So today I started round 6 of my chemotherapy -- finally. Each round is a month and is comprised of a chemo treatment, followed by a week off, follow by another chemo treatment and then another week off. In total, each round has 2 treatments and 2 off weeks. So in short, what that means is that I had my 11th treatment today. Doing some quick math (and with out a calculator), if my total treatment protocol was 12 treatments, and I've completed 11, then I only have 1 remaining. (oh boy, it looks like I've been reviewing too much elementary school math homework lately).
I must admit I was a bit apprehensive today, prior to my blood test results. My fear was that my white blood counts had tanked to a level where it wouldn't be safe to administer the next chemotherapy infusion. It's been a very long ride so far, so I dread the possibility of any further delays.
Fortunately, even though my neutrophil count dipped a staggering 1600 points in the past week, to 760, it was just high enough to allow for chemotherapy today. So the good news is that I had chemo today and we're getting closer to the finish line. The bad news is that I had chemo today and FEEL like I had chemo today, a bit toxic and nauseous. But this is old hat by now and will eventually dissipate.
I will still have to be extra careful as we enter flu season to keep my distance from anyone with the sniffles or otherwise and be sure to continue with my dietary restrictions to limit any possible exposure to food-borne bacteria.
For now, my immediate goal is to stay healthy enough for next couple of weeks, so we can wrap up with the last treatment on October 8th. Then I can focus on the more important issues at hand, like what I'm going to be for Halloween this year!
That's it for today. Thank you for reading. I'll write again when I have some new information to share. As always, please go out and do something positive today, hug a loved one and count your blessings.
Glenn
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Saturday, September 12, 2009
It's All in the Numbers
From the time we are very young, we are focused on numbers. During our early years it's about school grades and test results, MCAS scores and SAT results. As we get older it's about college entrance exams, GPA's and starting salaries. Once we begin to settle into our adult lives, the most interesting numbers become, tracking Tiger's strokes upon the leader board during the latest tournament, how the Red Sox are doing in the standings and whether the Patriots will have enough wins this season to take it all and regain the Super Bowl title. For the most part, these are all fun numbers to track.
Well, for cancer patients, the focus can be slightly slanted on a new set of number...blood counts. For me personally, my weekly focus is on my White Blood Counts. The chemo therapy I've been receiving has done a good job of killing off the cancer cells, however it's also done an equally good job of killing off the healthy white blood cells, especially the nuetrophils, the unique white cells that protect me from infections.
Over the last several weeks, I've experienced some depleted "numbers" due to chemo's unrelenting assault on my white blood cells. A healthy person will have a total white blood count in the range of 4,000 - 10,000 with the all important neutrophil count (the cells that fight infection) in the range of 2,500 - 5,000.
Throughout chemo therapy my counts have been a bit lower, with my neutrophil count commonly dipping below the dreaded 1,000 range, triggering "Neutropenia" and requiring special precautions including a restrictive diet and every effort to avoid exposure to bacteria and potential infection.
A few weeks ago I hit a new low. It started on my normal weekly visit for blood labs on Thursday, August 27th. My neutrophil counts had dropped to below 700, so I was officially neutropenic. The problem with taking a static blood count is that the doctors don't know in which direction my counts were going...was I recovering and my counts going up, or was I continuing to crash and becoming more vulnerable to every sneeze, cough and germy hand shake in the outside word?
So the doctors asked that I return on Monday for another set of blood tests. The results were staggering, my neutrophil counts had plunged to 30 -- "boy in the bubble status". I was instructed that if I were to go anywhere other than home then to wear a mask and wash my hands constantly.
For treatment, they injected me with a drug called Neupogen. As I mentioned in an earlier posting, this medication stimulates the blood system (bone marrow) to make white blood cells, helping you fight infections. I was then given the option to either learn how to inject myself with another dose of neupogen the following day, or come back for another visit Tuesday and have a nurse administer the drug. Well, my aversion to needles, coupled with the sheer thought of gearing up mentally to induce pain upon myself, made it an easy decision. I opted for the 90 minute round trip to engage the services of a trained professional.
It was actually a good thing that I went back to the hospital on Tuesday. Prior to the injection, they ran another set of blood labs. My neutrophil count has risen from 30 to 200, so the neupogen was doing it's job. But we were still very far away from the moderate safety of the much cherished 1000 count. So it was decided, I would return once again the next day, on Wednesday, for a third daily injection of neupogen. Hopefully, this would do the trick and boost my counts to 1000.
Another delay I was encountering, due to the low neutrophil counts, was that my Oncologist could not proceed with my next round of chemo. With my white cells so low, the chemo would just further depress my immune system and then who knows what...so yet another obstacle prolonging my journey...
The plan was to skip my scheduled chemo for Thursday September 3rd, because based upon drug protocol, there has to be at least 72 hours from the last neupogen injection until chemo is administered. So the plans were to resume treatment right after Labor Day on Tuesday, September 8th.
So, I arrived on Tuesday for my blood labs to check my white counts and then anticipated receiving chemo treatment #10. Alas, very much to my surprise and dismay, there would be no chemo on Tuesday. My total white counts had done a drastic turnaround and now were at a whopping 22,000. For me, I thought this was great news. If the average total white counts in a healthy adult can range from 4,000 to 10,000, then the neupogen must have done a spectacular job in making my white counts super healthy. Unfortunately, the doctors, who are trained to be far more analytical in their evaluation of cause and effect, didn't quickly agree with my diagnosis.
They explained that the effects of neupogen usually only lasts 3 or 4 days and it had been 6 days since the last injection, so they were looking for other causes of a high white count, like infection, more specifically another pneumonia.
Although, clearly not a doctor, I refuted their hypothesis. Without the presence of any symptoms, no fever, no coughing, no pain (other than the one in my ass for the past six months -- but that's just how I characterized my cancer in general from the beginning), I found it hard to believe that I had an infection. But nonetheless, my doctors, who are extremely cautious and proactive in their care, ordered some more tests, urine samples, more blood cultures and another chest CT scan.
On Wednesday, I was invited back for the results and yet more blood labs. This time my total white counts were down to 15,000 from 22,000 the day before. All the tests from Tuesday were negative, no signs of any infection. It looks like I was correct, the neupogen just had a delayed yet profound effect on my white blood count. I was cleared for Chemo and received infusion #10 on Thursday, September 10th, (by the way, had I not hit the bumps in the road earlier along the way, that was the date I was expecting to finish up).
But now my important numbers, include "1000", the neutrophil count needed to stay out of "trouble"; " 2", the total number of chemo infusions left; and "10/08/09" , the date, provided all else goes smoothly, that I will be receiving my 12th and final chemo infusion.
Funny how your perspective can change. so quickly. I just hope that soon enough my focus can go back to the more fun numbers like those of the Red Sox, Patriots and Tiger.
Until then, I will just keep my attention were it needs to be for the moment.
Thanks for reading, I will write again when there is more excitement to share. In the meantime, please go out and do something positive today, hug a loved one and count your blessings!
Glenn
Well, for cancer patients, the focus can be slightly slanted on a new set of number...blood counts. For me personally, my weekly focus is on my White Blood Counts. The chemo therapy I've been receiving has done a good job of killing off the cancer cells, however it's also done an equally good job of killing off the healthy white blood cells, especially the nuetrophils, the unique white cells that protect me from infections.
Over the last several weeks, I've experienced some depleted "numbers" due to chemo's unrelenting assault on my white blood cells. A healthy person will have a total white blood count in the range of 4,000 - 10,000 with the all important neutrophil count (the cells that fight infection) in the range of 2,500 - 5,000.
Throughout chemo therapy my counts have been a bit lower, with my neutrophil count commonly dipping below the dreaded 1,000 range, triggering "Neutropenia" and requiring special precautions including a restrictive diet and every effort to avoid exposure to bacteria and potential infection.
A few weeks ago I hit a new low. It started on my normal weekly visit for blood labs on Thursday, August 27th. My neutrophil counts had dropped to below 700, so I was officially neutropenic. The problem with taking a static blood count is that the doctors don't know in which direction my counts were going...was I recovering and my counts going up, or was I continuing to crash and becoming more vulnerable to every sneeze, cough and germy hand shake in the outside word?
So the doctors asked that I return on Monday for another set of blood tests. The results were staggering, my neutrophil counts had plunged to 30 -- "boy in the bubble status". I was instructed that if I were to go anywhere other than home then to wear a mask and wash my hands constantly.
For treatment, they injected me with a drug called Neupogen. As I mentioned in an earlier posting, this medication stimulates the blood system (bone marrow) to make white blood cells, helping you fight infections. I was then given the option to either learn how to inject myself with another dose of neupogen the following day, or come back for another visit Tuesday and have a nurse administer the drug. Well, my aversion to needles, coupled with the sheer thought of gearing up mentally to induce pain upon myself, made it an easy decision. I opted for the 90 minute round trip to engage the services of a trained professional.
It was actually a good thing that I went back to the hospital on Tuesday. Prior to the injection, they ran another set of blood labs. My neutrophil count has risen from 30 to 200, so the neupogen was doing it's job. But we were still very far away from the moderate safety of the much cherished 1000 count. So it was decided, I would return once again the next day, on Wednesday, for a third daily injection of neupogen. Hopefully, this would do the trick and boost my counts to 1000.
Another delay I was encountering, due to the low neutrophil counts, was that my Oncologist could not proceed with my next round of chemo. With my white cells so low, the chemo would just further depress my immune system and then who knows what...so yet another obstacle prolonging my journey...
The plan was to skip my scheduled chemo for Thursday September 3rd, because based upon drug protocol, there has to be at least 72 hours from the last neupogen injection until chemo is administered. So the plans were to resume treatment right after Labor Day on Tuesday, September 8th.
So, I arrived on Tuesday for my blood labs to check my white counts and then anticipated receiving chemo treatment #10. Alas, very much to my surprise and dismay, there would be no chemo on Tuesday. My total white counts had done a drastic turnaround and now were at a whopping 22,000. For me, I thought this was great news. If the average total white counts in a healthy adult can range from 4,000 to 10,000, then the neupogen must have done a spectacular job in making my white counts super healthy. Unfortunately, the doctors, who are trained to be far more analytical in their evaluation of cause and effect, didn't quickly agree with my diagnosis.
They explained that the effects of neupogen usually only lasts 3 or 4 days and it had been 6 days since the last injection, so they were looking for other causes of a high white count, like infection, more specifically another pneumonia.
Although, clearly not a doctor, I refuted their hypothesis. Without the presence of any symptoms, no fever, no coughing, no pain (other than the one in my ass for the past six months -- but that's just how I characterized my cancer in general from the beginning), I found it hard to believe that I had an infection. But nonetheless, my doctors, who are extremely cautious and proactive in their care, ordered some more tests, urine samples, more blood cultures and another chest CT scan.
On Wednesday, I was invited back for the results and yet more blood labs. This time my total white counts were down to 15,000 from 22,000 the day before. All the tests from Tuesday were negative, no signs of any infection. It looks like I was correct, the neupogen just had a delayed yet profound effect on my white blood count. I was cleared for Chemo and received infusion #10 on Thursday, September 10th, (by the way, had I not hit the bumps in the road earlier along the way, that was the date I was expecting to finish up).
But now my important numbers, include "1000", the neutrophil count needed to stay out of "trouble"; " 2", the total number of chemo infusions left; and "10/08/09" , the date, provided all else goes smoothly, that I will be receiving my 12th and final chemo infusion.
Funny how your perspective can change. so quickly. I just hope that soon enough my focus can go back to the more fun numbers like those of the Red Sox, Patriots and Tiger.
Until then, I will just keep my attention were it needs to be for the moment.
Thanks for reading, I will write again when there is more excitement to share. In the meantime, please go out and do something positive today, hug a loved one and count your blessings!
Glenn
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Number Nine Went Fine
Today is Tuesday. It's been five days since my ninth chemo infusion. After a brief hiatus from treatment, (actually five weeks) I'm back on track. The pneumonia seems to be sufficiently beaten. As a precaution, the doctor is keeping me on a prophylactic dose of antibiotics, anti-fungal and ant-viral medicines, better safe than sorry, I guess.
All else is ok for now. I'm keeping my focus on the end (of treatments that is); only 3 more infusions / 6 weeks to go.
I won't ramble on, since I really don't have much more to share at this point.
Thanks for reading. I'll write again as we move forward. For now, please go out and do something positive today, hug a loved one and count your blesssings!
Glenn
All else is ok for now. I'm keeping my focus on the end (of treatments that is); only 3 more infusions / 6 weeks to go.
I won't ramble on, since I really don't have much more to share at this point.
Thanks for reading. I'll write again as we move forward. For now, please go out and do something positive today, hug a loved one and count your blesssings!
Glenn
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Like a Boomerang!
A lot has transpired since my last entry – I just haven’t had the energy to get it down on paper (or in cyberspace) until now.
My hospital stay was short lived, admitted on Tuesday, released for good behavior on Wednesday. Unfortunately, they pulled the trigger a little too soon, and like a boomerang, I was back in a hospital bed on Thursday. This time I was their welcomed guest until Sunday evening.
The purpose of the hospitalization was largely to find the cause of my fever, isolate the infection and then aggressively treat it with IV antibiotics. They felt the infection may be in my lungs, but the chest x-ray previously performed, was inconclusive. So, off to the CAT Scan table for a chest CT. This didn’t show much either.
In an effort to rule out a viral infection, or dare I say, Swine Flu, they sent a representative from their infectious disease center to administer a “nasal swab”. I must say, if you’ve never experienced a nasal swab, I would strongly recommend that you don’t…unequivocally, I would rate this as one of the most intrusive and uncomfortable procedures I’ve experienced in the past few months -- (without the benefit of anesthesia).
On the surface, it seems quite harmless. Some guy comes in with a long Q-Tip and wants to swab the inside of my nose…ok, big deal. In reality, I think he somehow transformed the Q-tip into a Louisville Slugger and was intent on getting brain tissue samples. Ouch!
To add insult to injury, until the results come back (about 24hrs), you are presumed to be infected and contagious, therefore quarantined to your room. They pasted a warning on my door that any visitors must take proper precautions and dress in full protective gear. It was pretty comical, the same nurses and doctors who were coming into see me 15 minutes before (dressed in normal garb), were now outfitted in attire reminiscent of Chernobyl. Fortunately, the results came back within 24hrs and I was declared virus-free, so off came the gowns and masks.
The fever still remained at about 101F. So the doctor ordered another test to get a closer look at my lungs. This time they would do a Bronchoscopy. I’ve had this test before, and it wasn’t one of my favorites… During this test, they insert a tube and camera down your throat and into your lungs to take a look around. The images are far more detailed than you can get on a CT scan, plus while they’re in there, they’re able to flush the lungs with saline, collect a sample and then culture it to see if anything is growing (the source of the infection).
Well indeed there was stuff growing, the bronchoscopy came back positive for PCP, Pneumocystis pneumonia. This is an opportunistic strain of pneumonia that lurks deep within and attacks when your immune system is sufficiently depleted and cannot defend itself.
So at last, we found the source of the infection and fever and could start to treat it with the proper antibiotics. I was placed on a heavy dose of Bactrim , first by IV, 3 times a day while in the hospital, and then sent home with a 21 day supply in pill form. The Bactrim, coupled with a daily regimen of Prednisone (a steroid to reduce the inflammation in my lungs), Fluconazole (an anti-fungal drug) and Acyclovir (an anti-viral drug) should pack enough punch to rid my body of the dreaded and quite often feared PCP!
The only downside (and I’m not sure if it really is a true downside) is that the doctor has suspended my chemo while trying to fight off the PCP, since the chemo would only further deplete my immune system and allow the PCP more opportunity to run amok…
The medical team is closely monitoring my blood levels and so far all is good. Estimates are to resume chemo in a couple of weeks. From there, it’s just 4 more infusions – or 8 weeks to the finish line --- barring any more surprises.
Thanks for reading. I’ll post again when there is more to tell. In the meantime, go out and do something positive today, hug a loved one and count your blessings!
Glenn
My hospital stay was short lived, admitted on Tuesday, released for good behavior on Wednesday. Unfortunately, they pulled the trigger a little too soon, and like a boomerang, I was back in a hospital bed on Thursday. This time I was their welcomed guest until Sunday evening.
The purpose of the hospitalization was largely to find the cause of my fever, isolate the infection and then aggressively treat it with IV antibiotics. They felt the infection may be in my lungs, but the chest x-ray previously performed, was inconclusive. So, off to the CAT Scan table for a chest CT. This didn’t show much either.
In an effort to rule out a viral infection, or dare I say, Swine Flu, they sent a representative from their infectious disease center to administer a “nasal swab”. I must say, if you’ve never experienced a nasal swab, I would strongly recommend that you don’t…unequivocally, I would rate this as one of the most intrusive and uncomfortable procedures I’ve experienced in the past few months -- (without the benefit of anesthesia).
On the surface, it seems quite harmless. Some guy comes in with a long Q-Tip and wants to swab the inside of my nose…ok, big deal. In reality, I think he somehow transformed the Q-tip into a Louisville Slugger and was intent on getting brain tissue samples. Ouch!
To add insult to injury, until the results come back (about 24hrs), you are presumed to be infected and contagious, therefore quarantined to your room. They pasted a warning on my door that any visitors must take proper precautions and dress in full protective gear. It was pretty comical, the same nurses and doctors who were coming into see me 15 minutes before (dressed in normal garb), were now outfitted in attire reminiscent of Chernobyl. Fortunately, the results came back within 24hrs and I was declared virus-free, so off came the gowns and masks.
The fever still remained at about 101F. So the doctor ordered another test to get a closer look at my lungs. This time they would do a Bronchoscopy. I’ve had this test before, and it wasn’t one of my favorites… During this test, they insert a tube and camera down your throat and into your lungs to take a look around. The images are far more detailed than you can get on a CT scan, plus while they’re in there, they’re able to flush the lungs with saline, collect a sample and then culture it to see if anything is growing (the source of the infection).
Well indeed there was stuff growing, the bronchoscopy came back positive for PCP, Pneumocystis pneumonia. This is an opportunistic strain of pneumonia that lurks deep within and attacks when your immune system is sufficiently depleted and cannot defend itself.
So at last, we found the source of the infection and fever and could start to treat it with the proper antibiotics. I was placed on a heavy dose of Bactrim , first by IV, 3 times a day while in the hospital, and then sent home with a 21 day supply in pill form. The Bactrim, coupled with a daily regimen of Prednisone (a steroid to reduce the inflammation in my lungs), Fluconazole (an anti-fungal drug) and Acyclovir (an anti-viral drug) should pack enough punch to rid my body of the dreaded and quite often feared PCP!
The only downside (and I’m not sure if it really is a true downside) is that the doctor has suspended my chemo while trying to fight off the PCP, since the chemo would only further deplete my immune system and allow the PCP more opportunity to run amok…
The medical team is closely monitoring my blood levels and so far all is good. Estimates are to resume chemo in a couple of weeks. From there, it’s just 4 more infusions – or 8 weeks to the finish line --- barring any more surprises.
Thanks for reading. I’ll post again when there is more to tell. In the meantime, go out and do something positive today, hug a loved one and count your blessings!
Glenn
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
A Bump in the Road
I am writing this blog entry from room 1180 in the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Even though the view of Fenway Park and the Boston Skyline rivals that of a 5-star hotel, A hospital stay was not in my plans for this week.
The events leading up to my stay transpired rather swiftly. On Monday night, I noticed my throat was getting sore again and I felt a bit "warm" (that's medical jargon for a fever) The thermometer confirmed my assumption and I was indeed running a fever of 100.7F.
I wasn't overly concerned and since I was already scheduled to be at the hospital for an echocardiogram on Tuesday morning, I thought I could stop in after to see the doc, get a quick prescription for an antibiotic and be on my way.
No such luck.
Evidently a fever over 100 freaks everybody out around here. After a full set of blood labs, throat culture, and chest x-ray, they started me on IV antibiotics.
It turns out that my white blood count is extremely low, so they had to give me an injection of Neupogen. This medication stimulates the blood system (bone marrow) to make white blood cells, helping you fight infections.
So for the time being, it looks like my immune system is too weak for the "outside world", so they admitted me on Tuesday and I'll be their guest for the next couple days so they can continue the IV antibiotics and monitor my counts around the clock.
Even though the surprise hospital stay is a bit inconvenient, I am grateful that my doctors are so thorough and proactive with my care.
Well, that's it for today (unless something exciting happens!!!). Thanks for reading. I'll write again when I have something meaningful to share. Now, as I always request, please go out and do something positive today, hug a loved one and count your blessings!
Glenn
The events leading up to my stay transpired rather swiftly. On Monday night, I noticed my throat was getting sore again and I felt a bit "warm" (that's medical jargon for a fever) The thermometer confirmed my assumption and I was indeed running a fever of 100.7F.
I wasn't overly concerned and since I was already scheduled to be at the hospital for an echocardiogram on Tuesday morning, I thought I could stop in after to see the doc, get a quick prescription for an antibiotic and be on my way.
No such luck.
Evidently a fever over 100 freaks everybody out around here. After a full set of blood labs, throat culture, and chest x-ray, they started me on IV antibiotics.
It turns out that my white blood count is extremely low, so they had to give me an injection of Neupogen. This medication stimulates the blood system (bone marrow) to make white blood cells, helping you fight infections.
So for the time being, it looks like my immune system is too weak for the "outside world", so they admitted me on Tuesday and I'll be their guest for the next couple days so they can continue the IV antibiotics and monitor my counts around the clock.
Even though the surprise hospital stay is a bit inconvenient, I am grateful that my doctors are so thorough and proactive with my care.
Well, that's it for today (unless something exciting happens!!!). Thanks for reading. I'll write again when I have something meaningful to share. Now, as I always request, please go out and do something positive today, hug a loved one and count your blessings!
Glenn
Friday, July 24, 2009
A Relatively Uneventful Week
Last Thursday, July 16th, was chemo #8 out of 12. The day started with another pulmonary function test to measure the effects of one of the chemo drugs, bleomycin, on my lung function. As mentioned in my last entry, it is a common side effect for bleomycin to reduce the lungs' ability to diffuse the oxygen into the bloodstream. As with the previous test, the limits were reduced, so once again, chemo was administered without the bleomycin.
The reduced oxygen levels presented a new set of challenges, an increased level of fatigue, headaches and shortness of breath.
To rectify the breathing issue, the doctors prescribed a course of steroids to help reduce the inflammation in my lungs. After 5 days of steroids, I felt much better, could breathe more easily and had regained some lost strength -- I just now run the risk of failing my drug test for the MLB!
My weekly hospital visit yesterday showed good white blood counts -- also a beneficiary of the steroid treatments. The only downside is that the increased steroids in my system, combined with an already reduced immune function set the stage for a fungal infection to grow in my throat. So, to prevent me from sprouting mushrooms, I am now on a five day course of yet another drug, fluconazole -- this should do the trick and clear up my throat in short order.
Next on the docket is an echo-cardiogram on Tuesday and then yet another pulmonary function test on Thursday, before Chemo treatment #9.
At this point, I can almost see the light at the end of the tunnel. I try to focus on the positive -- how far I've come so far and the relatively short duration of treatment still remaining. If all continues to go well, my last treatment will be September 10th. There are certainly still good days and "less than" good days, but with the continued support of family and friends, we'll keep plugging forward.
Well, that's it for today. Thanks for reading. I'll write again when I have something meaningful to share. Now go out and do something positive today, hug a loved one and count your blessings!
Glenn
The reduced oxygen levels presented a new set of challenges, an increased level of fatigue, headaches and shortness of breath.
To rectify the breathing issue, the doctors prescribed a course of steroids to help reduce the inflammation in my lungs. After 5 days of steroids, I felt much better, could breathe more easily and had regained some lost strength -- I just now run the risk of failing my drug test for the MLB!
My weekly hospital visit yesterday showed good white blood counts -- also a beneficiary of the steroid treatments. The only downside is that the increased steroids in my system, combined with an already reduced immune function set the stage for a fungal infection to grow in my throat. So, to prevent me from sprouting mushrooms, I am now on a five day course of yet another drug, fluconazole -- this should do the trick and clear up my throat in short order.
Next on the docket is an echo-cardiogram on Tuesday and then yet another pulmonary function test on Thursday, before Chemo treatment #9.
At this point, I can almost see the light at the end of the tunnel. I try to focus on the positive -- how far I've come so far and the relatively short duration of treatment still remaining. If all continues to go well, my last treatment will be September 10th. There are certainly still good days and "less than" good days, but with the continued support of family and friends, we'll keep plugging forward.
Well, that's it for today. Thanks for reading. I'll write again when I have something meaningful to share. Now go out and do something positive today, hug a loved one and count your blessings!
Glenn
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Last week, lots of testing, this week Chemo Dose 7
The last week in June was filled with a series of testing to gauge my disease as well as to monitor how well my body is tolerating the toxic side effects of the chemotherapy drugs.
The first test was a PET / CT Scan. PET /CT stands for Positron Emission Tomography / Computed Tomography . This test is used to scan the body for any cancer "hot spots".
It is an interesting test whereas it is almost like a reverse X-Ray since the radiation comes from my body and not from the scanning device.
In preparation for the exam, I was instructed to eliminate all carbohydrates from my diet the night before the test. So dinner consisted of only high fat, high protein foods. I guess this would be OK if you are an Atkins fan, but the meal left me feeling a bit greasy...
The next morning at the hospital, I was given a drink called ClearScan to consume. This is a thick canola oil based drink with a hint of a metallic after taste, YUK! (I think this could be vastly improved if simply entrusted to the creativity of Ben & Jerry's)...But as designed, the ClearScan races through the body and is absorbed by areas of inflammation (potential cancer/growths/ infections etc). Oh and by the way, since it is oil based, it also "races through the body", but that would be more appropriate content for another type of Blog (perhaps entitled "The Straight Flush" -- no reference to Poker there) -- but we're above that type of humor here...
About an hour after the drink, The next phase began. A medical technician took me into a small room and injected me with gamma radiation. This was now my third PET Scan and third injection of gamma radiation in the last few months, (so in the back of my mind I keep wondering how much more gamma radiation until I spontaneously bulge out of my clothes, turn green and display super-hero tendencies).
After another hour waiting for the the gamma radiation to sufficiently circulate throughout my system, I was then led to the scanning room. The PET Scan looks similar to a CT Scan device. You lay flat on your back and are strapped onto a narrow bed that then retracts under a large donut shaped scanning device. The actual scan is painless and only lasted 25 minutes.
I had a previous PET Scan just a few weeks ago, and it showed new inflammation on three lymph nodes in my neck, however at that time, I also had strep throat, so the doctors felt this finding was related to the infection and not likely new cancer sites. That was the main reasoning to repeat this testing so soon.
The GOOD NEWS is that this PET Scan came back as clear. The lymph nodes in my neck now appear normal and the original incision site in my chest appears to be disease-free. VERY ENCOURAGING NEWS INDEED!
So, onto the next test, a Head CT. This was ordered as a follow-up to an MRI I recently had on my brain. I've been experiencing some headaches over the past several weeks, a couple with the intensity of migraines. The doctor felt the headaches are likely chemo-induced, but didn't want to guess, so he ordered the tests.
The original MRI showed "something" on my skull, but most likely, nothing of significance. HMMM, that sounded much too familiar to provide me with any peace of mind (no pun intended -- that would be "piece" of mind). If you remember, that's kind of how this whole mess started, when radiology read my chest x-rays back in November and said it looked like "just a shadow". That "shadow" turned out to be a lymphoma-filled thymus gland propelling this reluctant traveller into my current journey through the surreal.
So anyway, my Oncologist, ordered a head CT, with a contrast dye, to get a closer, more defined view of this "something" on my skull. As it turns out, it's OK. It was diagnosed as a "hemangioma", a benign cluster of blood vessels, that likely have been there since birth and as I've been told, show no sign of any risk. So more good news.
The third and final series of tests last week were three pulmonary function tests. These are routinely and periodically administered to measure the impact that the chemotherapy is having on my lungs. One of the chemo drugs I'm taking, Bleomycin, has been noted to cause pulmonary toxicity and lung scarring, so it is important to repeat these tests often. This was my third time taking the Pulmonary Function Test (PFT).
The three tests comprising the PFT measure spirometry, lung volume and diffusion capacity.
Spirometry measures airflow, by measuring how much air you exhale, and how quickly.
Lung volume measures the amount of air in the lungs without forcibly blowing out.
Testing the diffusion capacity allows the doctor to estimate how well my lungs move oxygen from the air into the bloodstream. This is an area that the Belomycin can adversely affect.
So the results of the PFTs this time were OK for the first two tests, but not as good for the third. It is not definite (nothing seems to be in medicine) but it appears that the Bleomycin may be having an impact on how well my lungs transfer oxygen into my bloodstream.
As a precaution, the doctor eliminated the Bleomycin from my chemo cocktail during Thursday's treatment. I will have yet another series of Pulmonary Function Tests in two weeks, prior to my next scheduled chemo session to re-evaluate my diffusion capacity and determine if my levels have returned to a safe enough range to re-introduce the Bleomycin to my system.
On a positive note, the past couple of days since treatment, sans Bleomycin, have been tolerated better, slightly less nausea, less irritability and better ability to sleep for more than 15 minute intervals!
Well, that's it for today. Thanks for reading. I'll write again when I have something meaningful to share. Now go out and do something positive today, hug a loved one and count your blessings!
Enjoy the holiday weekend!
Glenn
The first test was a PET / CT Scan. PET /CT stands for Positron Emission Tomography / Computed Tomography . This test is used to scan the body for any cancer "hot spots".
It is an interesting test whereas it is almost like a reverse X-Ray since the radiation comes from my body and not from the scanning device.
In preparation for the exam, I was instructed to eliminate all carbohydrates from my diet the night before the test. So dinner consisted of only high fat, high protein foods. I guess this would be OK if you are an Atkins fan, but the meal left me feeling a bit greasy...
The next morning at the hospital, I was given a drink called ClearScan to consume. This is a thick canola oil based drink with a hint of a metallic after taste, YUK! (I think this could be vastly improved if simply entrusted to the creativity of Ben & Jerry's)...But as designed, the ClearScan races through the body and is absorbed by areas of inflammation (potential cancer/growths/ infections etc). Oh and by the way, since it is oil based, it also "races through the body", but that would be more appropriate content for another type of Blog (perhaps entitled "The Straight Flush" -- no reference to Poker there) -- but we're above that type of humor here...
About an hour after the drink, The next phase began. A medical technician took me into a small room and injected me with gamma radiation. This was now my third PET Scan and third injection of gamma radiation in the last few months, (so in the back of my mind I keep wondering how much more gamma radiation until I spontaneously bulge out of my clothes, turn green and display super-hero tendencies).
After another hour waiting for the the gamma radiation to sufficiently circulate throughout my system, I was then led to the scanning room. The PET Scan looks similar to a CT Scan device. You lay flat on your back and are strapped onto a narrow bed that then retracts under a large donut shaped scanning device. The actual scan is painless and only lasted 25 minutes.
I had a previous PET Scan just a few weeks ago, and it showed new inflammation on three lymph nodes in my neck, however at that time, I also had strep throat, so the doctors felt this finding was related to the infection and not likely new cancer sites. That was the main reasoning to repeat this testing so soon.
The GOOD NEWS is that this PET Scan came back as clear. The lymph nodes in my neck now appear normal and the original incision site in my chest appears to be disease-free. VERY ENCOURAGING NEWS INDEED!
So, onto the next test, a Head CT. This was ordered as a follow-up to an MRI I recently had on my brain. I've been experiencing some headaches over the past several weeks, a couple with the intensity of migraines. The doctor felt the headaches are likely chemo-induced, but didn't want to guess, so he ordered the tests.
The original MRI showed "something" on my skull, but most likely, nothing of significance. HMMM, that sounded much too familiar to provide me with any peace of mind (no pun intended -- that would be "piece" of mind). If you remember, that's kind of how this whole mess started, when radiology read my chest x-rays back in November and said it looked like "just a shadow". That "shadow" turned out to be a lymphoma-filled thymus gland propelling this reluctant traveller into my current journey through the surreal.
So anyway, my Oncologist, ordered a head CT, with a contrast dye, to get a closer, more defined view of this "something" on my skull. As it turns out, it's OK. It was diagnosed as a "hemangioma", a benign cluster of blood vessels, that likely have been there since birth and as I've been told, show no sign of any risk. So more good news.
The third and final series of tests last week were three pulmonary function tests. These are routinely and periodically administered to measure the impact that the chemotherapy is having on my lungs. One of the chemo drugs I'm taking, Bleomycin, has been noted to cause pulmonary toxicity and lung scarring, so it is important to repeat these tests often. This was my third time taking the Pulmonary Function Test (PFT).
The three tests comprising the PFT measure spirometry, lung volume and diffusion capacity.
Spirometry measures airflow, by measuring how much air you exhale, and how quickly.
Lung volume measures the amount of air in the lungs without forcibly blowing out.
Testing the diffusion capacity allows the doctor to estimate how well my lungs move oxygen from the air into the bloodstream. This is an area that the Belomycin can adversely affect.
So the results of the PFTs this time were OK for the first two tests, but not as good for the third. It is not definite (nothing seems to be in medicine) but it appears that the Bleomycin may be having an impact on how well my lungs transfer oxygen into my bloodstream.
As a precaution, the doctor eliminated the Bleomycin from my chemo cocktail during Thursday's treatment. I will have yet another series of Pulmonary Function Tests in two weeks, prior to my next scheduled chemo session to re-evaluate my diffusion capacity and determine if my levels have returned to a safe enough range to re-introduce the Bleomycin to my system.
On a positive note, the past couple of days since treatment, sans Bleomycin, have been tolerated better, slightly less nausea, less irritability and better ability to sleep for more than 15 minute intervals!
Well, that's it for today. Thanks for reading. I'll write again when I have something meaningful to share. Now go out and do something positive today, hug a loved one and count your blessings!
Enjoy the holiday weekend!
Glenn
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