Another speed bump

I wish I could say the first IP chemo went well today. Yesterday, Joanne got her IV Taxol and today she was supposed to get her first IP Cisplatinum. She was given all the initial IV drugs for nausea, etc. and then they discovered that her IP port was clogged - the fluid wouldn't go in.

So, it was off to the hospital for a dye study and then a cat scan. We were told to go home and wait for a decision. We are still waiting. It appears they are not sure what to do next.

So, a whole day at the office and all she got was sleepy! Maybe tomorrow.

Our friends Mara and Natalie are here from Nova Scotia to help us with the harvest and home repairs (Natalie can fix anything!). We're eliminating all our "tolerations" and putting up all the tomatoes, beans, beets. Now, if we could just run out and buy another freezer. . .

Here's another picture of our new children - never say I don't respond to your requests. . .

Chemo Update

We are NOT in Seattle today! After much dialogue and consultation, it has been decided to do the IP and systemic chemo at Madrona, in consultation with the folks down South. We found a nurse at Madrona who has some experience in IP chemo. This will alleviate much stress for us as neither of us are fans of traveling to Seattle twice a week (especially now that we will have a Trader Joe's up here!). The first IP chemo will be this Thursday - we will be at Madrona all day.
We are proceeding in faith that this will go smoothly and easily with minimal side effects. Joanne will be VERY filled with the Holy Spirit on Thursday!

Back in Bellingham

We are finally home - and Joanne is in our wonderful tempur-pedic bed. She received two units of blood yesterday and felt much stronger afterwards. Her temperature never rose above the "must have antibiotics" level, so we dodged that bullet.

We had several conferences with the new oncologist and our surgeon yesterday. They painted a very clear, and sometimes a bit frightening, picture of the chemotherapy road ahead. We have the first session a week from today, the 17th, in Seattle. They are definitely raising the bar in terms of chemo, with both IV and intraperitoneal chemo and a new drug. We are going ahead with the first session to see how Joanne tolerates it. She is in charge, and if the side-effects are too bad, she can cancel future treatments. I believe she will do fine - she is strong, resilient, and heals well. There are only three more cycles - six treatments total. We're starting to see the old proverbial light at the end of you know what.

Speaking of healing, even though this surgery was more extensive (larger incision, hysterectomy, etc.) Joanne is recovering much faster. She is actually much healthier this go-round, even after four cycles of chemo! We expect the healing to continue.

Bumps on the Road

Two challenges have arisen. One, Joanne is now quite anemic. She will be getting blood transfusions all day tomorrow - so obviously we are here until at least Monday. Also, it appears she may have an infection due to spikes of fever, so if this continues, we will need to start antibiotics this afternoon. Disappointing, especially since I am so eager to get us back home. I am so aware that a hospital is the WORST place to heal. Now I know this will sound weird to most of you, but I also get weary of eating all my meals out. I'd rather cook my own. Hopefully today Joanne will be able to start eating that great hospital "food" that appears on her tray.

We also got the sobering news today that Joanne's chemo protocol will involve TWO days in Seattle, six days apart every chemo cycle. One will involve an overnight stay in the hospital.
Since my work schedule really picks up in September and October, we will need to rally the troops for transportation help.

Apple did come through - gave me the new super-powerful I-Pod that came out this week!

Good News Details

I am writing this from our PRIVATE room - and the room is at the end, close to the lounge.
Why is that significant? Well, the WIFI (only available in a depressing lounge) leaks into our room!! We must be doing something right. . .

Joanne is deep in sleep and looks great. I knew it was good news when Dr. Grice came into the conference room smiling and beaming. The news is that he found only "dead" tumors and was able to remove them all. He didn't have to resect her colon, she didn't need any blood, and the surgery was only 1.5 hrs. He was able to put in a peritoneal port for her future chemo. There was only one small lymph node involvement. He was quite pleased with himself!

My team (Kathleen, Carol, Sharon and Peggy) and I cried this time too, but it was tears of joy.
One beloved member of the team was absent this go-round. Rev. Jenn was taking care of her partner, who left the hospital today after surgery for a shattered tibia.

Joanne is mercifully pain free again due to the epidural pain meds. She has NO nasogastric tube this time and already there are good rumblings in her GI tract. Clear liquids tonight!

We are determined there will be no infection this time and that the rest of her recovery will be easy and quick.

Only glitch so far is that my brand new I-Pod apparently died today as I was playing music for Joanne. Apple is seeing me tomorrow to hopefully replace it. So, we are on a roll! Thank you again for your support and prayers. It was palpable down here in Seattle.

Damn Good News!!!

Dr. Grice just left us. The news couldn't be better - we are all breathing and celebrating.
Details to follow - stay tuned. Thanks for your prayers - break out the champagne or carrot juice.

Count Down To Surgery #2

We found out today that Joanne is first case tomorrow. That means check-in at Virginia Mason at 5 am. Oh boy. It's going to be a short night! We will be staying with a friend of mine who lives about a 10 minute drive from the hospital (Thank you, Kathleen!).

Today I am working and Joanne is spending the day on clear liquids and a bowel prep (I'll leave the details of that to your vivid imaginations!) We leave Bellingham after my dinner tonight.

We are visualizing the following:

• A private room
• Dr. Grice is able to remove everything that shouldn't be there, and leave all that should be
• An easy and swift recovery so we can return home to our cat children and garden

We both believe that collective prayers and subjective support are powerful phenomena. Please join us in manifesting many miracles this week.

I will be posting every day during our stay at VM. Stay tuned. I am determined to have good news this time.