Good evening friends,
Today's results with Bobby were positive in retrospect.
His CT Scan results proved to be 98% stable.
Although, there are now two new tumors in his left lung. The other 100 lesions in his lungs have taken a hefty whack from the chemo, but are without a doubt still there, in limbo mode. During this limbo mode we hope, Johnny will be able to take a break. With luck we can enjoy upcoming holidays without having a need for chemo.
As per usual, nothing in our life has gone smooth, a new, extra little twist to the plot. We can now add to the list "Blood Clot", in his left jugular. Extremely lucky to have been found, due to the Doctors sharp eye. Not critical right now, but if it had not been found, truly dangerous as blood clots can stop blood from re-circulating back to the heart. Johnny will now be injected twice daily with Lovenox for the next unforeseen six months. A needle to his tummy. My nursing skills will be still in demand.
P.I.C.C Line was removed today. Did you know the P.I.C.C Line went into his right arm up to his shoulder, across his chest to his heart? Its a tube that runs inside him, about 24 inches long. When the nurse whipped it out, it looked like a blood sucking worm all of 2 feet long.
Chemo will be re-started in January 2015 but not at such a fierce level. Gemcitabine will be the new formula every week for two hours with no portable Chemo Designer bag to take home.
The stent has to be re-evaluated, probably the reason why his eyes and skin are a tad jaundice. Basically, the stent needs gunk to be removed. Bit like plumbing really. Blood work will be done weekly to monitor liver levels.
Happy to say the large bowl of pills, are now down to 6 a day! This is huge coming from 8 pills in the morning and another 8 at night! Johnny is strong, communicative, eating like a horse. Night sweats will be a continued pattern due to the cancer, the ritual of nightly bed linen changes along with five soaked shirts a night will continue. I think I will ask Santa for a new bright red washing and tumble machine!! Maybe PGE will give me a discount this month!
All together this has been a good news day, the cancer is not getting any worse, cancer does come with its side effects, we don't have the hell of chemo but we have the impact of cancer. Johnny is exhausted, weak limited energy, those nightly sweats, along with constant itchy skin.
From being told he had three months to live it's been over four months, we have surpassed what the doctor(s) predicted, plus it looks good for the next three months. With a little luck we can keep extending his life.
We have to keep Johnny fat, healthy, infection free but most of all, quality of life and happy.
Our Infections specialist told us "Generally, people do not die from Pancreatic Cancer, they die from weakened immune systems, colds, germs, infections, pneumonia, blood clots, malnutrition etc".
Let's start planning Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year.
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