Send your well-wishes and positive thoughts his way. Hopefully he will feel better tomorrow!
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| Hawaii 2009 |
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Sick Day
Just a quick update on Kavan. Unfortunately he's been feeling quite lousy today. He stayed home from work today because he has been feeling fatigued and nauseous. I'm not sure if this is somewhat related to the speed at which he received his doxyrubicin or another reason.
Send your well-wishes and positive thoughts his way. Hopefully he will feel better tomorrow!
Send your well-wishes and positive thoughts his way. Hopefully he will feel better tomorrow!
Monday, March 4, 2013
Week 35 Chemo Day
Another week gone! Now to catch everyone up from last week. On Friday Kavan met with his oncologist for his pre-chemotherapy check up. As per usual he had his blood levels checked which followed by a meeting with Dr.Chu. His white blood cells were within an appropriate level to proceed with chemotherapy and his hemoglobin was 113. His hemoglobin is on the lowish side and he's charting into possible transfusion territory. No transfusion date set as of yet, but it is a distinct possibility in the future. Hopefully he can bounce back after this latest round of chemotherapy.
Friday night Kavan spent some much-needed guy's video game time with a couple of his friends. I was able to catch up on the mountain of school work I had and the next day we were able to attend a matinee with Kavan's nephew, Patrick. For me the best part of the whole afternoon was watching Patrick so thoroughly enjoying his popcorn and the movie.
Today Kavan received another round of chemotherapy. I think everyone was prepared for another long day at the Cross Cancer Institute, however, when Kavan arrived this morning he received some much welcome news. The protocol for one of his chemotherapy agents, doxyrubicin, had changed. Instead of being given over a period of four hours, it was now to be given slow IV push over approximately 15 minutes. That meant that Kavan was done at 11:00am rather than 4:30pm! What a difference! As a result, we were able to go out for a nice lunch with my dad who was teaching at the university today. A nice surprise!
Kavan also received word that he's reached his lifetime maximum of doxyrubicin. So, no more doxy. While this is exciting news as well, it also serves as a reminder of how truly toxic these medications can be. Doxyrubicin is notorious for damaging the heart's ability to function and so I'm thankful he's done with it! Now, on Kavan's one day treatments, he will receive the two medications-vinecristine and ifophosphamide, rather than the usual three. Shouldn't be too many more treatments though!
I know Kavan's feeling a bit lousy tonight, so please send good thoughts his way!
Have a good week!
Friday night Kavan spent some much-needed guy's video game time with a couple of his friends. I was able to catch up on the mountain of school work I had and the next day we were able to attend a matinee with Kavan's nephew, Patrick. For me the best part of the whole afternoon was watching Patrick so thoroughly enjoying his popcorn and the movie.
Today Kavan received another round of chemotherapy. I think everyone was prepared for another long day at the Cross Cancer Institute, however, when Kavan arrived this morning he received some much welcome news. The protocol for one of his chemotherapy agents, doxyrubicin, had changed. Instead of being given over a period of four hours, it was now to be given slow IV push over approximately 15 minutes. That meant that Kavan was done at 11:00am rather than 4:30pm! What a difference! As a result, we were able to go out for a nice lunch with my dad who was teaching at the university today. A nice surprise!
Kavan also received word that he's reached his lifetime maximum of doxyrubicin. So, no more doxy. While this is exciting news as well, it also serves as a reminder of how truly toxic these medications can be. Doxyrubicin is notorious for damaging the heart's ability to function and so I'm thankful he's done with it! Now, on Kavan's one day treatments, he will receive the two medications-vinecristine and ifophosphamide, rather than the usual three. Shouldn't be too many more treatments though!
I know Kavan's feeling a bit lousy tonight, so please send good thoughts his way!
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| Fall 2009-One of my fav photos of Kavan & Patrick |
Monday, February 25, 2013
Week 34-The Curse of the Mullet Shoes
After a busy weekend of marriage prep at Kavan's church, I'm back to school and Kavan is back to work. Lately we've both been feeling slightly overwhelmed with school/work and I know we're both looking forward to relaxing next weekend.
Overall, Kavan has been feeling quite well over the last week. Today he had another physiotherapy appointment at the Cross Cancer Institute. He informed me that the physiotherapist was thoroughly impressed with his progress and his range of motion in the left leg is nearly identical to his right. He still requires more physio and exercises but this is most welcome news. Later this week Kavan will have his bi-monthly meeting with Dr.Chu. He is scheduled to receive chemotherapy this upcoming Monday pending normal lab results. I believe this is now the sixth-last treatment. Hard to believe!
This somewhat relates to something that's been bothering me for quite some time....Kavan's mullet shoes. When Kavan was receiving radiation treatment, his left foot became so swollen that there was a period of time where he could not wear normal footwear. As a result, we made many a shopping trip to try and find something appropriate for work and otherwise. The resulting purchase were something I like to refer to as mullet shoes. That is, shoes that are 'business' in the front and party in the back. Exactly what one would imagine, closed in the front and open in the back. While this was the ideal solution in the radiation period and these shoes served Kavan well, they have outstayed their welcome. Even though the swelling in his left foot is nearly invisible and Kavan could most certainly fit his foot in normal shoes, he chooses not too. I frequently threaten Kavan with the prospect that one morning his beloved footwear might be missing.
Why do I hate these shoes soooo much? One answer: The SMELL! Backless shoes and winter weather most certainly do NOT mix. I think these shoes get wet easily with all the snow and slush and, as a result, start stinking! Lately, I think he's wearing these shoes just to annoy me. Not quite the methods we learned in marriage prep this weekend. Maybe I will have to retaliate with my own tactics. HAHA
I guess if Kavan's shoes are our biggest worry this week, life's not so bad!
Have a good week and cross your fingers for good news on Friday!
Overall, Kavan has been feeling quite well over the last week. Today he had another physiotherapy appointment at the Cross Cancer Institute. He informed me that the physiotherapist was thoroughly impressed with his progress and his range of motion in the left leg is nearly identical to his right. He still requires more physio and exercises but this is most welcome news. Later this week Kavan will have his bi-monthly meeting with Dr.Chu. He is scheduled to receive chemotherapy this upcoming Monday pending normal lab results. I believe this is now the sixth-last treatment. Hard to believe!
This somewhat relates to something that's been bothering me for quite some time....Kavan's mullet shoes. When Kavan was receiving radiation treatment, his left foot became so swollen that there was a period of time where he could not wear normal footwear. As a result, we made many a shopping trip to try and find something appropriate for work and otherwise. The resulting purchase were something I like to refer to as mullet shoes. That is, shoes that are 'business' in the front and party in the back. Exactly what one would imagine, closed in the front and open in the back. While this was the ideal solution in the radiation period and these shoes served Kavan well, they have outstayed their welcome. Even though the swelling in his left foot is nearly invisible and Kavan could most certainly fit his foot in normal shoes, he chooses not too. I frequently threaten Kavan with the prospect that one morning his beloved footwear might be missing.
Why do I hate these shoes soooo much? One answer: The SMELL! Backless shoes and winter weather most certainly do NOT mix. I think these shoes get wet easily with all the snow and slush and, as a result, start stinking! Lately, I think he's wearing these shoes just to annoy me. Not quite the methods we learned in marriage prep this weekend. Maybe I will have to retaliate with my own tactics. HAHA
I guess if Kavan's shoes are our biggest worry this week, life's not so bad!
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| Happy 87th birthday Gramps! |
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| Fun with pirate Patrick...what a talented colorer! |
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| Funny Faces |
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