Back in Austin
11 Nov 2008 at 4:06 pm. 11 Comments. 520 views.
We just got back from Houston and are glad to be home. Maggie had CT scans early this morning to wrap up our visit at MD Anderson. We return for our 8AM appointment on the 17th for the first part of our trial. (more…)
MD Anderson
10 Nov 2008 at 8:53 pm. 8 Comments. 516 views.
So here we are at the Wizards again, despite our prior unpleasant experiences. It’s been a long day of driving, tests, and doctor visits. Adding a thick layer of additional unpleasantness was back pain - very, very bad back pain. The month+ off of treatment has given the tumors in Maggie’s liver a new lease on life. They are growing again, enlarging her liver and causing tremendous pain. But we have a plan. It’s aggressive, logical and starts Monday. (more…)
The Week in Review
10 Nov 2008 at 7:13 pm. 5 Comments. 323 views.
Hello, friends and supporters of Maggie and Chris. This is Jolie (aka Nurse Jolie). Chris is very busy taking care of his lovely wife and also starting his own company, so he hasn’t had a chance to update you all on what is going on in a while. I have volunteered to give an update of what has happened in the past week. My post cannot in any way be compared to Chris’ posts because there is no way I can compete with his funny, touching writing style. I also don’t know how to hyperlink, so there will be no links. (more…)
Damn Pain Meds
3 Nov 2008 at 1:17 am. 8 Comments. 581 views.
Yesterday two new pains appeared - one on her shoulder and one on her side. The one on her side is quite a problem. She spent last night tossing and turning trying to get comfortable. The heating pad helps, if only to distract. Today was no different. We spent the day moving very little to avoid making things worse. Lots of TV and a nap. Late in the day, however, I decided it was good idea to start fighting the pain with more meds. The next three hours were fine. (more…)
Medicare and Humana
1 Nov 2008 at 12:38 pm. 8 Comments. 397 views.
After a tremendous effort to understand what our insurance options are and subsequently decipher which was the best, we’ve decided to accept Medicare Part A and Part B and ask Humana to become our secondary insurance. We still have a number complicated worries so until we see it in action, we won’t really know if we made a good choice or not. But we have worked hard to be well-informed and believe it to be the best choice for our specific situation. (more…)
Good Day
31 Oct 2008 at 8:00 pm. 1 Comment. 300 views.
Today has been a good day. With the patch, I think we’ve finally gotten both the pain and the nausea under control. Yippee! Maggie had a decent-sized meal for lunch, something she hasn’t done for more than a week. And there’s been plenty of smiles to go around. We are both quite happy about this turn. So happy, in fact, we will be heading out, if briefly, to a Halloween Party to say hi to friends. (more…)
San Antonio Day 2
30 Oct 2008 at 3:44 pm. 9 Comments. 386 views.
More of the same. No bad news. Encouraging words from the doctor. A variety of clinic trial options are ready when we are. However….. (more…)
San Antonio Day 1
28 Oct 2008 at 4:08 pm. 12 Comments. 494 views.
Imagine this scene: I’m sitting at my laptop in Hooter’s, fingers slightly stained from hot wing sauce. My beer glass is empty and bad pop music is blaring in my left ear. I have papers covered with thick, incomprehensible medical jargon spread out all over a table that is size-appropriate for six rotund construction workers and the back of my laptop is resting just on the edge. The burly men around me are trying not to stare impolitely when I wipe tears from my eyes. I have to laugh because it’s just so…. Improbable. Ah, what a journey we’re on. (more…)
Radiation Working
24 Oct 2008 at 8:26 pm. 9 Comments. 490 views.
First, the good news: the radiation treatments appear to be working. Next, the bad news: Maggie’s been running a fever and feels horrible. Side effect of the radiation? Nope. But we’ve got blood cultures cookin’, antibiotics workin’, and more radiation coming on Monday. (more…)
Radiation and Other Stuff
23 Oct 2008 at 12:03 am. 17 Comments. 554 views.
Tomorrow we’ll be starting radiation treatments to hopefully alleviate the pain that has become a recent problem. Today, we got the first good close-up picture of the cause of that pain in her neck at the radiation clinic. Despite what some of you think, it was not a picture of me.
Please note that this post will be, for most, disturbing to read. Chose to read it at the right time for you. Also know that Maggie and I are optimistic about the outcome of the upcoming treatments, as is the doctor. In fact, I’m serene as I type this. (more…)