4/16/10

Just a quick update:

Richard is feeling much better and we think he will be back to work next week! Thanks so much for working us into your busy anesthesia schedule, Tom!

As for me, we made the decision not to switch drugs so soon. When I originally was on Doxil, I was being treated every three weeks, for three rounds, and it was working when I had my scan around Thanksgiving. Then we decided it might be easier on me to go with treatments every four weeks. We went that way for five rounds, and as my last scan showed, progression began again. So we have decided to stay with Doxil for three more rounds, going back to treatment every three weeks, to see what happens. If it works, that would be great. If not, we will then switch to an oral chemotherapy, Etoposide. Please keep me in your prayers. Thanks everyone!

Hi everyone--
Well, Richard came through his triple hernia surgery. This is his third time having hernia surgery, only this time he had three of them. It was a little more work than originally anticipated, but it went smoothly, and he's home recovering.

I just received the call from my doc saying that unfortunately there was again progression of all the nodules. The good news is there was no new growth (no spreading), thank God. We will be switching chemo drugs next week--this time it will be an oral chemo, rather than IV infusion, so I have no idea what to expect. This week off has been tough with all the tests, but it will be great to be back with my students next week. Please keep up your prayers. They really help to get me through. I truly appreciate all the emails of support you have sent. They feel like a great big "group hug."

Hi everyone--
Well, I had round 8 of Doxil on March 18th, and now I will have my PET scan tomorrow morning. I've been feeling good, except I had the last round a week early (so I wouldn't be as tired while we were on tour in Vancouver last week) and it gave me bad blisters all over my feet. They got infected, so I had to deal with that on tour. They're much better now. I got back Saturday night and Monday I had an echocardiogram. I ask for your thoughts and prayers for clear results on both the echo and the PET. I should know by the end of the week, and will update you when I find out.
Richard will be having hernia surgery on Friday, so please also keep him in your thoughts and prayers! Thank you so much!

Things have been good. I'm doing well and just had round 6 of this chemo drug yesterday, and I'm still tolerating it well. My doctor is waiting until after round 8 (end of March) to do another scan, so I think that is good. I feel really good. My voice is healing slowly and my vocal cord is now moving with the help of the new nerve, thank God! I'm scheduled to start voice therapy at Stanford on Friday, and it seems to be getting better and better. Thank you again for all the prayers.

THANK YOU!!

Well, I got wonderful news today, and I thank you all for your support and prayers. All my nodules have shrunk except one, and that one just stayed the same! Very positive. I will continue with round 4 of Doxil one week from Thanksgiving.
I will return to see my doctor at Stanford for my voice on December 8th and will update you again at that time. Thank you again! God is so good--all the time!

Hello everyone--
Well, I have now finished the third round of Doxil. It's been just about eight weeks and I still haven't lost my hair. I do have the itchy rash they told me about on my hands & wrists, with the worst of it under my arms (I guess from the movement of conducting). I also have some pretty painful mouth sores, making it difficult to eat, drink & talk for about a week each round.
I will be having a CT scan on Monday to see how this drug is working. I pray all is good. If it is, then I guess we will just continue. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers that this drug is working and that I continue to tolerate it well. Thank you so much for your support, everyone.

Hello everyone,
I know it's been a while, and since people keep asking for a health update, I thought I'd give you a little one. I started the chemo drug Doxil on Sep. 24th and have had two rounds. It is every three weeks, so the second round was on this past Thursday. So far, so good. I haven't had any real side effects so far, except being a little tired. I'm sure they're yet to come, but so far, I'm just enjoying that. My hair hasn't even begun to fall out, which I was sure would have happened by now. I know it will happen, but it's just a matter of when. I feel good, except for the athsma attack I had on Monday night, which quickly turned into some kind of infection. I started antibiotics right away, so I'm hoping for a quick recovery on that. Speaking of recovery, my voice has begun to come back! I can actually sing a little. I don't have much power yet, but we'll see what happens in the coming days as I get better from this infection. Thanks again for all your thoughts & prayers--they really help!