One more week of radiation

Sorry for the lack of updates - got a virus on both home computers (yikes!) and just got them back today from the Neosho Computers shop. My laptop is with mom and dad in St Louis, so we were offline for a while.

Dad's still doing very well - they were home in Seneca for this past weekend (didn't bring the laptop home unfortunately), then returned to St Louis on Monday. It was good to have them home (the dogs were very happy!) and I am sure they enjoyed relaxing at home.  We had fantastic warm weather.

Dad has 5 more treatments this coming week; Gary and I will go to St Louis to accompany them on the drive home, this coming Friday. They will be home for 4 weeks, before having to head back for a CT scan and one more chemo treatment. We thought he would have the CT scan in 3 weeks, but they said 4 weeks - apparantly, the tumor continues to shrink for several weeks after radiation. Then they will schedule the surgery - possibly for 2 weeks after than - perhaps the week of May 9?  It's been a long tough road for Dad but he is doing great.  The radiation department there at Barnes Jewish says he's making them all look good.  :-)

Almost half way and still doing well...

Dad is still feeling well though a bit tired (understandable).  His radiologist suggested he take anti-nausea medicine just in case, because the treatments build up on you.  Two days after starting that pill, his ankles started swelling up (similar to what would happen a couple days after he took anti-nausea pills with his Joplin treatments). He thinks it's related to that med and I think he's right! He stopped taking it, but it takes a while for the swelling to go down. In the meantime, walking is difficult so they opted not to drive over to my cousin Ron's house in Wentzville this past weekend, which had originally been the plan.  (Plus Kimberly has a bug, so it's best not to get too close.) Sorry they missed the visit - missed out on more of Kirsten's great cooking!

Also, his red cell count was a bit on the low end, so they skipped one of his weekly chemo treatments (while continuing the radiation).  I think he's not eating enough red meat!!! Also supposed to have lots of green leafy vegetables - but unfortunately those are not allowed in any large volume due to his blood thinner medicine (slight conflict of interest which presents a challenge). Hopefully with a 2-week break in-between, his red cell count will come back up for the next treatment. He always had a 2-week break for his Joplin treatments.

We are all hoping for the best, that his results from these treatments will be as good or better than in Joplin. Shrink that tumor by another half! 

I am sure Dad is looking forward to a break, and they are both looking forward to coming home.  They are planning on driving back to Seneca this Friday (St Patty's Day) and then driving back early Monday morning. If he's not feeling up to the drive, I can take the bus from Joplin to St Louis to help out on the drive back, or the other way, or both. Will post later in the week.

So far so good for the radiation in St Louis

Dad has had no ill effects so far, after one chemo treatment Monday and several radiation treatments. The Hope Lodge is comfortable and working out well, with a shuttle to Barnes Jewish for treatments, and several restaurants and grocery store nearby.

Mom and dad are planning on coming home for one weekend, if all goes well.

I think they miss the dogs - who went to the vet today for rabies shots - so the dogs don't particularly like me right now. Plus, we don't have any donut seeds (cheerios) to give them - oh the heartless neglect. However, I have been putting left-over prime rib in their meals, so that should make up for the cruel lack of cheerios.  These dogs are so spoiled....all pets should have it so good.