Saturday, October 24, 2009
Hi everyone this is Sandy. Sorry for the lag in the blog. All the Grozell female cousins went up to Stony Plain last weekend to have our weekend away and was able to include Cathy. When we got there on Friday night Cathy was having a really good day and came over to the hotel and spent the evening with us. When we talked to her about why she thought she had such a big turn around she had indicated she had stopped taking all her herbs. Her chemo on Tuesday was so early in the morning that she did not have time to do the whole regiment so she did not take them and she realized how good she felt on Tuesday night so she decided not to take them for awhile. But on Saturday she took them again and didnt have such a good day. So now her and her family have decided that maybe she was taking too many as they were upsetting her stomach, then she would take her nausea medication and then her liver was having trouble breaking them down and then she would be taking her pain medication, then she would be knocked out and sleep all day. They have decided to not take the herbs for awhile and then start back slowly starting with the herbs the pathologist has recommended. Uncle Glen and Aunt Barb were with her on Wednesday and Cathy had a really good visit with them. Thanks for your help Auntie Barb and Uncle Glen. Wanda went up on Thursday and I went up on Friday to try and give some relief to John and Jen who are doing the tag team thing right now. Jen works nights so she gets up with her mom in the morning and then she goes to work in the afternoon and John comes home at supper. Cathy seemed to have a really good week this week, she is still weak but it certainly doing more. She has had her second round of chemo this week and now has a week break and then 2 more rounds of chemo the following 2 Tuesdays. Wanda and I are going to try going up 1 day a week each to do some of the chores for John and Jen so they don't burn out. So until next week I want to thank all the family again for all your love and support. It means the world to all of us. Hugs & Kisses Sandy
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Hello, everyone, it's Cathy. Sorry I blipped off of the radar for the last couple of days. It wasn't due to anything bad. So far, I'm doing fine. Because of my appointment being so early for chemo, John and I packed everything up and moved into Jenn's on Monday night. He left for work from there, and Jenn and I got ready and left for the Cross. It was much easier and quicker, taking only 15 minutes instead of the hour it would have taken us from home. My PICC line was plugged, so after fiddling with that, the treatment wasn't started until almost 9:30, which pushed us back to almost 1:00 by the time we left there. It didn't leave us enough time for Jenn to get me home with all of my stuff before she had to leave for work. So we made the decision that she would leave me at her place, and John could come get me there after work.
It worked very well. Jenn's roomates from upstairs checked on me, and fed me. I had no nausea, no pain, and I rested well. Rebecca came after classes, and she and John went out for supper when he arrived, the gathered up all my stuff and took me home. We stopped at Safeway and picked up a beautiful fruit bowl and flowers that Dorri sent. Thank you, Dorri.
The next day Jenn dragged me off to see her chiropractor, trying to find some relief from my back pain, with all of my limitations, like I can't lay on my back. He wants me to have xrays, which we haven't had time to get yet, but will. He thinks he can help me. Again, we ran out of time, and I spent my day at Jenn's, waiting for John. I had my first bout of nausea, but I took my drugs, and rode it out. It lasted about 1.5 hours, then was gone. I am eating better, become more adventurous. If something bothers me, I chase it with Milk of Magnesia, and can so far get it under control.
I am now on oxygen most of the time. I just don't have any energy it it's not on. With it on, I seem to be able to putz around the kitchen, clear off the kitchen table, maybe even do some dishes. I'm too nervous to try a shower by myself. That seems to take way too much of my energy, and I'm afraid I'll be stuck in there by myself until somebody comes home. Wouldn't that be fun to find when you got home?
Karen, I want to thank you so much for the beautiful quilt you sent me. I really love it. The girls are busy washing the crap out of it, trying to get rid of the perfumey smell that the lady put in it. It's getting better, so hope I can use it soon. It would be awesome to take with me to chemo days.
I want you all to know that even if I don't answer my phone or return my emails, it doesn't mean I don't hear and appreciate every message I recieve. I love you all, and appreciate eveything you do for me.
Cathy
It worked very well. Jenn's roomates from upstairs checked on me, and fed me. I had no nausea, no pain, and I rested well. Rebecca came after classes, and she and John went out for supper when he arrived, the gathered up all my stuff and took me home. We stopped at Safeway and picked up a beautiful fruit bowl and flowers that Dorri sent. Thank you, Dorri.
The next day Jenn dragged me off to see her chiropractor, trying to find some relief from my back pain, with all of my limitations, like I can't lay on my back. He wants me to have xrays, which we haven't had time to get yet, but will. He thinks he can help me. Again, we ran out of time, and I spent my day at Jenn's, waiting for John. I had my first bout of nausea, but I took my drugs, and rode it out. It lasted about 1.5 hours, then was gone. I am eating better, become more adventurous. If something bothers me, I chase it with Milk of Magnesia, and can so far get it under control.
I am now on oxygen most of the time. I just don't have any energy it it's not on. With it on, I seem to be able to putz around the kitchen, clear off the kitchen table, maybe even do some dishes. I'm too nervous to try a shower by myself. That seems to take way too much of my energy, and I'm afraid I'll be stuck in there by myself until somebody comes home. Wouldn't that be fun to find when you got home?
Karen, I want to thank you so much for the beautiful quilt you sent me. I really love it. The girls are busy washing the crap out of it, trying to get rid of the perfumey smell that the lady put in it. It's getting better, so hope I can use it soon. It would be awesome to take with me to chemo days.
I want you all to know that even if I don't answer my phone or return my emails, it doesn't mean I don't hear and appreciate every message I recieve. I love you all, and appreciate eveything you do for me.
Cathy
Monday, October 12, 2009
Happy Thanksgivings everyone. We were all able to go up to Edmonton on Sunday and have Thanksgiving dinner with Cathy, John, Jen, Bec, Johns nephew Chris and his wife Linda and Our cousin Bob's son, Jeff and his partner Steve. We rented a private room at a restaurant and had a wonderful supper. We wish we had better news to report but we found Cathy to be failing fast. Cathy is definately struggling with her fight. She is tiring out very easily and is again having trouble with her breathing. Cathy is back on oxygen. Her chemo will start tomorrow and we pray she has the strength to endure it. Cathy is very emotional and we find it shows the most when thoughts of the family (including aunts, uncles, cousins etc) come to light or the overwhelming support she is receiving.
The female cousins from the Grozell side have started a weekend get together a year ago (sorry all the male cousins) and that will be next weekend. Aunt Myrel will be coming with Karen and will spend the week end with mom, which will be really good for mom too. Cathy is really looking forward to seeing everyone as we are excited to spend the week end with Cathy as well. It looks like we will be moving the weekend to Stony Plain as Cathy is just not strong enough to make the trip to Pine Lake. This way she can sleep at home if she is more comfortable or spend the week end in the hotel if able.
We all want to thank you all for the support you have sent our way it just increases our strength, knowing we have such a loving and supportive family behind us.
Love you all Wanda & Sandy
The female cousins from the Grozell side have started a weekend get together a year ago (sorry all the male cousins) and that will be next weekend. Aunt Myrel will be coming with Karen and will spend the week end with mom, which will be really good for mom too. Cathy is really looking forward to seeing everyone as we are excited to spend the week end with Cathy as well. It looks like we will be moving the weekend to Stony Plain as Cathy is just not strong enough to make the trip to Pine Lake. This way she can sleep at home if she is more comfortable or spend the week end in the hotel if able.
We all want to thank you all for the support you have sent our way it just increases our strength, knowing we have such a loving and supportive family behind us.
Love you all Wanda & Sandy
Friday, October 9, 2009
Wanda Buckley says;
Cathy you are in my thoughts 24 hours a day. Whenever you feel afraid close your eyes and you will feel arms around you, that will be me giving you a great big hug and absorbing some of your pain, hopefully helping you to stay strong.
I will continue to pray because I love you and want you to be well more than anything. I am looking so forward to spending time with you on Sunday as well as next weekend. Sisters forever. Wanda
Cathy you are in my thoughts 24 hours a day. Whenever you feel afraid close your eyes and you will feel arms around you, that will be me giving you a great big hug and absorbing some of your pain, hopefully helping you to stay strong.
I will continue to pray because I love you and want you to be well more than anything. I am looking so forward to spending time with you on Sunday as well as next weekend. Sisters forever. Wanda
Chemo
Our girl went to the oncologist yesterday, and the news is not good.
Her tumors have grown in size and increased in number. There is also lymph node involvement and a spot in her abdomen. This means she is starting on the cholangiocarcinoma specific chemotherapy Tuesday morning at 7:30am.
The oncologist said there is a 100% certainty she will lose her hair. Constipation is almost certain with the drug she will be on. Nausea and vomiting are probable.
It will be Day 1 on Tuesday, then she will have another chemo treatment on day 8. Then she will have two weeks off before starting over. I don't know how many rounds of this she will have.
Cathy came into our department at the Alex today and we put in a special IV line for the chemo. This type of line, called a PICC, stops the chemo from destroying her veins.
So, now she has a new 'friend' on the inside of her left arm. It will restrict the amount of weight she can lift with her left arm but otherwise lets her continue on with her regular life.
Cathy is quite short of breath and is planning to start on home oxygen on Tuesday. She doesn't need it all the time but feels much better if she has a bit on when she needs it.
Her tumors have grown in size and increased in number. There is also lymph node involvement and a spot in her abdomen. This means she is starting on the cholangiocarcinoma specific chemotherapy Tuesday morning at 7:30am.
The oncologist said there is a 100% certainty she will lose her hair. Constipation is almost certain with the drug she will be on. Nausea and vomiting are probable.
It will be Day 1 on Tuesday, then she will have another chemo treatment on day 8. Then she will have two weeks off before starting over. I don't know how many rounds of this she will have.
Cathy came into our department at the Alex today and we put in a special IV line for the chemo. This type of line, called a PICC, stops the chemo from destroying her veins.
So, now she has a new 'friend' on the inside of her left arm. It will restrict the amount of weight she can lift with her left arm but otherwise lets her continue on with her regular life.
Cathy is quite short of breath and is planning to start on home oxygen on Tuesday. She doesn't need it all the time but feels much better if she has a bit on when she needs it.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Update Oct 7/09
Hi All, this is CB (Cathy Brown) again. Spent some time talking with Cathy this afternoon and thought I'd catch you all up on what's been going on.
Cathy had her follow up CT scan at the Cross last week on Tuesday. Although Cathy knew it would be hard to drink all of the fluid they required for the test, she did so and the test went well. Cathy and I had a bit of a laugh over the number of times over the years we've told people to do the best they can with the amount of CT prep fluid they have to drink - "just keep sipping and get as much in as you can without barfing". Cathy has a new appreciation for how tough this really is.
Cathy and John are going to see Dr Sawyer (Cathy's oncologist) at the Cross tomorrow at 130pm to get the results of the CT and find out what the plan is for chemo. The type of chemo and its timing depends on whether Cathy's tumors have grown since her first CT on Sept 1.
Last Friday Jennifer and Jefferey took Zero to the vet to be put down. He has been unwell for some time and was getting worse. When he became reluctant to eat the family had to make their tough decision.
John's uncle Milton passed away this past weekend. His funeral is this Friday in Camrose.
Physically, Cathy is still trying to manage nausea, pain, constipation and diarrhea - obviously not all at the same time - otherwise the constipation and diarrhea would cancel each other out. At times Cathy is finding it hard to eat - anything that is high in fat content increases her pain and makes her very nauseous. It also tends to give her bad diarrhea. She has learned the hard way to watch the amount of fat in her food.
You've heard of night sweats that often come with menopause? Well, Cathy has developed flexible sweats - they come upon her whenever and soak whatever she happens to be wearing. (I told her to walk around naked with a towel under each armpit - she didn't think this was a great idea.)
Cathy's tired. I think this goes without saying (okay, I'm going to say it anyway) what with the nausea, diarrhea/constipation and pain, its hard to sleep. If anyone calls and there is no answer, fingers crossed that Cathy is having a nap and getting some rest.
That's it for now - I will add a further update when I find out what happens at the oncologist.
Cathy had her follow up CT scan at the Cross last week on Tuesday. Although Cathy knew it would be hard to drink all of the fluid they required for the test, she did so and the test went well. Cathy and I had a bit of a laugh over the number of times over the years we've told people to do the best they can with the amount of CT prep fluid they have to drink - "just keep sipping and get as much in as you can without barfing". Cathy has a new appreciation for how tough this really is.
Cathy and John are going to see Dr Sawyer (Cathy's oncologist) at the Cross tomorrow at 130pm to get the results of the CT and find out what the plan is for chemo. The type of chemo and its timing depends on whether Cathy's tumors have grown since her first CT on Sept 1.
Last Friday Jennifer and Jefferey took Zero to the vet to be put down. He has been unwell for some time and was getting worse. When he became reluctant to eat the family had to make their tough decision.
John's uncle Milton passed away this past weekend. His funeral is this Friday in Camrose.
Physically, Cathy is still trying to manage nausea, pain, constipation and diarrhea - obviously not all at the same time - otherwise the constipation and diarrhea would cancel each other out. At times Cathy is finding it hard to eat - anything that is high in fat content increases her pain and makes her very nauseous. It also tends to give her bad diarrhea. She has learned the hard way to watch the amount of fat in her food.
You've heard of night sweats that often come with menopause? Well, Cathy has developed flexible sweats - they come upon her whenever and soak whatever she happens to be wearing. (I told her to walk around naked with a towel under each armpit - she didn't think this was a great idea.)
Cathy's tired. I think this goes without saying (okay, I'm going to say it anyway) what with the nausea, diarrhea/constipation and pain, its hard to sleep. If anyone calls and there is no answer, fingers crossed that Cathy is having a nap and getting some rest.
That's it for now - I will add a further update when I find out what happens at the oncologist.
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