December 21, 2008

Paul's pacemaker is working fine. Most bothersome is not being able to use it over his head yet but that will come in a couple weeks.

We are getting lots of snow and cold and staying inside when we can. Paul takes Penny out walking as fast as she will. Here is a picture of our "Santa's Helper". She is blind now but gets around just fine as long as we don't move too much!

Have a great holiday. A year ago we were not sure if Paul would be here or be as well. Just shows you what a positive attitude, great doctors and treatments can do.

December 3, 2008 - trip to hospital...

Started out to be a routine trip to oncologist and primary care doctors. When giving blood for the visit Paul nearly passed out, got nauseated and dizzy. They rushed him to emergency room and from there - after many tests, etc. - group of cardiologist decided he was in need of a pacemaker. This is something we knew he might someday have to have implanted. He has been having minor problems with dizziness but, of course, with having chemo, etc. you never know for sure. An EKG found the problem.
So, next day he had the pacemaker implanted and is home healing now. Oncologist visted him there in emergency and said the cancer is still about same on ct scan which is great!
One more hurdle over!!

November 19, 2008 - ct scan results....

Nurse practicioner called and latest ct scan shows still stable condition - no changes.
Good news indeed!
Now appointment in December with oncologist and another ct scan in probably 10 to 12 weeks.

Vegas vacation....11/08/2008

We had a wonderful trip with our two sons and a reunion with Vietnam buddies. We all stayed well for the trip. Paul now has a cold but nothing too serious. Here we are - our whole family (minus in-laws and grandkids, of course). Nice to spend a few days together...

September 3, 2008

Appointment with oncologist to find out results of latest ct scan.  Seems that all is stable still.  Only problem is some inflammation of the lung caused by radiaton that usually shows up months after.   Area staying same or slightly smaller.

No new cancer on ct scan or growth!  Good report.

Next ct scan and appointment in three months. 

Every day is a gift!

Elaine

Tags: lung cancer, radiation pneumonitis, COPD

August 2, 2008 - visit from COPD internet friend...

Paul, Bob and Elaine

We were happy to have a visit from PennyPA while on her trip around the country with Bob, Sam the parrott and two doggies.  It was nice to meet them in person.  Here is a couple pictures we took.  We would have one with the four of us if I could have figured out the timed setting.  Of course, I figured it out as soon as they were out the door.  Penny had LVRS in Spring and feels good and looks great...

Penny, Paul and Bob

July 19, 2008

Just a short entry to tell everyone we are doing pretty good.  I have not been able to get control of the ulcerative colitis but doing better and hoping!  Since my son and family will be visiting in August from Chicago planning on waiting for knee surgery anyway.

Paul is enjoying "stable" and seems ok.  No new aches and pains except the neuropathy which comes and goes in his legs and feet.  Appetite is good and his hair looking better.  At least I got him to smile for this picture.  He sees the primary care doctor on Monday.  Just a regular checkup.

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June 25, 2008 - followup CT SCAN

Happy to report no change in his ct scan.  All is still stable - tumors in both lungs remain same size - no spreading.  Only problem is some after affects of chemo including some neuropathy in legs and feet.  His hair has grown in nicely and he is keeping his goatee for now. 

It was a very good news day.  Followup in three months.

June 18, 2008

Today was the followup ct scan to see how the cancer is doing or not doing as it may be! 

We will find out at visit with Oncologist next Wednesday.  Just trying to enjoy the summer weather and getting outside, etc. My medical problems are resolving (I think) and maybe I will still be able to have my knee replacement this summer or Fall.

More news next week.

Tags: lung cancer, ct scan, waiting

May 31, 2008

My knee surgery was postponed due to complications of colitis.  Having tests on Wednesday to decide on form of treatment so I can have the surgery in the future - soon I hope! 

Paul is doing good - getting stronger.  Still having problems with back pain (unrelated to cancer) and sinus and short of breath.  He is, however, getting stronger.  CT scan on June 18 will tell exactly how he is doing.

Update on his hair returning - that is good news.

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Update - May 17, 2008

Just a note to update everyone on Paul's progress.  He is gaining strength and getting ready to take care of me after knee replacement on Friday.  His hair is growing back in - he was hoping for curly but probably not.  And a lot more white is showing up than before...here he is...

Tags: hair loss, chemo, lung cancer

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Paul's new toy....

For now this is a "toy" but someday when we go on a trip or to the mall he will probably use it.  He can walk pretty good - now if he only had a better back!  Got a deal so bought it now....

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Trip to oncologist and my surgery...

May 5, 2008,

Trip to the oncologist gave us good and not so good news.  Best news was the ct scan showed shrinkage in tumors - both lungs.  Stable now! 

Not so good was an area - probably small cancer in left lung not seen before.  It is about 1 cm. and will be followed in ct scans in a few weeks.  For now we are upbeat and trying not to "borrow" any trouble.

Paul is tired easily but most of the time feels pretty good.  We went to watch our granddaughter play soccer on Saturday and enjoyed the outing very much.  He has a little neuropathy in legs and feet but not too serious, thank goodness.  We hope to do some rehab together after my knee replacement. 

My knee surgery was postponed to May 23 but I am slowly getting ready and know that I have to go through with it if at all possible.  Walking has become painful and tiring.

Updates as they happen.

Elaine

 

Tags: ct scan, neuropathy

Results of ct scan

April 15, 2008 - Results of ct scan were great!  Shrinkage of over 50% in tumors and no signs of spreading - considered STABLE disease right now.  About the best news we could get.

Tomorrow followup with radiation oncologist.  He just wants to see him one more time.

Paul is doing quite a bit around the house and some outside - working to get his strength back and on with life.  It has been just one year since doctor found a "fuzzy area" on the xrays.

I plan on knee replacement May 16 so he will be taking care of me.

Come back for any updates.

Elaine

Tags: ct scan, chemotherapy, lung cancer

March 28, 2008

Yesterday Paul had his last chemo treatment.  CT scan on April 9 will tell how well radiation and chemo worked on the cancer.  We already know the two tumors have shrunk.  He is feeling pretty good.  Chemo knocks you around for a few days but nothing he can't handle.  He will be his old self very soon.  We are looking forward to Spring (got snow today) and getting outside and doing some things - even if it is only a drive to the park. 

I will report on results of Ct scan.

Elaine

February 26 to March 22.....

Third chemo treatments was February 28.  It went well but he was sicker for a few days after than before.  Feels like a case of the flu he says and spends a few days mostly in bed and not eating too much.  Then he kept feeling better but found out that the nausea pills (zofran) made him more tired and some diarrhea so he stopped them quickly and feels so much better.

We are both wishing for Spring and warm weather.  This Thursday is four and probably last chemo treatment at least for a while.  Then he will have a CT scan a couple weeks down the road and determine how well the radiation/chemo has worked.  We know it is working but hoping for lots of good news!!

Here is Paul and his buddy - follows him everywhere and keeps him active as he does the dog walking as much as possible...

Tags: lung cancer, copd, chemo

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Winter in Central NY

Pictures of life up North.  View today from my computer. Deer that often get to our bird feeder.  Ice fishing on Oneida Lake!!  Come on up everyone!  Elaine

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Delay in chemo....

February 23, 2008...

Paul saw the oncologist and he confirmed that the CT Scan looked good and everything is "stable". 

Chemo for the 13th was postponed until Paul gets over his "cold" - taking antibiotics and cough syrup, etc.  He will return to oncologist Feb. 27 and hopefully he can have his third chemo treatment the next day or 29th. 

Paul continues to be tired and we are wishing for Spring as it is very cold, snowy, etc. a lot of days.  He does, however, remain able to do his chores, walk our dog, etc. 

More later! 

 

 

CT Scan preliminary report....

  Paul saw his PA today for routine checkup on all health matters.

VA hospital has all records on computer which is great.  The PA read some of the CT Scan report - bottom line is "substantial shrinkage of tumors in both lungs" and NO evidence of spreading.  The news we were hoping for.  One day at a time.  Next week is onocologist and unless he has changed the plan - two more chemo treatments for sure. 

Elaine

Fighting a virus....

January 31 -

For two weeks I have been fighting a head cold that went to my chest and now Paul has it.  The doctor gave him medication and antibiotics to fight it off and

he feels better. His primary doctor says lungs are clear now.

 He had the second chemo treatment January 18 and the same side effects - lasting about three days of fatigue and loss of appetite. He seems to not have lost more hair yet.   

"Buzz" the head day....

Due to losing his hair in blotchy patches he used his electric trimmer and cut it really short - just fuzzy now.  It will take some getting used to but is not upsetting him at all since he know that means the chemotherapy is working - cancer is leaving his body and that is what is important.  He is just as handsome as ever to me!!

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January 8, 2008 - hair loss day

First hair loss.  Nothing too dramatic - just thinning.  I do believe he will cut it very short soon to avoid the "mess" when it falls out.  He is losing it all over his body.

Family Christmas - December 29th...

Paul drove to my niece's house 100 miles north of here to have Christmas with my family of 34.  He did well and I drove home.

Paul is eating well and gained a few lbs. which he does not need to do.  No real side effects except aching and fatigue!  He does lots of resting!

Christmas 2007

We were able to go for a short visit and dinner to our sons house - 30 miles away.  Third and fourth day after chemo - body aches but feeling pretty good.  Pills of nausea helped that situation but caused constipation which he dealt with for a few days.

 

First chemotherapy treatment

December 20 - Paul had his first chemo treatment.  Premeds for allergic reactions and nausea made him sleepy so he slept a lot through the four hours of taxol/carboplatin.  I stayed in the room with him - watched tv - they gave me a lunch tray.  This was at the VA hospital in Syracuse, NY.  Everyone was kind and helpful.

I drove home and we both slept a good night sleep.

Tags: chemotherapy, lung cancer