Another First

Rene Can Read!

Today is the first time about over two months that Rene has been able to grab a book and read it. Prior to today, she would get a headache trying to read. This is a breakthrough for her, she has been sitting for over two hours reading medical information about cancer.

The insurance plan I have offers many additional benefits for cancer treatment. Last week we had a conference call with a research doctor about her medical condition. The doctor used this call with us to gather specific research information for us to review and use on her oncologist.

I am impressed with the books sent to us and the fact that Rene is reading them. She stated that she wished she could have spoken with them earlier so she would have been better prepared. I have "dips" on the medical dictionary, I can use this for Scrabble at a later time!

Tumor Updates

Today Rene got to have her first PET Scan and we will get the result on either Tuesday or Wednesday next week. Her oncologist stated that he cannot feel any lumps in her breasts and I cannot either. The results of the scan will let us know the status of the tumors in her stomach, back, and lower abdomen next week.

If the treatment has been successful, they will be either gone or greatly reduced. More importantly, the scan could show if the tumors are dead which means, you can see them but they are not active. Keep your fingers crossed and keep praying.

As I stated yesterday, even if the scan reveals great news about the lymphoma, she still have to finish her 7 cycles. Additionally, the medicines will not be weaken either so she will get the full effect of them as she experienced in her 2nd and 3rd cycles.

To lessen her load for this upcoming cycle, she is only going to receive one medicine instead of three for her spine chemo. This is a small victory I guess, she seems pleased and her doctor got out with the same blood count he had when he came in with!

Gearing Up For Monday

She received confirmation that the hospital expects her after 8AM on Monday today. She was so happy with that call...NOT!!! She is feeling overall much better with this one than she did with 3rd cycle. She wishes she was strong enough not to require me lifting her but I informed her not to worry about it.

She wants to be pushed while she is in the hospital to keep her doing her exercises and I plan to be the "skunk at the picnic" to make this happen. How often can a husband be a complete pain and be allowed by his wife. I am taking advantage of this because it benefits her in the long run! "That is my story and I am sticking to it!".