Life Goes On
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Further to this post, here is the promised update on how Lynne's cancer treatment is progressing. Please bear with me on this one, as I have gone into some detail here.
The faint of heart may not want to proceed.
Further to this post, here is the promised update on how Lynne's cancer treatment is progressing. Please bear with me on this one, as I have gone into some detail here.
The faint of heart may not want to proceed.
If you need a quick recap on how our
family lives were changed by cancer, then you might want to have a quick
look here.
Sadly, Lynne's condition hasn't changed a lot since August 2008, when I
last wrote about it. If anything, it's gotten a bit worse, but slightly
better too.
Lynne's last batch of Chemo treatments ran from Oct 2007 through to Feb 2008, during which she received 7 cycles of drugs known as Carboplatin and Taxol. This drug combination is usually the primary treatment for Lynne's cancer type, (Ovarian), You can read all about the lovely side effects from the links provided, but suffice to say, they kicked the sh*t out of Lynne, causing nausea, hair loss, fatigue (for weeks on end) & lots of other less than pleasant effects. However, the treatment had done it's job, as it lowered Lynne's cancerous cell count, or her marker. Or, at least we thought it had.
During one of Lynne's regular hospital checkups, it was revealed that her marker was on the increase. Upon receiving the news, during August 2008, that her cancer becoming active again, Lynne was immediately scheduled for additional Chemotherapy. Since the initial treatment (the Carboplatin & Taxol combo) had been relatively ineffective against the cancer, a new drug, Caelyx, was prescribed, and was to be administered over 6 cycles (months). Apparently, this drug is the next in the oncologist's list of drugs to try to treat conditions similar to Lynne's. On paper, this drug appeared to have fewer of the nastier side effects than the Carboplatin & Taxol combination, and appeared to be more effective at treating the disease. We thought we had found our silver bullet in this drug, but we would soon find out that wasn't the case.
Fast forward to November 2008. Standard practice with this treatment regime is to administer 3 cycles of the drug, then perform CT Scan to check on the progress of the treatment. This is where we were dealt another crushing blow. Not only did we discover that the Caelyx had been ineffective, Lynne was now suffering the most horrible bouts of nausea due to the disease. We soon discovered that the treatment was ineffective, as pockets of fluid had been building up in various parts around Lynne's abdomen. These pockets formed as a result of the cancerous cells, and her tumour, being left alone by the Chemo treatment. A large pocket of fluid had developed above her pancreas, and was pressing against it. This was causing Lynne's digestive system to expel anything that she ate, causing her no end of pain, and considerable weight loss. Fortunately, her symptoms were quickly recognised and a suitable treatment was administered, in this case, draining about 10 litres, (that's about 2 gallons in old money), of fluid from her abdomen.
Once discharged from the hospital, Lynne spent a short period of time in our local hospice, to help with her recovery and general well-being. We did have a minor mishap with some of her drugs during her stay at the hospice, but overall her time there was very well spent, and she left feeling physically and mentally stronger, ready to face her next challenge -- more chemotherapy.
Given that her experience with the Caelyx treatment wasn't a good one, Lynne's treatment options have become very slim. However, and very much to her credit, Lynne is persevering with any and all treatment options available to her. So, her Oncologist now has her back on to a treatment of Carboplatin and Taxol, albeit at a reduced dosage, spread over a 4 week regime, i.e. -- treatment on week 1, week 2, week 3, rest on week 4. It is her belief that she will endure whatever it takes, in the hope that it will maximise the time she has left with Rebecca & I. Lynne is now 2 weeks in to her new Chemo regime, and already I can see it wearing her down.
Lynne is, without a shadow of doubt, the bravest person I know. I hope, for her sake, and the sake of our family unit, that she can endure the Chemo treatments for the next 3 months or so.
I'd hate to think that she was going through all of this for nothing.
Thanks, again, for listening. Writing about Lynne really helps me deal with things, in a strange sort of way.
Lynne's last batch of Chemo treatments ran from Oct 2007 through to Feb 2008, during which she received 7 cycles of drugs known as Carboplatin and Taxol. This drug combination is usually the primary treatment for Lynne's cancer type, (Ovarian), You can read all about the lovely side effects from the links provided, but suffice to say, they kicked the sh*t out of Lynne, causing nausea, hair loss, fatigue (for weeks on end) & lots of other less than pleasant effects. However, the treatment had done it's job, as it lowered Lynne's cancerous cell count, or her marker. Or, at least we thought it had.
During one of Lynne's regular hospital checkups, it was revealed that her marker was on the increase. Upon receiving the news, during August 2008, that her cancer becoming active again, Lynne was immediately scheduled for additional Chemotherapy. Since the initial treatment (the Carboplatin & Taxol combo) had been relatively ineffective against the cancer, a new drug, Caelyx, was prescribed, and was to be administered over 6 cycles (months). Apparently, this drug is the next in the oncologist's list of drugs to try to treat conditions similar to Lynne's. On paper, this drug appeared to have fewer of the nastier side effects than the Carboplatin & Taxol combination, and appeared to be more effective at treating the disease. We thought we had found our silver bullet in this drug, but we would soon find out that wasn't the case.
Fast forward to November 2008. Standard practice with this treatment regime is to administer 3 cycles of the drug, then perform CT Scan to check on the progress of the treatment. This is where we were dealt another crushing blow. Not only did we discover that the Caelyx had been ineffective, Lynne was now suffering the most horrible bouts of nausea due to the disease. We soon discovered that the treatment was ineffective, as pockets of fluid had been building up in various parts around Lynne's abdomen. These pockets formed as a result of the cancerous cells, and her tumour, being left alone by the Chemo treatment. A large pocket of fluid had developed above her pancreas, and was pressing against it. This was causing Lynne's digestive system to expel anything that she ate, causing her no end of pain, and considerable weight loss. Fortunately, her symptoms were quickly recognised and a suitable treatment was administered, in this case, draining about 10 litres, (that's about 2 gallons in old money), of fluid from her abdomen.
Once discharged from the hospital, Lynne spent a short period of time in our local hospice, to help with her recovery and general well-being. We did have a minor mishap with some of her drugs during her stay at the hospice, but overall her time there was very well spent, and she left feeling physically and mentally stronger, ready to face her next challenge -- more chemotherapy.
Given that her experience with the Caelyx treatment wasn't a good one, Lynne's treatment options have become very slim. However, and very much to her credit, Lynne is persevering with any and all treatment options available to her. So, her Oncologist now has her back on to a treatment of Carboplatin and Taxol, albeit at a reduced dosage, spread over a 4 week regime, i.e. -- treatment on week 1, week 2, week 3, rest on week 4. It is her belief that she will endure whatever it takes, in the hope that it will maximise the time she has left with Rebecca & I. Lynne is now 2 weeks in to her new Chemo regime, and already I can see it wearing her down.
Lynne is, without a shadow of doubt, the bravest person I know. I hope, for her sake, and the sake of our family unit, that she can endure the Chemo treatments for the next 3 months or so.
I'd hate to think that she was going through all of this for nothing.
Thanks, again, for listening. Writing about Lynne really helps me deal with things, in a strange sort of way.
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Comments
Praying for you,
Rick
Posted by Rick VanGameren 02:02:56 On 13/01/2009 | - Website - |
It is good to hear from you again, albeit with not the best news . . . . and I'm sure that you'll know that we are thinking of you out here in CA.
I stopped wearing my liveSTRONG bracelet late last year (after 5 years) but I think I'll have to don it again in honor of (sadly) another friend fighting Cancer. Tell Lynne the good thoughts are being sent from afar!
Alan
Posted by Alan Dalziel 06:33:24 On 13/01/2009 | - Website - |
Please pass on our hopes to your good lady.
Posted by Darren 10:13:22 On 26/01/2009 | - Website - |