Radiation, then chemo. That was the plan until our tele visit with Dr. Sarma (Jen’s oncologist) Wednesday. He’s worried about the aggressive advancement and discovery of cancer in new parts of Jen’s body. He asked us to reconsider the standard treatment model.
He gave us two options. Pathway one (the traditional model): 5-10 days of focused radiation therapy as an outpatient, targeting the cancer in the back and hip, and start chemo three to four weeks later. Or pathway two (a more aggressive approach): Start chemo immediately. Admit Jen into the hospital where her treatment can be expedited, knocking out the first cycle in 4 to 5 days. Repeat the cycles every four weeks, with radiation an option between cycles.
Dr. Sarma is worried we are losing ground, by focusing on “small fires” in the spine and pelvis, while the cancer aggressively advances throughout Jen’s body. “Should we concentrate on just those areas, or should we move to chemotherapy now? The chemo would go everywhere, shrinking everything simultaneously.”
After discussing it with Jen’s radiation oncologist (Dr. Eblan) and giving it a great deal of thought, we decided to go with option two.
The next challenge was getting Jen to the hospital with her broken and fractured hips. We used the Jeep for an appointment earlier in the week. It was disastrous. Jen’s pain from climbing in and out of the SUV was unbearable. Gratefully, her wheelchair arrived today.
And thanks to our neighbor (who works with the county commuter service) who, with little to no notice, arranged a wheelchair lift transport so Jen’s trip was safe and comfortable.
We spent the day in the ER, where Jen was COVID tested before being admitted. The hope is she will have a port put in for chemotherapy early enough in the day to start her first round tomorrow. If all goes according to plan, she will be home early next week.
We were looking forward to pain relief from the radiation treatments. Our hope is, in addition to being the right course of action, the chemo will address some of Jen’s chronic pain.
Praying for some pain relief of any kind for you Jen. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Hoping that this aggressive plan is the answer to prayers and will just stop this cancer in it’s track and relieve your pain ❤️
With you both in thoughts and prayers for good pain management and for slowing and shrinking the advance of this beast.
I continue to think of you both many, many times every day and hope the chemo, as Lisa says, will stop the cancer in its tracks. I pray that the pain will abate, too, with the aggressive course of action.
If the first round of chemo began today, I hope all went well.
Lots of love and prayers . . .
Fight, fight, fight. You’ve been doing it with your fists, now you’re getting some weapons to add to them. Aggressive sounds like a good plan. Take that monster down!!! Hoping that the chemo doesn’t take too much out of you, but know that if it does, it’s taking more from those unwanted cells. Have I ever mentioned that you’ve got this? ❤️❤️❤️
Praying for you and Stephen for guidance and peace. Praying for Jen for pain relief. We think of you daily and know you’re a tough ol’ “broad!” Ok maybe not ol’- lol Jen you can do this – you got this ! You have much determination and we know you got this!!
Love and miss you both!
Dana Steve
BY ALL MEANS GO WITH THE PORT! SINCE YOUR VEINS ARE HARD TO FIND. LESS STRESSFUL! THEY CAN ALSO GIVE YOU BENADRYL TO HELP WITH THE NAUSEA (IT MADE ME SLEEPY) BUT I DIDN’T GET SICK. THEY WILL TELL YOU WHEN TO EXPECT HAIR LOSS. I HAD MY HAIR CUT SHORT BEFORE I STARTED MY CHEMO! STEPHEN MIGHT WANT TO PUT A SCREEN IN THE TUB TO KEEP IT FROM NOT GETTING CLOGGED UP WITH HAIR ONCE YOU START TO LOOSE IT. IT IS NOT A BIG DEAL FOR SOME PEOPLE. I LOST ALL OF MINE AND WHEN IT GREW BACK IT WAS MORE CURLY THAN BEFORE! STEVE AND DANA HAD BOUGHT ME A WIG BUT I ONLY WORE IT GOING OUT. I MOSTLY WORE BASEBALL CAPS. I KNOW YOU DON’T WANT TO THINK ABOUT ALL OF THIS RIGHT NOW, BUT JUST SO YOU KNOW I DID EIGHT WEEKS OF CHEMO AND I SURVIVED AND SO CAN YOU!! BEST OF LUCK TO YOU AND THINK POSITIVE! YOU CAN DO IT!!!
LOVE YOU,
AUNT JOANNE AND UNCLE DENNY
Sending you ❤️❤️❤️
Sending you strength, hope and love to get through this next phase of treatment. Hang in there!
Thinking of you and sending lots of hugs and healing wishes. I am so grateful for your amazing doctors and this aggressive treatment plan. ❤️
We’ve been in frequent contact with your Mom on the daily journey and praying for you and all of your support team. May your chemo/radiation be as aggressive as all our prayers.
love,
Sandra & Ron
Lots of love and prayers going out to you today 7/17/20)! You got this! LOVE YOU!
AUNT JOANNE
Wishing you all the strength and courage that you need for your chemo and radiation. We think of you constantly and hope you can get some pain relief soon That surely will help with your positive outlook😘Love Johnny and Jill