He just finished his fifth infusion. He had a rough night after his fourth. He said this morning prior to starting the fifth that it seems like the side effects in the night are the worse. I don't know--it could just be that they are now building on each other.
He did have one time of tremors in the night, but they were less than they had been in the afternoon. This is really rough stuff--which we knew before he started. His attitude is great. And all the staff keep assuring us how great he is doing--despite how badly he is feeling. It is so good that he came into this with such a strong body--despite the broken arm and the melanoma.
Protocol changes with the next infusion. He has to have lab work done prior to starting infusions from that time (2pm Feb. 13) on--and results have to be back prior to them starting each infusion after this one (6am Feb 13). They had to give him sodium bicarbonate prior to his infusion this morning as labs showed that low. They are keeping close watch over everything.
He is staying very calm throughout this whole process--even when he is sickest--and even when he is wishing that it wasn't time for the next dose.
I will continue the countdown in the next post--or perhaps spin a tale about the food service!
Friday, February 13, 2009
Thursday, February 12, 2009
11 to go
His 2pm IL-2 treatment has hit him the hardest so far--which is the way it is supposed to go. The afternoon Care Partner said that it is good for him to not feel good--as "they" say that's when the drug is working.
He had a really bad time with body tremors not long after the infusion was finished--a lot like an earthquake--seriously! The whole bed was shaking. This lasted for close to three quarters of an hour. He did take a medication to make them subside, but it took quite a while for it to stop his shaking. Then this evening he has felt nauseated--so supper didn't appeal. He has just wanted sips of water for several hours now. He did eat a pretty good breakfast and lunch, though. He has slept off and on during the afternoon. And that was one of the things that he hoped coming into this treatment--that he would sleep through a lot of it--and he has today.
Pray that his fever doesn't go up any higher--it was 99.8 and the Care Partner said: "now don't go any higher." So I don't know if 100 is a magic number for something in this treatment or not.
Our little corner of the hospital is really quite quiet. There is another room next to ours and these two rooms are behind doors--so we don't hear the nurses station and all the other comings and goings. That is sort of nice. The main noise is the vital sign monitor--and that is constantly beeping--or so it seems. That is a hard noise to sleep through! Hope that it behaves tonight and keeps quiet--oh, I guess it is Woody that needs to behave--as it is his vital signs that are making it go off--but it must not be anything that they are concerned about as they don't come running!
I haven't strayed too far from the room as I'm never sure when Woody will need me. I
am keeping occupied with the computer, reading, needlework, dozing, etc. I brought plenty to occupy any free time that I may have. And, those who were concerned about me eating--have no worries--between the food that I brought with us and what Woody doesn't eat--I am not going hungry! For lunch they brought him vegetable soup and chicken and dumplings--well, he does not like dumplings--so he ate the soup and the rest of the things on the tray and gladly gave me the chicken and dumplings!
So we are now counting down to the next treatment at 10pm--that seems to be what one does around here--count the time between vital sign readings, meals, meds, infusions, when a nurse will respond, etc!
He had a really bad time with body tremors not long after the infusion was finished--a lot like an earthquake--seriously! The whole bed was shaking. This lasted for close to three quarters of an hour. He did take a medication to make them subside, but it took quite a while for it to stop his shaking. Then this evening he has felt nauseated--so supper didn't appeal. He has just wanted sips of water for several hours now. He did eat a pretty good breakfast and lunch, though. He has slept off and on during the afternoon. And that was one of the things that he hoped coming into this treatment--that he would sleep through a lot of it--and he has today.
Pray that his fever doesn't go up any higher--it was 99.8 and the Care Partner said: "now don't go any higher." So I don't know if 100 is a magic number for something in this treatment or not.
Our little corner of the hospital is really quite quiet. There is another room next to ours and these two rooms are behind doors--so we don't hear the nurses station and all the other comings and goings. That is sort of nice. The main noise is the vital sign monitor--and that is constantly beeping--or so it seems. That is a hard noise to sleep through! Hope that it behaves tonight and keeps quiet--oh, I guess it is Woody that needs to behave--as it is his vital signs that are making it go off--but it must not be anything that they are concerned about as they don't come running!
I haven't strayed too far from the room as I'm never sure when Woody will need me. I
am keeping occupied with the computer, reading, needlework, dozing, etc. I brought plenty to occupy any free time that I may have. And, those who were concerned about me eating--have no worries--between the food that I brought with us and what Woody doesn't eat--I am not going hungry! For lunch they brought him vegetable soup and chicken and dumplings--well, he does not like dumplings--so he ate the soup and the rest of the things on the tray and gladly gave me the chicken and dumplings!
So we are now counting down to the next treatment at 10pm--that seems to be what one does around here--count the time between vital sign readings, meals, meds, infusions, when a nurse will respond, etc!
Two down and...
Well, he has taken two doses of IL-2 and "just" has 12 to go. He has done quite well so far. He had some nausea shortly after the first dose, which was eased quickly with an anti-nausea med. I believe that he has some flushing--another side effect.
His attending physician and underlings have just been in. They are pleased with his progress so far...but...they do say that the side effects build with each dose. After I just typed that last sentence, he asked me to cover him as he was getting cold--he had been sitting up on the side of the bed since the doctors had left--so we both just thought that it was just from the "cool" air that seems to be blowing through the room. But shortly after that he started shaking rather strongly--another of the IL-2 side effects. We called a nurse, but by the time she got here (she took a bit longer than usual), the "shakes" were under control and Woody was resting again. There are meds to help control the "shakes" too--but he didn't take any this time.
His breakfast has arrived. Earlier he said that he was hungry and ready for breakfast--but, when it got here, he was still trying to get warm and wasn't much interested in moving in order to eat!
And...there you have...the first update after the start of Woody's Interleukin 2 treatments.
As an aside--here at Vandy it seems that I can receive email, but can't send--so I'll be communicating through the blog.
His attending physician and underlings have just been in. They are pleased with his progress so far...but...they do say that the side effects build with each dose. After I just typed that last sentence, he asked me to cover him as he was getting cold--he had been sitting up on the side of the bed since the doctors had left--so we both just thought that it was just from the "cool" air that seems to be blowing through the room. But shortly after that he started shaking rather strongly--another of the IL-2 side effects. We called a nurse, but by the time she got here (she took a bit longer than usual), the "shakes" were under control and Woody was resting again. There are meds to help control the "shakes" too--but he didn't take any this time.
His breakfast has arrived. Earlier he said that he was hungry and ready for breakfast--but, when it got here, he was still trying to get warm and wasn't much interested in moving in order to eat!
And...there you have...the first update after the start of Woody's Interleukin 2 treatments.
As an aside--here at Vandy it seems that I can receive email, but can't send--so I'll be communicating through the blog.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
A room with two views
Woody got taken to a room a little after 3pm. His room is on the 11th floor--the top floor. We are in a corner room so have a northern view and an eastern view. Quite nice--very pretty at night to look out at Nashville's city lights. He is trying to decide whether to liken his room to a penthouse or an attic! The nurse said that we are very close to the helipad--so we may hear helicopter noises at times.
Of course our trip here was a bit harrowing, as we were traveling just as the storm was approaching. Woody helped us make the decision to stop at Melany's in Murfreesboro and wait for the storm line to pass. Which was definitely the right decision. It was still raining pretty hard when we started out again, but it soon quit and then it was just winds to contend with. We were just a bit late for his appointed time for getting the pic line--but once we got here everything got underway very quickly. Melany accompanied her daddy when he was having the line put in. Once we got into the room, she and I went back to the car to get our suitcase, etc. So we have moved in! Melany left for home around 4pm so she could miss Nashville rush hour. All medical personnel have been nice to all of us and are eager to let us ask questions and then answer them. Quite a few have passed through the room asking questions--from students to RN's to doctors. He is assigned to an attending physician and also a Fellow--and then lots of other ducklings following behind. I guess we have something to look forward to when they all file in to see Woody early in the morning. One of the medical student's father is a professor at UTSI.
Woody actually thought that the hospital supper was good and enjoyed his meal. He is now hooked to all kinds of wires checking his vital signs. He also has a new best friend, the IV pole. His nurse suggested that he name his new best friend!
He is all set to start his first IL-2 infusion at 10 pm. They will start taking vital signs around 9:30 and checking him prior to giving him his first dose of IL-2. Then after the first infusion they will be checking him every two hours--hmmmmmm sounds like not much time for sleeping.
Of course our trip here was a bit harrowing, as we were traveling just as the storm was approaching. Woody helped us make the decision to stop at Melany's in Murfreesboro and wait for the storm line to pass. Which was definitely the right decision. It was still raining pretty hard when we started out again, but it soon quit and then it was just winds to contend with. We were just a bit late for his appointed time for getting the pic line--but once we got here everything got underway very quickly. Melany accompanied her daddy when he was having the line put in. Once we got into the room, she and I went back to the car to get our suitcase, etc. So we have moved in! Melany left for home around 4pm so she could miss Nashville rush hour. All medical personnel have been nice to all of us and are eager to let us ask questions and then answer them. Quite a few have passed through the room asking questions--from students to RN's to doctors. He is assigned to an attending physician and also a Fellow--and then lots of other ducklings following behind. I guess we have something to look forward to when they all file in to see Woody early in the morning. One of the medical student's father is a professor at UTSI.
Woody actually thought that the hospital supper was good and enjoyed his meal. He is now hooked to all kinds of wires checking his vital signs. He also has a new best friend, the IV pole. His nurse suggested that he name his new best friend!
He is all set to start his first IL-2 infusion at 10 pm. They will start taking vital signs around 9:30 and checking him prior to giving him his first dose of IL-2. Then after the first infusion they will be checking him every two hours--hmmmmmm sounds like not much time for sleeping.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
All systems go!
We have just returned from another grueling day at Vanderbilt, but Woody has passed all hurdles and it looks like he is good to go--no show stoppers--at least to this point!
After I posted yesterday, Dr. Sosman called us and asked some questions--like had Woody had this test and that test, etc. So this morning Dr. Sosman had his nurse schedule the tests that Woody needed. We pulled out of our driveway at 12:30pm and didn't pull back in till 8:30pm. Woody had an MRI of his brain and also a CT scan and lab work done. A prayer was answered when the scan of his brain didn't show any tumors. Also the CT scan showed what it had shown before--areas in his upper chest--but didn't show new areas--another PRAISE!
Dr. Sosman was very pleased with how well Woody had healed from his upper arm surgery. He said that this was as close to a surgery as he had ever scheduled an IL-2 treatment.
Woody is to report to radiology at Vanderbilt tomorrow (Feb. 11th) at 1pm for a pic line. Then he will be admitted. He will have his first Interleukin 2 infusion around 10pm. Those infusions take about 15 min. Dr. Sosman was very positive in all he told us today--for each possible side effect he said that there was something that would help lessen the side effect. He said that it just takes a couple of tries to find out what works best for each patient. Woody will be watched very closely for show stoppers.
After I posted yesterday, Dr. Sosman called us and asked some questions--like had Woody had this test and that test, etc. So this morning Dr. Sosman had his nurse schedule the tests that Woody needed. We pulled out of our driveway at 12:30pm and didn't pull back in till 8:30pm. Woody had an MRI of his brain and also a CT scan and lab work done. A prayer was answered when the scan of his brain didn't show any tumors. Also the CT scan showed what it had shown before--areas in his upper chest--but didn't show new areas--another PRAISE!
Dr. Sosman was very pleased with how well Woody had healed from his upper arm surgery. He said that this was as close to a surgery as he had ever scheduled an IL-2 treatment.
Woody is to report to radiology at Vanderbilt tomorrow (Feb. 11th) at 1pm for a pic line. Then he will be admitted. He will have his first Interleukin 2 infusion around 10pm. Those infusions take about 15 min. Dr. Sosman was very positive in all he told us today--for each possible side effect he said that there was something that would help lessen the side effect. He said that it just takes a couple of tries to find out what works best for each patient. Woody will be watched very closely for show stoppers.
Monday, February 9, 2009
There were 28!
Woody had 28 staples removed this morning. And I think that he was surprised at how easily and almost painlessly they came out. We got to Vandy a little early and they called us in early. His staples were out before his appointment time. Dr. Holt was pleased with the way the incision is healing. She also showed us the x-ray that they took of his lower arm while he was in the hospital following his surgery. She said that there is no indication of cancer in this area. It is just a very bad break caused by the trauma of his bicycle accident. She also gave him orders so he can start going to physical therapy for his shoulder here in Tullahoma as soon as he is "over" his IL-2 treatments. She did say that Woody would have to have radiation on his shoulder and that she would consult with Dr. Sosman about the timing for starting it.
Woody's half cast has been bothering him. Dr. Holt sent us to occupational therapy and they made him a new molded half cast that frees up his thumb and fingers more and is attached with Velcro rather than an ace bandage. We are hoping that this alleviates some of his pain.
Finally a trip to Vanderbilt that didn't take an entire day!
We will be going back to Vanderbilt tomorrow for a late afternoon appointment with Dr. Sosman and have lab work, etc. done prior to Woody entering Vanderbilt hospital Wednesday.
We got a call from Dr. Sosman's IL-2 scheduling nurse this afternoon after we got home. Woody will be reporting to radiology on Wednesday around 1pm to have a port put in that he will receive IL-2 through. After that he will be admitted to the hospital. He is scheduled to have his first IL-2 infusion at 10pm Wednesday.
Woody, again, didn't sleep well last night. Dr. Holt did prescribe more pain medication so he will see if that helps his pain and aids his sleep tonight.
Woody's half cast has been bothering him. Dr. Holt sent us to occupational therapy and they made him a new molded half cast that frees up his thumb and fingers more and is attached with Velcro rather than an ace bandage. We are hoping that this alleviates some of his pain.
Finally a trip to Vanderbilt that didn't take an entire day!
We will be going back to Vanderbilt tomorrow for a late afternoon appointment with Dr. Sosman and have lab work, etc. done prior to Woody entering Vanderbilt hospital Wednesday.
We got a call from Dr. Sosman's IL-2 scheduling nurse this afternoon after we got home. Woody will be reporting to radiology on Wednesday around 1pm to have a port put in that he will receive IL-2 through. After that he will be admitted to the hospital. He is scheduled to have his first IL-2 infusion at 10pm Wednesday.
Woody, again, didn't sleep well last night. Dr. Holt did prescribe more pain medication so he will see if that helps his pain and aids his sleep tonight.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
PRAYER
As many of you know, Woody is a man of prayer. He just gave up leadership after several years of the Monday Night Prayer Meeting at our church. Also he is currently chairman of the Deacon Hospital Visitation Team of which he has been a part for many years.
When he visits the sick, more often than not he prays something like:
In addition, if Woody knows the person has cancer, he'll include something like the following:
Woody says that he has prayed those prayers a time or two for himself, but basically his prayer is for God's will to be done. He also is praying that God will draw him closer to God and grow his character through this experience.
So I am soliciting your prayers. First for me, as I have health problems of my own; and all this is putting a lot of stress on me. Pray that I have the strength to help Woody in the ways that he needs to be helped and that my "ailments" stay at bay.
Secondly, pray for Woody--primarily that he will be healed. His attitude and spiritual condition are good. But he is in quite a bit of pain and has almost no use of his left arm and hand. I am specifically praying for a miracle for Woody.
If you don't know what to pray--pray one of the prayers that Woody often prays for others.
As we approach these treatments, please pray that there won't be any show stoppers to keep him from beginning these treatments and that he'll have the strength and perseverance to make it through the first set of treatments (14 infusions in 5 days in the hospital, 7 days home, then 14 infusions in 5 days in the hospital again). And that his immune system will be able to defeat the melanoma.
Today he still seems to be recovering from the effects of his Zometa infusion. In some ways I wish that he hadn't had this infusion so close to his IL2 treatments. He was starting to show that he was regaining his strength after his surgery and ever since the infusion he seems to have lost ground. Again, he didn't sleep well last night since he had slept so much during the day. He is hoping for a good night's sleep tonight. Tomorrow we will be going back to see Dr. Holt for his post-op visit and to get the MANY staples removed. The latter he is dreading!
When he visits the sick, more often than not he prays something like:
Almighty Heavenly Father, what a Mighty God you are. There is nothing you can't do--no sickness you can't heal, no miracle you can't perform, no problem you can't solve, no sin you can't forgive, no need you can't provide for, no life you can't revitalize. Lord, your Word says that even youth grow tired and weary, young men stumble and fall, but they that put their faith in you shall renew their strength, and they shall soar on wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. Lord, we know ____ put their faith in you a long time ago and we know that once again you're going to restore him/her. And that's what we pray for--that you would heal him/her in accord with your will. And help them to feel your presence. Give them strength and perseverance and help him/her to know that we love him/her. In Jesus' name, Amen.
In addition, if Woody knows the person has cancer, he'll include something like the following:
Lord, in your infinite wisdom you knit ____ together in his/her mother's womb. And every cell was designed to perform a specific function so that he/she could properly glorify You. Lord, we ask that You would restore ____ so that once again every cell in his/her body performs the function it was designed to do. And if there is any cell that is in his/her body that is not part of your infinite plan--that it would be removed--by whatever means necessary so that ____can once again glorify You properly.
Woody says that he has prayed those prayers a time or two for himself, but basically his prayer is for God's will to be done. He also is praying that God will draw him closer to God and grow his character through this experience.
So I am soliciting your prayers. First for me, as I have health problems of my own; and all this is putting a lot of stress on me. Pray that I have the strength to help Woody in the ways that he needs to be helped and that my "ailments" stay at bay.
Secondly, pray for Woody--primarily that he will be healed. His attitude and spiritual condition are good. But he is in quite a bit of pain and has almost no use of his left arm and hand. I am specifically praying for a miracle for Woody.
If you don't know what to pray--pray one of the prayers that Woody often prays for others.
As we approach these treatments, please pray that there won't be any show stoppers to keep him from beginning these treatments and that he'll have the strength and perseverance to make it through the first set of treatments (14 infusions in 5 days in the hospital, 7 days home, then 14 infusions in 5 days in the hospital again). And that his immune system will be able to defeat the melanoma.
Today he still seems to be recovering from the effects of his Zometa infusion. In some ways I wish that he hadn't had this infusion so close to his IL2 treatments. He was starting to show that he was regaining his strength after his surgery and ever since the infusion he seems to have lost ground. Again, he didn't sleep well last night since he had slept so much during the day. He is hoping for a good night's sleep tonight. Tomorrow we will be going back to see Dr. Holt for his post-op visit and to get the MANY staples removed. The latter he is dreading!
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