Post-systemic chemo treatment

I am very tired & sleeping a lot.  I recovered from the liver chemo the day before I got the next systemic chemo treatment.  This week has been difficult.  Still getting pain from the liver chemo & then the low white & red blood cell counts from the systemic chemo.  Doctor said that in a few weeks I may get secondary post-embolization side effects - pain and flu-like symptoms.  Taking one day at a time, but I am looking forward to getting to the end of November.  Chemo treatments and the severe fatigue are wearing me down.   Happy Halloween to everyone!  Thank you for your continued support and help.  It is greatly appreciated.  Take care.

Well, I recovered from the liver embo just in time for my systemic chemo today.  Impeccable timing, huh?  The doctor wanted me to be very comfortable & not experience discomfort so I was heavily medicated in the hospital.  When I got home, I was blindsided by the pain and severe fatigue (which are all normal).  I was in bed 24/7 for several days.  I didn't think that I could sleep so much!  Anyways, the surgery went well.  He worked on the larger half of the liver this time.   It is nice to see another piece of furniture other than a bed as I am able to move around the house now.  (smile)  My weight is stable.   So, the next couple of weeks will be about trying to elevate my WBC count, avoid an infection, & get strong for the next liver embo on 11/9.   Will draw blood for tumor marker on 10/28.   Next systemic chemo is on 11/18.   Thank you to the soccer & school parents as well as our family for getting Christopher to and from all of his numerous activities.   We are immensely grateful for your support & assistance.    Also, thank you to everyone for your continued prayers & warm healing thoughts.  I am fortunate to have such a loving, caring & large support system (which includes the medical team caring for me).   Wishing everyone good health and peace.  Please take care.
Ginny

Recovery After Liver Procedure is Tough

Brough Ginny home last Thur noon and she's pretty much been sleeping ever since.  She has extreme fatigue, some pain around the liver area and nausea.  All of this is expected although I don't think Ginny was expecting the fatigue to be so bad.  Trying to keep her hydrated and eating a little so she does not have a lot of weight loss again.  The doctor said that this is because the chemotherapy is killing off the liver cells and hopefully the tumors cells also.  She should be feeling better starting today or tomorrow.  When she starts writing the blogs again, then you will know she back up on her feet.

We have been receiving some flowers sent to the house.  While we appreciate the flowers and thoughts, please do not send any more flowers.  Since Ginny's white cell count is usually low, we are very careful to avoid any live/cut plants which may carry fungus, bacteria, etc.  Similarly, Ginny does not eat many raw fruits or vegetables any longer (no salads).  She's also completely dairy free.

Thanks for your prayers and thoughts.
Dean

Liver Procedure Went Well

Sorry that I forgot to blog last night as many of you were waiting to hear how Ginny's liver embolization procedure went (see previous blogs).  The doctor said that she did great (the key is to give her Benadryl).  She stayed overnight in the hospital and was very comfortable.  We just got home, she ate lunch and is sleeping now.  The doctor did the right lobe this time and will do the left lobe on Nov 9.  Then we'll see how the liver is responding to this targeted concentrated liver chemotherapy treatment.  On her CT scan this Monday, there were still tumors in her liver which is the reason he went ahead with the procedure.  Hopefully, with her tumor marker number going down a lot (see previous blog) indicating the IV chemotherapy is working and this liver embolization chemotherapy, it dramatically reduces or eliminates the tumors in her liver.

Thanks for your continued prayers, encouragement and offers of help.
Dean

Good news!  Tumor marker dropped from 436 to 196.  Systemic chemo treatment is still working.  Still going to have the targeted liver chemo treatment tomorrow.  Will stay overnight at the hospital - as a precaution.  Next systemic chemo is on 10/21.  Feeling good.  Blood panel tests showed normal functions so progress is positive.   Thank you for your continued support and prayers.  It is very much appreciated!  Take care.
Ginny

Feeling better.  Last week was not too bad after 3rd chemo treatment.  No need for fluids or antibiotics. 
Weight is stable.  Just received WBC booster shots every day & slept a lot.   Will take a CT scan on 10/10 to see if liver chemo embo is still needed.  Last metabolic blood test results showed liver & kidney functions were in normal ranges.   Taking another metabolic blood test this week.   We would like to thank everyone for continuing to help us out.   We greatly appreciate it.  
Ginny and Dean