Treatment - Chemo Day 12, Radiation Day 8

Not a lot to report. We are one week in. Nausea med at 9:00, Temodar pill at 10:00, and radiation at 11:00. It is affecting Chip as expected. He hasn't had much nausea since the first day. He was having a bit of a headache for a few days also. These were both taken care of by raising his steroid dose. Now his big treatment symptom is fatigue. It is taken care of by a nice afternoon nap. Raising his steroid, however, did raise his blood sugar levels again. Doctor number 4 - Dr. Crow, has doubled his Metformin. Still don't see much change, but we call him again on Thursday. Josh had his tonsils taken out on Saturday, so there are two patients this week. Thanks again for all the prayers and well wishes. They are appreciated.

Treatment - Day 1 (WooHoo)

Before we start talking about today's first day of treatment, here's what happened yesterday.  I have been concerned that Chip is having issues with his blood sugar.  I WAS RIGHT.  We went to his GP yesterday and found out that the steroids that are keeping his brain from swelling is messing with his blood sugar.  So - we are testing his glucose levels first thing in the morning and he is on diabetes medication.  One pill to take care of the effects of another pill.  This will be a theme running throughout this blog today.

OK.  So the stars have aligned, allowing us to begin treatment today.  It has taken awhile to negotiate getting the very special and expensive chemotherapy drug, Temodar, here to Lubbock.  The great thing was that Chip and I didn't actually have to do anything,  Jan, our fabulous social worker, took care of everything.  She called me at work.....

Jan: "Mrs. Bacon, I need to ask you something."

Me: "OK"

Jan: "Your insurance has improved and sent the Temodar - it will be here tomorrow - but your insurance wants pre-approval for the Zophran (nausea medicine) before they will send it."

Me: "Oh, no.  How much longer will that be."

Jan: "Well, it takes the nurses awhile to get that done - it's a pain - do you mind if WE pay for that and send it in to Best Pharmacy? You can pick it up today."

Me: "Sure...sounds good."

It really is a fabulous set up.  Remind me to tell you about the goodie bag we got today.

ON TO TODAY.

Here's the schedule.

6:00 am - glucose test, morning meds (9 of them)
7:00 am - breakfast
9:00 am - Zophran (nausea medicine)
10:00 am - Temodar (Cancer Killer!!)
11:00 am - Radiation Therapy at the cancer center.

We are told that the Temodar is a fast uptake drug when taken on an empty stomach.  So we eat at 7.  It takes about an hour for the drug to be in the brain, killing cells.  They want the radiation to be working on those cells  AT THE SAME TIME.  Pretty cool.

So we followed the schedule - everything went great.  Had more discussions about side-effects. We'll let you know if he experiences any.

Here are pictures of the radiation machine, his mask, and his cute and sweet radiation tech.

At the Oncolosists (Plural)

Today was our first visit with the oncologists, Dr. Anderson and Dr. Close at the Joe Arrington Cancer Research and Treatment Center here in Lubbock.  The plan for Howard's treatment is as follows.

1. Tumor biopsy and removal of some of the mass. (Completed)
2. Radiation/Chemotherapy Combo
3. Long term Chemotherapy Regimen

Ok. So we are on part 2.  Howard will have 30 days of radiation treatments - 5 days a week.  The radiation process is called IMRT.  It is very targeted, it takes 15 minutes each day, and has no side effects.  Running concurrently with the radiation is 42 days of chemotherapy - 7 days a week.  The drug is called Temodar.  It is an oral medication that is the latest and greatest for this type of tumor.  With it he will take an anti-nausea drug, although the side effects from this medication are usually milder than what usually runs with chemotherapy.  He will also take Bactrim (an antibiotic) three times a week.  The Temodar will compromise his immune system some, and so they want to prevent any pneumonias.

After 6 weeks, he will be on a long-term treatment plan.  He will still take the Temodar, but for 5 days with a break of 25 days between cycles.  This will go on for at least 2 years.  During that time, he will have MRIs every 3 months, and his "tumor board" will meet after each to discuss his progress. 

Today, Thursday Dec. 1, we will go in for his "Radiation Simulation". He will be fitted with a face shield that will hold him down to the treatment table.  Howard is calling it his "Hannibal Lecter mask."  They will inject him with contrast again and run him through a CT.  This is where they are doing all the calculations and targeting for the treatments.  It will take the longest today, after that it will be a "strap in and go" type of thing every day.

I need to add something about the fabulous treatment here at the JACC.  Talk about wonderful people.  This is how everyone should be treated at the doctor's office.  It seemed like everyone's primary job was to answer our questions and take care of us.  We have a special social worker, Jan, who is taking care of all the insurance work for us - "jumping through the hoops" so we can get the Temodar here as fast as possible.  I have direct to the desk extension numbers for about 8 nurses to answer questions any time I need them.  Dr. Close gave Howard a hug before he left....really super.

So..that's the plan.  Let you know what happens in 6 weeks. :)