POSITIVE RESULTS & FIFTH CHEMOTHERAPY

This morning we met with Dr. Homsi, our medical oncologist.  He had reviewed the MRIs and CT scan and recommended that we proceed with the chemotherapy today with another one in four weeks then more scans at the end of May.  The results are positive in that the lung lesions are still indistinguishable.  The tumor in my leg has been reduced dramatically from the original scans.  

If the scans in May look good, he will probably give me a break for a few months and remove the PICC line.  YEA!

As for the blood clots, there is not much change from when they were first diagnosed.  He told us that this is a slow process which is why it could take six months or longer to see results.  I am now giving myself a Lovenox shot once a day.

I told Dr. Homsi that at least once a week someone asks, “If the chemotherapy has helped your leg, why didn’t they try that in the beginning?”  His answer was interesting and shed some light on the subject. 

First of all, he said that sarcomas are a rare form of cancer, and a lot of them do not respond to chemo, so surgery is usually the first resort.  He then went on to say that the response for my tumor has been impressive and that I am a lucky girl.  I guess if I have to have something that is rare, I can be most grateful that it is responding to treatment. 

Chemo went fine today.  I read for a while, then the sedative they put through my PICC line kicked in, and I was out for a couple of hours.  Daryl is patient as always and is getting a lot of reading done.  We will be there again the next two days for anti-nausea medicine given intravenously through the PICC line.  This has really worked well the last two times. 

The goodness of friends is overwhelming as wonderful meals, and fabulous food baskets show up at our home along with all of the verbal concern, cards, etc.  These Christ like acts of service and expressions buoy us up and do make a difference.  We love each of you and thank you so very much—especially for your prayers!

We are really looking forward to this weekend and General Conference.  And we are so excited for the scheduled arrival of Allison Garn to Kevin and Tara on April 6^th.  They are busily painting their children’s’ rooms and switching them around in preparation for this momentous event.  This will take us to 15 grandsons and 14 granddaughters plus one great granddaughter.  It does not get any better than that. 

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TESTS & MORE TESTS

These are examples of MRI machines.  Basically the top part of the bed slides into the machine.  I usually go in feet first, but my body is totally in the machine.

The past couple of days have run together, as we have spent a lot of hours at the Banner MD Anderson facility.  Yesterday, March 27, I started with a blood draw at 8:30 a.m.  After that I was scheduled for two MRI’s.  It turned out to actually be two, but it was all done at one time, so this was the longest MRI I have ever experienced—very close to two hours.  For any of you who have had an MRI, you will know that that is a bit of a challenge.  I can relax pretty easily, and I am not a bit claustrophobic, so that is not a problem.  But lying perfectly flat on a hard surface with a heavy shield type thing on top from my chest to my mid-thighs and lying perfectly still for that period of time makes for pain as the time goes on.  I was wearing ear phones, but the loud construction type noises (jack hammer for instance as well as other banging sounds) pretty much drown out the music.  The technicians are good to let you know about how long certain parts take such as saying that you have 5 minutes for this segment or twenty minutes left.  I try to distract myself.  I said the “Articles of Faith” many times, but that doesn’t take a lot of time.  You think about anything that might take your mind off your situation.  Anyway, my hips were killing me the last half hour.  Interestingly, the minute I was out and stood up the pain went away.  Opposition really inspires gratitude when things improve.

After that, I had a CT scan of my lungs.  Since I am noting the negatives, this test is quite fast and not hard at all, but for the preparation, I had to drink two bottles of what they call a “Berry Smoothie” which is really “Barium Sulfate Suspension” and has no relationship to a smoothie.  They gave me an hour to do that as they don’t want you to drink it too fast, or you may throw it up.  I really tried to exercise mind over matter which helped immensely, as I did not gag with every swallow like I did last time in Houston.  Maybe it really was a Berry Smoothie!

NO NEWS IS GOOD NEWS

I haven’t written for a while, because there is not a lot to write about.  After four treatments, we have pretty much settled into a routine.  The IV treatments for anti-nausea following chemo have worked well, and I had very little nausea this time around.  For a week and a half, I am very weak with just enough ambition to read, watch TV and nap.  That gets old pretty fast even though it sounds like a dream for those of you who are on the run every minute of the day.  Then my strength gradually comes back.  What a great feeling to do some work around the house, cook a decent meal, do the laundry and get out and do a few things. 

This past week many of our family have been out of town for Spring Break, but we were able to have Emily (11) and Andrew (9) Garry for a few days.  We made donuts (the easy way), watched movies, BYU basketball, grocery shopped, went to the park and had a pizza/hot tub evening with the addition of Kevin, Tara and family.  We are happy to have almost everyone back in town safely after skiing in Utah.  Dana and Amy have been in Costa Rica with the high school Spanish Club.  They have had a great adventure. 

My oldest brother, Byron, who will turn 90 in June, kept a detailed journal of his 30 missions in WW II as a bombardier.  I am working on getting that into a hard-bound book using Blurb.com.  It is well-written and very fascinating.  I am amazed anyone came through that ordeal alive.  My plan is to have it finished for his birthday, so I am spending a lot of time on that project. 

On Monday, we are driving to St. George, Utah, to visit Jean (my sister) and Evan.  Daryl will also be playing a little golf with friends, and we plan to attend the temple.  After chemo, I need to build my immune system back up along with my strength to be able to attend the temple.  It is always a good feeling and a privilege to be back. 

I will have an MRI and a CT scan on March 27^th and am scheduled for my 5^th chemotherapy treatment on the following day.  Hopefully, I will have a break after that.

I will have to say, however, that every day I am so grateful to be walking and to be feeling as well as I do.  I feel so very blessed.  

One more tidbit--I have been happy not to have lost my eyelashes, but they are getting thinner every day.  Well, no more mascara to put on and have run!