Miami Treatment #2

We drove through the tropical storm to arrive in Miami by 0700 Tuesday morning. We called prior to leaving the house as the hospital did advise that they might close due to the weather. Luckliy they continued to operate and we sped through the registration process as I believe many people did cancel their appointments. Treatment finished at 3:00 PM today-Wednesday and we were back home by 4:00PM. Dennis seems to be tolerating this therapy well and hasn't had many symptons that they said he could. We have an "off" week and will be leaving tomorrow to take Brian out to the University of Wyoming to begin his freshmen year. We are very happy that he has such a great opportunity ahead and will be joining his sister Natalie.
Our next treatment will be September 2-3.
We are very much looking forward to this much needed break from doctors,hospitals,testing etc..
Thank you for your continued prayers and support!

Change of Course

During our last visit with Dr. Grabelsky in Boca on 29July he moved up the CT scan to August 4 from 25August -3 weeks- to check progress due to the pain Dennis was experiencing. Dennis completed his 5th Chemo session on our current regiment on 31July. We scheduled an appointment in Miami for August 7th to review the results of the scan and our progress so far.
The scan showed the situation to be "stable" no progression of the disease but no improvement after 2 months of this Chemotherapy. Dr. Ardalan in Miami strongly suggested changing course of treatment with a different regiment of Chemotherapy. Dr. Grabelsky felt we should continue with our current regiment for the full course of 6 months.
We have taken a "leap of faith" and have decided to switch to the University of Miami Sylvester Cancer Center for futher treatments with Dr. Ardalan and begin a more aggressive regiment .
Treatment in Miami is for 2 days Tuesday/Wednesday and does require an overnight stay. We will have 2 weeks therapy and then 1 week off for recovery. We started 12August and will reevaluate in 2 months with another CT scan.
Natalie will be leaving tomorrow for Wyoming . She has "band camp" for 1 week prior to class for color guard. Brian will be heading out August 21 to Wyoming and we will take our "off week" time and go to Wyoming as well to get him settled in as an incoming freshman!
Thank you for your continued prayers.

This being the 5th Chemo poison
episode in the 12 pac procedure.
And as always the symptoms are
different from the previous 4
sessions. I went into the NBC
facility for hook up last Tue
Wed and Thursday. Go for the same
dose of Anthrax or what ever.
Smoothing sailing, or OK for
somebody on chemo. I (?)
expected for my physically off
days to be Friday & Saturday +
maybe Sunday. Wrong, I had'
a great day Fri and Sat. Sunday
it started and Monday Tuesday
were pretty low as well.
I'm trying to throw off the
Chemo effect and get back to 100%
this wed 8/6. I still have
the sores on my tongue which
makes it difficult to eat any
thing. Oh well, no one said
it was easy. And I have two
choices, follow the program
or go get the pine box.
Check Six.
Denny

Chemo session #5 Report

Each week seems to get easier now that we are familiar with the "ropes".
Blood work stayed all in normal range again and Dennis has gained 2lb these past 2 weeks. He's back at 180 and hopes to get to 185 and hold. He is experiencing stabbing pain in his liver and Dr Grabelsky has decided to move up the mid point scan to next week from later in the month to explore what is causing this. Dennis takes percocet to relieve the pain and it does work well for him. If we can get the scan done early next week we'll try to get to Miami to see Dr Ardalan for his opinion. Dennis is hooked up to the chemo pump until Thursday afternoon and it will be removed at that time.
Natalie returns today after a 2 month study abroad in Spain and we are looking forward to having all her energy surround us and hear more about her adventures.

Dennis writes; With session #4 in progress; I’m hooked up to the Chemo pump today Wednesday and tomorrow Thursday, I am 1/3 the way through the 12 session program and the Doctor, yesterday, was very up on the progress I have made. The swelling of the liver has gone, and with the Dr.’s examination by hand of the liver, I had no pain. I have 8 # sessions more to go, finishing around November. At the half way point they’ll run a cat scan for the look see on how the liver and associated cancer looks. I spent 6+ hours yesterday, Tuesday at the clinic, after I saw the doctor. My usual nurse, ‘Chemical Kathy’ was not on duty so I had ‘Anthrax Anna’ Hooking up the toxins to my chest porthole. This session I have had the usual side effects come barreling back. Hyper sensitivity to cold (anything) (how do you do this program February up North?). Canker sores on the tongue. And the all pervading malaise of lethargy to the 9th degree. While on the anthrax pump, Tue-Wed-Thur it isn’t too disabling, but Fri- Sat- Sun the days after the pump is gone are no picnic. Anyway, It seems we have the cancer on the run, All we have to do is corner the cancer and finish it off and I expect sessions 5 thru 12 to do Exactly that. MK keeps the program goals in focus, even the Doctor mentioned the good work she does to help run down the cancer. Denny.

Chemotherapy #4

Today we felt very encouraged with the Dr visit. Blood work continues to be in the "normal" range and Dennis has seen a 5lb weight gain this past month! Dr. Grabelsky complemented me on my "good" work in that department. Check of the liver size seem to indicate that the treatment is effective and we will do a scan on August 25 to measure how well things really are at midpoint. Chemotherapy lasted from 1130 to 1700 and we are home now with the Chemo pump for the next 46 hr.
We got a new bottle of "magic" mouthwash from the pharmacy formulated slightly different and it should give the mouth sores some relief this cycle.

Thanks for your prayers and support <3

Chemotherapy #3

We met with Dr Grabelsky at 1030 yesterday prior to our chemo session. Blood work all came back in the normal range! It's a relief to see a positive sign. Dr said it seems the chemo is working. We will have a scan done after treatment #6 to measure progress(25August). I was pushing for earlier but Dr Grabelsky feels it would be too early. I will run this by the Dr Ardalan in Miami and see what he thinks. Dennis seems to tolerate the chemo-no hair loss,nausea just fatigue. He had gained 3 lbs so if you come to visit be prepared to do the same! I have learned so much from my sister Jean who is a Registered Dietician in Pennsylvania and we are getting results with her guidance!!

We spoke about our desire to take Natalie and Brian to Wyoming in August to college and Dr. Grabelsky said it should be a possibility. I purchased tickets for 16August-24August. It will be a welcomed break from the treatments.Snowy Mountain here we come!

Our old neighbor and friends Marcia and Randy Springfield are visiting this week from Raleigh,NC and it has been fun looking at old photos and video of our families.

4th of July is almost here and we are planning a cookout with family and friends. I'm sure Dennis will be purchasing fireworks for our at home display!