Day 72
Jackie is having the most pain she has experienced so far. She constantly relates it to the way elderly people experience arthritis. Her pain just shoots up spontaneously enabling her to move for a few seconds. She has been trying to stretch but I feel that the work only exacerbates her symptoms. Last night she felt like she was catching a cold as well. There was sniffling, sneezing, and slight congestion. Her temperature always reads around 97.8 degrees luckily. I’ve been encouraging her to get some rest more so she can recuperate her body.
I have learned so much and stressed so much from Jackie’s whole insurance ordeal. I have finally understood ways to weave around the U.S system and jump in and out of loop holes. I am beginning to understand are the fine print and exceptions to policies. With what I learned, I hope that I will be able to provide knowledge to anyone who may be going to similar scenarios. Today, I met someone who is suffering from diabetes and needed to start medication soon. However, he was just recently laid off with no insurance, job, or funding. This individual is trying to relocate to an area where jobs are available. I just give my heart out to these individuals. I don’t want anyone to suffer the stress that Jackie and I went through. My situation was no where close to hopeless compared to many others in this tough economy.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Monday, January 18, 2010
Day 71
After three days of neupogen, side effects always kick in for Jackie. The recap of side effects includes lots of growing pains. The bone growths come in spurts and give you a pulling effect on your whole skeleton. I can always tell when Jackie has one because she will stop in her tracks learn her back or shoulders back and give out a little sigh. She is definitely tough. The other 33 year old man who is getting neupogen shots says he has trouble getting out of bed the whole day due to the growing pains. I wonder how I would fare towards a neupogen shot. They say men, especially husbands, are the biggest babies when it comes to being sick. Jackie would probably have to comfort and take the grunt of most of my side effects. She is both strong physically and mentally.
Yesterday we got our first claim from our new insurance. This claim was for her mediport which was inserted 3 chemo sessions ago. The general surgeon, facility fees, and anesthesiologist cost a total of 13,000 US dollars. I would have been bankrupted before Jackie’s treatment ever started. I am only thankful for how much my company has supported our treatments. They are the reason why Jackie’s treatments are going smoothly. I definitely plan to work for Jackie’s health until she is in remission.
Is this my first true test of marriage? Those vows really take a literal meaning now. However, it is a pretty easy test so far.
After three days of neupogen, side effects always kick in for Jackie. The recap of side effects includes lots of growing pains. The bone growths come in spurts and give you a pulling effect on your whole skeleton. I can always tell when Jackie has one because she will stop in her tracks learn her back or shoulders back and give out a little sigh. She is definitely tough. The other 33 year old man who is getting neupogen shots says he has trouble getting out of bed the whole day due to the growing pains. I wonder how I would fare towards a neupogen shot. They say men, especially husbands, are the biggest babies when it comes to being sick. Jackie would probably have to comfort and take the grunt of most of my side effects. She is both strong physically and mentally.
Yesterday we got our first claim from our new insurance. This claim was for her mediport which was inserted 3 chemo sessions ago. The general surgeon, facility fees, and anesthesiologist cost a total of 13,000 US dollars. I would have been bankrupted before Jackie’s treatment ever started. I am only thankful for how much my company has supported our treatments. They are the reason why Jackie’s treatments are going smoothly. I definitely plan to work for Jackie’s health until she is in remission.
Is this my first true test of marriage? Those vows really take a literal meaning now. However, it is a pretty easy test so far.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Day 69-70
I count each day for motivation. The more days that pass by, the closer we are to finishing treatment and starting our lives back up. This weekend we sat around waiting for side effects and neupogen shots. It has been three days since chemo #3 was administered. The doctor wants 7 consecutive days of neupogen to boost up white counts. I wonder how much of the cancer has been destroyed. The treatment is so tough on her and she complains of feeling weak and nauseas for much of the day. It would be so disappointing of she wasn’t responding to treatment.
While I was with her today on a Sunday morning, there was another young male who was in for testicular cancer. He was only 33. His regimen consists of chemo everyday. How does your body even go through daily doses of toxicity? He seemed like a very nice, loved, and normal individual. Why do bad things happen to good people?
I know Jackie is bored at home everyday because she is not supposed to go out into the public crowd. I try to entertain her, but my comic routine only lasts for a few hours. She has been keeping busy by organizing, cleaning, and knitting. This is totally different from how she was before. I know how appreciative she is of having me here, but I feel that it is my duty and pleasure as a husband. I wish I could think of more exciting and fun ideas to do with her. Anyways, as the days roll on we are getting closer and closer to the end.
I count each day for motivation. The more days that pass by, the closer we are to finishing treatment and starting our lives back up. This weekend we sat around waiting for side effects and neupogen shots. It has been three days since chemo #3 was administered. The doctor wants 7 consecutive days of neupogen to boost up white counts. I wonder how much of the cancer has been destroyed. The treatment is so tough on her and she complains of feeling weak and nauseas for much of the day. It would be so disappointing of she wasn’t responding to treatment.
While I was with her today on a Sunday morning, there was another young male who was in for testicular cancer. He was only 33. His regimen consists of chemo everyday. How does your body even go through daily doses of toxicity? He seemed like a very nice, loved, and normal individual. Why do bad things happen to good people?
I know Jackie is bored at home everyday because she is not supposed to go out into the public crowd. I try to entertain her, but my comic routine only lasts for a few hours. She has been keeping busy by organizing, cleaning, and knitting. This is totally different from how she was before. I know how appreciative she is of having me here, but I feel that it is my duty and pleasure as a husband. I wish I could think of more exciting and fun ideas to do with her. Anyways, as the days roll on we are getting closer and closer to the end.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Day 67-68
The new treatment will be ABVD without the bleomycin, so AVD. Jackie is having trouble with keeping her white blood cells up. The doctors did not anticipate a young healthy female to have such drops in blood counts. After the doctors consulted with several specialists all over the country, the came to an agreement to eliminate bleomycin and possibly extend treatment. They will also add her back on the growth factor shots, neupogen. She has been given a heavy load of prophylactic medications such as antivirals, antifungals, antibacterials, etc. It is so overwhelming for someone who has never had to take any medications.
Jackie has the best attitudes to this sudden change of information everyday. She seems to have an understanding that I don’t have. Every time I hear that her blood counts a lower, I start worrying. Even though I know low blood counts are normal, I start taking out all the sanitation wipes that day. Jackie is definitely the center of stronghold. She keeps hope and happiness going even when each day is a new surprise.
The new treatment will be ABVD without the bleomycin, so AVD. Jackie is having trouble with keeping her white blood cells up. The doctors did not anticipate a young healthy female to have such drops in blood counts. After the doctors consulted with several specialists all over the country, the came to an agreement to eliminate bleomycin and possibly extend treatment. They will also add her back on the growth factor shots, neupogen. She has been given a heavy load of prophylactic medications such as antivirals, antifungals, antibacterials, etc. It is so overwhelming for someone who has never had to take any medications.
Jackie has the best attitudes to this sudden change of information everyday. She seems to have an understanding that I don’t have. Every time I hear that her blood counts a lower, I start worrying. Even though I know low blood counts are normal, I start taking out all the sanitation wipes that day. Jackie is definitely the center of stronghold. She keeps hope and happiness going even when each day is a new surprise.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Day 66
Today was an aimless day for most of the time. We didn’t know whether to leave our city to go back and visit family or do we have to stay here and wait. Thinking back these last 66 days, the majority of time were just like today. I never know what to exactly do or what we could do that day. Jackie had another consultation with her oncologist later in the day. We wanted to ask the doctor about Bleomying, how long she needed to wait, ways to bring up her white blood cell counts, etc. Jackie’s mother joined her at the doctor’s appointment while I waited from them. The oncologist stated that he did not want to wait and delay treatment any longer. He stated that they were going to order a fast lab count and start chemo #3 tomorrow. That was great news to all of us. We also showed the article to the oncologist for review.
So all is well on this 66th day. It seems like our oncologist knows what he is doing majority of the time. It must be tough because each individual is so different in responses.
Today was an aimless day for most of the time. We didn’t know whether to leave our city to go back and visit family or do we have to stay here and wait. Thinking back these last 66 days, the majority of time were just like today. I never know what to exactly do or what we could do that day. Jackie had another consultation with her oncologist later in the day. We wanted to ask the doctor about Bleomying, how long she needed to wait, ways to bring up her white blood cell counts, etc. Jackie’s mother joined her at the doctor’s appointment while I waited from them. The oncologist stated that he did not want to wait and delay treatment any longer. He stated that they were going to order a fast lab count and start chemo #3 tomorrow. That was great news to all of us. We also showed the article to the oncologist for review.
So all is well on this 66th day. It seems like our oncologist knows what he is doing majority of the time. It must be tough because each individual is so different in responses.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Day 65
It seems so frustrating that treatment is going to be delayed for another week. Delay makes you doubt the treatment, outcome, and even your own body. Jackie sometimes blames herself that her blood cell counts are down due to her own body. Medically speaking, low cell counts are very normal. People tend not to believe medicine or reports though. Everyone has their own explanation of why your blood cells lower. Some people blame it on not enough meat, not enough sleep, stress, and even not enough Ensure (dietary supplement). The facts are, chemotherapy targets fast replicating cells such as cancer cells and bone marrow cells. Many white blood cells are produced in the bone marrow and therefore are attacked by chemotherapy regimen. That is most likely why counts will drop during therapy. But of course, nobody listens.
I found an interesting article talking about ABVD treatment during a neutropenic, or low white blood cell stage. As stated before, growth hormones taken in addition to Bleomycin may cause toxicity. The studied samples a group of Hodgkin’s patients who did no take any growth factors and continued them on ABVD without delaying any treatment while being in a neutropenic state. They concluded that only a minute percentage of patients suffered from neutropenic side effects and majority were able to continue treatment with great prognosis. Therefore, the study said ABVD has little effect on someone who is in a neutropenic state.
“http://annonc.oxfordjournals.org/cgi.../full/18/2/376”
This is a very informative article and brings new insight into our current predicament. We will be handing a copy of this article to the oncologist to ask him what he thinks. Also, Jackie decided she wanted another opinion with one of the specialist about her current treatment. Luckily, the new oncologist is in my current network. Thank God that I got the right insurance.
It seems so frustrating that treatment is going to be delayed for another week. Delay makes you doubt the treatment, outcome, and even your own body. Jackie sometimes blames herself that her blood cell counts are down due to her own body. Medically speaking, low cell counts are very normal. People tend not to believe medicine or reports though. Everyone has their own explanation of why your blood cells lower. Some people blame it on not enough meat, not enough sleep, stress, and even not enough Ensure (dietary supplement). The facts are, chemotherapy targets fast replicating cells such as cancer cells and bone marrow cells. Many white blood cells are produced in the bone marrow and therefore are attacked by chemotherapy regimen. That is most likely why counts will drop during therapy. But of course, nobody listens.
I found an interesting article talking about ABVD treatment during a neutropenic, or low white blood cell stage. As stated before, growth hormones taken in addition to Bleomycin may cause toxicity. The studied samples a group of Hodgkin’s patients who did no take any growth factors and continued them on ABVD without delaying any treatment while being in a neutropenic state. They concluded that only a minute percentage of patients suffered from neutropenic side effects and majority were able to continue treatment with great prognosis. Therefore, the study said ABVD has little effect on someone who is in a neutropenic state.
“http://annonc.oxfordjournals.org/cgi.../full/18/2/376”
This is a very informative article and brings new insight into our current predicament. We will be handing a copy of this article to the oncologist to ask him what he thinks. Also, Jackie decided she wanted another opinion with one of the specialist about her current treatment. Luckily, the new oncologist is in my current network. Thank God that I got the right insurance.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Day 64
It’s the start of another work week. Jackie is at home by herself today trying to stay busy. Unfortunately she will be without a car for today due to the fact that her engine won’t start. Sometimes it seems like problems come in waves. Last week, everything was going very smoothly. Then Boom! The car wouldn’t start today, her white cells are low again, and her chemo is being postponed. I guess I’m not too surprised but only wished that there would be a small chance her counts would be normal. It seems to me that her 4 cycles of chemo are going to take longer than previously anticipated. Chemo will probably be every three weeks from now on.
Jackie is thinking about getting a second opinion from another oncologist. From what I read, it seems everyone’s reaction is different. Most people do follow a basic protocol which Jackie is currently on as well. Everyone does ABVD for 4-6cycles and then radiation. Everyone’s white blood cells drop and everyone experiences side effects. I just thought my wife was different, my wife was stronger, or my wife would just get rid of this lymphoma by herself.
I just hope Jackie is able to understand that she is strong and she will kick this in the butt. Her symptoms are normal and having no side effects would be abnormal. Prognosis of Hodgkin’s states normally the outcome is 90-95%, and Jackie is on her way to normalcy.
It’s the start of another work week. Jackie is at home by herself today trying to stay busy. Unfortunately she will be without a car for today due to the fact that her engine won’t start. Sometimes it seems like problems come in waves. Last week, everything was going very smoothly. Then Boom! The car wouldn’t start today, her white cells are low again, and her chemo is being postponed. I guess I’m not too surprised but only wished that there would be a small chance her counts would be normal. It seems to me that her 4 cycles of chemo are going to take longer than previously anticipated. Chemo will probably be every three weeks from now on.
Jackie is thinking about getting a second opinion from another oncologist. From what I read, it seems everyone’s reaction is different. Most people do follow a basic protocol which Jackie is currently on as well. Everyone does ABVD for 4-6cycles and then radiation. Everyone’s white blood cells drop and everyone experiences side effects. I just thought my wife was different, my wife was stronger, or my wife would just get rid of this lymphoma by herself.
I just hope Jackie is able to understand that she is strong and she will kick this in the butt. Her symptoms are normal and having no side effects would be abnormal. Prognosis of Hodgkin’s states normally the outcome is 90-95%, and Jackie is on her way to normalcy.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)