Blog
Today we moved from the Boston hospital to a hospice 30 miles north of Boston. Cindy’s was anxious about the ambulance ride. I was pleased Burgess could ride with her. The tranquil hospice surroundings and staff have had the desired effect. She is more calm, at peace and speaks candidly about the next step. All […]
Friends, Thank you for the many well wishing phone calls and e-mails. I would suggest folks post a note via the “Comments” section of the Blog – Perhaps a funny Cindy story or shared experience? The Blog software lists the various “Comments” people post under corresponding post/date Comment section. The “Comments” are shared and/or created […]
Cindy and I have had multiple meetings her Oncologist and the Pain & Palliative Care Doctors. Cindy (with my support) has decided to discontinue Chemotherapy. Cindy/we feel Chemo will prolong the inevitable while further degrading her already unacceptable quality of life. Cindy remains in the hospital, she will have her pain medications adjusted and a […]
Sorry of delay in posting. Cindy finished up 1st round of Chemo last weekend. We explored our options for a rehabilitation hospitals – a friend and I looked at one in Cambridge that looked promising and was covered by our HMO. Tuesday Cindy developed a blood infection, a common issue with infusion ports and her […]
Cindy was unable to transition to a rehabilitation hospital due to a new blood infection, her 4th in the past 3 weeks. The infusion “port” installed in her chest, used for Chemo and other drugs, has become “colonized” with VRE (Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci). She is being treated with two antibiotics and must decided whether or […]
Some encouraging news, late Thursday night Cindy did receive her 1st dose of Chemo. My previous email was erroneous regarding Chemo regimen, Cindy is receiving the “FOLFOX with Avastin.” The hope is the cancer drugs will shrink the liver tumors improving Cindy’s liver function. Yesterday, Friday she felt relatively well. She also underwent another Ultra […]
Cindy has been back in the hospital since Friday. In the last few days she has undergone a number of procedures: replaced liver stint, fluid drained from stomach & continued pain management. Per our meeting with Cindy’s oncologist this afternoon, she has decided to proceed with a single drug-Chemotherapy tomorrow. Treatment will be in hospital […]
Since the procedure on Friday, Cindy’s health has improved on a small scale. Her pain level (1-10) descended after the procedure due to better drug timing. Her “billy Rubin” level has gone from approximately 10 to around 7 on Saturday. It later became about 6.5. On Sunday, the doctors put a needle in Cindy to […]
This past Monday Cindy had two stints installed in her liver bile duct. She was discharged on Tuesday and had a couple days at home prior to our returning to DF today. Unfortunately Cindy was unable to undergo Chemo today because of her unacceptable blood chemistry caused by ongoing liver – liver/tumor issues yielding high […]
Friends, Yesterday, Saturday, we visited DF for a pre-chemo/baseline CT scan. Upon returning home (& climbing stairs) we were informed Cindy had developed blood clot (pulmonary embolus) in one of her lungs requiring a hospital visit. We waited in ER for several hours, new vital signs taken, receiving another CT scan. Cindy was admitted to […]