Hello one and all,

    Karen had her second chemotherapy treatment of Taxol yesterday (04/25).  Her blood results were well within the acceptable ranges so the treatment went ahead as scheduled.  Karen is delighted that the only medication she receives is the pre-meds prior to the chemo and the monthly Xgeva shot.  Karen is not experiencing any side effects from the chemo but she still has the neuropathy in her fingertips and the balls of her feet.  Karen is happy with the fact that the chemo session is only an hour and a half long. 
    As of today, the oncology department where Karen receives her treatments and shots will become part of the Sutter Hospital Medical Group.  As such, the nurses and other staff members will be undergoing some orientation and training.  Although the staff members are reassuring the patients that there will be minimal disruption during this transition period, Karen was told that her second set of chemo and shot appointments will be scheduled but they, the nurses, could not do it yet.  Additionally, Karen will have to go in the day before her chemo treatment to have the blood drawn because the blood tests must be conducted by the hospital.  In the past, the blood samples/results were completed in the oncology department and the patient had the information within 5 minutes.  If Karen has her blood drawn on the day of the chemo, the nurse explained to Karen that there was a possibility of waiting 2 hours before her blood results could be completed and before the chemo could be administered.  Oh well, hopefully the hospital will get their act together, but it sure seems that some bureaucracy has mandated this takeover.  Even though Karen was under the influence of Benadryl and has only a half a brain cell to comprehend ("Scooby-Doo" look) what the nurse was telling her, it appeared to Karen that the oncology department went from highly efficient to a bureaucratic nightmare.  Only time will tell the story on this transition. 
   Anyhow, Karen, her mom and all of the family want to thank you for keeping them in your prayers and thoughts and for reading this blog.

Tip of the blog: Remember, when you have angelic friends, you are never alone.   

Good evening to all the readers of this blog,

    Well, Karen underwent her first chemotherapy treatment (Taxol) today.  She was given four pre-medications (Aloxi, Decadron, Benadryl and Pepcid) to assist her with any allergic reaction or nausea issues associated with the Taxol.  Although Karen drove her Mom and older sister, Anne, to the infusion center, Anne drove them home as Karen was very tired with the Benadryl.  Karen is not experiencing any negative reactions to the Taxol, which is a good thing.  As always, Karen has blood drawn before the above can occur.  Her blood results were well within the standard ranges.  The nurse, Lucia, who attended to Karen today, is expecting a little girl in June.  She and her husband are so excited but are still deciding on the little girl's name which will begin with the letter "M".  The entire process took just under 2 hours.  
   As you know, Karen always a little a bit humor when she goes for her treatment.  Even though this is her second journey, she was able to make her mom, sister and other people laugh.  When Karen, her mom and her sister entered the elevator to go up one floor, there was an elderly couple who got on also.  Ironically, they too were headed to the infusion center.  As Karen pushed the floor number 2, Karen looked at the elderly man and said, "Oh we're going to the second floor.  Ladies lingerie."  He smiled and said, "Do they also have jewelry?"  Karen smiled and laughed back saying, "Absolutely.  Jewelry goes great with lingerie."   All of them in the elevator had a good laugh. 
After Karen had the pre-medications administered and it was now time for the Taxol.  Lucia, the nurse, asked Karen one of those mentally challenging question.  "Is your date of birth mm/dd/year?"
Because Karen was under the influence of drugs and also only operates with a half of brain cell, she sat there in her chair looking up at the nurse with a blank stare.  After a few seconds, which seemed like eternity, Karen turned to her Mom and asked her, "When was I born?"  Luckily, Karen's mom vouched for Karen's birth.   What a relief that was for all and good laugh.  Ha ha ha.........
Take care everyone and we will let you know how Karen's second treatment (4/25/13) goes.

Tip of the blog:  Keep a happy thought throughout your busy day and smile constantly. 

Hello one and all,

We know that it was January 28, 2013, since we lasted updated this blog.  First of all, a belated Happy Easter to one and all.   Now to the news.  Karen is still receiving her monthly Xgeva shot and has her blood tests conducted.  Her blood results (i.e. red blood count, white blood counts, etc.) are well within the established limits.  However, Karen's cancer markers have increased from 135 in Nov. 2012 to 189 in  Mar. 2013.  As a result of the increase in these readings, Karen had a PET scan on March 25, 2013.  Karen saw her oncologist on April 8, 2013, and found out that her cancer has returned.  Luckily for Karen it is not affecting her lungs nor any vital organs.  Additionally, it is not as widespread as it was last year.  The oncologist, who was more disappointed than Karen, advised Karen that she will undergo chemo treatments again but it will not be as aggressive as it was last year.  The chemo will be Taxol and will be administered every week for three weeks and one week off.  Karen will undergo this treatment for a six month period.  Anyhow, Karen is very upbeat and is looking forward to this new journey.  Karen did ask her oncologist if there was a likelihood of her losing her hair again.  Sure enough the oncologist gave her an affirmative nod.  Of course Karen told her oncologist that losing her hair was not a problem.  Maybe this time the good Lord will give Karen brown and wavy hair instead of white and straight.  Karen will tell you that bald-headed people are beautiful and the look is definitely "fashionable."  The doctor's office is acquiring approval from Karen's health insurance provider.  Once that is approved, they will provide Karen with her chemotherapy schedule.  The oncologist would like the treatment to start sometime next week or the week after.  We will update the blog once the chemo treatments began.  Please take care and thanks to all the family members and friends who are keeping Karen and her Mom in their thoughts and prayers. 

Tip of the Blog: Angels fly above us for one reason so they can always watch over us.