Tuesday, February 21, 2012

FAQs

How was your week at the hospital? Honestly, it was pretty horrible. I remember a lot more. I was a lot sicker. I might be a little tramatized. I could go into details, but yuck.

How are you doing? Feeling pretty beat up, honestly. I am up and out of bed today walking around a little. Ever day I get so much better, but have spent most of the day in bed again. The biggest thing I'm dealing with right now is getting rid of the fluid (I have 6 pounds to go). It is loving my leg with lymphedema, but I think tomorrow it will be good enough to get around on. The most annoying thing I'm dealing with is night sweats. I have finally figured out how to wipe myself off and change the bedding several times a night without too much disruption to sleep. Still, I would love to go to bed at 11 and wake up at 7 or something. Can't wait.

What is the deal, you got your PICC line out, are you done with treatments? Oh, I wish. Here is the plan: We do a body scan and a brain MRI on March 12th. Really soon. We will be able to see if this is helping at all, not hurting, or if the cancer is spreading. If it is helping or not hurting (no real growth) we are scheduled for another cycle of IL-2 (a cycle is the two week course I just completed). We would start that in I think 4(ish) weeks. We would then do the same thing, scan, wait a month, do it again. They will only do 3 cycles, so I would be done with IL-2 I believe in June.

What about Maryland and your trial? We will see what the scans say. We are not making appointments in Maryland for March, hoping we can still do some more IL-2. But like I said, we will see.

What are you going to do with your month off? Haven't even gotten there yet. Can't even imagine feeling good right now. I am guessing there will be at least one trip involved, many thank you notes sent out, more figuring out the best way to run the family while I'm sick. I'm sure it will be hard to just hope that my immune system will kick in and not be actively involved in fighting. More mental hurdles. We are getting used to those.

What can I do for you guys? We know most people feel pretty helpless, but we feel like we have been strengthened by your prayers. We are so grateful for everything. I sound like a broken record, but we are the most spoiled people in all the world.






14 comments:

  1. Alisa you are in our prayers as is your whole family thanks so much for keeping us up to date. You are a blessing to all of us. Suzanne Campbell

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    1. Thanks Suzanne! Survivors like you give me hope every day.

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  2. This is good information Alisa, thanks for posting. I hope you're feeling like yourself in no time.

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  3. Thanks, Alisa. As Always, in our prayers. And for those night sweats? Try layering the softest towels you have in a pile. As you sleep on them (and sweat) toss the top one off, then sleep on the next one. I used to be able to go thru 6 towels a night. Might work and you wouldn't be up all night changing bedding/pjs.

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    1. That is what I figured out! But I have been using blankets, and last night it soaked through those, I will put a towel under that tonight. Thanks!

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  4. Thanks for the update. Good to see you for a sec today! Hope in the next few days you can be closer to normal and enjoy some time with those cute boys!

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  5. Sending you BIG HUGS. I think you are one of the most incredible women I know Alisa. You are constantly in my thoughts and in my prayers. I loved this post, I know we all have a million questions!

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  6. Alisa you are an incredible person! I truly look up to you and admire you. You have such great strength. You are always in our thoughts and prayers. I pray your scan in march goes well! It must be hard to keep your blog updated when you aren't feeling good. So many people appreciate it and you just have a way with writing. I love it! I hope you get feeling better as each day passes.

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  7. I like your feelings for home - the best of havens. Doing something for you would probably take a little of our anxiousness away. Just know you are constantly prayed over and if loving thoughts could heal you would be more than well.
    Aunt Kathy

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  8. Thanks for bringing back my dishes lol Seriously I was so glad to see you walking around and to have the strength to make it a couple of house down is a blessing. So grateful for this blog to keep us all informed. We will all continue to spoil you guys in some way or another because you have (done the same and will do the same for all of us) spoil me when (my mom passed) I needed it too...Thanks a bunch.

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  9. ok on Monday we get to bring you dinner ok? if you do not call then Monday about 6 I will bring in dinner

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  10. I am glad your up and doing better. You are a srong lady!I hope each day you can get back to walking up and down the street. Little by Little. I know your glad to be home and thanks you and Josh for keeping all of us updated your doing good

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  11. I wonder every time I pass the house how you are feeling. Glad to know that each day is better. Hope the tulips helped brighten your day and made you think about Spring. It will come. We continue to send our prayers your way. I love hearing my kids petition heaven in your behalf. We love you at the McArthur house.

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  12. We are all praying so hard and thinking of you daily, Alisa and Josh. Your faith is evident and inspiring. We love you so. Uncle Brad and Aunt Rosie

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