Where to begin...perhaps a short recap:
The last CT scan taken on Mother's Day at the ER revealed that the tumor had increased in size once more. The next day the Radiologist at UCLA told us that such increase could possibly be swelling caused by radiation. The Oncologist didn't say much about it and didn't express much concern at the time.
Today, we met with Tim's Oncologist who said that although the Radiologist previously mentioned the possibility of swelling due to radiation, the CT scan clearly shows that the tumor has grown and he feels it needs to be treated with more aggressive chemo. Therefore, Tim's Oncologist has recommended a different chemotherapy treatment to begin on June 6.
Tim's new chemotherapy will consist of Etoposide and Ifosfamide and will be administered daily for five days while in the hospital. There will be a total of two cycles, three weeks apart, and then Tim will be re-scanned and re-evaluated.
We were told that the common side effects of these two chemotherapy drugs are hair loss, low blood cell count, tiredness, and nausea. The rare but dangerous side effects are Hemorrhagic Cystitis and confusion.
Tim will receive two shots of Neupogen the week after each chemo cycle to help his bone marrow produce white blood cells. Tim will also have blood work done every Monday and Thursday during the six week treatment.
In regards to the small spots found by the CT scan in Tim's lungs, the doctor said that he will be monitoring them closely to determine whether they are cancerous or just enlarged glands due to chemo.
Now, how is Tim Feeling?
Normally, when you all ask me this question, I answer based on what I see. This time, I get to write exactly what Tim responded to the doctor when asked the same question today.
Tim said that he is starting to feel a little better every day since his last treatment and he is slowly regaining his energy. Tim also said that his spirits fluctuate and he is still battling his back pain and nausea.
Tim also mentioned to the doctor that he has experienced a severe and persistent headache for the last few weeks. Therefore, Tim's Oncologist scheduled an MRI of the brain on May 31 to rule out cancer in that region.
(Heavy Sigh!!!!!) How do we process this? I guess we just need to be thankful that they are providing us with different treatment plans rather than telling us there is nothing else they can do. We continue to place our faith and trust in the Lord knowing that he is with us through it all!
God bless you all for your friendship and your continued prayers and support.
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Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Friday, May 13, 2011
The Power of Prayer and Love
I have prayed a lot since Tim's diagnosis. But the praying I have been doing lately, has felt different.
I am sure many of you know that I am not very patient and once I get something in my head, I want it NOW! I also like to plan, or should I just say: I like to be in control. So, after Tim was diagnosed, I thought I could take control of the situation and make it all OK and fast. However, four months later and after realizing that I can't do much to make Tim better, I strugged to keep myself from losing my mind. I was not praying as much and was feeling very depressed and anxious.
After the incident on Sunday, I decided to snap out of my mode (of feeling sorry for myself) and began to spend some time alone in prayer. Although, I still do not know what our future holds, I have felt God's presence within me. God comforts my soul, replaces my sadness with happiness, and fills my heart with peace.
Today, for the first time in a long time, Tim's voice sounded happy and normal. After his radiation treatment, Tim decided to go spend the weekend at his brother's house. Tim had mentioned to me before that he felt his best when he was with his brother, and it was just so nice to hear "life" back in his voice.
With God's help as well as the love and support from family and friends, we will get through this!
God bless!
I am sure many of you know that I am not very patient and once I get something in my head, I want it NOW! I also like to plan, or should I just say: I like to be in control. So, after Tim was diagnosed, I thought I could take control of the situation and make it all OK and fast. However, four months later and after realizing that I can't do much to make Tim better, I strugged to keep myself from losing my mind. I was not praying as much and was feeling very depressed and anxious.
After the incident on Sunday, I decided to snap out of my mode (of feeling sorry for myself) and began to spend some time alone in prayer. Although, I still do not know what our future holds, I have felt God's presence within me. God comforts my soul, replaces my sadness with happiness, and fills my heart with peace.
Today, for the first time in a long time, Tim's voice sounded happy and normal. After his radiation treatment, Tim decided to go spend the weekend at his brother's house. Tim had mentioned to me before that he felt his best when he was with his brother, and it was just so nice to hear "life" back in his voice.
With God's help as well as the love and support from family and friends, we will get through this!
God bless!
Monday, May 9, 2011
Time Will Tell...
I must admit that last night was a night filled with anguish and fear for me. But I have to learn to take things calmly, with a positive attitude, and trusting that God is watching over us.
In regards to the pain, we did not seem to get an actual reason from either of the three doctors. However, there were several possibilities. The pain could be due to the swelling putting pressure on his other organs or it could be due to a reaction from the radiation. Tim's pain is somewhat stable today and it will be monitored. In the meantime, treatment will proceed as scheduled and we will meet with his Oncologist on May 25 to determine the next step.
In regards to the small growths found in his lungs, the Oncologist said that the Radiologist who reviewed the CT results said that the growths were much too small to be biopsied at this time so it was hard to know if they were cancerous or simply enlarged glands due to treatments.
Today, we met with the Radiation Oncologist and also spoke to Tim's regular Oncologist over the phone. It turns out, neither one seemed too concerned with the reports from yesterday's CT scan. The Radiation/Oncologist said that the increase in size could be due to temporary swelling of the tumor caused by the radiation. The Radiation/Oncology doctor also said that this is why they do not perform scans during the course of treatment and wait until the radiation has run its full course. Therefore, the CT Scan scheduled for May 19 was cancelled and the MRI originally scheduled for May 23, was postponed to allow the radiation, ending on May 16, to run its full course.
In regards to the pain, we did not seem to get an actual reason from either of the three doctors. However, there were several possibilities. The pain could be due to the swelling putting pressure on his other organs or it could be due to a reaction from the radiation. Tim's pain is somewhat stable today and it will be monitored. In the meantime, treatment will proceed as scheduled and we will meet with his Oncologist on May 25 to determine the next step.
In regards to the small growths found in his lungs, the Oncologist said that the Radiologist who reviewed the CT results said that the growths were much too small to be biopsied at this time so it was hard to know if they were cancerous or simply enlarged glands due to treatments.
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| Tim with his brother Andy and Sister Bethany |
With all that said...I guess only time will tell! We can't do much more that to wait patiently and faith filled until we can get final results sometime next month.
Thank you to all of you for your posts, texts, phone calls, notes, etc., Please forgive us if we don't always respond, but know that they all mean so much to us and give us the courage and strength to move forward knowing that we are loved by so many. Please continue to pray for us so that we can find the strength we need to get through this.
God bless!
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Visit to the ER reveals...
I had not updated the blog because there wasn't a real update to give. On Friday, Tim completed 5 of 6 weeks of Radiation & Chemo. We were told that we would not know results until the end of his full 6 week treatment and after they performed a CT scan scheduled for 5/19 and an MRI on 5/23. In the meantime, all we could really do was wait.
However, this morning Tim woke up saying that he had pain on his chest especially when he took deep breaths. We had planned to take the girls to Disneyland for the day so we went thinking it may just be an air bubble. But Tim's pain worsen and he began to look pale. He didn't even go on the two rides with us, so we decided to head back home. While we were driving, Tim said his pain was quickly worsening and he was having difficulty breathing. So after speaking to the on call doctor, we went off to the ER.
At the ER the doctor had him receive oxygen, and ordered blood work, EKG, X-Rays, and a CT scan to rule out heart problems, blood clots, or any other life threatening condition.
The good news: No blood clots, vitals and labs looked great. The bad news: CT scan revealed, once more, that the tumor has grown. She said that it appears that the increasing size has put pressure on surrounding organs which could be the cause for the pain. The CT scan also revealed that there are three small growths in his lungs. The doctor said she was not an Oncologist and did not know what it means and we should follow up with his Oncologist. But when we asked her for her opinion, she said it could possibly be enlarged glands due to treatments, or it could possibly be that the cancer has spread, amongst other possibilities.
Tim was allowed to come home under the condition that he return immediately if his symptoms worsened. He was given prescriptions for high doses of pain medication to hopefully get him through the night and keep him out of the hospital. He continues to be in pain and has difficulty breathing although not as severe as before. We do not know what to expect but do not want to jump to conclusions without speaking to his Radiologist and Oncologist.
We pray Tim will be OK and that he will be able to complete his last week of treatment and make a full recovery.
I will post an update as soon as I know anything else. We ask that you continue to pray for Tim's healing.
God bless!
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| Tim reading while receiving his usual Tuesday Chemotherapy treatment (5/3/11). |
I had not updated the blog because there wasn't a real update to give. On Friday, Tim completed 5 of 6 weeks of Radiation & Chemo. We were told that we would not know results until the end of his full 6 week treatment and after they performed a CT scan scheduled for 5/19 and an MRI on 5/23. In the meantime, all we could really do was wait.
However, this morning Tim woke up saying that he had pain on his chest especially when he took deep breaths. We had planned to take the girls to Disneyland for the day so we went thinking it may just be an air bubble. But Tim's pain worsen and he began to look pale. He didn't even go on the two rides with us, so we decided to head back home. While we were driving, Tim said his pain was quickly worsening and he was having difficulty breathing. So after speaking to the on call doctor, we went off to the ER.
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| Tim hooked up to oxygen tank, EKG, etc. |
The good news: No blood clots, vitals and labs looked great. The bad news: CT scan revealed, once more, that the tumor has grown. She said that it appears that the increasing size has put pressure on surrounding organs which could be the cause for the pain. The CT scan also revealed that there are three small growths in his lungs. The doctor said she was not an Oncologist and did not know what it means and we should follow up with his Oncologist. But when we asked her for her opinion, she said it could possibly be enlarged glands due to treatments, or it could possibly be that the cancer has spread, amongst other possibilities.
Tim was allowed to come home under the condition that he return immediately if his symptoms worsened. He was given prescriptions for high doses of pain medication to hopefully get him through the night and keep him out of the hospital. He continues to be in pain and has difficulty breathing although not as severe as before. We do not know what to expect but do not want to jump to conclusions without speaking to his Radiologist and Oncologist.
We pray Tim will be OK and that he will be able to complete his last week of treatment and make a full recovery.
I will post an update as soon as I know anything else. We ask that you continue to pray for Tim's healing.
God bless!
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