Hi Everyone,
Jeff had an appointment with his Oncologist on Friday and she said that everything looked good. He will receive blood tests every Friday to make sure his platelets and blood counts are okay. There are still only a few symptoms from the chemo - the newest is fatigue and a flush face - both of which have subsided. Other than that, all is well (as best they can be) in Mingman's house.
FYI - there has been one bright spot in the last few weeks - Brad was accepted at West Virginia University and he's looking forward to being a college student. Luckily for us, it's just an hour and a half drive from my family's home in PA. Brittany is still waiting to see if she was accepted at WVU or Arizona State - hopefully she won't have to wait too much longer.
Also, for those of you who don't already know, Jeff and I are going to be grandparents and Justin is going to be a father!!!!! Justin and his smart, beautiful, and soon to be wife, Courtney, are expecting a baby boy in July - YEA!!! We (and they) are so excited and can't wait for the new arrival. If any of you knew Justin when he was little, you'll understand why Jeff swears he is going to buy the baby a drum set for his 1st birthday.
Linda
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
4 Days of Chemo and so far so good
Hi Everyone,
Jeff has been taking both oral chemo drugs since last Friday and so far, everything has been good. The only two symptoms he has complained of since starting the new treatment is forgetfulness (or brain fog) and some short lived restless leg syndrome. It's still a little early to tell if there will be other symptoms but we've both been a little relieved that things have been mild. He even worked from home yesterday and went into the office today. FYI - I will post again on Saturday or earlier if things change.
Thank you for your continued words of encouragement and prayers!!!
Linda
Jeff has been taking both oral chemo drugs since last Friday and so far, everything has been good. The only two symptoms he has complained of since starting the new treatment is forgetfulness (or brain fog) and some short lived restless leg syndrome. It's still a little early to tell if there will be other symptoms but we've both been a little relieved that things have been mild. He even worked from home yesterday and went into the office today. FYI - I will post again on Saturday or earlier if things change.
Thank you for your continued words of encouragement and prayers!!!
Linda
Friday, February 15, 2008
Today's Oncology Visit
Hi Everyone,
Jeff and I met with is Oncologist today and reviewed the results of his tests that were done last week. There wasn't much that we didn't already know except there are now more tumors near the heart/breast bone (the place they have been watching) and in his abdomen. There is also a new spot on his T10 thorasic spine (lower in his back) which is in addition to the spot on his C7 spine that we knew about and a spot on the tail bone.
His insulin is now 108.6 (2.6 - 24.9 is normal) which is more than double of what it was on his last visit to NIH last fall and the tumors on his liver make up 30% of the liver volume. The liver still is a very big concern for the doctors but the Oncologist wants to treat the cancer systematically now and not just focus on the liver. They have NOT confirmed that the mass in the duodenum is tumor activity but at this point, I'm not sure it matters if Jeff is eating okay and not having digestional problems.
Now, with all that said, they started Jeff on Zometa today (by IV) to stregthen his bones and he'll need this every 28 days. This is a preventative measure to keep the bones strong and hopefully prevent the tumors from causing factures or getting into the spinal column.
They also started him on two oral chemotherapy drugs today - Temozolomide and Thalidomide - which have had a fairly positive affect on neuroendocrine tumors like Jeff's. One of the drugs is taken for 7 days then is stopped for 7 days before resuming again. It looks like this regimine will go on for a few months but Jeff will be monitored closely to make sure his blood counts don't suffer.
The Oncologist recommended these drugs because of their effect on Jeff's type of cancer and also because giving them orally will help him/us maintain a decent quality of life. They did mention that the drugs can cause hair loss, nausea and fatigue (as well as other numerous side affects) but they have taken precautions to help .... with everything but the hair loss that is. Of course, if you may remember from the last time, I think bald is beautiful and very "in vogue" lately. It's just hard convincing Jeff of that.
Jeff is all set to go back to Bethesda next Friday for a follow up visit which his Oncologist as well as his next appointment in 28 days for another IV of the Zometa and a prescrption refill on the chemo drugs.
Please keep him and us in your prayers....I think it's going to be a tough going from here on out.
Linda
Jeff and I met with is Oncologist today and reviewed the results of his tests that were done last week. There wasn't much that we didn't already know except there are now more tumors near the heart/breast bone (the place they have been watching) and in his abdomen. There is also a new spot on his T10 thorasic spine (lower in his back) which is in addition to the spot on his C7 spine that we knew about and a spot on the tail bone.
His insulin is now 108.6 (2.6 - 24.9 is normal) which is more than double of what it was on his last visit to NIH last fall and the tumors on his liver make up 30% of the liver volume. The liver still is a very big concern for the doctors but the Oncologist wants to treat the cancer systematically now and not just focus on the liver. They have NOT confirmed that the mass in the duodenum is tumor activity but at this point, I'm not sure it matters if Jeff is eating okay and not having digestional problems.
Now, with all that said, they started Jeff on Zometa today (by IV) to stregthen his bones and he'll need this every 28 days. This is a preventative measure to keep the bones strong and hopefully prevent the tumors from causing factures or getting into the spinal column.
They also started him on two oral chemotherapy drugs today - Temozolomide and Thalidomide - which have had a fairly positive affect on neuroendocrine tumors like Jeff's. One of the drugs is taken for 7 days then is stopped for 7 days before resuming again. It looks like this regimine will go on for a few months but Jeff will be monitored closely to make sure his blood counts don't suffer.
The Oncologist recommended these drugs because of their effect on Jeff's type of cancer and also because giving them orally will help him/us maintain a decent quality of life. They did mention that the drugs can cause hair loss, nausea and fatigue (as well as other numerous side affects) but they have taken precautions to help .... with everything but the hair loss that is. Of course, if you may remember from the last time, I think bald is beautiful and very "in vogue" lately. It's just hard convincing Jeff of that.
Jeff is all set to go back to Bethesda next Friday for a follow up visit which his Oncologist as well as his next appointment in 28 days for another IV of the Zometa and a prescrption refill on the chemo drugs.
Please keep him and us in your prayers....I think it's going to be a tough going from here on out.
Linda
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
