(posted by Greg)
I apologize (again) to faithful readers of this blog for (again) allowing so much time to pass between updates.
The drug which Monica is taking now (Tamoxifen) is taken in pill form. So, we don't have as many trips to and from the Cancer Agency. The dosage of the Tamoxifen is being increased each week (originally 1 pill twice a day and now three pills twice a day and ultimately it will be 5 pills twice a day). So far, Monica has not had any side effects to speak of from this drug. She had another Botox treatment for her arm on May 12th to help with the spasticity in her arm.
I think in earlier blogs I commented on Monica's smile (how great it is). Fortunately, she feels fine and finds lots to smile or laugh at (She particularly enjoys it if I stub my toe or bang my head). She is a bit tired of all the pills and vitamins and we've noticed that she makes some pretty interesting faces when trying to take the pills.
I am noticing that Monica does not seem as strong and struggles a bit more with her short term memory. But, overall, our lives continue much the same. Monica is still able to look after herself and move around not too badly (She retains her ability to supervise my housecleaning and to ensure that I am re-cycling properly.)
Jesse and his girlfriend, Sydney, have been here on a couple of weekends and we have had some nice family visits and dinners. Marley has been hunkered down studying for her finals which start next week. Ingo and I have been trying to make sure that Monica spends lots of time with he and Oma. (Yesterday, we met them in Fort Langley for a latte and a stroll-about. It was very enjoyable.)
Monica and I have also been visiting my side of the family quite bit. A couple of weeks ago Monica, my brother Barry and I drove to Abbotsford for a visit with my cousin, Dwight, his wife Bobbi and their family. We have also visited my brother Pat and his family in Maple Ridge. One evening recently my sister's kids came over with dinner (including specially baked, ketogenic goodies for Monica).
I have been concentrating more on the ketogenic diet for Monica. I only have about a .500 batting average as far as trying out new recipes go. I did invest in an electric scale which after weighing something will tell me what amunt of carbs, proteins and fat are in the item being weighed.
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
May 8, 2013
(posted by Greg)
We got bad news yesterday from the oncologist. The recent MRI that Monica had shows that the Bev treatment is not working on the new tumour growth.. Unfortunately, with the Bev treatments now ruled out, there are not a lot of options left in the oncologist's arsenal. Monica's blood's reaction to the chemo precludes that type of treatment, more radiation is not an option and the effects of brain surgery in that area of the brain would likely cause her to lose her speech without eradicating the tumour.
The oncologist is going to give Monica some strong doses of a drug that is normally used for treating breast cancer. Apparently, this drug does sometimes slow down the growth of Monica's type of brain tumour. Monica was somewhat reluctant to start taking this new drug but agreed to do so because it is not likely to make her feel sick and may buy some more quality time.
I don't think that we were particularly surprised by this news. Monica really took the news well and asked a lot of pertinent, frank questions of the oncologist. In particular, she asked if he could predict how much "good" time she could expect. He explained that each tumour and each person is different and he could not say if it would be 6 weeks or 6 months.
As I said, Monica is really taking this news well. It will now take a few days for us to digest this news and figure out how to re-group and go forward.
We got bad news yesterday from the oncologist. The recent MRI that Monica had shows that the Bev treatment is not working on the new tumour growth.. Unfortunately, with the Bev treatments now ruled out, there are not a lot of options left in the oncologist's arsenal. Monica's blood's reaction to the chemo precludes that type of treatment, more radiation is not an option and the effects of brain surgery in that area of the brain would likely cause her to lose her speech without eradicating the tumour.
The oncologist is going to give Monica some strong doses of a drug that is normally used for treating breast cancer. Apparently, this drug does sometimes slow down the growth of Monica's type of brain tumour. Monica was somewhat reluctant to start taking this new drug but agreed to do so because it is not likely to make her feel sick and may buy some more quality time.
I don't think that we were particularly surprised by this news. Monica really took the news well and asked a lot of pertinent, frank questions of the oncologist. In particular, she asked if he could predict how much "good" time she could expect. He explained that each tumour and each person is different and he could not say if it would be 6 weeks or 6 months.
As I said, Monica is really taking this news well. It will now take a few days for us to digest this news and figure out how to re-group and go forward.
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Thursday, May 2, 2013
(posted by Greg)
Monica had a Bev treatment yesterday. The oncologist left a message saying that he would like to see us next Tuesday. I have to confess that I can't help but worry that he wants to give us some bad news about the last MRI. For those loyal followers of this blog, I will try to file something soon after that appointment.
Monica had a Bev treatment yesterday. The oncologist left a message saying that he would like to see us next Tuesday. I have to confess that I can't help but worry that he wants to give us some bad news about the last MRI. For those loyal followers of this blog, I will try to file something soon after that appointment.
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