3 down,3 to go

Went in for the 3rd treatment on Thurs. Numbers were pretty good. Would have liked the platelets to be a little higher. Garth's folder must still be in the car so I can't give numbers right now. As long as he is feeling well, we don't have to go back in for his Nadir apt. We will just check his blood before his 4th treatment. All and all everything is going very well. I worry too well. I tell Garth it's for Detton's sake. He is having a tough time with everything. Not sleeping well. Please keep him in your prayers. We have had too many friends and neighbors, around here that have passed away from cancer. I think he thinks that's the only out come possible. I'll post numbers when the folder turns up.

Looking forward to conference weekend. Thanks for all of your love and prayers. Shauna

Garth had his second treatment

Garth had his second treatment on Wed.  Only took about 3 hrs this time.  For what ever reason when they put his IV line in it bleed all over.  That really helped me to feel great.  I do so well when I see blood.   PLT  86,  WBC  27.5,  RBC  3.92.  They like your PLT count to be above 100 to do a treatment but because Garth's counts have been in the 50's & 60's they felt we were still OK.  68 was actually one of his higher "normal" readings in the last 5 years.  His treatment name is "CVP".  C = Cytoxan  V = Vincristine   P = Prednisone  100mg for 5 days.  The prednisone are horrible tasting and make everything you eat horrible.  They also make it so he doesn't sleep well, so he is usually up around 2 - 3 in the morning.  He got creative and we went and got some empty gel capsules and he put his pills in the capsules.  He didn't get the nasty taste in his mouth but within a short time he could taste that nasty taste.  It gets a little better a few days after he takes his last pills.   He has felt a little uhh, but not really bad.  Once he gets out in the fresh air and working, I think he is too busy to realize he doesn't feel that great.
 
His Nadir apt is on the 25th and then if numbers are good next treatment is April 2.
 
So far he still has his hair, I can't decide if it has thinned some or not, but really no real signs that it is coming out.  Maybe that is a small tender mercy, there is something about those shinny bald heads that scream chemo when you see them.  
 
We get to finish 2 science fair projects this weekend and a pyramid book report.  I woke up not feeling real hot during the night friday night.  I told Garth since he really isn't having very many symptoms, I thought I would have a few for him.  Not sure if I am trying to get the flu or what.
 
Thanks for your prayers and support.  We love you.

Shauna Storer

Garth's next treatment date is March 18th, we are guessing it will take about 3 hours this next visit. The first one took about 4 1/2 hours. They really have to watch to make sure they don't have any allergic reactions. After that visit they are going to try and give him the treatments every two weeks and see how that goes. He will receive 6 treatments. You can visibly see the lumps in his neck are already starting to go down.

-Shauna

me again

Hey everyone thought you might like to know what is happening in our little world. Short and sweet. We got the big news. I thought I would be ready but I guess it is one of those things you can never be ready for. We got the news at Garth's Dr Apt the 18th that he would start treatment on the 25th. I just sat there and cried. For about 3 or 4 days really. I couldn't even talk about it. Not sure why but I couldn't. After you read all the info they give you, I was very nervous about his first apt. Everything went well, no bad reactions, no allergies, can't say I like IV's any better, when they have to draw the blood back to make sure they are in the vein, I hate that. I didn't pass out or even see stars, so I thought I did very well. They gave him a big dose of benadryl so he slept through part of the treatment. We went in yesterday for his "Nader" sp? Apt and things looked good. This is the day that you are suppose to be at your lowest point after the treatment. We started with the lighter treatment, because of the worry of the one drug and his already very low platelet count and it looks like we guessed right and it is going to work without the danger of having to use the other drug. I will try and explain more detail later and will give the drug names for those of you that like to read about all the details.

I have found I can text and talk about it easier so that is when I got the idea to do a blog. I will try to update and keep everyone informed. As I have always heard mom quote "this to shall pass". It's hard for the kids to hear everyone asking questions so I try not to talk about it in front of them. Everyone is concerned and means well but when you hear it over and over it wears on you. Word hasn't really gotten out yet, but that has been good for me to try and get used to all of this. I'm sure the bald head will be a dead give away, if he loses his hair. Which the changes are not good in his favor for the hair loss.

Sorry for the "time/news" bomb, we have always know it was coming and yet it still seemed to catch me off guard. The prayer in my heart, is that I can learn what I need to learn. I will keep in touch.

-Shauna