Karatemom
04-11-2005, 07:02 PM
I have received so many emails and PM's that it is easier to post a response than to write everyone back, so I hope you all don't mind.
I do check the board daily, or at least try to, but almost never have the time to actually sit and reply to anything. My days and nights are long lately, don't get much rest or relaxation of my own, so I take advantage of any peace and quiet I can get.
We took Chris to the CTCA, Cancer Treatment Centers of America, north of Chicago, on April 1 to see if their drs could do anything for him as his local dr seems to have crapped out. This is why we were unable to attend the IA State event. He had numerous tests, consultations, etc. on that Friday, Monday, and Tuesday.
After all the tests were done, the dr stated that there does not appear to be any cancer in his lungs, however, it has spread in his liver and bones. So the current plan of action, which is tentative, is to start chemo this Thursday. A different kind of regimen than he ever had here, including conventional and non-conventional therapies. The treatment will last 3 days every month for 3 months before more tests are ran.
He is still very weak and frail to be able to handle any type of chemo regimen, however, they have a plan for that as well. Since last Thursday, I have been taught how to give him a TPN feeding. He gets all the nutrition he needs, without having to eat, from an IV sort of bag that is connected to his Hickman port. Although he does not have to eat, he still gets hungry, which is a good sign, and eats until he is full, another good sign. He has gained 3 pounds in 2 days, BTW!
He will receive the TPN until Thursday when he goes back up to the CTCA, where he will receive it along with the chemo and any other treatments necessary. He will be inpatient, so they can watch him for side effects, etc, for this first regimen.
So for now, he is trying to get healthy and gain weight, however, is also dealing with water weight, which he takes a diuretic for, and pain from the water weight.
Well, so much for my peace and quiet, he just woke up, lol. That's about it anyway. I thank all of you for your concerns and thoughts. He needs to know that we're still pulling for him.
Heide
I do check the board daily, or at least try to, but almost never have the time to actually sit and reply to anything. My days and nights are long lately, don't get much rest or relaxation of my own, so I take advantage of any peace and quiet I can get.
We took Chris to the CTCA, Cancer Treatment Centers of America, north of Chicago, on April 1 to see if their drs could do anything for him as his local dr seems to have crapped out. This is why we were unable to attend the IA State event. He had numerous tests, consultations, etc. on that Friday, Monday, and Tuesday.
After all the tests were done, the dr stated that there does not appear to be any cancer in his lungs, however, it has spread in his liver and bones. So the current plan of action, which is tentative, is to start chemo this Thursday. A different kind of regimen than he ever had here, including conventional and non-conventional therapies. The treatment will last 3 days every month for 3 months before more tests are ran.
He is still very weak and frail to be able to handle any type of chemo regimen, however, they have a plan for that as well. Since last Thursday, I have been taught how to give him a TPN feeding. He gets all the nutrition he needs, without having to eat, from an IV sort of bag that is connected to his Hickman port. Although he does not have to eat, he still gets hungry, which is a good sign, and eats until he is full, another good sign. He has gained 3 pounds in 2 days, BTW!
He will receive the TPN until Thursday when he goes back up to the CTCA, where he will receive it along with the chemo and any other treatments necessary. He will be inpatient, so they can watch him for side effects, etc, for this first regimen.
So for now, he is trying to get healthy and gain weight, however, is also dealing with water weight, which he takes a diuretic for, and pain from the water weight.
Well, so much for my peace and quiet, he just woke up, lol. That's about it anyway. I thank all of you for your concerns and thoughts. He needs to know that we're still pulling for him.
Heide