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 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 15 at Cancer Treatment Centers Of America

Wednesday, May 28th 2014

Today was a very easy day for mom but a very exciting day because "The Girls", (her grand daughters), were able to come to Cancer Treatment Centers of America for the first time and are now Meemaws new caregivers .

We started the morning out at CTCA with mom's radiation treatment and ended with a follow up appointment with Dr. Keith Kowal, ENT.  At her consultation Dr. Kowal wanted to check her hearing once again and mentioned having hearing aides added to her schedule . 

The Charm of the Day is Silver with Purple Crystals.
(Chosen by Kayleigh)

Today completes the first bracelet.

Day 12 at Cancer Treatment Centers of America

Thursday, May 22nd 2014

Today we had a packed schedule with many different appointments and doctors to see.  We started out with mom's port being accessed and blood drawn for the weekly lab work. The results came back a little less than positive.  We were told mom's kidney functions are getting worse and her Sodium and Magnesium levels were very low.  After the nurse checked mom's blood pressure and the reading was 81/50 there was some serious concern.  It was obvious that mom was very dehydrated and was not drinking the amount of fluids that was ordered by her team of doctors.  Dr. McKnight's nurse requested that we call Dr. Scott, the family doctor to discuss her blood pressure and the high blood pressure medications she has been taking for many years.  Being that mom is no longer a smoker, her high blood pressure medicine would need to be altered.

The Beam of Hope

"This beam was signed by people who have been touched by cancer, just like you.  They are patients, survivors and family members who made the journey you are now making and signed this beam as proff that hope is real.  We will accompany you on this journey and will share your passion, acknowledge your courage and celebrate your tenacity of spirit

Cancer Treatment Centers of America is your home for healing and hope."

Mom was originally prescribed a form of chemotherapy known as Cisplatinum and due to the effects on her hearing from her first chemo treatment Dr. McKnight and his team are planning to change it. Being that mom is having one of the side effects from the Cisplatinum, which is permanent hearing loss including complete deafness Dr. McKnight doesn't want to risk it.

Next on the schedule today was Radiation prep and treatment.  We only had minutes to get to that appointment.  Mom took 100 percent raw natural Wildflower Honey that she bought from Barley and Vine. She is supposed to take one tablespoon of honey and swish 15 minutes prior to the radiation treatment and 15 minutes following the treatment.  The honey soothes her throat and mouth from the radiation treatments.

The view of the bottom floor from Quality of Life

Next it was up to Quality of Life form mom to have Infusion for two and half hours due to dehydration.  She was getting extremely restless and impatient so it was nice to get done and go home.

The Charm of the Day; Sky Blue.