4/26/10 Update

Well, we were hoping to get out early yesterday but my potassium levels were back down so another 2 hour IV but we got out at 5:15 and got home around 8 p.m. Found out that I also have to get my four shots for white blood count every week so will start those today and they go thru Friday. At least Danny is getting pretty good at giving them in my leg and hip. I had a bad night last night and did not go to sleep until 5:30 a.m. this morning. My brain was just super zipped or I got overtired yesterday. I even took a benedryl to help me sleep but that did not help either. Don't know if the potassium IV hyped me up or not. My bye week will be on week of May 10th but have brain MRI then with Dr. Broaddus in Richmond. I'm expecting normal MRI as just had eye exam with no abnormalties found. Thanks for the emails, cards and prayers and bless God for all of his blessings. Love to all, Janice

4/19/10 Tests/scans update

Good news! The tumors continue to shrink - the bone tumor has decreased, the liver tumor has shrunk to 2 x 1 with the other tumor still gone; the breast color is getting lighter and I also had a mammogram yesterday with no indications of a tumor in the right breast but indications of calcification's in the left breast which were expected since I have cancer in that breast. I now have to take shots after the chemo for 4 days to keep my white count up and I now start back up on the chemo for another 8 weeks with scans and tests in June at some point. My break was for 10 days which was nice not to have to take nausea medication or chemo but back to the grind. Thanks for the emails, cards, prayers and calls. It's so nice to get a good report. Praise the Lord for all of his guidance and blessings. Love to all, Janice

4/5/10 Update

Hello everyone! Due to low white blood count (supposed to be 1000 and I was 700), I was only able to receive one chemo and my zometa IV for bone. I then had to call to see what to do in the meantime to build my white blood count back up since next week is my bye week. Per the clinical nursing staff, nothing until I return on the 19th of April. At that time, based on my labs they will either cut back on the amounts of chemo that I receive for two of them under the clinical trials or receive a shot for the next 3 days that will build the white count back up. There is nothing you can eat except to try and eat healthy, walk a little if possible and drink plenty of fluids. I am drinking the boost, I had a banana milkshake last night so my potassium level has come back some. I'm to stay out of crowds, away from children and not be around anyone that has a cold/virus, etc. Anyone preparing food must keep washing their hands. Did you guys know that when someone is going thru chemo, the chemo patient cannot have any fresh flowers and their clothing has to be washed in hot water twice for 2 days after chemo? You find out all kinds of things you never knew when going thru this, so just thought I would share. Thanks for the prayers, emails and calls. Love to everyone, Janice

3/29/10 Update

Angela was able to take me this time to give her dad a break but I've been so stopped up with allergies and possible upper respiratory that I called the nurses to check with the doctor to see what I needed to do. Well, she sent me for a chest xray which was fine, thank God! and put me on the Zpac so I am feeling better. Then that made me late to chemo which since my potassium was 3.1 (very low), I had to have an additional potassium IV thru my port which was slow at 2 hours. So now am on bananas, raisins and anything that will get my readings back up to at least 3.5. We did not get home until 9:45 on Monday night! Long trip! I know I felt like I had a real good day on Tuesday with energy but it is back down again. I have a Boost I need to drink too!
Thanks for the prayers, cards and emails. Love to everyone, Janice.