So it was a day spent mostly visiting my Docs. Began with my Oncologist. First a blood draw, which alleviated my concern with looking at old tests--then a wait for some of those results. The scales (haven't really lost a lot of weight yet, about 15 pounds, most of which was excess anyway), a physical exam which revealed no evidence of progress of the disease, and a nice long talk. Based on the evidence that I am tolerating the Chemo quite well, the decision was made to move to the "usual" dosage and increase the Gemzar infusions to three weeks on and one week off. The oral med (Zeloda) will continue to be every other week. So once a month there will be a full week off both drugs. At the end of that week, I will have an appointment with the Oncologist. I find this "leap of faith" covering a month at a time reassuring somehow. I left feeling much better about the plan and what he is trying to do.
Conveniently, that week off coincides with the visit from our "out east" friends, a minor miracle in itself. Looking forward to it.
Then we visited with our family practice man. The purpose of the visit was to evaluate my glucose management. It was decided that was going well, that it simplified the management of my diet which is really regulated by what I can get down. The discussion of loss of appetite led to a consideration of beginning Prednisone. Several people had asked me if I was using this--it has been known to help with appetite and energy, two problems that I have had for a couple of weeks. After a check with the Oncologist, I had a new prescription, a new addition to my med shelf, and a new entry in Emily's drug list--which is threatening to spread to a new page! So I began the Prednisone this morning--stayed tuned.
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Dick - From the phone conversations I hear at the house, many of Bill's patients go on Prednisone. Looks like you're joining the canine crowd. Arf, arf.
ReplyDeleteGlad that your "off" week coincides with our visit. Miracles do happen!
Cliff
Speaking of miracles..
ReplyDeleteDad, you have been my very own miracle my whole life. I can’t even begin to list how many times you “fixed” my problematic life. Math…..that’s my earliest memory of my struggles….I believe at some point a new bike may even have been a bribe with that one. Many nights of tears at the kitchen counter…I think that we lost that battle, math is still my enemy but who really cares, I married a mathematical genius engineer! Battle won I say! I remember many times that I came home from school so sick that I had to crawl to the phone to call you and you would leave work and come home and make me hot chocolate…worked wonders for me every time! Who needs Doctors? just Dad. You took me to every one of my appointments in Toledo for eight years to see my orthopedic Dr….help keep me strong during my awful years of wearing my brace, went swimming with me for years every night so that I wouldn’t have to swim alone…spent many nights by my bedside after my back surgery holding my hand while I cried in pain. Just you being there was better than any pain medicine ...they should bottle that.. In college you spent so many hours with me in your office trying to right the mistakes I was making….and when I chose to do things my way you didn’t give up on me and were still there to help me when my awful marriage fell through and I was left with two small babies. You took us in and allowed me a second chance at a new life, raising the girls while I went back to school. Even now that I am a middle aged women…even a Grandmother, I still look to you as my rock….my “go to guy” in any crisis. My whole life it seems that there was nothing you couldn’t fix for me……now use that gift on yourself…I love you always…Bessie
Well done, Maestro.
ReplyDeleteLove you Poppy.
ReplyDeleteBeth's message--so eloquent and touching and sincere. What a great tribute to you, Dick. This is what IT is all about.
ReplyDeleteKeeping you in our thoughts and prayers daily.
Penny and John
The Stroede Center lives, Richard, all because of your vision. We have begun to plan, tear out and rebuild the basement for future use as meeting/reception hall, catering kitchen, working bathrooms, dressing room, much needed bathrooms, workshop and prop room....a bucket at a time, Dick, we are striving to see your total vision come true. You are often mentioned, and you are missed, still. Your gift to the City of Defiance is a treasure, unfolding and improving with time....you are with us always. Marion
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