Updates on Jim's Recovery

Jim Update #1

6-13-2011

I just got off of the phone with my daughter-in-law, Shawn. Jim just got home from having his first chemo treatment. I guess the treatment goes by weight; and he weighs 188 instead of 208 right now. He actually had lost 27 pounds around the time of his surgery, and gained some back.

They got to the doctor's office this morning, where they do the chemo, about 9:30 a.m. He was hooked up to the chemo by 10:00a.m. and was home by 1:30p.m. He was getting sick before they left there today, even though he received pills to stop the nausea.

The original Chemo plan was every other week, he will have chemo for 3 days, the first day (today) was going to be four hours, the second day for three hours, and the third 30 minutes, plus the shot to help regain his white count back. But, he found out how it really works today. Due to his weight, they only kept him there for 3 hours today.....The chemo bag is on him ALL OF THE TIME from the time they hooked him up at 10:00am this morning, the chemo will remain hooked up to him until Wednesday when they unhook it and give him the shot to help regain his white blood cells. He still has to go in tomorrow for 2 hours too. I guess I'm not sure why yet.... I can only assume it is to check on how it is working with him and to make sure they don't have to increase or decrease the amounts he is receiving.

Jim just called me while I was typing this email. He talked for awhile, told me there was a lady there getting her last chemo treatment today and she was pretty excited about that. This lady told him that she has not been able to work at all while doing the chemo treatments. Jim is hoping that everyone is different and that he won't be that way. I told him, if that is what it takes, that is what you'll have to do....

Jim is counting each time he has a round of three days #1.... Two weeks later, he'll start round #2...... They have to count to 11 rounds; then he'll be finished with the chemo. So pretty much a couple of weeks before Christmas, he should be done with this. Then, he'll always have to have his blood checked, etc. for the rest of his life.

Thanks you all of you for your continued prayers! I'll ask Ivan to put this update on the www.mullyod.com site too as we told everyone we would.

Jim Update #2

6-28-2011

Jim had to go through an out-patient operation to get a port installed in his body in order to receive the chemo. This surgery was done about a week before the first chemo session so that his body would have time to heal. Although, that site appeared to be healed, it still looked very red in places and was very sore to the touch. For anyone who doesn't know about the ports (I didn't until now) the line is actually ran directly into an artery of your heart, which is also pretty close to your lung. We were happy to hear that Jim's surgery for the probe went well and nothing went wrong. They take x-rays after they do the operation to make sure they didn't invade the lung in any way. This is a normal procedure for all who have a probe put in as the lung is very close to the artery they use. It was more invasive as expected.... even though it was done as an out-patient.... Jim is being tough threw this though...he is a fighter!

On June 13th, they did begin the first round of chemo. He was there about 3 hours on the 13th, but cancer patients go home with the chemo strapped to them, so they are actually receiving it 24 hours a day. On June 14th, he went in, they changed the chemo. That day he was there for only 2 hours instead of 3, but again went home with the chemo strapped to him for another 24 hours. On June 15th, they unattached the chemo bag from the port, gave him a shot which is to bring the white blood count up, and sent him home. Another cancer patient had told Jim that the third day would be the worst as far as how he would feel, and sure enough it was. She said, it has something to do with the shot they give them to keep the white count up. She said it is like the worst flu you have ever had in your life. Jim told her he was hoping he would be different, but the lady was correct.

As mentioned above, the cancer patients who have a port strapped to them are sent home with a little back pack or shoulder pack, which has a ball like thing inside it, where the chemo is contained, while it is being delivered over the next 24 hours or so. As I understand it, it is pretty uncomfortable to cart this chemo thing around for three days; trying not to lay on it incorrectly, and hoping that it does not spring a leak or come loose in any way. On the other hand, Jim and other cancer patients are well aware of the good it will do for them, but it is a hassle on top of the feelings of weakness, nausea, no appetite and not wanting to drink enough fluids.

The cancer patients are seated in recliner chairs all in one room, where they receive their chemo. This is kind of like a "group support" session at the same time as they can talk to one another and compare their symptoms, etc. They also provide snacks for them to eat while they are receiving the chemo. Eating snacks while receiving the chemo is supposed to be good for them. It is also very important for chemo patients to stay very hydrated, which is very difficult to do, when you are ill, and not feeling like eating or drinking. They are also told not to drink anything that is cold. It needs to be room temperature. That does not make keeping yourself hydrated a very easy task either. However, the alternative is, cold drinks makes your mouth hurt very much and can cause canker-like sores in the mouth and esophagus.

Generally, the port surgery, plus the first round of chemo was all new to Jim and to all of us in our family.
. . . . .

On June 27, Jim began Round 2 (the second 3 day session) of chemo. The only thing different about this second session is that Jim and all of us know a little bit more about what to expect. Jim got very ill after the first session, and nothing has changed this time. Tomorrow and the next day are expected to be the worst days of feeling sick and generally bad all over. These are the days when his family needs to do their best to get him to eat and to drink. His wife Shawn and his son Kaden are doing their very best to keep food and drinks by his side at all times while he tries to rest and get through these difficult days. He is very weak and sometimes very shaky as well. His doctor told him that he does not want him to lose any more weight. I did not get a number as to what he weighs right now, but I will. After these next few days, each day will get a little better until he has 4 or 5 pretty good days, right prior to start the next session.

The DONATE button is still there for anyone who would like to donate. Our goal was set at $1500 a month. To date, we have collected $620. This total includes both the money donated via the DONATE button and the cash and checks which have either been given to me to give to Jim and/or have been sent directly to Jim and Shawn's home.

I also want you to know that I am working on an afghan which will be raffled off by a friend of mine who works for SRP. She suggested the idea of me making one and she would help raffle it off for me. All of the proceeds will go directly to Jim's Recovery Fund. I will keep you updated on the progress of this project, etc. I have the afghan half way done. I believe I will be able to finish it in the next week or so....

June 29, is the 3rd and last day of Round #2. Round #3 will begin on July 9th. The doctor does take blood tests on the Friday before the date for chemo to begin. If Jim's white count is not up high enough, they will not give him chemo.

Your prayers, good wishes and your donations are very much appreciated!!!!

Please keep Jim and his family in your prayers! You are in ours! Thank you very, very, much to all of you!!!

Please stay well now too!!!!