Again too weary to post.

Sorry folks, it is me again, Don putting forward an update on Fran’s recovery. A lot of water has passed under the bridge since Fran’s posting on April 20. Chemotherapy was to start on April 28^th with a consultation, blood tests and a chest x-ray the day before. We met with the medical oncology team and came to learn that the start of chemotherapy under the clinical trial program would have to be delayed five days. Her blood count is low and the sponsor of the trial thought a full 21 days after radiation was necessary for recovery. Hard news to take since we were counting down the days until chemo started killing off the cancer cells.

Dr. Sheperd talked with us about the change in plans and to look into Fran’s complaint of loss of some control in her left hand that appeared on Easter weekend. She can make a fist, but there is no ability to open her hand up fully. The “outboard” fingers don’t seem to want to open up. A nodule on her shoulder is pressing on the nerves that control the fingers of her hand. If left untreated, the danger is that the paralysis will become permanent and may also spread to her hand and perhaps even her arm. Dr. Sheperd made the call then and there that participating in the trial is no longer an option because chemotherapy must begin right away to stop this progess of disease. So tomorrow, chemo as scheduled. This is most disappointing because Fran was counting on an aggressive response to this disease! As well, radiation of her shoulder is necessary to stop the growth and interference with the nerves. Again she will receive daily “hits” into her shoulder for five days sometime between the first and second cycles of chemo. That evening’s drive home was a long one.

The next morning it is off to PMH again for chemo with a 10:30 check in. At noon, Margaret welcomes us to start the IV. Part way through the treatment the radiation team shows up to tell her that a CT scan is scheduled for later today and that radiation of her shoulder is to start tomorrow. Wow they moved fast on that plan!

So for those keeping track, chemo started Thursday with the next cycle starting in 20 days. Radiation started Friday for 5 days ending on Wednesday, May 4^th, on her birthday dammit. Also Wednesday is when Grant comes back from Australia. She might not be feeling so chipper as expected that day.

So I am writing this on Saturday night, after fooling everyone here again that I can cook a family dinner. Fran went to bed a couple hours ago with a smile on her face. Dinner was a joy, and a Skype call to Grant went so very well. In about half an hour I will have to wake her for midnight meds.

We were warned that tomorrow would be difficult. Three days after chemo you feel as though you were hit by a truck, so I am not expecting her to have a good day. Nausea is a problem now and I expect will be harder to control over the next three days. Hope she is able to sleep through most of it.

Thanks to all of you for your kind thoughts, prayers and most of all for your patience and understanding. We know so many of you are thinking of us and wishing us your best for this journey of recovery. If we have not returned you phone call or replied to your cards and notes of encouragement, it is not that we don’t appreciate your gestures, it is just that we are not able to do so right now. This family’s battle against Frances’ disease is a full time job that takes everything we have in us to fight and for us to look after each other.

Please rest assured that Fran is still as determined as ever to face this challenge and to beat back this cancer. I expect she will be posting to this journal soon but in the meantime, on behalf of Fran, we wish you all well;

Don

Happy Tuesday - April 20

 Today, two photo's for the price of one...

                 MOUGINS, FRANCE

Couldn't decide which photo to include and since it is free, why not both.

This was an amazing day during our first trip to Europe...the weather was great and as you can see, the view was breathtaking.

The drive up to this town was so beautiful,
it was February and you could see spring all over the hills...as I said, it was amazing.

A quick update on me...well, talk about expertise.  I was told that 10 days after radiation finished my hair would be gone.  How right they were.  It was a week ago today that I finished and sure enough, I am shedding.  I feel like Pig Pen of Charlie Brown fame.  Good thing I have not invited anyone for dinner, there would not be as hair net big enough to hold on to that.

I am feeling stronger, and not quite as tired as I was and still only have half a tank running.  I do have to remember it was only last week I finished radiation..slowing down takes practice, something I will have to work on. 

For the most part, (if I say so myself) I passed radiation with flying colours.  I escaped the headaches that many experience, do not have any burning of the skin that could have been a side affect and (so far) have not needed to go back on steroids...so all in all I am very pleased.

As I have said, there is positive in everything...I am proud to say that Don prepared his first prime rib dinner on Sunday....it was FANTASTIC!!  A new claim to fame for him....way to go Don, I love you.

Hope each of you find a little sunshine in your day...I almost need sunglasses for mine.

Take care,

Fran

Thank you does not sum it up....April 15

Hello Everyone,

As the title of this blog says...the words "Thank you"  is not enough to express how grateful I am for all the cards, flowers, fruits, good wishes and prayers.  To say I am overwhelmed is an understatement.  Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.

So. as you can see, the hair is now short.  When we first discussed chemo, I was told that I would have hair thinning but that it would not fall out completely.  Well, radiation has a different effect and I was told that 10 days after my last treatment (which was Tuesday the 12th) I can expect my hair to be gone.  I was not particularly excited at the thought of seeing things that look like little squirrel tails following me around so I decided to take the first step and go short...which, if I say so myself, is not bad.  Not to mention that shampoo seems to go alot farther ... so this may be a regular thing in the future.  Who knows.

As Don posted, this has been a very interesting time.  We were swept away with the news that radiation was necessary but equally swept away at the speed of my Oncology team that had the entire treatment plan set up and established within 24 hours of knowing that this was the next step of my journey.  I truly am very fortunate.

I can honestly say, that I have would not have believed that there was a difference between being exhausted and fatigued.  Now that I have experienced both, I assure there is.  If I were to combine all my illness (including morning sickness), colds, flu, and  "hangovers" I have never felt so "done" at any point in my life...the very thought of turning over in bed required MANY moments of thought...will it really be worth the effort to move positions?

That being said, I am very happy that I can put radiation into my history book of this journey.  It was a necessary step, one that I willing took . They did say that one of the side effects of WBR (whole brain radiation, thought you should know the acryonms..lol) is that 2-3 years down the road, I may experience some short term memory loss...hell, I am experiencing that now, so it didn't seem to be too tragic.  I thought that I would share that with each of you so that I have a built in excuse for the future.

I now look forward to a couple of weeks to rebuild, rejuvenate and rejoice knowing that I am ready for the next stage.  Chemo begins on April 28th and I will be ready.  As I have come to understand, this disease is unique to each person and it's effect are as well.  I am not happy to have  to deal with it, but it has brought to light so many wonderful things about me, my family, my friends, the friends of my children and collegues.  This world is a pretty good place, I am glad I have the opportunity to slow down to see it.

Take care, since I don't have much on my agenda, I expect to be able to post again soon.

-Fran

Hello again from Don. I have been encouraged to post on Fran's behalf because it has been quite some time since her last update. Radiation treatments occur every afternoon at Princess Margaret Hospital. Thankfully we are over the hump and there are fewer of those left.

Although Fran intended to post on this blog, extreme fatigue is one of the side effects of radiation, along with nausea and "post radiation flare-up" pain. The healthy cells near the cancer are not happy that radiation is hitting them too so inflamation sets in. This we are told is temporary and the pain will fade away as treatments continue. So my hat is off to her for trying to keep up with this journal but there is too much else to have to deal with in the short term.

We want to thank everyone who wants pay her a visit, please understand that she is exhausted from the treatments all the time and heavily medicated for pain control. Sleep is her best friend right now and I hope you understand when I suggest you postpone your visits until she has had a chance to recover from this aggressive treatment. We appreciate your efforts to visit, to help and to show your care and concern. This is her time for healing. We would welcome the chance to see everyone once her energy is back.

To end on a positive note, as Brad said so well, "there are fewer cancer cells now than were there before".

Best wishes to all, thanks again for your ongoing support.
Don

A definate setback - April 4

Now this is an oldie...A trip to Florida - 1993. 

I have been surrounded by my incredible men forever.  It is why I know that we will overcome the latest round of news. 

I received a call today. The recent MRI of my brain show that there are two small spots that cancer has spread to.  To say that it is not a setback would be a lie, however there is ALWAYS good news if you look for it.  Sometimes, I need my team to help me see that.

Tomorrow  I will begin 5 rounds of radiation. It will be daily (not including the weekend) and finish on Monday. This will delay chemo by 2 weeks, which is disappointing.  If you read  my early posts you know that I am anxious to get that started, but this is the best course of treatment now.  Since we are now going this route, they will raditate the area in my back that has been causing some pain.

It also means that I will loose my hair...so, we will have a new family photo taken. All the guys have agreed that we will not let this opportunity pass...so, stay tuned...it will be proudly posted.  The other side effect of this is fatigue...good thing I didn't have many plans for the next few days.

Now as I said, there is always good news if you look for it....this time it was Brad that brought this to light!! 

STARTING TOMORROW, we will be killing cancer cells...so it is a win/win....finally on the attack and getting rid of some pain at the same time....now that is good news.

Like I said, we are a team...


-Fran