General Evie's Cancer

[Kathy]

Thank you all for the responses. Evie will begin chemotherapy this Friday, and will have radiation on the same day. Fridays are going to be difficult for her, however she seems to be in better spirits today. She is having another break from the forum, and I believe that helps her. She does get incredibly angry here, which is a shame, however it is easy for her to stay off the forum, whereas she cannot avoid her other issues. So Jim and I do believe being off the forum is best for her at the moment.

As you said get it over and done with in one day but can she handle that? Its going to be difficult for her maybe spread it out over a couple of days and then recover the following week? What is Evies thought on it?

I have the same concerns Jen. Unfortunately, the way chemotherapy works, we do not have the option of spreading it over several days and/or recovering the next week. Evie's current chemotherapy protocol is for once weekly, for 8 weeks. We could have chosen to have the chemo on a different day than the radiation, however we cannot alter the fact that it is a once a week affair. The oncologist makes that decision, based on the cancer itself. Each case is unique and the treatment protocol must be unique as well.

It may prove to be quite hard on her, having everything on the same day, however; the alternative is, we must drive her to the clinic 2-3 times weekly, which is a round trip of 5 hours each time, as we live quite remotely. The other option would be for Evie to remain in the city, at the cancer lodge or the hospital, for the 8 weeks whilst she receives the treatments. Jim and I both feel however, because of her PTSD, that would not be feasible. Not to mention, two months is a long time to be away from us. She needs to be with people who love her, not alone in the city with strangers. In any event, we do hope our decision to do everything once a week is a good one. It may need to change, but we are hoping for the best.

 

[Deleted member 541]

Kathy,

Evie is a tough cookie (as you and Jim know) She has tons of love and support too, from everyone... Give her tons of love, and she will be ok.........

Sending warm hugs, and well wishes,


Wendy

 

[mouse]

Kathy, Jim and Evie
I am praying for all of you, you guys are a true testament to family and support, However I hope that this is over soon you guys have endured so much more than any family should have to. I hope that you continue to be able to keep up the levels of support for each other. Oh ya Kathy if you could give Evie a hug for me wen she is up to it I would appreciate that. ake care all I am thinking about you all. God Bless you

 

[Kathy]

Thank you Wendy and mouse. Mouse, I will give her that hug from you today, I assure you. :)

The news of the day is that there is more surgery in Evie's future. Evie has had at least 20 surgeries in the past 5 years, quite frankly I've lost count. This one is minor and not related to her cancer, however it is still surgery and a concern for us considering her present condition. Last week she had a scope of her sinuses and the doctor found large polyps which are causing her breathing difficulties and frequent, chronic sinus infections. She had sinus surgery approximately 2 years ago to remove polyps and make her sinuses larger. She was breathing easier for about 18 months, however her symptoms have been getting bothersome again in the last 6 months. I was quite surprised that they were willing to do another surgery so very soon after the last one, however it is a different surgeon this time, and he claims the first surgeon didn't do a thorough enough job. Evie is surprisingly excited about the surgery, she really wants to have it, in spite of everything else. Her sinuses do bother her greatly, and along with having brittle asthma, she is miserable much of the time when it comes to breathing.

I am most impressed with this new surgeon, he is very friendly and personable. Because of the long waiting lists for surgery here in Canada, he put Evie on the urgent list and added that she was to be screened for cancer, even though that is not exactly true. :wink: However, as a result, she will have the surgery in 6 weeks, rather than waiting the typical 20 months as this is "elective" surgery. So we are very grateful to him for that.

 

[zoe]

Kathy,

Having gone through a sinus surgery for polyps that left little space for breathing in any of the sinus cavities, I can kind of understand her relief at the thought of breathing clearer. It is interesting that you say it lasted 18 months as it has been about 2 1/2 yrs for me and I have been having problems again for almost 6 months. I hope this next surgery Evie has resolves the problem, if not permanently, at least for a very long time to come.

Take care,

Zoe

 

[Damiea]

Well I can't say if thats good news or not LOL sucks having another surgery.. but wonderfull you can get in so soon and I'm sure it will so help her feel better!

 

[Kathy]

Thank you Zoe and Damiea. That is indeed interesting Zoe, that the time period with your surgery and the returning of your symptoms is similar to Evie's. Perhaps that is the length of time it takes for the polyps to grow? I am uncertain. Evie has been treated with high doses of prednisone to keep the polyps at bay, however prednisone has severe side effects in the long term, so the physicians are reluctant to keep her on it indefinitely.

Evie had a rather bad night, she was up off and on for most of it and so was I. It was emotional rather than physical, though that does not minimize the situation in the slightest! She is working on some PTSD issues currently and many things are coming to the surface. I must say I am most proud of her for soldiering on. It is not easy and from what I understand things will become even worse. I did feel encouraged however, that she came to me, woke me up and asked for help and to talk. That is certainly not something she would have done even a month ago. I felt touched that she had to courage to come to me, she often worries about disturbing Jim and myself. So, that is real progress for her.

 

[anthony]

I did feel encouraged however, that she came to me, woke me up and asked for help and to talk. That is certainly not something she would have done even a month ago. I felt touched that she had to courage to come to me, she often worries about disturbing Jim and myself. So, that is real progress for her.

That is certainly good to hear, and please tell Evie to continue doing so, as its only going to get worse and she will need to be strong and come to you both to discuss everything even more so.

 

[pandora]

I know Evie hates it when people say this but i just had to say it again. She is sooooooooooo lucky to have such a supportive extended family. Please take good care of yourselves and Evie. You are in my thought and prayers.

 

[Deleted member 541]

Kathy,


Please tell Evie that I send well wishes and hugs along with her on Friday while she has her treatments...

She will be in my thoughts.....

Wendy

 

[Kathy]

She is sooooooooooo lucky to have such a supportive extended family.

She is indeed fortunate, however we feel every bit as fortunate to have her. It is not often mentioned here, however Evie is supportive of us as well, as much as she's able. She is an important member of our family, and she would be sorely missed, were she not with us.

That is certainly good to hear, and please tell Evie to continue doing so, as its only going to get worse and she will need to be strong and come to you both to discuss everything even more so.

Yes we have been encouraging her to come to us, especially as we understand things will only become more difficult. She talks so much more freely now. It is very exciting! Truly, I don't believe people here are aware of just how shy and quiet she is face to face, even with family. It is a vast improvement and Jim and I both are over the moon at the change!

Thank you Pandora and Wendy for your wishes for Evie. Tomorrow morning is her first chemotherapy treatment, and tonight I am bracing for an episode of major anxiety. Last night Jim was up with her, as she awoke with nightmares and chest pains (anxiety related). Tonight is my turn. She is sleeping peacefully now, however that could very well change. I am hoping for the best for her, for tonight and for tomorrow.

 

[Kathy]

Evie's first chemotherapy treatment is over with, and I must say I am greatly relieved. It did not go quite as well as we hoped, however it also could have been far worse. The positive bit is, she was well enough to come home; sometimes patients must remain in hospital for a few days after their first treatment.

The negative bits, well... :frown:

Due to anxiety she did not go to bed last night at all, and when she returned home, she was in quite the foul mood. Jim had a brief albeit heated argument with her, during which she threatened to pull out her central line, a kind of catheter/IV which was inserted in her chest this morning and will remain for the duration of the treatments. Additionally, the new anti-nausea medication had no effect. She vomited pretty much non stop for about 5 hours, though her stomach seems settled now; she was able to keep down a small amount of tea and toast before falling asleep. She is on morphine for 2 days to help with the initial pain of the central line insertion. So, we expect she will sleep away the next 2 days, as the morphine makes her quite drowsy. I am certain the rest will improve her mood and overall outlook on things. Now that the initial treatment is over with, her anxiety should wane. Agonizing over the first treatment caused her tremendous grief.

Now that Evie is resting for the next 2 days, Jim and I will be getting a much-needed rest as well! This week has been stressful and tiring for all, not just because of Evie - Jacob also resumed school this week, and we have been chauffering to football and so on. We have been busy and are looking forward to having some extra sleep of our own! :sleep: