Positive Energy

Jen and I wanted everyone to know that she is going to have test on 02/28/11 but the results will not be know to us until Tuesday 03/08/11.
On the surface, this seems like a long time to wait.  Please know that the 03/08/11 appointment was made first.  We needed to schedule the tests for before this appointment.  Monday 02/28 was the closest date we could get to the 03/09 doctor appointment.  If not then, we would have had to wait till 03/11 for the tests. As you could imagine, we choose not to wait.

We again thank you all and ask that you continue your prayers and positive energy.

Where we are!

So Jen has moved into new territory.  She is finished with her normal treatment cycle which ended on Tuesday.  What I mean is, that on Tuesday she would normally start a round of chemo.  So for the last few days she has been tapering down on most of her medicines.  She is feeling a little better everyday.  This includes getting some of her taste buds back in play! 

Not much to say but this is where we are!

Positive Thoughts

So today we came into MSK NYC to review Jen’s situation.  All looks good.  No more chemo.  She is scheduled for a PET and CT scan on 02/28/11 at MSK in Basking Ridge.  That is followed a week later with a trip into MSK NYC to see Dr. Moskowitz and review the results.

Today’s blood test showed hemoglobin levels at 7.4.  So Jen is down a unit.  This is being given to her as I type this update.  She will wean off the steroids during the next 12 days but will continue most of her antibiotics and immune practices for the next month.

When we met with Dr. Moskowitz, he was very relaxed and although he could not give any real determination, there was a certain sense that the results will be good.  So, from now to then, please keep saying those prayers and sending positive thoughts!

A special thanks go out to the Robert Hunter Staff for their kind thoughts and gifts.  And thanks to all involved with the RH LLS fund raiser which kicked off this week.

Can’t Thank You Enough

Jen had her LAST chemotherapy treatment on Tuesday.  She and Al snuck it and out of NYC between the Snowy / Rainy/ Icey weather.  Although very excited about the last treatment, she was reminded that there is a little more to go.

First: the effects of the chemo will be as usual for the next week and the week after.  Her hemoglobin levels are a little low, so MSK has scheduled her for a transfusion next week.  This means another trip in to NYC

Jenny will need  to keep up her regime with food limitations and immunity precautions over the coming weeks.  She will be tapering off the steroids.  Jen has been told that her hair may start growing back in as little as three weeks. Right now she is completely bald (as smooth as a baby’s bottom), just this week shaving what few hairs were left so that it all grows in evenly. I told her I would shave when she did....   I am working up to it....  Might even get that tatoo I wanted up there!  So if I do not like it...well I will simply let my hair grow in!

Jen will have more tests done in 4-5 weeks. She will have blood work, a PET scan and a Pulmonary Function Test.  The doctor said there would be no radiation done with whatever may be left of the mediastinal tumor.  Research has shown radition is of no beneift after the BEACOPP treatment.  The tests that were done at 12 weeks (the ½ point) are very indicative of progress.  Based on the November’s tests, he is expecting good results anyway.

Jenny's energy levels will take 6 months to a year to recover.  A year’s time will establish the baseline for her energy.  she was given no guidelines, other than to listen to her body and do what she can.  As for immunity, the doctor said she is always going to be prone to upper respiratory infections.

Although February may be a short month on the calender, it is still a long month for us.  But we are all very excited about Jen’s last chemo. We all couldn’t have done this without the support of everyone. We just can’t thank you enough.