It’s been a real roller coaster ride recently as Cathy has run into some stumbling blocks. She has had issues with bladder/kidney, low blood count, and pain. Cathy has tackled each challenge in her quiet, resolute way. Her list of specialists now include a urologist, nephrologist, hematologist, and radiologist. The plan by the radiologist is to target the area near her bladder to relieve tumor burden which may be giving her the pain. The plan is for treatment five times a week for three weeks. The catch-22 is that while she receives radiation, she cannot be on Oxaliplatin.
One of the ‘numbers’ monitored while receiving chemo is hemoglobin count. Up until this past week-end, Cathy’s numbers were in an acceptable range. However, this Sunday she had to have a blood transfusion in the hospital. The transfusion went well and she’s feeling tired but better. While in the hospital her pain is being addressed with a pain pump that she controls and she is finally getting some much needed sleep. Next step is we are hopeful the radiation treatment can be started shortly.
Thanks for all your support as you continue to keep us all in your prayers and good thoughts.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Change in chemo
Although Cathy’s last scan showed stabillity, her oncologist was looking for some improvement. Since the Irinotecan (latest chemo drug) was causing more side effects (such as nausea, hair loss), the decision was made to revert back to Oxaliplatin (earlier chemo drug) which gave improvement with less severe side effects while Cathy was on it. We’re hopeful the oxali works as before.
Friday, March 23, 2012
Great news
Cathy’s latest CT scan indicated the cancer is once again stabilized. Cathy & Kyle will know more after meeting with the doctor next week but we expect to continue with the current course of chemo. In the meantime, we are all walking with a lilt in our steps. Thanks to all for your support, prayers and good thoughts.
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Happy St Patrick's Day
Cathy, Kyle & Carrigan were invited for a homemade corned beef and cabbage dinner last Sunday which kicked off their celebration of St Patrick’s Day this year. Carrigan wore the new t-shirt Nana gave her that said, “Kiss me I’m Chirish, half Chinese half Irish”. It was the perfect thing to wear to her Chirish cousins’ house where they enjoyed the company of extended family, food (especially homemade key lime pies) and the spring-like weather. In addition, Cathy made her delicious Irish soda bread which is always a special treat. Team Cathy wishes a Happy St Patrick’s Day to our extended family and friends who celebrate this occasion.
Although it can be a problem when scheduling errors occur, Cathy & Kyle were able to take advantage of one recently. As they were heading into the city this past Monday, Cathy got a call that there was a mix-up regarding her CT scan and it would have to be postponed. Since they had planned to meet Ken (her brother) for lunch, they continued on in. The weather was typical of a day in May and not March so besides a great lunch, they were able to enjoy being in the city. They hit their favorite eatery, Gyro II, near Madison Square Garden and then took a stroll through Central Park. They got lost in the Ramble (which is what the designers intended), saw Strawberry Fields, Alice in Wonderland, crossed the Bow Bridge and watched children learn to play hockey and figure skate at Wollman Rink.
On Tuesday, Cathy had her regularly scheduled chemo session and she is scheduled for a CT scan next Wednesday. This will be the first scan after starting the new drug, Irinotecan. Naturally, we’re very hopeful for a good report. We are grateful that she is not having problems with any prior issues that we had mentioned previously.
Although it can be a problem when scheduling errors occur, Cathy & Kyle were able to take advantage of one recently. As they were heading into the city this past Monday, Cathy got a call that there was a mix-up regarding her CT scan and it would have to be postponed. Since they had planned to meet Ken (her brother) for lunch, they continued on in. The weather was typical of a day in May and not March so besides a great lunch, they were able to enjoy being in the city. They hit their favorite eatery, Gyro II, near Madison Square Garden and then took a stroll through Central Park. They got lost in the Ramble (which is what the designers intended), saw Strawberry Fields, Alice in Wonderland, crossed the Bow Bridge and watched children learn to play hockey and figure skate at Wollman Rink.
On Tuesday, Cathy had her regularly scheduled chemo session and she is scheduled for a CT scan next Wednesday. This will be the first scan after starting the new drug, Irinotecan. Naturally, we’re very hopeful for a good report. We are grateful that she is not having problems with any prior issues that we had mentioned previously.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Sigh of Relief
As we wrote recently, Cathy’s latest scan and tumor growth had created some issues and her oncologist referred her to a urologist to check out. So, in addition to going for her chemo treatment this past week, Cathy and Kyle made two trips into the city for the urologist and also for more tests/scans. The concern was whether there was a blockage from the kidney.
Happily, we all breathed a sigh of relief when Cathy got the call from the urologist to say the tube was not blocked. We are ever hopeful that the chemo will stop the tumor from any further growth.
As you may know, Cathy is a big sports fan and a wonderful distraction for the past few weeks has been the play of the NY Rangers (hockey) and the NY Knicks (basketball). Although basketball is not her favorite sport, she and Blue House are in ‘Linsanity’ land. Now that they’re living in NY, Cathy has been able to watch all the Ranger games - made even more enjoyable since they’re winning a lot this year. Of course, Carrigan is becoming a sports fan and can easily recognize the different sports and equipment already.
Happily, we all breathed a sigh of relief when Cathy got the call from the urologist to say the tube was not blocked. We are ever hopeful that the chemo will stop the tumor from any further growth.
As you may know, Cathy is a big sports fan and a wonderful distraction for the past few weeks has been the play of the NY Rangers (hockey) and the NY Knicks (basketball). Although basketball is not her favorite sport, she and Blue House are in ‘Linsanity’ land. Now that they’re living in NY, Cathy has been able to watch all the Ranger games - made even more enjoyable since they’re winning a lot this year. Of course, Carrigan is becoming a sports fan and can easily recognize the different sports and equipment already.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Gung Hay Fat Choy
Team Cathy wishes a Happy Chinese New Year to our extended family and friends who celebrate this occasion. The Year of the Dragon arrived on Monday, January 23, 2012 and according to one web site, “the dragon is considered a benevolent creature that brings good luck.” Along with everyone’s prayers and good thoughts, it never hurts to have good luck.
Cathy’s uncle and aunt hosted their annual ‘dim sum’ luncheon for the family which was thoroughly enjoyed by all. It’s a new year’s tradition for married adults to give red envelopes with money to children as a good luck symbol. Carrigan learned to recite ‘Gung Hay Fat Choy’ which she did so well many times upon receiving the red envelopes.
Last Wednesday, Cathy received her second chemo treatment which included the new drug, Irinotecan (eye-ree-noh-tee-kan). As you know, the last scan indicated increased tumor growth. Although you never want to hear that the cancer has become more active, knowing this has allowed her doctor to treat her symptoms more effectively. Happily since the last scan Cathy’s symptoms have largely been alleviated. This has been a bit of a silver lining for us.
Nautrally, we will still be watching her symptoms closely until the next scan. Another possible silver lining is that if the Irinotecan holds the cancer at bay and even makes progress she will be able to remain on it indefinitely, unlike the Oxaliplatin that did such a good job stopping the cancer initially but had a dosage limit.
Cathy’s uncle and aunt hosted their annual ‘dim sum’ luncheon for the family which was thoroughly enjoyed by all. It’s a new year’s tradition for married adults to give red envelopes with money to children as a good luck symbol. Carrigan learned to recite ‘Gung Hay Fat Choy’ which she did so well many times upon receiving the red envelopes.
Last Wednesday, Cathy received her second chemo treatment which included the new drug, Irinotecan (eye-ree-noh-tee-kan). As you know, the last scan indicated increased tumor growth. Although you never want to hear that the cancer has become more active, knowing this has allowed her doctor to treat her symptoms more effectively. Happily since the last scan Cathy’s symptoms have largely been alleviated. This has been a bit of a silver lining for us.
Nautrally, we will still be watching her symptoms closely until the next scan. Another possible silver lining is that if the Irinotecan holds the cancer at bay and even makes progress she will be able to remain on it indefinitely, unlike the Oxaliplatin that did such a good job stopping the cancer initially but had a dosage limit.
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Setback
Cathy’s latest scan indicated tumor growth and the thickening of her bladder wall. Her doctor believes she does not have bladder cancer but the tumors are causing problems. This is obviously scary and frustrating, but not entirely surprising.
Cathy was on a combination of three chemotherapy medicines, Leucovorin, Fluorouracil (5FU) and Oxaliplatin. This regimen is known as “Fol Fox”. Two scans indicated the regimen stabilized Cathy’s cancer and even provided mild improvement. However, she could only take the Oxaliplatin for a limited time or there could be irreversible side effects. She had 12 rounds of it and the plan was then to continue only with the Leucovorin and Fluorouracil hoping they would maintain the stabilization and perhaps even sustain the progress. Unfortunately, they did not do this. Cathy began to experience symptoms such as ankle swelling and abdominal discomfort. She was given a scan which showed the above results.
So now another drug, Irinotecan (Camptosar or CPT-11), has been added to her regimen and with the other two drugs makes up a treatment plan called “Fol Firi”. This new drug, like the Oxali, is a heavy hitter causing fatigue, nausea and hair thinning, but hopefully it will stop the cancer and reverse its course. Giving her Oxali again is not out of the question since it was effective the first time but for now it is better to try other medications given the irreversible side effects Oxali can cause.
This setback is a reminder to us that battling cancer is a journey with many ups and downs. Cathy had several chemo sessions with less fatigue and side effects. Now she is on a new drug and is back to being knocked out for a few days during treatment. In addition, we will have to wait and see if any other side effects occur. On the bright side, knowing what is causing her symptoms gives us courage to fight them as opposed to not knowing and guessing. The doctors can also treat and relieve her symptoms more effectively. There are many options in cancer treatment and Team Cathy will exhaust them all. That is for sure!
Cathy was on a combination of three chemotherapy medicines, Leucovorin, Fluorouracil (5FU) and Oxaliplatin. This regimen is known as “Fol Fox”. Two scans indicated the regimen stabilized Cathy’s cancer and even provided mild improvement. However, she could only take the Oxaliplatin for a limited time or there could be irreversible side effects. She had 12 rounds of it and the plan was then to continue only with the Leucovorin and Fluorouracil hoping they would maintain the stabilization and perhaps even sustain the progress. Unfortunately, they did not do this. Cathy began to experience symptoms such as ankle swelling and abdominal discomfort. She was given a scan which showed the above results.
So now another drug, Irinotecan (Camptosar or CPT-11), has been added to her regimen and with the other two drugs makes up a treatment plan called “Fol Firi”. This new drug, like the Oxali, is a heavy hitter causing fatigue, nausea and hair thinning, but hopefully it will stop the cancer and reverse its course. Giving her Oxali again is not out of the question since it was effective the first time but for now it is better to try other medications given the irreversible side effects Oxali can cause.
This setback is a reminder to us that battling cancer is a journey with many ups and downs. Cathy had several chemo sessions with less fatigue and side effects. Now she is on a new drug and is back to being knocked out for a few days during treatment. In addition, we will have to wait and see if any other side effects occur. On the bright side, knowing what is causing her symptoms gives us courage to fight them as opposed to not knowing and guessing. The doctors can also treat and relieve her symptoms more effectively. There are many options in cancer treatment and Team Cathy will exhaust them all. That is for sure!
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