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Yesterday (7/21/14) Steve and I received some really good news. His CEA number, which is the tumor marker in his blood, was lower - a lot lower! When he was in the hospital the first week of June it was 536. Then a few weeks later it was up to 834.8. Yesterday it was 263.1. Needless to say we both cried when I gave him the good news.[...]
Yesterday Steve finished his 2nd round of chemo and he did well. No real big side effects except he feels really tired. But this morning he's still feeling good.[...]
Last week was great. Steve went to work, no doctor's appointments, the girls fought like normal, I felt anxious about the girls fighting and Max pooped in the house. It was a normal week and it felt good.[...]
Friday (6/27) Steve completed his first round of Chemo. He was so happy to have the visiting nurse remove the IV and he was excited to take a nice long shower. Something he can't do while hooked up to Chemo. [...]
Steve is doing great. He's just tired. But he feels fine.
The side effects from Chemo can come on at anytime but he's doing really well so that helps. He had trouble sleeping last night because one of the meds is a steroid - the nurse warned us about it. [...]
Today was Steve's first day of chemo and it went well.
We are getting chemo at the Infusion center at Kent Hospital and I have to say we really like them there. Plus it's nice and close to the house which is a huge plus.[...]
We saw our 2nd opinion doctor today who is the best in RI and came HIGHLY recommended by many. He agreed with our current Oncologist and thinks this chemo regimen is really the best way to start. And then see what happens in 2-3 months when they do the first scan. At that point he said if it isn't working, we should think about something else. He'd be more than happy to talk with us then but sees no reason to do anything else right now.[...]
Steve had the port placed today. It went well with no problems. He's sore and groggy and is actually taking the pain meds.
Step 1 - DONE.[...]
So for those of you that know Steve well, you know that he isn't big on fruits and veggies. He's a meat and potatoes kind of guy (which also means low fiber - not good for the colon I've learned).[...]
We met with the surgeon today that is going to put in the Port-A-Cath on Monday. It will sit in the front of his shoulder, just under the skin. It can stay there for as long as we need it and then removed when we are done. He will receive his chemo through the port and have all his blood work drawn from it. This way they don't have to poke him each time. Of course there are things that can complicate this but those things are rare and probably won't happen. We are pretty confident that getting the Port is the best way to do it.[...]
