Another Personal/Family Update
We have a slightly more concrete plan for the coming weeks, with the understanding that plans can change from day to day based on test results, scheduling issues, the whims of the insurance companies, and more.
Amy’s currently going through her third round of R-EPOCH chemotherapy (her fifth or sixth total round of chemo, depending on how you count them.) The goal is to do one more round the first full week in May, then do another CT scan. If she looks cancer-free at that time, we’ll move on to the bone marrow transplant step.
I got choked up the first time the phrase “cancer-free” came up. There’s so much hope and fear wrapped up in those two words, and in the results of that scan a month or so from now. We know she’s responded well to treatment so far, but there’s so much unknown…
We got to spend some good family time together for my birthday weekend, which was nice. I ate way too much, which was also nice 🙂
I’d like to believe the end is in sight, and we’re starting to move toward the next steps of her recovery and rebuilding our new normal. The whole family is pretty damn tired of cancer and chemo and all the rest. This crap gets old pretty quick.
We learned something exciting this week, though. Amy’s been using an infusion pump that delivers her chemo cocktail over the course of 3-4 days. But the tubing has sprung a leak at least three different times, all in the same spot. It looks like the chemotherapy meds are actually eating through the air filter in the line. These are the chemicals they’re pumping into my wife’s body…
Well, if they eat through filters, hopefully they’ll gobble up cancer cells even better.
Morgan Hazelwood
April 17, 2019 @ 11:47 am
Thank you for keeping us fans up-to-date. I share a tiny portion of your hope and fear. F*** cancer.
It’s pretty terrifying how intense the meds are. Best wishes for minimal side effects and maximum intended effects.
Diana Pharaoh Francis
April 18, 2019 @ 12:39 am
All my love and hugs for you and your family. Been thinking of you a lot. Blessings.
Michelle
April 18, 2019 @ 10:37 am
**hugs** That is all. Endless, endless hugs to you and your family.
Jazzlet
April 18, 2019 @ 2:13 pm
Here’s to cancer cells being completely gobbled up, with a side of comfort for you. Having been in a similar position with regard to MrJ (turned out very well), and having been the patient I would rather be the patient everytime, so huge supportive things (hugs, hot chocolate, books you can completely sink into, sleep, whatever is your need) to you.
sam
April 18, 2019 @ 3:32 pm
Be the Match: https://bethematch.org/. Signing up is free and (now!) painless. I donated stem cells for a bone marrow recipient in 2003. Sign up to save a life!
Adrian
April 23, 2019 @ 10:38 pm
Been there, done that re wearing the infuser. The worst part about wearing it is was not being able to shower, so I would just bathe with the tubes hanging over the edge of the tub.
But I never regretted it because I knew it was my best chance. Sounds like you guys have a good plan and a good attitude going forward. It does get old, but power through! There is light beyond the infusion pump! I’m cancer free ten years now.
Best wishes to your and your beloved.
In Other News, Cancer Still Sucks
May 15, 2019 @ 11:30 am
[…] much has really changed since last month. Amy finished up another round of chemo on Monday, so she’s pretty wiped out. There are some […]