Wednesday, April 19, 2006
The end of Chemo...
Because of Amy’s increased nausea, yesterday they asked her if she wanted to take a break from radiation treatments for a couple days and resume them after. Amy didn’t like that idea, especially considering the fact that she would finish up this next Tuesday (Apr 25th), so she told them no. Last night she continued with the nausea and didn’t want to eat supper, but she did end up pecking at a few items on her plate. She had several episodes of bad back pains and general discomfort, to which I would use the electric massager on her back for about 10 minutes. Today when she went in, she was still dehydrated and her Radiological Oncologist stepped in and told her that he is taking her off from radiation treatments for a few days for her own good. He then conferred with her Oncologist and the two of them made the decision to end her chemo treatments immediately and take her off from radiation treatments for a day. So, as of today her pre-surgical chemo treatments are finished and her radiation will end on Wednesday April 26. Her Oncologist told her however, that because the effects of the chemo is still building in her system, the side effects will peak in about 5 days before they will start to diminish.
So, what’s next? They will leave her alone and let the chemo & radiation fully ‘soak’ into her system and then on May 11th she will have a CT Scan done to see how effective the treatments were in shrinking the tumor. We will meet with her Oncologist and Surgical Oncologist to discuss the findings of the CT Scan and where we go from here on May 16th.
All of this has given me a wide range of feelings & emotions. We’ve finished the first stage and I like the fact that we’re moving to the next, but I’m nervous because 1) They stopped her treatment early and I’m not sure if that will have any bearing on the outcome, 2) We wont know the effectiveness of the treatments for another month. I’m happy for Amy that her treatments are over, but also know that she’ll have more treatments following the surgery. I know I shouldn’t fear and I shouldn’t worry, but I do. I know that my hope & trust is in the Lord, but I don’t know what the final outcome will be, after all our Lord is sovereign. Oh, how I can identify with Ecclesiastes right now.
This is Amy's story as seen and told by me - V
So, what’s next? They will leave her alone and let the chemo & radiation fully ‘soak’ into her system and then on May 11th she will have a CT Scan done to see how effective the treatments were in shrinking the tumor. We will meet with her Oncologist and Surgical Oncologist to discuss the findings of the CT Scan and where we go from here on May 16th.
All of this has given me a wide range of feelings & emotions. We’ve finished the first stage and I like the fact that we’re moving to the next, but I’m nervous because 1) They stopped her treatment early and I’m not sure if that will have any bearing on the outcome, 2) We wont know the effectiveness of the treatments for another month. I’m happy for Amy that her treatments are over, but also know that she’ll have more treatments following the surgery. I know I shouldn’t fear and I shouldn’t worry, but I do. I know that my hope & trust is in the Lord, but I don’t know what the final outcome will be, after all our Lord is sovereign. Oh, how I can identify with Ecclesiastes right now.
This is Amy's story as seen and told by me - V
# posted by Vince @ 1:27 PM 
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Hi Vince and Amy,
Just a quick note to encourage you: my experience working in the Radiation Oncology Clinic at St. Clare is it's not a big deal to miss a day with radiation. In fact, it's sort of common for someone to have to take a day or two, or even a week off in order to allow the body to "catch-up". Amy, your body has been through so much, I know I don't need to tell you that, but you are so strong. You are getting great care and have so many prayers being offered up on your behalf. Praise the Lord that Chemo is done. Radiation is only another few days. (Radiation will be the same as Chemo in the fact that it builds up in the body also, so you will probably feel the icky effects of it for another week after you are done, but then the rebound usually comes fairly quick after that.) May 11th will be here before we know it!
Dennim made me read the Blog outloud to her tonight. She loves you so much!
God Bless you all.
Tons of love and hugs,
Donda and family
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Just a quick note to encourage you: my experience working in the Radiation Oncology Clinic at St. Clare is it's not a big deal to miss a day with radiation. In fact, it's sort of common for someone to have to take a day or two, or even a week off in order to allow the body to "catch-up". Amy, your body has been through so much, I know I don't need to tell you that, but you are so strong. You are getting great care and have so many prayers being offered up on your behalf. Praise the Lord that Chemo is done. Radiation is only another few days. (Radiation will be the same as Chemo in the fact that it builds up in the body also, so you will probably feel the icky effects of it for another week after you are done, but then the rebound usually comes fairly quick after that.) May 11th will be here before we know it!
Dennim made me read the Blog outloud to her tonight. She loves you so much!
God Bless you all.
Tons of love and hugs,
Donda and family
# posted by 
: 10:18 PM, April 19, 2006
: 10:18 PM, April 19, 2006 << Home
