PET scan, and chemo #5

3/9/12

Great news! According to my oncologist, my PET scan results show that my body has shown an "extraordinary response" to the chemo treatments. Lymph nodes have shrunk considerably and are normalizing. I am so grateful. A true and sincere thanks to everyone for the many prayers that been offered in my behalf. They have been deeply felt. Not out of the woods yet, but it looks like I won't have to have an extended chemotherapy treatment beyond what was originally scheduled. Just two more months of chemo and a month of radiation. I'm so grateful to have so many friends and family members with such strong faith. Thank you, Anthony

3/14/12

Lets talk chemo. One of the drugs, Adriamycin, is know as the "Red Devil." Some of the other meds are given through an intravenous drip, this one is given through a push, where the nurse actually uses the syringe to administer the med. During the Adiamycin push the patient sucks on ice to avoid mouth blisters. It is also the primary reason for hair loss, and heart failure, which is why MUGA heart scans throughout the chemo process is a must. Also, during the administration of this drug the patient's sense of smell is heightened, thought it's not normal smells they pick up on more, it's inner body chemical smells. If you came over right now and asked Anthony about the "red devil" his lips would pucker up just thinking about it and he would start gagging. It's pretty sad.

He's got a sad Rudolph nose from an accidental cat scratch.

He's got some hair loss in his eyebrows and eyelashes now, on the left side in particular.

This is the volunteer coordinator lady, she's the one who organized Anthony's birthday song and dessert.

She came around in all her St. Paddy's glory offering tasty treats, which we gladly accepted.

Today (three days after chemo) Anthony feels miserable. He's been extremely nauseous, and has been sleeping a LOT, sometimes 12 - 14 hours straight with only 6-8 awake hours between. When he is awake he mostly sits around watching basketball (speaking of, my bracket is currently kicking his bracket's trash!)

5 down, three to go. We found out the radiation after chemo will be every day for four weeks.