Continuing the course: Chemo pill (temodar) 5 days this week, avastin IV at the hospital today.
Conan's blood pressure is running high (a temporary side affect of the avastin) so he is on blood pressure medication too.
Other than a REALLY long day today (MRI & lab work early this morning, doc running late for afternoon appt, and then still have to wait for IV time), it was a good day.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Check-up good -- continue the course
Monday, Conan had blood work and his second Avastin treatment at UIHC. That night he started his second set of temodar (5 days, at home).
Blood work came back as expected, white blood count good, platelet count starting to dip a bit as chemo is hard on that mechanism. All numbers good enough to start the second round of chemo.
The average for this regimen is six months. And so that's the target they are shooting for now.
Henry started to really crawl the last couple weeks and is providing lots of giggles and love.
Blood work came back as expected, white blood count good, platelet count starting to dip a bit as chemo is hard on that mechanism. All numbers good enough to start the second round of chemo.
The average for this regimen is six months. And so that's the target they are shooting for now.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Chemo plan
Temodar (in pill form like before) starting now for 5 day cycles once every 4 weeks. Not sure of the duration yet, but we'll see how things go.
And then in two weeks Conan will also start Avastin. It will be given via IV once every 2 weeks at UIHC. This is to interrupt blood supply to the tumor area. It is used for other types of cancer but it's use for brain tumors is a newer treatment. Again, not sure of the duration, but docs will monitor his ability to weather the drugs.
All of this feels deflating after being so pleased that the surgery went well, but it's all just part of the climb back to wellness.
And then in two weeks Conan will also start Avastin. It will be given via IV once every 2 weeks at UIHC. This is to interrupt blood supply to the tumor area. It is used for other types of cancer but it's use for brain tumors is a newer treatment. Again, not sure of the duration, but docs will monitor his ability to weather the drugs.
All of this feels deflating after being so pleased that the surgery went well, but it's all just part of the climb back to wellness.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Continued Recovery
Recovery is going well. Conan proved me wrong and put in an appearance at his Soccer Camp on Thursday.
He is still on some meds to help reduce the brain swelling and they have some side effects: most annoying for Conan are weight gain and trouble sleeping. He will start to taper off those soon though.
Next step will be the chemo plan.
Argus - July 15
He is still on some meds to help reduce the brain swelling and they have some side effects: most annoying for Conan are weight gain and trouble sleeping. He will start to taper off those soon though.
Next step will be the chemo plan.
Argus - July 15
Monday, July 11, 2011
Discharge
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| And here's what's waiting for them! |
However, he hadn't had trouble before and the neurologist wanted to rule out any new problems, so I think they are glad it was checked. (Even though they had to wait a long time and missed lunch!)
Conan is being discharged later today. They will stay at our special B & B in Iowa City tonight to rest up before returning home tomorrow.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Post-Surgery
Sunday, July 10:
9:00 pm: Conan took a shower this afternoon and put on shorts & a t-shirt instead of a hospital gown -- just one more step towards person and away from patient.
Right now, I'd say his condition is like someone that has a concussion. He's mostly ok, but everything's not quite normal.
2:00 pm: Doc was in early today, continued progress. Conan is scheduled for a complete eye exam and review tomorrow; he is having some trouble with his peripheral vision in his right eye. Cognitive and neuro-motor assessments are not raising any big concerns. A discharge date is not yet set.
And if you didn't see a QC paper this weekend, they ran two short stories about Conan:
Friday Paper
Saturday Follow-Up (There were enough calls on Friday asking how surgery had gone that the reporter called looking for info)
The Friday article said he wanted to be at soccer camp this week; I don't see that happening, but that's ok.
Saturday, July 9:
9:00 pm: Conan was able to eat something tonight and talked with Gretta more this afternoon. He also had a short visit from Henry -- father & son enjoyed it! Still lots of sleep and rest.
1:00 pm: Doc was in -- MRI looks normal too. Second time around is just more traumatic to the brain, so recovery will take a little more time. He sounds more like himself this afternoon, but sleep is still the king.
noon: Conan is still very tired, sleeping more than he is awake. He has had a CT and an MRI this morning. The CT results came back normal and we are waiting to hear about the MRI.
He is taking some pain meds, but not a lot. If you ask him, he says it hurts a little. He has been out of bed a little bit, but mostly just wants to sleep.
Gretta is feeding Henry now, Conan is sleeping, more later.
9:00 pm: Conan took a shower this afternoon and put on shorts & a t-shirt instead of a hospital gown -- just one more step towards person and away from patient.
Right now, I'd say his condition is like someone that has a concussion. He's mostly ok, but everything's not quite normal.
2:00 pm: Doc was in early today, continued progress. Conan is scheduled for a complete eye exam and review tomorrow; he is having some trouble with his peripheral vision in his right eye. Cognitive and neuro-motor assessments are not raising any big concerns. A discharge date is not yet set.
And if you didn't see a QC paper this weekend, they ran two short stories about Conan:
Friday Paper
Saturday Follow-Up (There were enough calls on Friday asking how surgery had gone that the reporter called looking for info)
The Friday article said he wanted to be at soccer camp this week; I don't see that happening, but that's ok.
Saturday, July 9:
9:00 pm: Conan was able to eat something tonight and talked with Gretta more this afternoon. He also had a short visit from Henry -- father & son enjoyed it! Still lots of sleep and rest.
1:00 pm: Doc was in -- MRI looks normal too. Second time around is just more traumatic to the brain, so recovery will take a little more time. He sounds more like himself this afternoon, but sleep is still the king.
noon: Conan is still very tired, sleeping more than he is awake. He has had a CT and an MRI this morning. The CT results came back normal and we are waiting to hear about the MRI.
He is taking some pain meds, but not a lot. If you ask him, he says it hurts a little. He has been out of bed a little bit, but mostly just wants to sleep.
Gretta is feeding Henry now, Conan is sleeping, more later.
Friday, July 8, 2011
Surgery Day
10:00 pm: The nausea continued most of the day and he slept more than he was awake.
2:30 pm: Parents, sisters, & Betsy have been in for short visits. He is doing well but a little nauseous.
12:30 pm: He is in his room and Gretta & Henry are with him.
10:35 am: Just got a call. Surgery done, Conan in recovery, responding to commands but pretty groggy. Gretta will be able to see him in 30 to 40 minutes.
The surgery went as planned. The tissue that was removed was about marble sized and appears to be all of it. It will be sent to pathology for further analysis.
7:30 am: Conan just went back for surgery. They have 7 hours set aside for him today. Gretta & Conan got to the hospital at 5:30 this morning for his prep stuff. I will post updates as I get them.
2:30 pm: Parents, sisters, & Betsy have been in for short visits. He is doing well but a little nauseous.
12:30 pm: He is in his room and Gretta & Henry are with him.
10:35 am: Just got a call. Surgery done, Conan in recovery, responding to commands but pretty groggy. Gretta will be able to see him in 30 to 40 minutes.
The surgery went as planned. The tissue that was removed was about marble sized and appears to be all of it. It will be sent to pathology for further analysis.
7:30 am: Conan just went back for surgery. They have 7 hours set aside for him today. Gretta & Conan got to the hospital at 5:30 this morning for his prep stuff. I will post updates as I get them.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Surgery Scheduled for July 8
Waiting these last three weeks has been very tough, but getting the news they were hoping for was a huge relief.
Surgery will be Friday in Iowa City (time TBD). The surgeon's plan is to remove the new growth and the remaining 'old' part. Notes from September 2010 put the dead cell stuff at 5 mm x 5 mm x 5 mm (I looked at my tape measure!); in June 2011 it was 7 mm x 7 mm x 9 mm. This still seems pretty small and so we have hope that the surgeon will be able to execute his plan. (After all this isn't rocket science!)
Conan is expected to be in the hospital until Monday. In August, he will meet with the oncologist to hear the chemo plan.
If you see Conan around town, ask him for a bracelet. He is hauling around a box of brain cancer awareness bracelets: No One FIGHTS Alone! All the support we are receiving from friends and family is appreciated and Conan knows he is not alone. So continued thanks and appreciation for all your thoughts and prayers.
Surgery will be Friday in Iowa City (time TBD). The surgeon's plan is to remove the new growth and the remaining 'old' part. Notes from September 2010 put the dead cell stuff at 5 mm x 5 mm x 5 mm (I looked at my tape measure!); in June 2011 it was 7 mm x 7 mm x 9 mm. This still seems pretty small and so we have hope that the surgeon will be able to execute his plan. (After all this isn't rocket science!)
Conan is expected to be in the hospital until Monday. In August, he will meet with the oncologist to hear the chemo plan.
If you see Conan around town, ask him for a bracelet. He is hauling around a box of brain cancer awareness bracelets: No One FIGHTS Alone! All the support we are receiving from friends and family is appreciated and Conan knows he is not alone. So continued thanks and appreciation for all your thoughts and prayers.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Cancer Sucks
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| The Dalton Family (Henry 7 mos.) |
The scan today was a standard checkup. As part of the regular checks, he sees both the oncologist and the radiation oncologist. They both recommended having the neurosurgeon review the MRI and Conan will meet with him on July 5 to discuss the best options. This does feel like a punch in the gut, but the prognosis is still positive.
At first I wanted to stomp my feet and scream and yell, but that doesn't make it better. This is disappointing and we had gotten use to a 'no change' headline, but we knew this day would probably come. It has been almost two and a half years since any chemo, so I am thankful to have had that long without any changes. Waiting will again be a tough part. Conan and Gretta are scared, but strong in their resolve to always get the most out of life.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
Good scan Today
Conan's check at UIHC went well today -- "come see us again in 4 months." It's getting to be boring -- and we love boring!
Henry is 10 weeks old today, weighs over 10 lbs and is getting cuter by the minute!
Henry is 10 weeks old today, weighs over 10 lbs and is getting cuter by the minute!
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