Monday

I hope everyone had a safe and Happy 4th of July

Today was another day at the doctors office. I finally have some good news and things are starting to roll along. Dena tried to meet me at the Radiation office but made it after I already got in to the simulation room. Today I met with Dr. Kosiak and he explained that I was on the lung cancer (No I don't have lung cancer) case study last week. And the doctors and specialist decided it was best for me to start radiation and not to have any more chemo. The discusion was basically because they can't come up with any reason why I have a cough besides the chemo. Let's just say I have been almost celebrating that I won't have any more chemo. Two more months of chemo wasn't in my plans.

I got my permanent markings (tattoos) today and schedule for my radiation. I also had another CT Scan, this time to check out my markings. I will start radiation on Thursday July 9th at 3:20. I will go every day (Monday-Friday) at the same time for 20 days, meeting with Dr. Kosiak on Wednesdays before radiation.

Have a great week
Anna

Radiation

On Monday I had my second PET Scan. As of right now everything is going as planned my cancer is either gone or shirking.
Today I met with Dr. John Kosiak at North Radiation Therapy Center for my consultation. Their is some debate over me having an additional 2 cycles of chemo. Dr. Kosiak explained in detail why he would like this. My mass in my chest was bigger then .33 cm and according to the NCCN (National Comprehensive Cancer Network) practice guidelines they recommend more chemo. I have Stage 2A Hodgkins Lynmphoma. He is going to call my oncologist Dr. Larson to discuss this. I should know on Monday if more chemo is in my future or we will move on with about 20 days of radiation.
On Monday, July 6th I have my Simulation and CT planning appointment. At this appointment they will take x-rays of the treated area. I will also get my permanent tattoo marking on Monday. The CT is used to further outline the treatment area.
As for my cough and shortness of breath, it's better this week. I'm still working with the respiratory doctor. All my test last week came back negative, so that's a good thing. As of right now she hasn't scheduled me any new tests.
Have a great 4th of July!
Anna

A lot to update

I apologize for not updating sooner. I have had an interesting few weeks.

Two weeks ago I spent most of the week working at the pool or sleeping. I had a Complete Pulmonary Function test a week ago Monday after my last chemo. My lung level was lower than normal. I was also lucky enough to get my favorite shot and a CT Scan on Monday afternoon. The end of last week I called my oncologist because I still had a bad cough and shortness of breathe.

I then was given a Respiratory Doctor and met with her on Friday. Dr LeClaire from Respiratory Consultants. And boy did things happen fast. I had a CT Chest scan on Monday June 22 (they found nothing), I was also given the news on Monday that my oncologist has left the office and I was given a new one. Then Wednesday I spent most of day at North Memorial having a Bronchoscopy. Bronchoscopy is a technique of visualizing the inside of the airways for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. An instrument (bronchoscope) is inserted into the airways, usually through the nose or mouth, or occasionally through a tracheostomy. This allows the practitioner to examine the patient's airways for abnormalities such as foreign bodies, bleeding, tumors, or inflammation. I had some side effects from the Bronchoscopy similar to chemo. That test came back a little abnormal but nothing major. I did have some problems with my oxygen level and heart rate. My resting heart rate for about a week was 124.

Today Dena and I first had a Echo gram (that came back a little lower then normal but nothing major) my resting heart rate is in the high 90s, follow that by meeting my new oncologist (Dr. Larson) completely different then my other doctor, and ended my day with Nuclear Medicine Lung Scan and a chest x-ray (good thing they found nothing). Right now they are thinking my cough and shortness of breathe is a reaction to my chemo.

Nuclear Medicine Lung Scan
What is it? A lung scan provides your doctor with images that show both the blood supply and the air supply to your lungs. The scan actually occurs in two steps. Blood supply—perfusion— is captured in the following way:

1. The technologist injects the radiotracer into a vein. A radiotracer is a compound made of a radioactive isotope and a pharmaceutical agent.
2. The radioactive isotope releases energy, and a special camera creates an image from it.
3. The image shows how the radiotracer is distributed in the blood vessels of the lungs.

Air supply—ventilation—is captured in the following way:

1. You breathe from a mask for several minutes. The gas mixture includes a small amount of a radioactive isotope of xenon (an inert—not chemically active—gas).
2. The radioactive isotope releases energy, and a special camera creates an image from it.
3. The image shows how the radiotracer is distributed in the lungs after normal breathing.

What is it for? A lung scan is generally used to detect pulmonary emboli—blood clots, air bubbles, or other foreign bodies—which can block the vessels that supply the lungs. Again, this test did not find any issues.

I have done some fun things in the last two weeks. My cousin Adam Schieck got married to a beautiful bride Katie Lewis in Park Rapids last weekend. It was nice getting away for my first time since chemo started even though I coughed like crazy. For Father's Day (my dad and I) went to Wetterlunds to see Rueben who was going to be home from Iraq but instead we got to hang out with Rolly and Sandy. Iraq was having dust storms so Reuban couldn't get home. I also have worked at the pool and even taught a few parent child classes in the evening with Mackenize who has done a nice job of teaching when I'm busy coughing.

Next week I have a PET Scan on Monday and on Wednesday morning I meet with the Radiologist for the first time. I have been very lucky to have a very understanding boss since I don't really get to pick when I have my lovely tests and doctors appointments. And I also have people more then willing to work for me especially when I have a nice shift like 5:30 or 6:30 am (I love that shift but most people don't).

Hopefully the cough goes away on it's own as the chemo drugs work their way out of my system. And then we'll have a new treatment plan after the appointment on Wednesday.

Have a wonderful weekend
Anna

Last Chemo

I would like to thank Judy Watke and Rolly for hanging out with me during Chemo. We did have enough time to watch two movies Dodgeball (male humor) and Hitch. My dad brought us pizza and hung out for a long time since I wasn't doing very well.

I normally don't say this, but my last chemo sucked. What could go wrong went wrong. We got started late due to getting into the doctor late. We sat in the waiting room for 45 minutes. Then I got to chemo and it took them four times to get my IV in. I normally have some problems getting the IV in, but nothing like that before. Before chemo even started I got sick. That hasn't happened before. It took a little longer then normal to get my chemo done and I was missing a chemo drug. On a good note, I did have my favorite nurse, Karen, for my last chemo.

Here are some notes or updates. I will have a respiratory test Monday morning, followed by a naulasta shot in the afternoon, and then a CT scan after that. Two weeks from Friday I will meet with the doctor and the people in radiation.

For those that have been following the blog, I haven't needed the naulasta shot in 6 weeks. I'm getting it this time to help prevent infections because of my cough. It's been a great 6 weeks not needing the shot. I have had some joint pain without the shot, but I know it will be worse with the shot. I may be looking for a hot tub later in the week. I moved home so I don't have the neighbors nice tub.

I'm also looking for a aloe plant for radiation. Julie Benson suggested I get one. If any one has a suggestion on where I can get one let me know.

Have a great weekend

One more day

As of right now I have my last Chemo tomorrow. I have a doctors appointment first followed by chemo.

Dena is in Miami on a nice long weekend which is a great vacation for her. She has spent a ton of time with me in chemo. I don't think she ever thought we would have so much bonding time or having to watch Katie Lee and Hoda in the morning with me.

So I have friends bringing me, visiting me, and my dad bringing lunch. My dad will bring me home after a stop for a icee.

I have had some questions about radiation. It should start some time in July. I'm hoping to be done by August (that's my schedule). I haven't met with radiology yet. That should happen sometime here in the next few weeks. They told me two weeks ago that I need to wait at least two weeks after my last chemo to begin radiation. They need the chemo drugs out of my system in order to start radiation.

Also far as my breathing and cough goes, I will have a respiratory test on Monday morning at North Memorial. My breathing is much better but I still have a cough.

My white blood cell count was back up so I didn't need a shot again this week. That's so exciting, I would do almost anything not to get a shot.

On Tuesday I made a trip to Como Zoo with a friend's kids for a few hours, the highlight of the day was the rides. I made a few trips to Grandma Wetterlunds for lunch to visit Rolly. This week I also had healing touch appointment and a massage. I was told I had good energy.

Healing Touch is an "energy therapy" that uses gentle hand techniques thought to help re-pattern the patient's energy field and accelerate healing of the body, mind, and spirit.
Healing Touch (HT) can help lessen post-surgical pain, reduce the anxiety and stress of various medical procedures, relieve and/or reduce the effects of chemotherapy, lend support for those withdrawing from substance abuse and so much more, according to the Healing Touch Worldwide Foundation. I'm not sure if I liked it or not but it was worth a try.

Have a great Friday
I will check in again this weekend
Anna

What a weekend

I can't wait until Friday for my last chemo appointment. I have had some questions about if I can have visitors. Yes, you can come and visit me. Come early in my chemo visit. My dad says I don't look very good when I am done with chemo.
I have a doctor's appointment at 10:30 and chemo starts at 11:00. If you are planning on visiting me, give me a call to get some directions.
Here is the address
North Memorial Outpatient Center
3435 West Broadway
Robbinsdale, MN 55422
(763) 520-7887

After two changes in meds, my cough is starting to get better. I can now breath a little easier than last week.

This weekend I went to Austin with my Dad to visit my Grandma. He makes weekly trips to Austin to check on her or go to her doctors appointments. It's interesting watching my Dad deal with his Mom. I don't know what's worse, him watching me in chemo or dealing with his Mom. I will say he does a nice job. Also on the Dad note, if you get the Star Tribune one of the machines he has worked on at Tennant was on the front page of the business section on Monday.

We went to a bridal shower for Jessica (Bryan's ) on Sunday at Jessica's Mom and Dad's house and we had a good time. We actually have pictures of her for the first time, she loves having her picture taken. Dena even stopped at Sonic for slushies on the way home. It was a first time visit for my Mom and Dena.

Today I worked for a little bit at the pool and then had lunch at my Grandma's with Rolly who is in town for a few weeks. It's always great seeing him when he's home, he is in the Marines and has been to Iraq twice.

Also I'm amazied with all the words of encouragement, and generosity people have shown. I'm must say this isn't easy but it's alot easier with the support I'm given.

I'm now waiting to have my lab work on Wednesday to check my white blood cell count.

Have a great week
Anna

What a week

Eight days until my last chemo. Not that I'm counting!

This week as been a little different then most. It started with a cough last Wednesday and by Monday I had shortness of breath and still a cough. A call to the doctors office and a new med is supposed to help with the cough. So far it hasn't, but at least I can breathe for the most part. They will be taking away one of my chemo drugs but it shouldn't change anything as far as chemo goes.

Last week was my last day of school for the school year. This week I have had to go in and do a few things but it's nice working on my time.

Here are some other things I have done this week. Tuesday my dad and Jim had the dragster at Sandburg Middle School in Anoka for Tech Ed. I went to help get the car out and in the trailer. Tuesday evening I went and got a massage at the Cancer Center at Unity and then went to a benefit concert with some of the girls at the pool. Wednesday I worked a little in the afternoon at the pool and then I went to a kindergartner's baseball game. Joshua had a few nice hits.
Today was the last day of school for the boys who I get up in the morning. It's fun to see how excited they are about summer vacation.

Have a great rest of the week
Thanks for the notes of encouragement
Anna