STARTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR RETURN TO MARINUS AM STEIN

Wednesday, May 21, 2014


We heard back from Dr. Weber concerning his review of Mike's most recent chemo visits and test results.  Dr. Weber wants Mike to continue with 4 more chemo treatments which would be a total of 10 treatments this time.    Last year, Mike had a total of 7 chemo treatments before he went to Germany.

We are making the arrangements for Mike to go to Germany about 2 weeks after his last treatment to make sure all the nausea and sickness is gone before he has to fly.  He would still be feeling the effects from the chemo the weekend following the last treatment, so he will wait an additional week.

This will be a big step for him.   Last time was first that Mike had ever flown or been in another country other than Canada, so he will have to find someone who speaks English and ask for help if he does not know where to go or what to do.  I will be nervous about him going by himself, but I would rather save the money that would be put towards the cost of me going along to any possible future visits.    I would love to see the country and the people there again, but Mike's health is more important to me than anything else. 

So that is where things stand for now.   I am sure Mike is hoping that the summer will fly by.  He will have to relay this decision to his oncologist, but that was one of the options he presented to Mike at his last visit.   I think he understands that Mike is going to do whatever it takes to fight this.



 

RESULTS PRIOR TO MAY 12, 2014 CHEMO TREATMENT

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Mike had his 6th chemo treatment (2nd round) on Monday, May 12th.  Prior to this visit, he had blood testing which included his CEA test.    This testing showed that his white blood cell count had gone down to 2.0.   However, the good news is that his CEA level went from 141 down to 26.7!!!

Because  of  where his white blood cells were at, another test was done on Monday to make sure it had not gone down any further.  If it would have fallen below 2.0, then Mike could not have had chemo.   The result came back that it had jumped up to 3.3.   The normal range is 4.0-10.5.   The doctor asked how he was doing with the nausea.  We told him that he was still getting sick.  He was initially placed on Phenergan and then was given Zofran.   The doctor had previously told him that he could double up on the Zofran.    He gave Mike an Ativan to take, feeling that he may be anxious about getting sick.  It seems to be helping.   He then sent him home with a prescription to take for the next few days after each chemo treatment.  He is usually sick Monday-Friday.  

Mike went back into the cancer center today to have his "take home chemo" cassette removed from his port. He comes home with this cassette that continues to pump chemo into his body for 48 hours.   Mike had told them that he was having difficulty drinking due to the pain of swallowing and that he did not have a lot of output of urine.   They then hooked him up to an IV to give him fluids so he does not get dehydrated.   Mike works outside so with the hot, humid weather coming and him not being able to drink, it takes a lot out of him.   That is when the sickness really bothers him.  He has been coming home after work and sleeping the rest of the evening on the couch before heading into bed for the night.   He has been a real trooper though.  He continues to work everyday except the day that he has chemo because that is an all day process.     He is my HERO. 

The doctor told Mike that he wants him to continue his chemo for a total of 12 visits.  He said at that time, he could go on a maintenance program, take a total break from the chemo, or go back to Germany.    Mike is hoping to return to Germany in August after the chemo treatments. We are also hoping that, although we know what the ill effects are from the chemo, that it can knock the tumors way down so the alternative treatment is Germany will have the best chance for success.   I have just emailed the most recent notes and blood test results to Dr. Weber to see how he thinks Mike should proceed.  He has already said that he feels a 2 week stay would be sufficient this time.   So we will be waiting to hear back from him.