We had our first check-up visit with Dr. S. yesterday morning. He examined Lori\u2019s tumor and found that it is definitely smaller than it was three weeks ago! Also, the lymph nodes felt normal, and Lori felt no pain when he examined her there. Three weeks ago, the lymph nodes were sore and there were solid lumps. This week, the lymph node lumps are either gone or much much smaller, and it isn\u2019t sore. So, Dr. S. seemed very happy about her progress under Taxol, and we are relieved to hear such good news! I had begun to think the tumor had actually grown since her first appointment last month. I certainly didn\u2019t expect to hear a good progress report this early.<\/p>\n
Since the Taxol is working well, he isn\u2019t going to add any additional chemo types to her treatment plan, and we\u2019re happy about that. Lori\u2019s Taxol side effects have been very minimal so far, but it is still very early. She experiences some soreness\/pain particularly in her lower back, but we\u2019re pretty sure the pain is just the bone lesions from the cancer. Her hair is thinning at a rapid rate! It may all fall out, but it may simply continue thinning and then stop; we\u2019re not sure yet. Other than the soreness and hair loss, she hasn\u2019t experienced any of the other possible side effects from the chemo. Praise God!<\/p>\n
Following the office visit with Dr. S, we walked down the hall to the infusion rooms, and Lori received her first treatment in the second round of chemo. They tapped into her new port in her chest instead of using the IV, so it went smoother, and Lori loves the port. She slept through most of the infusion due to the Benadryl which is normal. Today, she\u2019s doing very well. Steroid Tuesdays are the best!
\nI just returned this weekend from having spent 11 days at our home in NC. I held a work day two Saturdays ago at the house, and many neighbors, friends, co-workers, and even a few folks I\u2019ve never met showed up to help me get the house fixed and ready to possibly sell. I\u2019m very grateful for everyone\u2019s help. We accomplished around 80% of the projects that Lori and I had planned for the next six months!! That was just a huge blessing. I stayed busy the rest of the week finishing little projects, flying a bit, having meetings with doctors and hospital people who are involved in patient travel, and working out insurance for Lori\u2019s continued care. The plan is for me to continue to split my time between work in NC and care-taking here in IN. It should shake out to be approx. 10 days each month when I\u2019ll be in NC for my AF job. I\u2019ll be here in IN for the other 20 days on non-medical attendant status. Basically, Womack hospital approved a temporary duty status for me to travel and attend to Lori here in IN while she receives chemo. Without the non-medical attendant status, we couldn\u2019t sustain this system of living here in IN unless I put in for a humanitarian re-assignment locally.<\/p>\n