Cathy had an appointment with a nutritionist at Phelps this week. Despite fears of food logs and eggbeaters, Cathy was pleased to hear that her diet does not require significant changes. The goal is to keep Cathy's weight normal and boost her immune system. This requires protein. And protein, of course, is found in many of the favorite foods that Cathy had feared would be banished to the "do not touch" part of the refrigerator. So, with the blessings of Cathy's nutritionist... bring on the eggs, cheese, peanut butter and definitely the meat!
Friday, July 29, 2011
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Quick Update: Good CT Scan Results
Cathy got good results from her CT scan! Doctor said things looked improved from the baseline so we'll continue on with the same treatment plan for now.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Better Snacks
The trip to Phelps MSK in Sleepy Hollow, NY, was a great (under the circumstances) experience: it is much closer than the MSK Outpatient Pavilion in Manhattan; parking is free; it is a pretty ride over the Hudson River (through Tarrytown and the quaint village of Sleepy Hollow); and they have better snacks.
We have always had confidence that Cathy was receiving the best treatment with Sloan Kettering but trips to the Pavilion became very trying. Cathy might have a 2:30 appointment but not see the doctor until 5:30. The workers were rushed. It was noisy. And the days often became 12 hour events, which obviously, is not the most conducive means to heal Cathy.
At Phelps MSK, the whole procedure was much calmer, warmer and pleasant. We really think this is an important step in our cancer journey and are very fortunate Phelps MSK exists.
Up next is Cathy's first CT scan since her chemo treatment began. She will have the scan on Tuesday and we should know results by Thursday or Friday. So far, we have been going on circumstantial evidence (e.g., how she is handling the medicine, keeping her weight up, any fevers and so on) to assess how her healing is progressing. We will be looking forward to the scan to get some hard evidence of what effect the chemo is having on the growths in Cathy's body. We will of course update you as soon as we know.
We have always had confidence that Cathy was receiving the best treatment with Sloan Kettering but trips to the Pavilion became very trying. Cathy might have a 2:30 appointment but not see the doctor until 5:30. The workers were rushed. It was noisy. And the days often became 12 hour events, which obviously, is not the most conducive means to heal Cathy.
At Phelps MSK, the whole procedure was much calmer, warmer and pleasant. We really think this is an important step in our cancer journey and are very fortunate Phelps MSK exists.
Up next is Cathy's first CT scan since her chemo treatment began. She will have the scan on Tuesday and we should know results by Thursday or Friday. So far, we have been going on circumstantial evidence (e.g., how she is handling the medicine, keeping her weight up, any fevers and so on) to assess how her healing is progressing. We will be looking forward to the scan to get some hard evidence of what effect the chemo is having on the growths in Cathy's body. We will of course update you as soon as we know.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Change in the Routine
Cathy’s last chemo treatment was rescheduled from last Thursday... but for a very good reason: she is going to start receiving treatment tomorrow (Tuesday) at MSK’s affiliate in Sleepy Hollow, NY located on the campus of Phelps Memorial Hospital.
The initial appointment at Phelps with the oncologist and the drive over the river to Westchester gives us confidence that this change will be good. We had mentioned before that Team Cathy was hoping for changes that could make the chemo days less tiring - and this is the one we wanted. Since the facility is less crowded, time spent waiting for treatment will be reduced. Also, it’s a shorter drive to Phelps with free parking - a major bonus. We’ll let you all know how this goes.
The initial appointment at Phelps with the oncologist and the drive over the river to Westchester gives us confidence that this change will be good. We had mentioned before that Team Cathy was hoping for changes that could make the chemo days less tiring - and this is the one we wanted. Since the facility is less crowded, time spent waiting for treatment will be reduced. Also, it’s a shorter drive to Phelps with free parking - a major bonus. We’ll let you all know how this goes.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Little things (and lots of them) mean a lot
With thanks to so many good friends in Florida who helped pack boxes and load the truck, Kyle was able to make it back up to NY the night before Cathy’s chemo session. On his way North, Kyle was able to stay at his mother’s in VA and to also visit with his sister and family. Since Michael and Gary volunteered to provide a storage area, Kyle drove to PA before continuing to NY. It was a very long day for Kyle but he achieved his goal.
Considering the anxieties that naturally go along with waiting for someone to arrive safely from a long journey, we’re glad to report that Cathy’s latest chemo went well and followed the pattern of previous rounds with one key difference... Up until now, the routine has been for Cathy and Kyle to visit MSK on a Thursday and then return the following weekend (after 48 hours) in order to bring back the empty canister (O'Bello) and allow technicians to remove the tube from Cathy’s port. During this last session at MSK, however, Cathy and Kyle were taught how to remove the tube themselves and did so without a problem. Since the empty canister can now be exchanged when Cathy goes in for her next Thursday chemo session, removing the tube at home saves Cathy and Kyle from having to make that weekend return trip. It’s little things like this that are a big plus.
In terms of side effects from the chemo, they have been mild so far - a touch of nausea, ‘tingling’ in the extremities, sensitivity to cold food - which Cathy has been handling very well and matter-of-factly.
The day at MSK was another long one but it allowed for an extra bonus this time. Cathy’s brother, Ken, visited with Cathy and Kyle at MSK after work and brought gyros from Gyro II (located across from Madison Square Garden and a popular pre-game stop for many New York Rangers hockey fans). Whenever Cathy attended Rangers games, she always looked forward to the gyros as much as the game so this was a real treat.
The "blue house" (NY) has been a beehive of activity since Kyle's return. The moving truck was unloaded, boxes moved and unpacked, and furniture arranged with invaluable help from Ken and brother Glenn. Team Cathy is still unpacking and finding every available storage space possible but as the pile of boxes in the living room slowly but surely shrinks, we know we’re almost there.
In the meantime, Carrigan has been delighted to ‘rediscover’ (and be reunited with) her toys as well as some favorite books; enjoys playing with her tea set and riding her tricycle; and is happy to be sleeping in her own crib again. For their part, Cathy and Kyle seem equally relieved to be back in their own comfy and familiar bed as well.
This move was also a big incentive for Cathy's parents to finally start to clean out and discard accumulations of almost 50 years! Frank and Marcia warn that this is what can happen when you never move (and are sure many blog readers are nodding their heads in agreement and sympathy right now)!
Considering the anxieties that naturally go along with waiting for someone to arrive safely from a long journey, we’re glad to report that Cathy’s latest chemo went well and followed the pattern of previous rounds with one key difference... Up until now, the routine has been for Cathy and Kyle to visit MSK on a Thursday and then return the following weekend (after 48 hours) in order to bring back the empty canister (O'Bello) and allow technicians to remove the tube from Cathy’s port. During this last session at MSK, however, Cathy and Kyle were taught how to remove the tube themselves and did so without a problem. Since the empty canister can now be exchanged when Cathy goes in for her next Thursday chemo session, removing the tube at home saves Cathy and Kyle from having to make that weekend return trip. It’s little things like this that are a big plus.
In terms of side effects from the chemo, they have been mild so far - a touch of nausea, ‘tingling’ in the extremities, sensitivity to cold food - which Cathy has been handling very well and matter-of-factly.
The day at MSK was another long one but it allowed for an extra bonus this time. Cathy’s brother, Ken, visited with Cathy and Kyle at MSK after work and brought gyros from Gyro II (located across from Madison Square Garden and a popular pre-game stop for many New York Rangers hockey fans). Whenever Cathy attended Rangers games, she always looked forward to the gyros as much as the game so this was a real treat.
The "blue house" (NY) has been a beehive of activity since Kyle's return. The moving truck was unloaded, boxes moved and unpacked, and furniture arranged with invaluable help from Ken and brother Glenn. Team Cathy is still unpacking and finding every available storage space possible but as the pile of boxes in the living room slowly but surely shrinks, we know we’re almost there.
In the meantime, Carrigan has been delighted to ‘rediscover’ (and be reunited with) her toys as well as some favorite books; enjoys playing with her tea set and riding her tricycle; and is happy to be sleeping in her own crib again. For their part, Cathy and Kyle seem equally relieved to be back in their own comfy and familiar bed as well.
This move was also a big incentive for Cathy's parents to finally start to clean out and discard accumulations of almost 50 years! Frank and Marcia warn that this is what can happen when you never move (and are sure many blog readers are nodding their heads in agreement and sympathy right now)!
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
The New Normal
A friend referred to the changes in our lives as the ‘new normal’ and that term seems to fit. As the years go by, we all come into new normals - teen years, college, marital status, babies, etc. So, here’s what this looks like at the moment:
Cathy, Kyle & Carrigan will be ‘fully’ moved in with Cathy's parents when Kyle returns to New York with the rest of their ‘stuff’. Carra is looking forward to having her tricycle and teapot set as well as sleeping in her own bed/crib.
Cathy has been able to enjoy the company of old friends and renew acquaintances since moving back to New York. This is in addition to seeing siblings, cousins and extended family more often.
Kyle is getting used to being surrounded by Yankee fans (although he has taught Carra to say “go Red Sox”). He continues to work on his perpetual ‘to do’ list which includes find a job, look for new doctors, organize files related to Cathy’s treatment, plus a myriad of other tasks.
Carrigan is enrolled in a daycare center from 8-12 noon Mon-Fri. In Florida, she was in daycare full-time from the age of 4 months so she seemed to miss this in NY. She went for a ‘trial day’ last week and had a great time playing with other children and also getting to ride a tricycle. It’s going to be a part of the day that both Carra and the adults look forward to. Cathy/Kyle have also been taking Carra to local playground parks in the area. Although the ‘airplane’ park she loved in St. Petersburg will be hard to replace, they have found several parks she enjoys where she can run off some of that high energy.
Of course, all of this is going on during the new norm of biweekly (every other week) chemo for Cathy. As the next session will be only the third one, we can’t predict if the effect on her will be the same as after the first or second. However, as it continues we may be able to discern a pattern of sorts and to come to know what to expect. Hopefully some changes can be made that will make the in-hospital chemo sessions shorter and less tiring and we’ll fill you in on that if that happens. In the meantime, we make plans around the chemo days and schedule activities for the ‘off’ week.
Cathy, Kyle & Carrigan will be ‘fully’ moved in with Cathy's parents when Kyle returns to New York with the rest of their ‘stuff’. Carra is looking forward to having her tricycle and teapot set as well as sleeping in her own bed/crib.
Cathy has been able to enjoy the company of old friends and renew acquaintances since moving back to New York. This is in addition to seeing siblings, cousins and extended family more often.
Kyle is getting used to being surrounded by Yankee fans (although he has taught Carra to say “go Red Sox”). He continues to work on his perpetual ‘to do’ list which includes find a job, look for new doctors, organize files related to Cathy’s treatment, plus a myriad of other tasks.
Carrigan is enrolled in a daycare center from 8-12 noon Mon-Fri. In Florida, she was in daycare full-time from the age of 4 months so she seemed to miss this in NY. She went for a ‘trial day’ last week and had a great time playing with other children and also getting to ride a tricycle. It’s going to be a part of the day that both Carra and the adults look forward to. Cathy/Kyle have also been taking Carra to local playground parks in the area. Although the ‘airplane’ park she loved in St. Petersburg will be hard to replace, they have found several parks she enjoys where she can run off some of that high energy.
Cathy's parents, Frank and Marcia, are getting used to the child safety gates and doorknob covers which gives them some peace of mind. They are in the routine of their expanded household and especially enjoy the sound of the ‘pitter patter of little feet’ overhead in the morning as Carra runs back and forth between the two bedrooms. Listening to Carra sing and talk in that delightful 2+ year old voice is priceless. With Cathy and Kyle here, there’s usually a full pot of coffee brewed, Marcia can plan fish for dinner (for 2) and they now have an in-house computer techie. Frank has his baseball-football-hockey TV partner again in addition to gaining a history/politics conversation partner.
Of course, all of this is going on during the new norm of biweekly (every other week) chemo for Cathy. As the next session will be only the third one, we can’t predict if the effect on her will be the same as after the first or second. However, as it continues we may be able to discern a pattern of sorts and to come to know what to expect. Hopefully some changes can be made that will make the in-hospital chemo sessions shorter and less tiring and we’ll fill you in on that if that happens. In the meantime, we make plans around the chemo days and schedule activities for the ‘off’ week.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Portobello
Cathy has completed her second round of chemo. As you know from previous blog entries, Cathy has a port into which the chemo is administered over 48 hours from a bottle contained in a fanny pack. Cathy and Kyle consider the contraption part of the family now and, therefore, have taken to calling it O'Bello. (Port + O'bello = Portobello).
The only major side effects so far are sour stomach, fatigue and cold sensitivity. By cold sensitivity the doctors mean that if she drinks something from the fridge it will feel like needles going down her throat. These effects should only occur while the chemo is being administered and possibly for a few days after. The good news is that Cathy's form of chemo is not expected to cause a loss of hair, only a thinning and is supposedly mild in terms of nausea.
The only major side effects so far are sour stomach, fatigue and cold sensitivity. By cold sensitivity the doctors mean that if she drinks something from the fridge it will feel like needles going down her throat. These effects should only occur while the chemo is being administered and possibly for a few days after. The good news is that Cathy's form of chemo is not expected to cause a loss of hair, only a thinning and is supposedly mild in terms of nausea.
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