Everything seems to be on track

Dad had his counts checked last Thursday and his counts were up!  They were higher than when he started the Chemo so they scheduled his next treatment for the following Monday. 

Monday came and his treatment went well except for the fact that they were having some issues with his port.  It didn't want to give any blood out of it. They ended up keeping him there to run something through it to try and clear it. Hopefully it will take care of the issue.  If not they will have to go back to UMC to have it checked out.

He has noticed that his hair is falling out.  By this morning, I think he had enough so he is planning on shaving it off.  I keep telling him that it's just hair and it's better than the alternative but I totally understand how it bothers him.  He has always had really nice thick, wavy hair which I was lucky enough to inherit!!  I asked him if he wanted me to shave my head too...I have to say that I was a little relieved that he said no.  I would have done it though if it made him feel better.  We could be the cone heads here at work lol!!  He's going to really have put some sunscreen on his noggin...he always gets really red when he's in the sun and I am sure he doesn't want to have his head burned!

He seems to be tolerating the meds a little better than he was in the beginning.  He is super tired but he has been behaving...well that might be stretching it but at least he's taking it a little bit easier than he usually does.  Mom found a guy that came over and trimmed the yard up as it's just too much for Dad to do right now.  Of course he was paranoid it would look like the moonscape when he got home.  I haven't seen it but since he didn't mention it I am assuming it looked good.

Went to the Dr. today and got my flu shot, I don't want to get him sick...now I just need to get everyone else here at the office to get one!  You don't realize how fragile your immune system can get with the chemo.

It's Wednesday so we are on the downhill slide!  I'll post again soon!

Thank you to everyone that has followed the blog and sent such nice notes to Dad!  I know he has so many people out there fighting for him and it makes me so happy to see that.

Treatment Postponed

Dad went in this morning for his treatment.  They did his bloodwork and his counts are too low for him to receive treatment today.  His platelets should be around 1050 and were only at about 105.  His white blood cell counts should be around 300 or so and were only at 100'ish.

He isn't allowed to play with others...I guess we're a "germy" bunch!  He was going to go home today and try to get some rest.  He said at least he knows why he has felt so weak the past few days.

If he comes in tomorrow we aren't letting him in the door without a mask on.  If he were to get sick it could be really, really bad. 

Here's hoping that his counts go up by next week and he can continue treatment!!

Week 1 down

***Didn't get this out on Friday***

Well it's Friday and it ends the first week of Chemo!

Monday was the full blown treatment; both the regular chemo and the trial study drug.  Mom went down with him to the Cancer Center.  He ended up being there all day and was pretty worn out by the time he got home.

Tuesday wasn't as bad, he said he felt tired but pretty good.  He of course showed up for work!  In the almost 12 years I have worked for my Dad he has NEVER called in sick! 

Wednesday he called me on the way to work and said "I just woke up."  I know it's hard for him to not be at HIS business but Bill and I will do whatever it takes to make sure that his business runs smoothly.  He showed up about 8:00 but had to leave at to get his bloodwork done at about noon. 

Thursday:  Mom had to go out of town to do the U of A Wildcat trip.  Dad called me again on the way to work and said that he was going to be late.  He said that he had gotten sick and was trying to get in as soon as possible.  I was a little upset that he didn't get his anti-naseau meds.

We did find out that there is a HUGE price difference between Pharmacies.  They originally called Walgreens and were quoted a price of $389.00 for a months supply.  I called around and finally located it at Fry's for $41!!  Talk about a rip off!

He seems to be doing well with the medications so hopefully he'll continue to have an easy time with it all.  We'll see how the weekend goes!

Treatment has started...

Dad went in today to begin his Chemo treatments.  I got a text message from Mom saying that he got the experimental drug too!  Yay!!!  I still can't figure out why he wouldn't have gotten it with so few people that have this type of cancer...anyway, that is beside the point.

Got a phone call from him this afternoon, he sounded a little tired but better than I had expected.  He had to go in at around 9am to get blood work done and then start the "drugs."  I think that he said that the trial study drugs were first and then they would do the sarcoma chemo.  He said they had given him a ton of meds to keep the nausea away...of course he had to throw in "a drug addict would be envious of me right now." LOL Then of course gave me the information to order some T-astrigals for one of our customers :-)  That's my dad...always in work mode.

He said he felt ok, a little wiped out.  Not too sure whether that is from the meds or just the entire experience.  He gets to have tomorrow off and then go back in on Wed. and Thurs. to have some blood work done and then start all over again on Monday. 

I am hoping to see him walk in the door tomorrow morning!  Work just isn't the same without "twinkle Toes" there (as Jen calls him).  I made him and Mom promise me that they would both get some rest tonight.  I know how mentally, physically and emotionally tired I was today, I can't imagine what they are feeling right now.

Please continue to pray for my Dad.  This whole thing has made me really re-examine my life and what is important to me.  I love my family more than I ever thought was possible.  I have an awesome set of parents who I am so fortunate to have daily interactions with and I wouldn't give that up for the world.  Take that moment and call your parents or stop by and see them...you never know what the future holds.

Life isn't always what you expected or planned for.  I truly believe that every single thing that happens is for a reason.  We may not understand it at the time but I truly believe that God has a plan for each and every one of us and we need to look at our situation, reach down and pull our boots on and say "Go ahead, make my day!"

Getting Ready to start

Dad went in on Friday to have his port inserted.  He managed to convince the nurse and the Doctor to put it on his left side because he shoots his rifle on the right side! What a ding dong!  They got him in much later than they were supposed to but I think he enjoyed watching one of the Sheriff's deputies sleeping while he was supposed to be watching an imate there to get a port put in.

The port is about the size of a quarter and sticks out about 1/2".  He said if he was a drug user he'd have it made...no track marks!  He said he could just inject his drugs right into the port. LOL!

He had his PET Scan this morning and he will begin his Chemo on Monday of next week.  I know he is worried, you can see it in his eyes.  I keep trying to tell him to be positive, that is one of the best things he can do at this point.  He is in good health other than the cancer so I am hoping that he will tolerate the Chemo and still be able to be a part of everything here at work.

I'll let everyone know how he's doing after his first treatment!

K

ECG, Port and Treatment

Just a quick update.

Dad is in this morning for his ECG to make sure his ticker is working fine before they insert the port in his chest on Friday.

He of course said that he needs to convince them to put it on his left side because his rifle sits on his right side when shooting!!  He said that the nurse already told him that there is a guy that has one that they did on the other side so he could carry his golf bag lol!  Only my Dad...

If everything goes according to schedule he will begin treatment on Monday or Tuesday so please take a minute to say a quick prayer and send good vibes to him!

I'll update when things get rolling to keep you all posted.

Thanks!

What in the heck is myxoid chondrosarcoma??

Myxoid Chondrosarcoma...those two words are the ones that have turned all of our lives upside down!

It seems that no matter where I look I get the same general definition of it:

  "Extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma (EMCS) is an uncommon clinicopathologically well-defined tumor, but its pathogenesis and biologic behavior are poorly understood. "

Makes sense to me!  Not!!!  All I know is that my Dad has this virtually unknown cancer.  This cancer never goes into remission which means that he will have to fight it for the rest of his life.  I do know one thing:  CANCER SUCKS!!!!

 

 

You go your whole life knowing your parents will go before you (God willing for them).  I watched my Mom lose her parents and although I was young I still hate myself for not being closer to both of them.  I loved my Nana (my Mom's Mom) soooo much!!!  My Grandpa too but I was always closer to my Nana.  I am so afraid that I disappointed them with my actions before she died.  They were nothing bad but typical "pre-teen" antics that I am sure they didn't agree with. 



 

I can only hope that I haven't disappointed my parents.  I haven't always made the most logical "socially accepted" choices in my life.  I have always made my choices based on what I felt was right...screw society and what it told me...something I think my Mom and Dad taught me from an early age, although they may not agree with that lol.  It may have come back and bit them in the butt in later years but I am one tough woman who knows what I want and will fight to the end of the world for it.  That I know, I can thank my awesome parents for!!!

 

I hope that it doesn't seem that I am taking over the blog for Dad but I am who I am because of him and my Mom!!  I love my Dad more than anything...I love my Mom more than anything...I had the pleasure of growing up and having the best childhood that anyone could wish for. 

 

I remember being in the 4th or 5th grade standing in the hot lunch line when my neighbor Mando teased me and told me that my Dad was a plumber!  My Dad was in construction, he wasn't a "plumber!!"  I took off after him (mind you, I was probably 5'6" at the time...a freakishly tall child and he was maybe 5').  The principle grabbed my arm as I chased him through the lunch room and I pulled my arm out of his grasp, which I know pissed him off.  I ended up spending the next week eating lunch in Mr. Morenci's office...little did I know at the time how much plumbers made!!!  I would have just sat back and laughed...nonetheless, he was insulting my Dad and I was gonna beat him down!!!  I still have that attitude!!  You mess with my family or anyone I love, and you face the "wrath of Kim!" 

 

Cancer is going to have to face the Wrath of Kim now!!  I will do anything in my power to eradicate this awful, cruel disease that takes the "cream of the crop" for it's own selfish needs!

 

Cancer....watch out because I can run much faster than I could in 4th or 5th grade and I will NOT stop chasing you for attacking my Dad!