Day 41 at Cancer Treatment Centers of America

Friday, June 27th 2014

Mom woke up at 3:00 this morning with a massive nose bleed.  We arrived at Cancer Treatment Centers of America early for mom's 11:50 am radiation treatment appointment to inform Dr. Gullett about the nose bleed.  Mom's mouth is in bad shape too!  Her mouth is swollen and covered in blisters and scabs.  Dr. Gullett canceled radiation for today and Monday to give mom a much needed break.  We have to meet with her team Tuesday morning at 10:00 am before radiation for mom's weekly check up.

We had over an hour wait for mom's blood transfusion appointment in Quality of Life Infusion so we decided to head out for a little while.  Once we arrived back for her appointment, her temperature was 99.3, BP 122/60.  After mom took the Tylenol her temperature went up to 101.3, and then 102.8.  The nurse held the blood transfusion due to the fever again and gave mom another dose of Tylenol.  If mom has a fever of 100.5, or higher the transfusion cannot be performed due to the risk of infection.  The nurse spoke to mom's doctor and they ordered a chest x-ray and blood cultures.  At 5:00 pm, mom's temperature came down and they started the first of two units of blood.  

Once mom was all set up in infusion, dad and I headed home and Toni came for the second half.  The second unit of blood finished around 8:30 pm and the nurse came in and said that mom's Chest X-Ray came back normal and since her temperature hadn't spiked she could go home.  Toni got her home and into bed.

The Charm of the Day is Ruby Red

Day 40 at Cancer Treatment Centers of America

Thursday, June 26th 2014

Today Kayleigh and I took mom to Cancer Treatment Centers of America to have radiation prep and treatment.  Her mouth was extremely sore and her lips are scabbed up pretty badly.  Right before we arrived, mom took the Hydrocodone and Lidocaine along with the lolly pop to try and numb her mouth and throat before the treatment.  Next on the schedule was wound consultation.  Stephanie reviewed mom's neck and chest area to see how the radiation is burning her skin.  Mom is using Silvadene immediately following each radiation treatment and each night before bedtime.



Stephanie said she was looking pretty good other than her lips.  Mom has been using Aquaphor on her lips to help heal from radiation treatments.  Stephanie added DermaQOL to be used on her lips too.

We had over an hour wait until mom's 2:00 p.m. appointment for the Blood Transfusion in Quality of Life so we decided to venture out and go for a ride to see the City Square of Newnan.

Once we had lunch back at the cafeteria we headed up to Quality of Life.  Mom's blood pressure was 98/55 but unfortunately she had a fever of 101.4 degrees so the blood transfusion couldn't begin.  A temperature of 100.5 or higher can lead to an infection.  A urine sample and blood cultures were ordered to try and find out where the fever is coming from and there was no sign of a urinary tract infection or anything.  She is not feel well due to her hemoglobin being so low.  The Blood Transfusion was rescheduled for 1:00 p.m., tomorrow and we were released from infusion at 4:00 p.m..

The Charm of the Day

A Silver and Amethyst Crown

Day 36 at Cancer Treatment Centers of America

Friday, June 20th 2014

Today was a light day for mom.  The only appointment on today's schedule at CTCA was radiation prep and treatment.  

Everything went well with the today's treatment and we found out we do not have to come back this weekend for a Neupogen shot!  Two days off for mom will do her some good.

The Charm of the Day

Blue Hearts

Day 35 at Cancer Treatment Centers of America

Thursday, June 19th 2014

Mom woke up this morning extremely dizzy and light headed.  Dad called Dr. Gullett's office to find out what to do.  Mom said she didn't think she would be able to make the ride to Cancer Treatment Centers of America today.  Kathy McLaine, mom's Radiology Care Manager, told dad to take the patch off and bring her in.  Yesterday, Dr. Gullet upped the dosage of the Fentanyl patch to 50 and it's too much for her.  They changed the dosage from 50 to 37.5 and mom went in for radiation prep and treatment.

The Charm of the Day

A Crown of Red Hearts 

Day 31 at Cancer Treatment Centers Of America

Sunday, June 15th 2014

Today's schedule at Cancer Treatment Centers of America was the same as yesterday.  Just a very simple and a quick appointment for mom to have her Neupogen injection at 11:30 in Quality Of Life.  Today she seems to feel a little better.  She didn't sleep as much so we were able to talk on our way there and on our way home.  The nurse today was very easy and quick with giving her the injection and that's what mom likes.  As we were leaving she wanted to try pineapple juice but it burned her mouth and throat too much and she wasn't able to swollow it.

So instead she wanted to stop and try a chocolate milkshake from McDonald's together on our way home.  She was able to drink a little but said it was too thick and had no taste.  When we arrived at home she went in to rest for the afternoon.

The Charm of The Day

Day 30 at Cancer Treatment Centers Of America

Saturday, June 14th 2014

On today's schedule mom just had to go into Quality Of Life for her Neupogen injection at 11:30.  Even though today was a light day for mom, it wasn't an easy day.  She is extremely exhausted and in a lot of pain.  Mom is starting to have many sores and scabs around the outside and inside of her lips due to radiation.

On our drive up she rested the whole time.  As we waited for her injection to be delivered by the pharmacy, she slept.  The shot today burned going in but as always she is a very strong woman!  On our ride home she continued to sleep and went to bed when I got her home. 

The Charm of the Day; Gray Crystals

Day 29 at Cancer Treatment Centers of America

Friday, June 13th 2014

We arrived at CTCA earlier than our scheduled appointment today in order for Radiology to check and make sure the mask will fit with adjustments that were made yesterday.  Mom took the Hydrocodone, Lidocaine and the lolly pop to numb her mouth and throat pain so she could receive radiation treatment.  Unfortunately, she came back after the appointment and was too sore to have a treatment today.  She has appointments for tomorrow and Sunday for Neupogen injections in infusion.

The Charm of the Day

Black and White Crystals

Day 28 at Cancer Treatment Centers of America

Thursday, June 12th 2014

First on our schedule today at CTCA was mom's radiation prep and treatment.  We applied her Fentanyl patch this morning before heading to the center as directed.  Radiology was unable to get her into her mask due to the pain in her mouth and throat even though mom took Hydrocodone and Lidocaine.  Dr. Gullett and our Care Manager Kathy McLaine met with us to discuss going forward with radiation and some changes to be made to the mask.  Debbie, one of the Physicist is going to reconfigure mom's mask to keep it from cutting into her chin.  Radiation has been reschedule for tomorrow morning at 8:30.  Mom was also prescribed some Lolly Pops that mom is to start sucking on for the pain.  She is to continue with the hydrocodone and lydacain along with the Magic Mouthwash and salt water rinses.

Acupuncture was schedule for 10:30 for a duration of 45 minutes with Dr. Harris Frank, Doctor of Medical Qigong.  He asked mom again if she was sure she wanted to have acupuncture since she refused it earlier in the week.  Dr. Frank explained to mom the benefits of acupuncture and the fact that it is not required but it is an option.  She agreed to have it done in hopes that it will help with her pain.  Dr. Frank placed the acupuncture needles on her arms and legs as well as her forehead and chin.  He asked if the pain was getting any better and she said she could feel some relief.  He asked if I wanted to stay while mom went through the relaxation period and I decided to step out so mom could experience it in full.  Dr. Frank turned off the lights, started some very relaxing music and mom went into relaxation mode!

"What I love about Cancer Treatment Centers of America is that here you have a model of care where the entire team comes together to create a treatment plan for the benefit of the patient, and that includes the wealth of resources Chinese medicine has to offer."
                                                                              - Harris Frank, LAc, Dipl OM, DMQ

The Charm of the Day is Peace!

Day 27 at Cancer Treatment Centers of America

Wednesday, June 11th 2014

Today was our 27th day at Cancer Treatment Centers of America.  Radiation was scheduled at 8:45 this morning, followed by a meeting with Dr. Gullett and Kathy McLaine at 9:50 a.m..

Dr. Gullet ordered Silvadene to heal the scab on her chin that is bring caused from the radiation mask not fitting  Mom is unable to properly use the bite block in her mask for the daily radiation treatments due to the pain.  Dr. Gullett brought in a physicist to determine what changes are needed to be made to her mask for her to continue and complete the radiation treatment plan.   A Fentanyl patch was added to give mom a long acting Duragesic due mom's pain level is at a nine and Dr. Gullett wants her at no more than a two.  Mom is to continue using the Magic Mouthwash before and a salt water rinse directly following each meal.

Organic Pop Corn from 180 Degree Farm

The only other appointment was her weekly Speach Language Follow Up with Ms. Jennifer Cargile.  Ms. Cargile said mom's throat muscles are still working well even though she is in alot of pain.  She's able to swollow but it's very painful.  

The Charm of the Day 

Day 25 at Cancer Treatment Centers of America

Monday June 9th 2014

Today was our 25th day at Cancer Treatment Centers of America.  We arrived at 8:00 am for mom's scheduled Acupuncture Session at 8:15 with Dr. Harris Frank.  Within minutes, mom came back out and said she didn't need Acupuncture.  It seemed a little strange to me so we checked and mom got confused and refused treatment.  We rescheduled her session because we believe it will truly help with many of the things mom is experiencing.

Since mom didn't have acupuncture today she was early for her daily radiation prep and radiation treatment.  Radiology took her right back.  While mom was in treatment I called our Care Manager to have the Neupogen shots delivered to their home.  The out of pocket cost for the home delivery was more expensive than traveling back and forth to CTCA, so we canceled the order and decided to come on Saturday and Sunday instead.

The Charm of the Day; ΙΧΘΥΣ

Ichthys

Day 24 at Cancer Treatment Centers of America

Sunday, June 8th 2014

Today was mom's second Neupogen shot and her appointment was at 10:00 a.m.  We went up to Quality of  Life and the nurse showed me how to administer the shots to mom in either the back of her arms or even in her stomach.  These Neupogen shots are to be administered on Saturdays and Sundays following her Chemotherapy sessions on Tuesdays. The plan is to have the shots delivered to our parent's home and save her a trip over the weekends . Today the injection seemed to burn going into the back of her arm but our mom is amazingly strong and was fine right afterwards.

 Today, Steven was able to come and experience CTCA for the first time.  After the nurse in infusion was finished with mom's shot, we all went for breakfast at the wonderful cafeteria and then gave Steven a tour of the resort style campus. 

The Charm of the Day is Garnet,
Steven's Birthstone.

Day 23 at Cancer Treatment Centers of America

Saturday, June 7th 2014

Today was the first appointment for mom on a weekend at Cancer Treatment Centers of America.  It's quite a different place on the weekend.  The daily hustle and bustle was gone.  Our appointment in Quality of Life was at 10:00 a.m. for the Neupogen shot. We requested a blood pressure check because mom's blood pressure has been very low at times.  Luckily today mom's blood pressure was better, it was 113/63 and her pulse was 73.

Today was also Duane's first visit to CTCA and he found the center to be a little overwhelming.  It's not your usual medical facility, CTCA is more like a resort than a hospital. After the nurse taught us how to administer the Neupogen shot, we ran into our friend Denise Harris.  She said her tumors were shrinking and they had to do a new radiation simulation and altered her radiation treatment plan.  God is good!

The Charm of the Day is Amethyst, 

Duane's Birthstone.

Day 22 at Cancer Treatment Centers of America

Friday, June 6th 2014

Today at Cancer Treatment Centers of America we had a really short schedule!  Mom was just scheduled for radiation prep and treatment.  Today was her twelfth radiation treatment so we only have 23 more to go!

The Charm of the Day

A Simple Day

Day 21 at Cancer Treatment Centers of America

Thursday, June 5th 2014

Today we were back at it at CTCA for our 21st day.  Mom had her eleventh radiation treatment today and her mouth and throat are starting to get sore. She handled today's treatment with no problems. The raw natural honey really helps soothe her mouth and throat after radiation treatments; as well as the Magic Mouthwash which is a combination of three different medications. 

Yesterday my sister and I met a very young lady who also has been receiving radiation. Today, while walking my mom to her daily radiation treatment, the young lady walked with us.  Her name is Hope and today was her graduation day!  Hope is from South Carolina and has been receiving cancer treatments since October 2013, so she was thrilled that she was going home.  I waited for her to come out of treatment to join in her graduation ceremony and the ringing of the bell.  It was a great celebration and made me feel even more anxious for the day that mom graduates.

Normally, tomorrow would be the last day for the week but mom's schedule has been changed and now we have to come back on Saturday and Sunday for a Neupogen shot.

The Charm of the Day; Red Hearts

Day 20 at Cancer Treatment Centers of America

Wednesday, June 4th 2014

Today is moms twentieth day here at Cancer Treatment Centers Of America. On our way to the center, we received a phone call from Radiation Oncology that they wanted to start earlier with mom so as soon as we checked in we were called back.

We started our day off in radiation and she has gained 2 pounds!  Mom now weighs 113 lbs.  We first met with Dr. Gullett, mom's Radiation Oncologist and Kathy McLaine, mom's Care Manager.  They checked mom's blood pressure and it was dangerously low yesterday but today it seems to be a little better. They are still very concerned with her numbers and how dehydrated she is starting to get so early into treatment.  We were instructed to work our way up by giving mom 30 syringes containing 60CCs of water through her feeding tube along with Gatorade mixed with water by mouth.  Also rinsing her mouth with warm salt water after each meal and before bedtime.  Dr. Gullett took a look at mom's mouth and throat and said things look to be improving . She doesn't like to use the word "better" because everything is red and irritated from the radiation.  As we were leaving mom's radiation checkup, mom went in for her daily radiation treatment and we went for lunch.

After we ate lunch, mom came out of radiation and straight into her speech therapy appointment and then onto physical therapy where a few more exercises were added her daily routine. 

Since our day started out way before scheduled we were way too early for mom's chemo appointment scheduled for 4:00pm so she was finally able to eat some lunch and take a small break.  Today we started a new type of chemo cocktail because the previous chemotherapy was effecting her hearing way too quickly!  The sessions only last 4 hours which also includes the the fluids.

Me and Mom had a little organic snack during chemo.
Anytime mom wants anything to eat is a good time.
The cafe here at CTCA is unbelievable

The Charm of the Day is a Silver Horseshoe with Crystals.

Day 19 at Cancer Treatment Centers of America

Tuesday, June 3rd 2014

First thing on the schedule today was a lab draw followed by the nurse assessment.  Mom's blood pressure was 65/41 and her weight is at 110 lbs.

Dr. McKnight stated her blood pressure was extremely low due to her being so dehydrated.  So now she must have fluids today and tomorrow in Quality of Life.  He is concerned that the Cisplatin could destroy her hearing permanently so the chemotherapy type is changing to Taxotere, Carboplatin along with Neupogen which is a biologic response modifier. Neupogen is used to stimulate the production of granulocytes , (a type of white blood cell) in patients undergoing therapy that will cause low white blood cell counts.


Mom is not taking in enough fluids.  Her appetite has greatly decreased due to the changes in her taste buds from having radiation therapy daily.  She has also been experiencing some nausea.  Edra Spevack, Naturopathy, ordered that mom take Zinc Lozenges to counteract her changes in her taste buds. Also she must get at least one to two liters of water daily. She also ordered a liquid supplement derived from Mushrooms called Maitake Gold to help support healthy bone marrow function and to increase white blood cells and platelets.

We had to really hurry to make mom's appointment with Radiation Oncology.  Her appointment was scheduled for 12:10, and we were running late. Mom "took" her Clover Honey, another raw honey from Barley and Vine and went back for her treatment.  

Infusion was last today and then we headed home!

The Charm of the Day

Day 18 at Cancer Treatment Centers of America

Monday, June 2nd 2014

Today was mom's eighth radiation treatment at 1:45 at Cancer Treatment Centers of America and so far everything seems to be going well. We have been informed that around the fourteenth radiation treatment mom's neck, mouth and throat will begin to get very sore.

Directly following radiation was mom's nurse assessment.  Everything went well!  We had to meet with Olivia Burks in Gastro to evaluate how mom is doing with the PEG Tube.  Ms. Burks directed mom to start drinking five cartons a day of ISOSOURCE.  So far mom has been maintaining her weight pretty well but in order to maintain her strength and nutrition levels she needs more of the formula each day.

Another great day at CTCA!

The Charm of the Day