Today's Appointment

So the numbers are officially telling us it isn't the chemo that's wearing Mike down. It's the cancer. The latest chemo is no longer working. Doc won't give up and neither will Mike. They are petitioning the insurance for general chemo drugs which may or may not work. If the insurance goes for it, and if they have any effect at all, we may have more than 6 months. If either of those don't happen then it's time for hospice. 

We will find out if the insurance gives the green light to try this next week.

Down to the wire

Well folks, I'm tired. We're out of time. Doc is looking at throwing newly approved off label stuff at Mike but I don't even know if the insurance will be convinced it's a good idea. I'm sure not. Side effects are bad enough but it isn't even in pharmacies for it's real purpose yet. Christmas never was good to me anyway.

Today we go in for blood matching. Transfusion tomorrow.

Also, we are in the process of selling the Chesney house. I just can't keep taking a loss on it every month. We already have an offer. Hopefully the banks will not hold this up.

July 2012

This month has been more than a little difficult. After several rounds of the chemo cocktail, Mike was just feeling worse and worse. His PSA was down and his cancer number (parts per thousand or something) went to zero but so did Mike. After a knock down drag out with his doctor, it was decided that he needed a break. So right now, we are on hiatus. Mike's legs began to swell much more than usual and it turned out to be clots this time. The doctor put him on blood thinners and almost right away there was a huge difference.

Mike is walking as well as I've seen in six months. He is feeling much better and is eating everything in sight. Good news since it's my cooking he has to stomach. It's a trade off between time and quality. I want him to be happy and feel well. Right now, that's what matters.

On another subject: I've nicknamed Mr. Reagan, "Satan." I swear he lives to torture me. So not only am I living with St. Michael, now we've added Satan. It explains a lot about my sleepless nights.

Many thanks to Dolores for coming to stay with the boys during my June trip back east. Our parents have been very supportive and I just want them to know we appreciate everything they do.

Much Better

After a very bleak outlook and a horrible first round of chemo cocktail, Mike is finally feeling better. He really had me worried right after the treatment. He stopped eating and drinking and was sleeping pretty much all the time. He began to do better after I took him in for a couple of rounds of hydration via I.V. at his doctor's office.

Hopefully the second round will not be as harrowing. He has that coming up on April 19.

Today

Today Mike starts his last round of chemo. This will be three different drugs at once over a five hour period. We have him set up with his music, my Nook, snacks, water, and his phone.

Going into this his PSA has hit triple digits. Last week's test showed 113. His blood pressure is pretty low right now and his pulse is on the high side. He was in really good spirits when I took him to the doctor's office. He made sure I knew that whatever I wanted to do was fine with him.

"If you want to shack up with someone, you just go ahead. As long as it makes you happy." I haven't laughed that hard in a long time.

I told him he can't leave me now or I would tell everyone that he left me with a baby just because he wanted one. Then it was his turn to laugh. (Mr. Reagan is quite the handful and is proving to be a challenge to potty train.)

So we are still laughing with each other which is the best thing I have right now. Moments alone are the hardest.

NEW: Mike is home now and is feeling pretty good. He was given three chemos, an anti-nausea medication, a bone strengthener, and something to boost his white blood cells. The nausea may hit when that med wears off but that will not be for a couple of days.

All In

So, that's where we are. Short stacked and going all in. As it stands now, 2-3 months. We have one last salvo to fire. Three chemos at once for five hours. We'll try this on Tuesday. If he can tolerate it, and if it works, we have a little more time.

What we know

Last week Mike had some scans done to see where we are at as far as eligibility for drug trials and just because it was time to figure out where things stand.

His doctor's office called us Friday and told me to get him to the hospital. They were concerned about something that looked like a clot. The good news: it wasn't a clot. The bad news: he has pneumonia. Turns out his cold is not just a cold.

Also, the scans revealed massive spreading and multiple lesions with more lymph involvement. This pretty much makes him ineligible for any drug trials.

We are currently waiting for a call from his doctor to discuss what time is left to us. Philip and I have moved the bed downstairs to the living room so that Mike no longer has to go up the stairs to get to bed.

And, I am no longer out of rum.

New Baby

I was not going to get another dog. This was not my idea. I just want to make that clear because when you see what we've adopted, if you know me at all, you will think this was all my idea or some clever plan to make it look like it wasn't. But really, it wasn't.

Meet Mr. Reagan...

Rest in Peace, Dad

Mike's dad, Richard, passed away yesterday afternoon. Dad had just turned 80 last July 4th.

Viewing is on Tuesday and the funeral is on Wednesday. Other than that I have no information. Anyone wanting to attend should get in touch with Kelly. Cindy and Don are already down there and we should be arriving on Tuesday.

Miss you already, Dad.

So much for that

Updates:

Mike's dad is back in the hospital. He had been in the rehab center but is not doing well.

Still have not found a new dog after we had to put Truffle down. Getting closer though.

Mike's PSA as of Friday, March 2, is 70.

And...

I'm out of rum dammit.

February Test Results

The latest test results show Mike's PSA at 48.2. Last month's number was 39.23. At this point, NOT doubling is a good thing. Rising, yes. But not at an astronomical rate. Grateful for small favors.

January 2012

OK, so this time it wasn't a whole eight weeks. Long enough though right? But life has become a little more complicated. Mike's dad has been in the hospital since early January. He had a minor heart attack but tests revealed a few other issues. Dad has liver cancer. We visited him this weekend and really enjoyed visiting with him. We hope he will be able to come home soon.

Mike's latest meds worked for a while to keep the PSA down but it has started to rise again. So we are down to the bone strengtheners to slow it down in the bones. He has been working for 3 months now and it looks like a really good fit for him. So very happy and grateful for that.

Much love to everyone. I'll try to post even sooner next time.