Cyber Monday

Kristine and I finally recovered from whatever flu we both caught. It lasted about a week and a half and we both agree it was one of the worst either of us has ever had. Since regaining our relative health we've been pretty busy getting our lives back in order. We have also been playing host to a stream of visitors over the past couple of weeks. Kristine's parents and two of her sisters have been in town to help Kristine and, of course, squeeze in a few games of cards.

Kristine got the green light a week ago to start Cyberknife radiation therapy on the tumor in her shoulder. The tumor (originating in a lymph node) has reached about half the size of a tennis ball, and as a result, is causing Kristine a great deal of pain as it puts increasing pressure on the nerves and muscles in the area. She begins Cyberknife at Delaware County Hospital (one of the few and first places in the area with a Cyberknife center and an affiliate of Fox Chase Cancer Center) this Monday. The procedure lasts about an hour a day for a duration of just five days. There are some risks like potential damage to the skin, nerves and bone in the direct area. However, the alternative is to do nothing which will result in certain damage, including the possible loss of the use of her only good arm. There is also a chance that the procedure will not work -- sarcomas are generally radiation resistant. But Kristine has seen success with Gamma Knife radiation therapy, very similar to Cyberknife. She therefore has a better chance of success. The radiation oncologist advised that, if all goes well, she should see results (that is tumor shrinkage) within a of couple weeks and even as quickly as one week.

We'll keep you updated on how the procedure goes.

A Tough Week

Our Fourth of July weekend ended up being anything but celebratory. It started on Thursday when we met with our Oncologist to review Kristine's latest scans. After some disappointing news at her last appointment (three months prior) we both felt hopeless and anxious about what was to come. It was only a month later that we were introduced to the Herbalist, giving us a renewed glimmer of hope. The herbs that Kristine started taking did wonders to rejuvenate her energy level and mental state. But the true test of whether the remedies were working would be in the results of her scans. On Thursday, we found out that all of her existing lung and lymph node tumors increased in size. Additionally, there are some new small nodules in her lung that have surfaced. Even though Kristine and I both knew what to expect (Kristine's shoulder tumor is distinctly larger) we were none-the-less disappointed by the news.

The Oncologist didn't offer many options knowing that Kristine has not been open to going through chemotherapy again. There was one exchange were Kristine said that unless he had something that could cure her disease she was not open to chemo. The doctor responded that the latest drugs could offer her an extra six months or more. Kristine retorted, noting that it would come at the cost of her quality of life. She did, however, express an interest in Radiation if a more targeted approach could be taken, like that used in her Gamma Knife operation that seemed to be effective on her type of sarcoma. The doctor jumped at Kristine's willingness. He picked up the phone and arranged for an appointment with the Radiologist for this coming Tuesday.

We were both quite depressed the rest of the day and neither of us slept much that night, our minds preoccupied with sadness over the new information. Our sadness continued into Friday. To top things off, I was bedridden with a bad cold the entire weekend (fever, cough, body ache, chills and fatigue) the fever and cough from which are still lingering. And, as if she didn't have enough physical challenges to deal with Kristine started displaying symptoms of the same vicious cold on Sunday afternoon at a wedding we were attending outside of Philadelphia. Kristine left reluctantly just before the reception. In hindsight her 102 degree temperature more than validated the decision.

Two of Kristine's sisters were scheduled to come in this week from Michigan, one with her newborn baby. But now with our house being a hotbed of germs they have opted to postpone their trip by a week or two.

Kristine will continue to take the herbs to see if the new regiment is any more successful at providing results. On Tuesday, when we meet with Radiologist we will be insistent on using the most advanced and targeted procedures and equipment possible. I've already done the research to know the various methods (brands) available that have shown success with sarcoma. If we have to go somewhere else to explore our options we will do so. After all this isn't just about prolonging Kristine's life and alleviating her pain it's about buying her quality time in hopes of discovering a lasting solution.

We are really hoping to catch a break one of these days!