Denny had an infusion of Irinotecan on September 8th. Since then it has been a battle with nausea and other gastrointestinal unpleasantries. Superman has tried his very best to overcome these issues but we had to get medical intervention. This chemo is so strong and harsh. He has had a very rough time. He has lost 7 pounds in one week. The oncologist is very concerned about this so she has admitted him today at Vanderbilt. They will be giving him anti-nausea drugs and other IV fluids to help get the situation under control.
This morning when we woke up, I could tell he was having a difficult time. I got up, fed the animals and ran to the grocery store for some things that might help. He looked so white and still, it was scary. As I drove, I could hear myself whispering, "Come on, Superman. Come on, Superman". I want, so badly, for him to fly out of trouble once again. My knuckles were white; gripping the steering wheel in tension. I had silent tears rolling down my cheeks. Suddenly, it was as if I stepped outside myself and looked at the condition I was in. I could hear my Dad's voice say "Guilliams' don't quit!" Well, Woodruffs don' t either. I went home and got this ball rolling. Denny is now cozily esconced in a private room, drinking Root Beer and eating a cookie. We are not quitters. We are fighters. Thanks for the reminder, Dad.
Monday, September 15, 2014
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
Angels in Disguise
Denny and I went to see the oncologist on Monday. He was not scheduled for an infusion; just labs and an office visit. When the oncologist saw him, she revised her original plan for Denny's chemo schedule. Instead of having him wait another week for chemo, she decided to schedule him for an infusion right away. She said the Irinotecan needs time to work. She felt he was having a "minimal response" so she wanted to get the infusion going. She said, "Let's give this some time to work." He will not be able to get an infusion on the 15th so his next infusion will be the 22nd.
Denny is battling nausea right now. We got some different medicine to help keep his stomach settled. He is eating soft foods because the tumor causes bulging in the roof of his mouth. He is particularly fond of sherbet because he says coldness feels good to him. He is doing a great job of keeping hydrated. He drinks Ensure, iced tea, V8, water, and gatorade. Those are all good things.
I want to share some wonderful things with you. First, Dan got a Men's Club scholarship from church. He can use it to supplement his meal plan so we are very happy about that. Along with that came an envelope with $500 cash from an anonymous donor for Dana. We did not have Dana apply for the Men's club scholarship this year because we did not want the kids to be competing against each other. So this generous person(s), wanted to make sure she wasn't left out. TheWoodruff4 were speechless! We plan to pay it forward.
Those of you on facebook know how much I value my co-workers. They are such positive and encouraging people. When I go to work, I know I will come home feeling stronger. They do this for me.
Yesterday, I went to work and was worried about Denny and thinking of how this Irinotecan was making him feel bad. I guess I was different than usual because my co-workers picked up on it and asked me what was going on. I told them and, as usual, they surrounded me with love and encouragement.
A few hours later, my friend, Jess, sat down next to me and said, "We want to do something to help you through this. We are going to start making meals for you and Denny to help take some stress off of you." Now, my wonderful friends at church have offered the same thing and I told them things were not bad enough to put everyone to that trouble. However, my work friends see things differently. Being healthcare people, they do what they think is best and do not listen to me. Haha! So, my Angels in disguise, have put together a schedule for themselves to supply meals for Denny and me. I got a text last night telling me when and where to pick them up (since Denny and I will be at the hospital those days).
With all the terrible news we have been seeing lately, doesn't this make you smile? I had tears in my eyes because I didn't know how to thank them. I'm used to being the help giver not the receiver. As my friend, Sami said, "It is humbling, isn't it, to let people help you? I know because I've been through it too, Just let people help you,"
I wish I could thank all of the people who have helped us just in the past week. You know who you are! This blog post would go on forever if I posted all the names. Yes, we are in a different state from our family but we are surrounded by love. Denny and I just want to say, "Thank You,"
Denny is battling nausea right now. We got some different medicine to help keep his stomach settled. He is eating soft foods because the tumor causes bulging in the roof of his mouth. He is particularly fond of sherbet because he says coldness feels good to him. He is doing a great job of keeping hydrated. He drinks Ensure, iced tea, V8, water, and gatorade. Those are all good things.
I want to share some wonderful things with you. First, Dan got a Men's Club scholarship from church. He can use it to supplement his meal plan so we are very happy about that. Along with that came an envelope with $500 cash from an anonymous donor for Dana. We did not have Dana apply for the Men's club scholarship this year because we did not want the kids to be competing against each other. So this generous person(s), wanted to make sure she wasn't left out. TheWoodruff4 were speechless! We plan to pay it forward.
Those of you on facebook know how much I value my co-workers. They are such positive and encouraging people. When I go to work, I know I will come home feeling stronger. They do this for me.
Yesterday, I went to work and was worried about Denny and thinking of how this Irinotecan was making him feel bad. I guess I was different than usual because my co-workers picked up on it and asked me what was going on. I told them and, as usual, they surrounded me with love and encouragement.
A few hours later, my friend, Jess, sat down next to me and said, "We want to do something to help you through this. We are going to start making meals for you and Denny to help take some stress off of you." Now, my wonderful friends at church have offered the same thing and I told them things were not bad enough to put everyone to that trouble. However, my work friends see things differently. Being healthcare people, they do what they think is best and do not listen to me. Haha! So, my Angels in disguise, have put together a schedule for themselves to supply meals for Denny and me. I got a text last night telling me when and where to pick them up (since Denny and I will be at the hospital those days).
With all the terrible news we have been seeing lately, doesn't this make you smile? I had tears in my eyes because I didn't know how to thank them. I'm used to being the help giver not the receiver. As my friend, Sami said, "It is humbling, isn't it, to let people help you? I know because I've been through it too, Just let people help you,"
I wish I could thank all of the people who have helped us just in the past week. You know who you are! This blog post would go on forever if I posted all the names. Yes, we are in a different state from our family but we are surrounded by love. Denny and I just want to say, "Thank You,"
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
Somewhere Over the Rainbow...
We went to Vanderbilt today. We were unsure what the plan was since neither of us feel the Irinotecan is working. Denny's labs came back fine so we went to the Infusion clinic. Normally, Denny sees the oncologist but today the nurse practitioner came to us. She said she could see how swollen his face was and understood that we felt it was not working. However, they wanted to have him go through another treatment because it was too soon to tell if it is working or not. She said Denny is not the norm. Most people do not have as quick a response to chemo that he does. So the fact that he didn't respond as quickly, doesn't necessarily mean this is not working. So, he got an infusion of Irinotecan today. We are ready in case he has nausea again. He has some medication to help keep it controlled.
When we left the clinic, a storm was moving over the city. The sky was a curious shade of blue. The Nashville skyline was spectacularly highlighted by the muted sun. As we drove toward home, a double rainbow appeared. It was so beautiful! Denny said, "Wow! I think this is God's way of saying, I'm still here!" We looked at each other and smiled.
We don't know what tomorrow will bring so we are living in the moment. We say prayers that Superman can keep fighting. I see his strength and courage every hour of every day. Go, Denny, Go!
Thanks for checking in. We appreciate all of you!
When we left the clinic, a storm was moving over the city. The sky was a curious shade of blue. The Nashville skyline was spectacularly highlighted by the muted sun. As we drove toward home, a double rainbow appeared. It was so beautiful! Denny said, "Wow! I think this is God's way of saying, I'm still here!" We looked at each other and smiled.
We don't know what tomorrow will bring so we are living in the moment. We say prayers that Superman can keep fighting. I see his strength and courage every hour of every day. Go, Denny, Go!
Thanks for checking in. We appreciate all of you!
Friday, August 29, 2014
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!
Monday, August 25, 2014
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!
!
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!
!
Monday, August 4, 2014
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.
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.
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
Curve Ball
From the silence on the blog, I'm sure you've guessed there have been some issues. In the month since my last post, Cancer has thrown us another curve ball. Denny and I have battled his disease for the past 10 years side-by-side. Now our enemy has found a way to divide in hopes of conquering TheWoodruff4.
Healthwise, Superman is holding his own. The tumor is active now; his face is swollen and sore. He is still taking the morphine and has started using the supplemental oxycodone. Chemo started this week on Monday so he has been nauseous and not eating as well. However, Denny is still fighting and still working around the house. He has his garden and his jeep to work on. Until the Topotecan goes into action, he may feel a little rough until this weekend.
There are some things that I cannot go into detail about on the blog. This is an intensely personal issue we are battling now. Our troubles have escalated; pitting doctor against doctor with Denny and me in the crossfire.
Bring this image to your mind. Denny is standing on one side of the fence and I am on the other. Picture us holding hands but neither can move to the side of the other because of the obstacle in the way. Love is there but it is being battered by negativity: feelings of betrayal, anger, and worry. We are working towards a solution. The tragedy is there can be no winner. Why? Because we each love the other so much, we don't want to see them fail. So whoever "wins" will also feel the "loss" for the other.
I am feeling the stress and anxiety from the situation now more than ever. I am taking a hard look at how I'm doing things and resolve to make some health changes. Stepping back from the situation, I know the long haul is going to be difficult if I'm not at 100%. I've got work to do.
I know this post is a little different than what you are used to on the blog. Cancer is a vicious opponent. Not all battles go according to plan. No doubt about it - TheWoodruff4 are in a tough place right now. I have to have faith we will find our way through the minefield. As I've said before, you have to go through the valley to get to the mountain top. Please say a prayer for us...
“When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.” – Henry Ford
Healthwise, Superman is holding his own. The tumor is active now; his face is swollen and sore. He is still taking the morphine and has started using the supplemental oxycodone. Chemo started this week on Monday so he has been nauseous and not eating as well. However, Denny is still fighting and still working around the house. He has his garden and his jeep to work on. Until the Topotecan goes into action, he may feel a little rough until this weekend.
There are some things that I cannot go into detail about on the blog. This is an intensely personal issue we are battling now. Our troubles have escalated; pitting doctor against doctor with Denny and me in the crossfire.
Bring this image to your mind. Denny is standing on one side of the fence and I am on the other. Picture us holding hands but neither can move to the side of the other because of the obstacle in the way. Love is there but it is being battered by negativity: feelings of betrayal, anger, and worry. We are working towards a solution. The tragedy is there can be no winner. Why? Because we each love the other so much, we don't want to see them fail. So whoever "wins" will also feel the "loss" for the other.
I am feeling the stress and anxiety from the situation now more than ever. I am taking a hard look at how I'm doing things and resolve to make some health changes. Stepping back from the situation, I know the long haul is going to be difficult if I'm not at 100%. I've got work to do.
I know this post is a little different than what you are used to on the blog. Cancer is a vicious opponent. Not all battles go according to plan. No doubt about it - TheWoodruff4 are in a tough place right now. I have to have faith we will find our way through the minefield. As I've said before, you have to go through the valley to get to the mountain top. Please say a prayer for us...
“When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.” – Henry Ford
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