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mymaria
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Joined: 28 Feb 2008
Posts: 37
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 Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 5:39 am Post subject: Dealing with issues other than chemo, but making progress! |
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Hello folks!
I wasn't certain where to place this post. Just wanted to let you know of my wife's status/progress.
My wife has been transferred to a local REHAB center that is located within a hospital. After all that she has been through, it was imperative that the rehab was located within a hospital.
As has been the case, nothing ever goes smoothly it seems. The first 3-days she vomited continuously and after recent surgery, that has subsided considerably. DARN nausea! And this is 5-weeks since her last chemo and 3-weeks since giving birth.
Despite progress in the cancer area, chemo and other trauma endured during the 3-months in ICU has done some ugly things to her other bodily systems, notably the GI. She continues to struggle to maintain her strength to continue with rehab and has lost 25% of her weight since this all began. But she continues to FIGHT.
She's on Arimidex for now. After rehab and some recuperation, she will resume her last 4-rounds of chemo and begin Aredia. Most importantly, she will be home!!! Hopefully this will be a reality in about 2-weeks.
Richard
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Vee Smith
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Joined: 12 Feb 2006
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Location: UK
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| Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 4:30 pm Post subject: Re: Dealing with issues other than chemo, but making progress! |
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Hi, Richard - I am sorry your wife has had such a bad time. It humbles me to read about the awful experiences others are facing.
I did just wonder if she is going solely with the doctors, or is also seeking complementary therapies? Not, please note, alternative ones.
It is a sticky subject, but to be honest there are things we can do to help the body cope. |
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mymaria
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Joined: 28 Feb 2008
Posts: 37
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| Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 6:09 pm Post subject: Re: Dealing with issues other than chemo, but making progress! |
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Vee,
The doctors have yet to let us down. I have a background in AML cancer and pathogenic research (now teaching computer science in a high school  ) and I have always been in the forefront of my wife's treatment. I have exhaustively asked countless questions and remain in the center of all treatment options, etc.
Doctors are convinced that her nausea/vomiting is from a pre-existing (prior to rehab) reflux condition. Treatment options have been considered and discussed and I am happy to go with them for a few days.
I am ALWAYS considering, researching and inquiring about complementary/alternative treatment options. I have been very happy allowing the doctors to be the experts in this. There is one thing I am completely convinced of, if one has an educated/informed and persistent (not rude or with a sense of entitlement), that everyone is kept on their toes.
Thank you.
BTW, regardless of one's background, one cannot be ready for the emotional turmoil that accompanies being in the role of the primary and sole advocate. Years of science education and research and I felt helpless most of the time. BUT it sure makes the process easier as one tries to put things together...
Richard
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mymaria
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Posts: 37
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| Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2008 8:45 am Post subject: Re: Dealing with issues other than chemo, but making progress! |
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Just when things were looking up...
My wife has had a set-back. She is now bleeding within her GI and doctors are hoping to ID the source of bleed. She vomited coffee-ground consistency blood all afternoon and evening.
She is being given a new round of drugs to help with clotting, but because she has been on coumadin, the bleeding has been an issue.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH!
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Vee Smith
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| Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2008 10:11 am Post subject: Re: Dealing with issues other than chemo, but making progress! |
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| Oh dear - I am so sorry. I do hope they get things back under control soon. |
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brainman
Site Admin
Joined: 13 Oct 2005
Posts: 3449
Location: Tennessee
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| Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2008 1:04 pm Post subject: Re: Dealing with issues other than chemo, but making progress! |
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mymaria, I am very sorry about your wife's cancer and now this bleeding  . It is so hard to care for someone so sick. I was my parents' primary care provider during their struggles with cancer.
You and your wife are in my thoughts and prayers.
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Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/ |
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mymaria
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Joined: 28 Feb 2008
Posts: 37
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| Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 6:43 am Post subject: Re: Dealing with issues other than chemo, but making progress! |
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After about 4-weeks of no vomiting, my wife's vomiting has returned with a vengeance  It seems to be related to her stomach discomfort (burning sensation, indigestion), but no idea where and why it is occurring.
Zofran doesn't seem to be working as well as it had.
My wife will be beginning infusions of Aredia in about 2-weeks. Anyone experience this drug?
Richard
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brainman
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mymaria
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Joined: 28 Feb 2008
Posts: 37
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| Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2008 6:51 am Post subject: Re: Dealing with issues other than chemo, but making progress! |
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My wife has been on supplemental Potassium and that could be the issue. I hope it's as simple as that....
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ksplat
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Joined: 26 Apr 2007
Posts: 464
Location: Brisbane, Australia
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| Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2008 7:29 am Post subject: Re: Dealing with issues other than chemo, but making progres |
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Dear Richard
I have been watching & reading your posts about Maria. I'm so sorry to hear the vomiting has reared it's ugly head again! What a nuisance & obviously hard to treat with no help from anti-nausea drugs. I believe this should be looked at more closely & the medical team asking more of themselves to get the answers.
How is the new baby doing? Congratulations to you both. Is this your 1st child? Boy or girl?
I am so terribly sorry that your Maria has been blighted with this most insidious disease.
Please know you are all in my prayers & thoughts.
Cheers, Angie.
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http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=19227
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mymaria
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Joined: 28 Feb 2008
Posts: 37
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| Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2008 5:38 pm Post subject: Re: Dealing with issues other than chemo, but making progress! |
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Thank you all.
My wife has been prescribed with Ganisetron. It's an oldie, but goodie from what I hear and it seems to be working better than the Zofran. She takes 1mg every 12-hours! Pretty potent stuff.
I truly hope it is the potassium that is causing this. The oncologist has informed us that her K levels are normal and she should stop using the K for now. If relief from K results in normalization, then it would be confirmed that the K is the culprit....i hope so....
Anyone know or someone who has experienced Aredia?
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mymaria
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| Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2008 4:09 am Post subject: Re: Dealing with issues other than chemo, but making progress! |
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PHEW. Once she stopped taking the potassium, the nausea and vomiting stopped. Making certain the she does more than drink enough water, switched to gatorade and that should help her maintain her K levels.
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brainman
Site Admin
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| Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2008 7:25 am Post subject: Re: Dealing with issues other than chemo, but making progress! |
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I am glad to hear that your wife is doing better, Richard. Amazing how something so simple can cause such big problems. I hope her recovery continues.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/ |
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mymaria
Regular
Joined: 28 Feb 2008
Posts: 37
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| Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 10:05 pm Post subject: Re: Dealing with issues other than chemo, but making progress! |
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Well, not entirely over the vomiting, but wife continues to make amazing progress.
Started Aredia for bone mets on Monday and seems no side-effects yet. But did have two episodes of spontaneous vomiting w/o warning the past two days. DARN nausea...
My wife is being monitored by having blood drawn every 4-weeks and having CA 27.29 test. Monitors level of protein that cancer (breast, et al.) cells release into the blood. Her levels went from 40.8 to 30.5 in four weeks time! My wife's base-line was determined to be 38.7, so it would appear that cancer, or I should say, my wife has responded very well to the treatments!
Thank GOD!
I know that this doesn't take the place of a good PET/CT scan, but by observing lack of any deteriorating symptoms and my wife's progress in all areas except her vision, we'll take it for GOOD NEWS!
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ksplat
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Joined: 26 Apr 2007
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Location: Brisbane, Australia
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| Posted: Sat May 10, 2008 9:19 pm Post subject: Re: Dealing with issues other than chemo, but making progre |
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Dear Richard
So pleased to read your update about Maria. You must be relieved to be seeing progress with her condition...Praise God for his Mercy!
When I was on chemo in 2005 I had constant nausea, for months on end. Medical team could never pinpoint excactly what was causing it (although many tests were done). It became a part of my recovery though & was a constant drain (in more ways than one!)
Thinking of you.
Cheers, Angie.
_________________
Brother has GBMIV
Diagnosed Feb 07
46 Yrs young!
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=19227
"Without Faith We Have Nothing" |
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