Cheryl had her first session of round six of chemotherapy on Friday. The session went well and she had an informative appointment with the PA. She also had a chance to show off pictures of our newest granddaughter, Abigail Rose Nebel.
Yesterday and today she has been extremely tired and feeling generally miserable. This coming Friday will be her final session of chemo so we are praying that it will have the desired effect and push the cancer into a lengthy remission.
Cheryl says that all of this is worth it since we are planning to go visit Abigail(and the rest of the Nebel family) in a few weeks.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Friday, September 9, 2011
Moving in the Right Direction
Cheryl had her second treatment of round five today. While there, she received a copy of her blood work from last Friday. Her CA125 dropped from 61.3 to 50.4 which is still above the desired level of 35 or less. Her other blood work and metabolic panel levels are at or close to normal values so she is able to continue treatment.
Her next CA125 will be taken when she starts round six in two weeks. Please be praying that the count continues to drop.
Her next CA125 will be taken when she starts round six in two weeks. Please be praying that the count continues to drop.
Friday, September 2, 2011
Round Five Underway
Cheryl had her first dose of her fifth round of chemo today. The PA discussed the results from last week's CT scan and said that everything looks good. The levels on her routine bloodwork are still holding up. Today's CA-125 results should be posted the first of next week but may have a day or two delay because of the Labor Day holiday.
Other than being a bit tired, Cheryl is feeling well. A couple of ladies from church dropped by for a visit this week and that did her a lot of good. We're still eagerly awaiting the news of our new granddaughter's arrival in the next couple of weeks but are a bit sad that we won't be able to travel to see her until after Cheryl finishes round six, the end of this month.
Pray that the chemo will continue to push the cancer all the way into remission.
Other than being a bit tired, Cheryl is feeling well. A couple of ladies from church dropped by for a visit this week and that did her a lot of good. We're still eagerly awaiting the news of our new granddaughter's arrival in the next couple of weeks but are a bit sad that we won't be able to travel to see her until after Cheryl finishes round six, the end of this month.
Pray that the chemo will continue to push the cancer all the way into remission.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
CA-125 Update
Cheryl had a call from her oncologist with her CA-125 results from last Friday. Her count has risen from 44 on her last test up to 61 on this test. Dr. Negrea said to not panic and that this is not unusual when taking a break during chemotherapy. She has her second session of round four tomorrow. Her next CA-125 check will be in two weeks when she starts round five.
On another note, Cheryl will be having a routine CT scan with contrast next Tuesday. This is not due to the CA-125 increase but had been planned since she started this series of chemo.
Cheryl continues to feel well, although she does tire easily. Please continue to pray with us that this rise in her CA-125 is only a temporary hiccup and that it will continue its downward path in the coming weeks. She has two great reasons to keep going- Michelle's baby girl due in four weeks and Sharon's baby ??? due in March.
On another note, Cheryl will be having a routine CT scan with contrast next Tuesday. This is not due to the CA-125 increase but had been planned since she started this series of chemo.
Cheryl continues to feel well, although she does tire easily. Please continue to pray with us that this rise in her CA-125 is only a temporary hiccup and that it will continue its downward path in the coming weeks. She has two great reasons to keep going- Michelle's baby girl due in four weeks and Sharon's baby ??? due in March.
Friday, August 12, 2011
4th Round of Chemo
Cheryl was able to start her fourth round of chemo today. All of her regular blood work looked to be in normal range. Even her white cell count has come back up during this short break. They also tested for the CA-125 cancer marker but the results of that test will not be available until the beginning of next week.
Other than being a bit tired this evening, she seems to be doing fine. We are praying that the CA-125 will still be at or below the 44 she had on the previous test and that this round of chemo will continue the push toward remission.
Other than being a bit tired this evening, she seems to be doing fine. We are praying that the CA-125 will still be at or below the 44 she had on the previous test and that this round of chemo will continue the push toward remission.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Cleared for Chemo
Cheryl had a follow-up appointment with her pulmonologist, Dr. Wumi, this afternoon. He and all of his staff commented on how well she appears to be doing. All of her vitals were good and he was especially pleased to note that her blood oxygen saturation is at 100%. So far, the cultures they took during last week's bronchoscope have shown no signs of infection but this may be due to her preceding course of antibiotics. Because of this, it may take up to six weeks for anything to show up so he will notify us and all of Cheryl's other doctors if anything appears.
At this point, her breathing is clear and her cough has noticeably diminished. He did caution Cheryl about getting close to anyone with any illness since her body is in such a susceptible state to opportunistic infections.
Dr. Wumi plans to contact Cheryl's oncologist, Dr. Negrea, tomorrow with a report of his findings and recommend that she be put back on her chemotherapy schedule.
Pray that they will be able to get her worked back in quickly and that the chemo will continue to be effective as it has been on previous rounds. Also, the national news has been reporting that there is a worldwide shortage of Doxil which is one of the chemotherapy drugs that Cheryl is receiving so also be in prayer that local supplies will be adequate.
At this point, her breathing is clear and her cough has noticeably diminished. He did caution Cheryl about getting close to anyone with any illness since her body is in such a susceptible state to opportunistic infections.
Dr. Wumi plans to contact Cheryl's oncologist, Dr. Negrea, tomorrow with a report of his findings and recommend that she be put back on her chemotherapy schedule.
Pray that they will be able to get her worked back in quickly and that the chemo will continue to be effective as it has been on previous rounds. Also, the national news has been reporting that there is a worldwide shortage of Doxil which is one of the chemotherapy drugs that Cheryl is receiving so also be in prayer that local supplies will be adequate.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Bronchoscopy Wednesday
On Monday afternoon, after reviewing Cheryl's x-rays and CT scan and listening to her breathing, Dr. Wumi determined that she has fluid infiltration of the alveoli. He heard some crackling in her inhalation and noted that her lungs are not filling completely with air. In English, that's fluid buildup around the air sacs in the lung. This can be caused by a reaction to the chemotherapy or by an opportunistic infection. If this is a reaction to the chemo, she can be given steroids to reduce the inflammation but if it is an infection, steroids are contraindicated and she would need to be given targeted antibiotics.
Dr. Wumi had planned to do a bronchoscopy with several biopsies but after consultation with Dr. Horesh, Cheryl's vascular doctor, they have decided to pass on performing the biopsies since this would require Cheryl to be off her Lovenox (blood thinner) for half a day and would require placement of another venous filter before proceeding.
Instead, Dr. Wumi will do the bronchoscopy coupled with a wash of her lung to get samples for culture to determine the cause of the inflammation.
The procedure will involve twilight sedation and should take about half an hour. If all goes well, we should have Cheryl home by mid-afternoon. She will be a bit loopy for several hours but should have no ill-effects from the scope.
Dr. Wumi had planned to do a bronchoscopy with several biopsies but after consultation with Dr. Horesh, Cheryl's vascular doctor, they have decided to pass on performing the biopsies since this would require Cheryl to be off her Lovenox (blood thinner) for half a day and would require placement of another venous filter before proceeding.
Instead, Dr. Wumi will do the bronchoscopy coupled with a wash of her lung to get samples for culture to determine the cause of the inflammation.
The procedure will involve twilight sedation and should take about half an hour. If all goes well, we should have Cheryl home by mid-afternoon. She will be a bit loopy for several hours but should have no ill-effects from the scope.
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