Chemo #3

Happy Friday all! It has been a busy few days for team OJ! Uncle John flew in Tuesday afternoon just in time to hit some golf balls with Dad! I could get used to him coming every three weeks :)

Wednesday we had an appointment at MD Anderson to get Dad's labs and blood work done bright and early at 8am. At 9am we were able to meet with Dr. K where he just checked on Dad to see how he was tolerating the chemo. He wanted to do an X-ray to see if he was on track with the chemo regimen which we were all secretly excited about since we didn't take one last week at Sievers' office. We had to wait a bit (by bit I mean an hour) for an X-ray technician to come over from Banner Gateway but after that we were in an out! And instead of just making us wait, there was always a nurse coming out to apologize for the wait and to check and see if we needed anything! Just another reason MD Anderson's staff is above the rest!

This is Dr. K checking Dad's lungs...he isn't as scary as he looks here I promise!

You can't really see, but Dad is using Cindy's scarf to keep warm...too funny

Well we all know Dad and Uncle John wouldn't miss a chance to play golf so right after the appointment they headed to out to play. You would think the chemo would hinder Dad's golf game, but he is still shooting in the 70's! 

What a STUD!

Dad and Uncle John grilling the best shishka bobs ever!

Yesterday was chemo #3 and we all trekked back to MD Anderson after devouring Cindy's famous monkey bread (soo good). After we checked in we obviously had to stop at the new puzzle that was out, and Uncle John got his first puzzle piece! Very proud. Dad and I went back first to get his IV's set up where we first met Mary. She took his vitals (weight, blood pressure ect) and Dad and I had a little dance party when his weight was 154...only for the party to be ruined by her telling us he was wearing jeans and a jacket so he wasn't 154. He is maintaining his weight though which is great!

Mary then took us back to our chemo corner where we met Christine, our nurse for the day. Dad and her hit it off from the first second of meeting and we knew it was going to be a great day! Here are a few things we learned that were different from last time:

1. Christine has worked in oncology for 20+ years therefore she knows chemo VERY well. She knows the right way to pair up the drugs to get Dad out of there faster. She also is great at starting the IV's!
2. Avastin (Dad's newest chemo) is on a titration plan. (i got either giddy or nauseous...couldn't tell...thinking back to my chemistry terminology from college) so basically last time it dripped for 90 minutes...60 minutes yesterday...and 30 minutes next time! 
3. We can request nurses that we like (yes we liked Christine THAT much!) but we just cant tell the other nurses, they get jealous ;)

 Dad handled the chemo very well all day. He got a little heart burn after lunch (I have no idea why, he only ate half a roast beef sandwich, a cheeseburger, a cup of fruit, fries, and an onion ring...) but other than that he did great! Our friend Mo stopped by and it was great catching up with her! She brought the most beautiful lilies that we unfortunately had to keep in the waiting room (We didn't forget them on the way out Mo!), thank you again Mo!!!

Oh and remember that X-ray Dad had taken? The NP had come up to talk to us about it that afternoon but we didn't get much from that conversation. She didn't have another X-ray to compare it to but she did say she can still see the tumor and some residual from the pneumonia. However, the residual could actually be scarring and not pneumonia itself. She said the tumor is at least stable if not smaller and they are sending it over to Dr. Siever so he can compare it to his last X-ray.

The TV speakers are on the remote so Dad kindly was holding it for us to hear :)

Dad and Mo!

Dad is doing really well and is starting to brainstorm some great things to do once chemo is over...I'll keep you in suspense for awhile :) Dad and Uncle John are back on the golf course today (I think we might just let them live there) having a blast I am sure! Thank you everyone for your continued support and prayers, they are so appreciated!

Jinxing Shminxing

Hi! It seems like forever since I have updated the good ol' blog! I hope everyone is enjoying the start to spring, with the exception of the last few days here in Phoenix, I can say I am in love with this weather and would fully support if it stayed in the 80's until next year!

Well since the last chemo Dad has been doing great! As with the first chemo, Dad had a steroid high the first three days followed by two "hangover" days. All in all, Dad has shown the chemo whose boss and we couldn't be more proud!

Mr. Crance and Dad!

Before Uncle John left us last time, we were able to our neighbors' going away party. It was a ton of fun and great to see everyone in "the hood"! (Mike & Suzie- it is already weird without you here!)

Dad and Uncle John at The Crance's going away party!

When I was at work last week I came up to greet one of my table's and one of the women asked my name. When I told her, it turned out to be my parents' friend and co-worker Nancy Beets! I have heard her name for years so it was great to finally meet her and her sister. Such a small world since they were going to a party she was hosting the following Sunday!

Dad and Nancy

Dad, Cindy, and Nancy

Well today Dad and I went back to Dr. Siever's office (the pulmonologist) for a check up, and he made sure to tell me where to go so I didn't take us on a 20 minute scenic tour like last time :) They first took his vitals which were all perfect, and no weight loss! Then he had to do the "breathing test" which Dad says is the worst test in the world...and after watching I think I might agree.

(I don't think he knows I took this... I'm sneaky like that)

They have to breathe into the device like you see above and it measures their lung capacity and other exciting things like that. WELL, let me just tell you that not only did Dad beat each previous attempt (they do 3) but he also improved his "score" by almost DOUBLE from last month! It was so exciting and was just the beginning to a great appointment!

When we met with Dr. Siever Dad filled him in on everything new with MD Anderson and how he has been feeling the last month since we've seen him. Dr. Siever was thrilled to hear everything has been going well and that Dad has been feeling great. After Dr. Siever listened to Dad's lungs he said that he didn't need to do an X-Ray to know that Dad is responding to the chemo and the tumor has shrunk. I am still getting goosebumps replaying it in my head. We all had the conversation that it IS ok to say you are feeling better and to say you think the chemo is working without "jinxing it". That's HOPE! Dad said he can just tell it is working, and it has been the first time since November that he can lay on his back with NO cough, and can sleep comfortably.

God is working in amazing ways and thank you everyone who has been keeping Dad constantly in your thoughts and prayers. Today was a great testament of the power of faith, prayer, and the miracles medicine can provide. I know we didn't get "proof", but sometimes all you need is a little faith.

Next week we meet with Dr. K (chemo doctor) on Wednesday and then chemo #3 on Thursday... 

BRING. IT. ON. Have a great week!

Two Down, Two To Go!

Hello! Hope everyone has enjoyed their week! Since I last wrote not too much has happened in between....Dad has felt spectacular and spent the last few days vegging out and hanging out with his friends They all went to a baseball game Monday and had great seats:

View from their seats

Dad and Dave Kinzer

Jamie Cunningham and Dad after the game

John, Dad, and Dave after the game

Uncle John flew in yesterday, always wonderful to have him in town! The two of them braved the cold wind yesterday afternoon to play golf and were still a pair of ice cubes when they came to visit me at work!

Today was Dad's second round of chemo, but first one at MD Anderson! Dad, Uncle John, one of my very best girlfriends Jess, and I got to MD bright and early for Dad's pre-chemo labs. There was a ton of people waiting for labs as well so we stood behind the crowded waiting room and made a bunch of commotion and laughter. Dad also tied his ribbon on the Hope Tree!

Dad and Jess (who made the shirt)

:)

Bro Power

Dad tying his white ribbon on the Hope Tree

The two coins Dad was given from Miss Chris and Paula (thank you for the thoughtful gifts!!!!)

While waiting I took some paperwork over to the "financial lady" and was amazed that she not only remembered my name but was able to share so much about her little time spent with my Dad...names, stories, situations... the whole nine yards! It put a huge smile on my face knowing that the employees are not just there for a paycheck but are passionate about their work and their patients. After labs we were cleared for the third floor and you know what that means...it was puzzle time!

Just kidding...as much as I love those puzzles that was obviously not the reason we were there! They first took Dad and I back to get set up with his IV before they brought the rest of "Team OJ" back. Beth was our nurse for the day and she was great...except she had a little trouble getting the needle in Dad's vein (even though he has perfect veins!). I almost vommited watching the needle go in, out, left, right in his vein...I could have just turned away but it was honestly like when someone tells you not to watch but you can't stop out of pure curiosity. Note to self...no more IV's in Dad's hand, stick to the arm.

Well today felt like flying first class (not that I would know, surprisingly enough). The nurse that took us back gave Dad the biggest cubicle right next to the window and there were staff waiting at our hands and feet! Coffee (which Dad really enjoyed), beverages, lunch for Dad, TV, and of course comfy chairs.

 

Watchin the tube

Largest sandwich ever

It was a long day of chemo, 8 hours to be exact, but Dad was a CHAMP! He started with his magnesium and steroid bags, moved through the three different chemo bags, and finished with the post-hydration bag. Everything went smoothly, except when the Avastin (the new chemo drug) was on drip it hurt a little when it went in his vein.

I was telling my Dad how Jess was boarding her flight and couldn't stop picturing the pilots watching movies and playing angry birds (per an earlier convo we all had)while they are "flying" the plane and Ed, the husband of the couple next to us, asked me if I was telling a pilot joke. I told him that Dad was a pilot for Southwest and his face completely dropped and he walked right over to our cubicle. Turns out he was a head mechanic for Southwest, retired two years ago, and both him and Dad agreed that the other looked familiar. 

As I listened to them talk about their common friends from work and share stories I had to stuff my face with a macadamia nut cookie to keep myself from crying because it was so cool seeing this guy just light up talking to Dad. It just reminded me how many lives Dad has touched and continues to touch on a daily basis (the nurses LOVE him...obviously). I know I talk about this every blog post I am sure, but knowing there are so many people praying and offering their support for my dad is such a blessing. Not only does Dad have an amazing support system, a lucky shirt, and lucky coins...but he also has God working for him and through him every day and today was just one of the many examples how. I hope everyone has a safe and wonderful weekend, spend it with the ones you love!  

 The Lord gives his people strength. The Lord blesses them with peace. Psalm 29:11

New Beginnings

Well it has been a long week of waiting for an appointment at MD Anderson but we finally got one! Yesterday we met with Dad's new oncology team. We pulled up to the hospital and I immediately had a smile on my face because the outside of the building had a sign that looked like this:

When we walked in everyone was so courteous and we were walked, not told, to where we needed to be. Once all the paperwork was taken care of we were given a nice tour of the highlights of the facility. What are the highlights you ask? WELL they have a meditation garden that has tables and chairs so when the weather is nice you can eat and relax outside. They have a bistro that has healthy-non cafeteria food items (and also a cafeteria for fries and such-Dad's preference I am sure!). They have a radiation oncology center and do ALL of their scans (PET, CT, X-Ray ect) on site. They have puzzles on the second and third floor waiting rooms (ok maybe that was just a highlight for me) and TV's as well. There is a Hope Tree with ribbons for every type of cancer right when you walk into the building and lastly the Lantern of Hope (which is pictured above...you can see and read more about here ).

This is Dad in front of the Hope Tree, he will get to tie a ribbon next week!

Aside from all of the physical highlights... the staff, as I mentioned earlier, are all extremely nice and of course are top of the line in what they do. After we met with the RN, we got to meet Dr. Klueppelberg, or "Dr. K" for those of us who can't speak a proper German accent. Dr. K is from Germany and is great! They gave us a whole 1 page bio on him before we met him, so it's like getting a new best friend with all of their life history, without the coffee dates and hangout's until 2am (even though that is the best part of getting a new friend!).

After he got to know Dad a little bit he decided to change Dad's treatment plan. Now, instead of 6 cycles of chemo, he will do 4 cycles (he has already had 1, so 3 to go!) and the chemo drug Avastin will be added to his "chemo cocktail". Dr. K doesn't want to continue with the Emend (which is one of the anti nausea drugs) and will replace it with one called Zofran. Dr. K will have Dad get another CT scan after the 4th cycle to see how the chemo has worked and where to go from there. He also wants to eventually get another biopsy of the tumor (they didn't get enough tissue with the other biopsy) because MD has more treatment options available for Dad (just another plus for us moving to MD Anderson!).

Once we had this conversation with Dr. K in combination with everything else that had happened yesterday we decided to continue treatment at MD Anderson and no longer continue at Arizona Oncology. MD Anderson, although new, has incredible resources and care we weren't always receiving at Arizona Oncology. Dad will be able to stay on schedule and receive his next chemo treatment next Thursday at MD Anderson! Another cool thing? Dr. K will be at EVERY chemo appointment AND will see Dad each time as well (which was not the case at the other place...what a rhyme, I should be a poet)!

After Dr. K was finished, we got to meet Mary who is the Nurse Practitioner for Dr. K. She is our "question lady" so anytime we have a question related to treatment, side effects, ect. we can call her direct line (There is also a "question lady" for the financial side of all this). This was great because we have had so many questions and it was like going through a maze with a blindfold trying to get answers at Arizona Oncology. She also took us on a tour of the 3rd floor which is specifically for chemo. It was really cool each chemo chair had its own little cubicle so you weren't staring at 100 other people getting chemo. The best part? Well there's three...or four... 1. There are TV's and DVD players in EVERY chemo station. 2. The chairs are really comfortable (Dad tested) 3. There are beds so if Dad wants to lay down and take a nap he can do so! 4. Last but not least, lunch is delivered to him! No more going 8 hours without eating! All the nurses we met up there were very nice, happy, and you could tell they loved their job. It was a great change!

We are very excited about this change and are excited to see how this process blossoms here. There is so much hope instilled in their practices, motto, and employees and that is so important! Other than that, Dad has been feeling great! He had two days or so of feeling like crap, but other than that he is golfing and living life normally (well as normal as you can without work :) ) I hope you all have a great week, thanks for keeping Dad in your thoughts and prayers! Here are pictures from Dad's most recent golf outing:

Dad, Uncle John, and Cunningham's sons

Dad, Uncle John, and Cunningham

Three Strikes You're OUT!

Hi everyone, hope you all have had a good week! Well it's been about a week since Dad had his first chemo treatment. He felt good the first few days, but felt like he got hit by a train after the "steroid high" wore off. Its normal for people going through chemo to feel crappy around the 3rd day after chemo, and boy does dad feel it! Other than being exhausted and feeling hungover, he has only felt nauseous once. Last night he also started to get a brain freeze...but instead of in his brain it is in his throat...make sense? He says its really painful and its like breathing in -50 degree air.

Today was a busy day of appointments, holy cow! Who would have thought 3 appointments would be so exhausting. We first met with Dr. Lucas who is the Radiation Oncologist we were referred to~his practice is part of Arizona Oncology (the same organization where Dad gets his chemo) and you would THINK the chemo doctors would be able to communicate clearly with the radiation doctors...but that is not the case for us unfortunately. Dr. Lucas was very nice, but he had not been given any of Dad's test's...only the written reports. He asked Dad a lot of questions (are you coughing up blood, having trouble breathing ect) and at the end said he doesn't think radiation is right...right now. WHAT?! We all had the same reaction because every doctor we have seen so far has told us Dad is getting radiation. He wrote dad a prescription for "miracle mouthwash" which will help dads throat freeze and sent us on our way.

Dad's big brother, Uncle John, flew in from Denver this morning so he got to spend the rest of the day with us. It is SO great having him here and was definitely the highlight of the day!!!

Our second appointment was with the Dr. Roberts office so Dad could get blood work and a B12 shot. Last week they told us if he needed ANYTHING we could call Roxanne (the nurse navigator we met last week) and she would answer our questions. They also said anytime he needs a B12 he can come in. Well Dad was feeling REALLY run down and so he called Monday and didn't hear back until Tuesday when they told him to come in today (Wednesday) to get blood work and the B12. Well they called Dad back, took his blood work and said "Alright see you in a few weeks!". Boy did Dad give them a piece of his mind, and honestly they deserved it. The communication and service we have experienced the last week is completely unacceptable and incredibly disappointing. It is really frustrating for someone who is going through this in general, but not have anyone on the same page is even more scary.

The third appointment was with Dr. Siever, the Pulmonologist. Dr. Siever wanted to do a follow up appointment to monitor the fluid in his left lung. He took an X-ray and he was so pleased with it! The fluid has really cleared up and the tumor has not grown which is awesome!!!! Dad will meet with him again in a month.

After the appointments today we decided we needed a second opinion, and not just a consult but a team of doctors who are motivated to work together and are passionate about their patients...hence the title of this post :). MD Anderson is another prestigious cancer treatment center and my Mom worked her magic today to get him an appointment ASAP. They have all of his tests and paperwork and he should be in to see the Executive Director the beginning of next week.

Dad is such a fighter and even though there has been a few obstacles this week, next week can only get better :) We are all looking forward to hearing what MD Anderson has to say, and of course we will keep you updated via the blog. Thank you so much for all of the prayers, calls, emails ect...they really do help!

Goofing off at Dr. Siever's

So tired

After dinner

Chemo Round 1

Hi Everyone! Well this week has flown by it seems...Dad played another golf game on Friday with the neighbors and spent the weekend hangin out! Monday, one of Dad's best friends from high school came into town for the day. They spent most of their time either in Best Buy or crankin tunes in the car..typical! They also let me join them for lunch at the Cheesecake Factory (Perfect place to plump Dad up!).

I am only speaking for myself, but I must say I had the best Valentines Day ever! Mom, Dad, Kristen and I all went out for dinner at a local favorite of ours, CK's and then I suckered everyone into seeing "The Vow" with me. It was so much fun and so nice to have a night away from thinking about the "C" word.

Well today was day 1 of the Chemotherapy. We got to the oncology office bright and early and started the morning off with "chemo school". Roxanne is the Clinical Nurse Navigator and her job is to educate everyone on everything chemo. Long story short she went over the possible side effects and how to manage his diet. When we were done we walked back out to the waiting room only to find Dad's really good friend, Cunningham! It was such a great surprise and I know Dad really enjoyed hanging with him and taking a break from us girls and all our questions haha!

Dad got his blood work done (which he will get done every time he comes for chemo) and that will check a lot of different things but what we really care about are his white blood cell count, red blood cell count, and the platelet count. They then took us back to the chemo room, which if I am being honest was a little eerie. After Dad got the IV in his arm the nurse asked if Dad had taken his Decadron...we all gave her a confused look and said we had never heard of it and he had only taken the Emend (anti-nausea). Apparently Dad was supposed to be on this steroid (something else to help the nausea) and no one ever relayed the message or called it in. This was the SECOND big thing regarding his treatment that was not relayed (the first was that between the transfer of offices, no one informed him that he needed to meet with the Radiologist...we found this out by Roxanne asking Dad if he was starting Radiation today...we had not heard anything about this) and it was very unsettling to say the least. They fixed both miscommunications though!

We wanted to talk to Dr. Roberts (Dad's oncologist) too, so we nicely asked (forced) them to let us meet with him, even though we didn't have an appointment. Dad noticed yesterday the lymph nodes on his left side were really swollen and since they showed up on the PET scan as having some cancer cell growth we wanted to be sure it was ok. Dr. Roberts seemed to think it was normal and said they would give him something for it...I may need to get used to his lack of bedside manner...But we don't need a Mr. Congeniality, just a Mr. Expertise!

Chemo went like this:

1. Aloxy- 20 minutes, another anti nausea drip
2. Decadron, 20 minute drip, (this is the steroid I talked about earlier)
3. 50 mg of bennedryl, prevents allergic reaction to chemo..also made dad tired!
4. Saline drip- 2 hours, to keep him hydrated
5. Alitma, 1st chemo drug, 10 minutes
6. Cisplatin, 2nd chemo drug, 2 hours

Dad got a little nap in while he was getting all these liquids (which was amazing because the chairs were very uncomfortable) and honestly just hung out all day. It was a longggg 6-7 hour day but Dad is such a warrior and I am so incredibly proud of him. He doesn't have chemo for 3 weeks but has two appointments next Wednesday, one with the Radiologist and one with Dr. Siever to check on the fluid in his lung. 

LASTLY, I wanted to say how humbled we all are from all the love and support everyone has for my Dad. Watching him read all his good luck texts today was so special and I know he is so grateful for the encouragement. I hope you all have a great week, here are some more pictures from today:

One of my best friends made Dad a new lucky shirt, which he sported today :)

Hangin out in the most un-comfy chairs alive...where da lazy boys at?!

Walkin around

Showin off his IV's

A Trip to the Oncologist

Hi everyone, Happy Thursday!

Well yesterday we got to meet with Dad’s oncologist, Dr. Roberts. He is the best of the best and his ability to speak almost only in medical language was just one proving point! Even with my super awesome biology and chemistry skills from college, I had many question marks above my head…and Dad? He walked out and said, “sooo, what did he say?”

Well all jokes aside, it was a good appointment and he went over the tests from the last few weeks in more depth, but mostly it was everything we had heard last week.

As for what is new, Dad starts Chemotherapy next Thursday. He will go in once every 3 weeks for 6 months and the kind he is getting is administered through an IV. The first session takes about 5 hours (any good movie recommendations?) to make sure he doesn't have a reaction to the chemo. They are giving him two different chemo drugs simultaneously, Cisplatin and Alimta. Alimta is a chemo that specifically targets advanced nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer (what Dad has)and has shown much benefit. There was also a large clinical study done that showed when Alimta (can we just call it Altima now? It's hard to pronounce AND type!)and Cisplatin are administered together in Dad's type of cancer the outcome is more beneficial than when other chemo drugs are used.

He also started his B12 shots and folic acid supplements yesterday. These will help decrease the side effects of the chemo. 

As for now Dr. Roberts said he needs to kick up his calorie intake to 2000 a day and stay mobile! Dad can do just about anything and is golfing with great friends the next two days. Dad and the rest of us all appreciate everyone's love and support, it is a great comfort to us all so thank you for that! Have a great week!

What a stud!

Kristen, Dad, and I at the appointment yesterday

Dad and Cunningham on their golf outing today