Cycle 2, Week 3

Week 3 went well enough. Kev even worked in the yard this past weekend - a first in probably a year. No Abraxane this week, but instead this Wed we get an MRI (brain scans) - [fingers crossed...] A meeting with his neurosurgeon on Thursday will provide the results...
Next week we get CT scans (body) - more crossed fingers... & toes...

Cycle 2, Weeks 1 & 2

Last week Kev's appetite started to pick up, but still no weight gain. However by this week he had gained 4 lbs! The side effects are still manageable, but his hair is starting to fall out. He is not so fond of going through that again, but it obviously indicates the treatment is doing something to his body - let's just hope there are also some positive responses. Next Wednesday, the 21st, will be his last (3rd) abraxane treatment for this cycle and we will get scans shortly thereafter which will let us know how effective this has been.

Cycle 1, Week 4

It’s the end of week 4. This was an “off” week for the Abraxane, but Kev did receive boosters for red and white blood cell growth. And the oncologist gave him the “OK” for starting Cycle 2.

Cycle 1, Week 3

We are noticing some good side effects! Several of Kev's subcutaneous tumors are shrinking. The effect is small but noticeable. We don't know about the internal tumors until he gets a new CT scan, which will be after Cycle 2. It's great though that we can see (and feel) some results from these meds for all the discomforts he has to put up with. The fatigue and flue-like symptoms continue as does the sensitive tongue and cracking skin. Ibuprofen helps with mild fever aches & pains and he has a salt/baking soda mouth wash to help the tongue.

We had a regular follow-up appointment with the Orthopaedic surgeon. He took a new x-ray of the hip and said everything looks great. The artificial joint has not shifted and Kev has healed very well from the surgery. However despite his attempts to gain weight he is still losing - down another pound this week. Kev now weighs 135 and was put on an appetite "enhancer" - Megestrol.

Cycle 1, Week 2

Side effects are getting stronger. The palms of Kev's hands are cracking and his tongue is extremely sensitive. He is trying to eat soft bland foods. He lost about 10 lbs in Jan because of the side-effects of the radiation treatments so we have been trying to get him to gain weight, but when he weighed in this week he was another pound down.