
Platelets 91,000 147,000
I learned from Terry that the creatinine level has to be below 1.3 in order for contrast dye to be given for MRIs. Apparently, two months ago, Steve's MRI was without contrast dye due to his high levels back then (when his kidney problem was newer). This time, since he hit the 1.3 mark, his Friday MRI was done with the contrast dye. I'm happy he had another negative scan result with the more detailed contrast procedure. Whoohoo!
By the way, Steve had a brief fainting spell before the MRI on July 20th when they were drawing blood AGAIN. He already had a hematoma in his arm from the day before and they were having trouble getting a vein. They poked and prodded him too many times. Combined with his general higher anxiety level wondering if the MRI was going to show new cancer or not, he did a quick fall over for a few seconds. They delayed his MRI for five minutes until he was back to normal and he's stayed upright since then.
Lucky Steve got to have blood drawn again on Monday to determine if he could start his next round of chemotherapy. It was scheduled to start on Tuesday. Terry just got a brief report from Dr. Hu's office which said his creatinine went up to 1.5 but that was expected as a side effect of the contrast dye from the MRI. He was given the go-ahead to start chemo on schedule last night. He is being kept at the lower 200 mg dose for another month because of his not-quite-normal lab values. The goal is 250 mg when his body can tolerate it.
Steve felt fine most of this month. The worst he felt was during his third week when he was having his worst lab values. He had an upset stomach from eating dinner out one night which lasted until the next morning. His stomach seems to be more sensitive than it used to be. In general, he was managing on only one Zofran pill a day most of the time. During the five days of chemo, however, Steve is going back to three Zofran a day to help keep nausea under control.
He has been busy at work and is getting caught up in the stress of it. He hasn't missed any work and tries to do all his medical appointments in the evenings or during his alternating Friday's off. His next appointment is a check up with the nephrologist on August 8, then lab work the 13th and 20th, and an appointment with Dr. Hu on the seventeenth.
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Friday, July 20, 2012
July's MRI Results
I had a quick phone call with Terry this afternoon. She and Steve had spent the day at the hospital for lab work, Steve's bimonthly MRI and his appointment with Dr. Hu.
Great News: No new cancer on the MRI!
That is always the worry and we are good for now.
Steve's blood work was down a little bit so Dr. Hu is keeping Steve at the 200 mg Temodar that he was on last month instead of raising the dosage. I didn't get the numbers from Terry because of background noise where I am but I will get them later and post them when I can (just in cast you are keeping track, hehe).
Yay, Steve!
Great News: No new cancer on the MRI!
That is always the worry and we are good for now.
Steve's blood work was down a little bit so Dr. Hu is keeping Steve at the 200 mg Temodar that he was on last month instead of raising the dosage. I didn't get the numbers from Terry because of background noise where I am but I will get them later and post them when I can (just in cast you are keeping track, hehe).
Yay, Steve!
Friday, July 13, 2012
Steve's Doing Great
Steve is about three weeks after his last round of chemotherapy and he is still doing well. He is feeling good enough to decrease his anti-nausea medication for the first time in ages to only one Zofran a day. Whoopee!
Next Friday is the next significant date. It's his next MRI scan which will look for the return of any tumor. It's an anxiety producing procedure because of the possibility of tumor recurrence. Fortunately, he sees Dr. Hu shortly afterwards and will have the results then. Everybody cross your fingers and send good karma out into the universe on Steve's behalf :)
Steve has a normal doctor appointment tomorrow just to ask about his knees and some aches and pains. Steve thinks it's because he turned fifty this year. It's all down hill from here, Steve!
Next Friday is the next significant date. It's his next MRI scan which will look for the return of any tumor. It's an anxiety producing procedure because of the possibility of tumor recurrence. Fortunately, he sees Dr. Hu shortly afterwards and will have the results then. Everybody cross your fingers and send good karma out into the universe on Steve's behalf :)
Steve has a normal doctor appointment tomorrow just to ask about his knees and some aches and pains. Steve thinks it's because he turned fifty this year. It's all down hill from here, Steve!
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Second Round of Chemo Ends
Steve has just finished his second round of maintenance chemotherapy at the 200 mg dose. He has done well overall, considering he's taking very strong drugs. He has some quesiness and stomach upset, usually in the evenings. As he has learned these last months, he takes Zofran 3 times a day. He has a new anti-nausea medication I haven't heard of called Amend. He has it available but hasn't used it yet because he is reluctant to take pills. At least he can keep it in his back pocket, so to speak. To offset constipation side effects, he continues to take Miralax every other day and drink prune juice often.
Steve's last blood test was taken Friday. He keeps getting closer to normal. Creatinine is 1.3 and platelets 143,000. His weight is stable at 244 to 245 pounds, the same as when he got married all those years ago.
The next plan is for an MRI on July 20th with his next blood work scheduled a few days before.
The family trip to the Grand Canyon was a success. They rode the train, watched a wild west show, and hiked several miles along the rim. It sounded perfect.
Steve's last blood test was taken Friday. He keeps getting closer to normal. Creatinine is 1.3 and platelets 143,000. His weight is stable at 244 to 245 pounds, the same as when he got married all those years ago.
The next plan is for an MRI on July 20th with his next blood work scheduled a few days before.
Friday, June 15, 2012
Good Doctor's Appointments This Week
Steve and Terry went to the nephrologist's and to Dr. Hu's appointment today. They called me with the good results. Both doctors were very happy and Terry used the word "ecstatic" to describe how the doctors thought Steve was. Some of the details:
Steve's creatinine level is now 1.5 and finally borderline normal. They are aiming for 1.0 like last February's lab value for a goal. The next nephrologist appointment is in two months.
Blood platelets are now 123,000 (normal levels are 150,000 to 450,000), but this is expected due to Steve's recent chemotherapy.
As usual, Steve's neuro exam perfect.
Because Steve did well on his first, lower dose of maintenance chemotherapy, his next Temodar dose will increase to 200 mg. This one starts on June 26th for five days.
The plan for maintenance chemo is for 12 monthly cycles. That's the five days of chemo and twenty-three rest days.
His next MRI will be July 20th.
Both doctors said Steve was doing fantastic, "that was their word, fantastic". Yeah! Because the glioblastoma diagnosis is so awful, there is no remission. However, Dr. Hu said "we don't anticipate cancer at this time" which will have to suffice.
Steve continues to feel well. He had a rare sugar treat just before we talked and he was basking in the flavor.
Adam graduated elementary school. Steve attended the ceremony :)
They have a family vacation coming up to the Grand Canyon. Whoopee!
Steve's creatinine level is now 1.5 and finally borderline normal. They are aiming for 1.0 like last February's lab value for a goal. The next nephrologist appointment is in two months.
Blood platelets are now 123,000 (normal levels are 150,000 to 450,000), but this is expected due to Steve's recent chemotherapy.
As usual, Steve's neuro exam perfect.
Because Steve did well on his first, lower dose of maintenance chemotherapy, his next Temodar dose will increase to 200 mg. This one starts on June 26th for five days.
The plan for maintenance chemo is for 12 monthly cycles. That's the five days of chemo and twenty-three rest days.
His next MRI will be July 20th.
Both doctors said Steve was doing fantastic, "that was their word, fantastic". Yeah! Because the glioblastoma diagnosis is so awful, there is no remission. However, Dr. Hu said "we don't anticipate cancer at this time" which will have to suffice.
Steve continues to feel well. He had a rare sugar treat just before we talked and he was basking in the flavor.
Adam graduated elementary school. Steve attended the ceremony :)
They have a family vacation coming up to the Grand Canyon. Whoopee!
Sunday, June 10, 2012
No Chemo Side Effects
We are now a week and a half after chemotherapy and all is well. Steve is still feeling pretty well, similarly to before the maintenance chemo. His BP is back to normal, as it had been marginally high before and now the Norvasc is doing it's job without stressing the kidneys. He continues to push fluids as his kidneys slowly improve. His next check is coming up Friday when he has his next appointment with Dr. Hu.
He no longer is losing weight and is stable at 244 pounds. He is still taking Zofran (back to twice a day), prune juice and meds to prevent nausea and constipation. He is eating well with some occasional stomach upset. He tried some Mexican food but couldn't eat it without nausea.
The next week or two will be when chemo symptoms typically occur, if he is going to have any on this lower maintenance dose.
Summer is here and they are looking forward to a short family trip to the Grand Canyon. I hope they get some great photos.
He no longer is losing weight and is stable at 244 pounds. He is still taking Zofran (back to twice a day), prune juice and meds to prevent nausea and constipation. He is eating well with some occasional stomach upset. He tried some Mexican food but couldn't eat it without nausea.
The next week or two will be when chemo symptoms typically occur, if he is going to have any on this lower maintenance dose.
Summer is here and they are looking forward to a short family trip to the Grand Canyon. I hope they get some great photos.
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Maintenance Chemotherapy Update
Today is day five of maintenance chemotherapy and Steve is doing fine. He has not had any new problems or side effects from the Temodar and he has continued his normal work and activity schedule. He did increase his Zofran to three a day (two pills at night, half an hour before his chemo pill, and then one mid-day the next day) just to be sure and it seems to be effective.
We know the Temodar takes time build up in one's system and so it takes time to see any side effects. We heard most folks feel the worst around week two after the chemo. We'll see how Steve fares. He is on a lower dose than before and it's only five days, so we are hoping for the best.
They are looking forward this summer to a planned trip to the Grand Canyon, the kid's first time there. I hope Steve continues to feel well so he will have energy to really enjoy himself and the family. Adam's birthday is coming up. They are planning a pizza party Tuesday for group of Adam's friends with confetti cupcakes and, on the weekend, they will have a family dinner in his honor. I'm thankful that Steve is feeling good and enjoying these days.
We know the Temodar takes time build up in one's system and so it takes time to see any side effects. We heard most folks feel the worst around week two after the chemo. We'll see how Steve fares. He is on a lower dose than before and it's only five days, so we are hoping for the best.
They are looking forward this summer to a planned trip to the Grand Canyon, the kid's first time there. I hope Steve continues to feel well so he will have energy to really enjoy himself and the family. Adam's birthday is coming up. They are planning a pizza party Tuesday for group of Adam's friends with confetti cupcakes and, on the weekend, they will have a family dinner in his honor. I'm thankful that Steve is feeling good and enjoying these days.
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