The Razor's Edge

Denny started the Irinotecan (pronounced "Irene-o-Tee-Can") on Tuesday.  The oncologist got the chemo approved as an emergency and it was administered around noon.  So far, we have not noticed any improvement.  The tumor does not appear to be receding.  However, it does not appear to be growing either.  We feel like we are balanced on the razor's edge...waiting for something...anything to happen.

The chemo is making Denny very tired and he is sleeping a lot.  I keep taking his temperature because this chemo lowers the white and red blood cells.  That makes it difficult for him to fight off an infection.  If he gets a fever of 100.1, we are supposed to call the doctor immediately.  It is not usual for Denny to sleep this much.  Today, he was very nauseous and got sick in the morning.  We stepped up the anti-nausea drugs so by the afternoon he was feeling better.

His next chemo is Sept. 2nd.  We hope to see more improvement then.  I will keep posting updates to the blog to let you know what is happening.  Have a wonderful Labor Day!

In Uncharted Territory

Today was supposed to be the day Denny started his chemo treatments for the week.  The plan was to expand the week to 5 days of chemo instead of 4.  The Topotecan is not holding.  When the oncologist saw Denny this morning, she said, "This does not look good.  It is very swollen".  She took the Topotecan out of the treatment plan altogether.  We are now in uncharted territory once again.

She plans to start a new chemo regimen with a drug in the same class as Topotecan; hoping to get a positive response.  This drug is Irinotecan.  Treatment has been delayed due to insurance pre-certification.  Normally, the insurance company requires a 72 hour pre-certification period before administering.  The oncologist is trying to push it through as an emergency.  Denny's tumor can grow at an alarming rate in 72 hours.  The paperwork is in progress and, hopefully, treatment will begin tomorrow.

Since his last doctor visit 3 weeks ago, Denny has lost 7 more pounds.  He is eating but not as much or as often as he used to.  Superman is still doing odd jobs around the house as he feels like it.  Life is still moving along and we are hanging on like a hair on a biscuit (a little southern saying that our son used on me a couple of days ago).

We don't know what is going to happen.  We don't know if the chemo will be effective.  We won't know if he can tolerate it.  We also can't worry about it.  We have faith that things will work out.  Please say a prayer for Superman that the pain remains controlled and the Irinotecan will halt the tumor growth. I'll update the blog when the new information becomes available.  Thanks for checking in and cheering Denny on.  We truly appreciate you!

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Against the Wind

I realize updates have been very sporadic.  Life has been moving at a very fast pace for TheWoodruff4.  Like the quote from my last entry said, the plane takes off against the wind.  That is our life right now. If you have a minute, I will fill you in on the latest happenings since my last post.

The stressful issue we were dealing with has been resolved.  As I said, there were no winners but there was a lot of hard feelings.  I have reserved opinions regarding Dr. Murphy and will refer to her as "the oncologist" from here on out.  Denny still feels comfortable with her so I will take the high road and just move on.

On Wednesday, July 30th, we attended an Auburn Alumni Send-off for the area freshman.  Denny, Dan and I went and had a great time.  Denny and I didn't know a soul but Dan, being the social butterfly that he is, knew several people.  As Denny and I were sitting at the table, I noticed the first symptoms of the tumor returning.  His left eye was watering profusely.

The tumor has steadily gained ground as the week went on.  Today, he started chemo and the left side of his face is very swollen.  The oncologist put him on an antibiotic as she suspects he has infection due to the redness of the skin.  The pain is controlled which is good.  He had an episode earlier in July where he had to go through Vanderbilt's emergency room for pain management.  This tumor is hard to predict and sometimes the pain gets away from him.

He will finish this round on Friday.  We have the weekend and then we will be taking Dan to college.  Denny has never seen the campus of Auburn so he is looking forward to seeing where Dan will be spending his next 4 years.  After we get Dan settled, we are going to head to 'Bama to see Dana.  She is having a sorority function that I get to help with.  We will be glad to see her as she has been taking classes all summer and hasn't been able to come home.  Denny should be feeling well during this time period so we are looking forward to a little time away from hospitals, medicine and doctor visits.

We have been enjoying visits from out of town friends.  Bob & Linda Buechel and Meg & Randy Lang have been in and out for the past month.  Local friends, Mark Myatt, Mark Youngman and Keith Harris have also been by to visit with Denny.  Johnny Whitmore went to the hospital to pick Denny up from an appointment when I had to work and Dan had his widsom teeth removed.  Keith Harris picked Denny up to go play cards and that was the happiest I've seen Denny in awhile.  He had so much fun.  All of you make a difference.  The cards, texts, emails, facebook comments,  phone calls and visits really brighten his day. I think Denny's cousin, Pat Hanneke, sends a card every week!   In case we don't say it enough, "Thank You"! I will keep posting updates so check in when you can.