December 7, 2006 - Cancer 101

Hi everyone-

Ever wonder what someone looks like while they are receiving chemo? Well here's your chance! Pictures of Jim...on chemo. It's not as exciting as one might think, but I thought it would be helpful in case you're picturing Jim looking frail in a hospital gown. Quite the opposite in fact. He looks pretty good, doesn't he?

The Vince has a wonderful chemo atmosphere - everyone gets their own barcolounger, their own TV, and there are tons of treats for everyone. In fact, the chemo nurses asked people to bring in less treats this year and bring in decorations for their Christmas tree! When Jim goes in this afternoon to get his pump out, Rachel and I will be hanging candy canes on the Christmas tree. The tree is at the front of the room for everyone to enjoy. On Tuesday I raided the Lindt chocolate supply and I swear my jeans were tighter by the time we left. Plus I had to sneak by the nurses' station to get the chocolates - the walk of shame. A few of the times I covered my actions by getting mints for Jim. They have mints available because the saline solution they infuse with the chemo drugs smells to some of the patients. (Jim included.) You'd think it would be the chemo drugs that smell, but it's just the saline. So now you know that chemo doesn't look...clinical.

More good news in the Cancer 101 course. One of the tumor indicators in our bodies is called a CEA (carcinoembryonic antigen) level. Mine and yours is measured at a 5 or under. At Jim's diagnosis, his CEA was at 159.1. Yesterday they called from the Vince and told us that Jim's CEA is down to 75.2. Less than 1/2! Hooray! Here's the lesson in it, though. Just because his CEA level is lowered by that much doesn't mean that there's a 50% tumor reduction. There are many factors that can effect the CEA level. However; it does mean that things seem to be pointing in the right direction, which is exactly what we want to hear.

Jim isn't sick yet during this round, but he is very,very, very tired. He took a "nap" yesterday at 3:00 pm and didn't get up until 7:45 this morning. I had to wake him for his anti-nausea meds, which he was not happy about. The pump comes out today at 3:30! Needless to say, we're all excited about that.

Also in this round of treatment, Jim started his Tai Chi class. Thankfully Dr. Haid is teaching it. Jim really seemed to like it and I think he has a lot of respect for Dr. Haid. He said it was a nice class. It's a bunch of white-haireds, Dr. Haid, Jim, and another guy about 30 years old. When Jim got home he said that by the end of the session he'll be able to "kick someone's ass in slow motion". Well at least he has a sense of humor. He said that some of the moves were pretty tough, requiring balance.

Next up: reflexology and reiki. If I've got him taking tai chi, listening to Tibetan bowl chimes, and eating organic food, reflexology will be a snap. Don't you think?

In the organic food battle: Judi is bringing us organic milk from the world famous Wegman's grocery store - only $5.99 a gallon. Will my wallet (or hers for that matter?!) ever rest?

Judi and Mark are driving down to see us tomorrow. I know that will be very good for Jim. He has his first CT Scan on Monday morning at 9:45. Results come back late Tuesday or Wednesday. Please double up on prayers this weekend. We really need them. I believe we will see improvement, but Dr. Haid has already warned us that the best thing to hope for is stabilization.

Love to all!