Tests & Oncology

Today was a long day for Kim. Up early for work and then off to Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center in Northwest Portland. CT scan for chest, abdomen, and pelvis at 10:15AM. This required an iodine injection but the entire process went by relatively quickly. Then some waiting which gave her time to read. We do a lot of reading now. And then we talk about what we've read. Next up, a bone scan in the early afternoon. Another injection, this time tiny amounts of radioactive materials which are taken up in various parts of the body and reveal those area where the body may be attempting to repair itself. The bone scan took 45 minutes and Kim just had to lie still. She spent this entire part of the day on her own and then snuck off for lunch over at The Commissary cafe where Andrew works.

I rolled over on my bike for a 3:00PM meeting with Dr Eric Anderson, her Oncologist. How do we keep getting such great members on our team? Amazing guy and the first thing we noticed was he wears cool socks. He is also recovering from a cycling accident so it's nice to have someone who knows the fun of riding. Dr Anderson, along with a nurse, walked us through the full chemotherapy process. It will be challenging but we begin with good news.

The CT scan and bone scan did not return any results we didn't already know. So Kim will be taking on the same tumors we've known since last week. Chemotherapy will be 8 total treatments every two weeks. The first four weeks, cycles 1-4, are a twin dose of doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide. Cycles 5-8 will be paclitaxel. Kim will have a port placed in her chest allowing doctors to access her veins easily and to do lab work with minimal discomfort. Her port will go in the day before her first treatment.

Her treatment begins Thursday August 11th at 11:15AM, my 48th birthday.

Why we are doing chemotherapy first:
Downstage the tumor for an easier lumpectomy
Prognostic information gathering
No concern for wound healing from a surgery-first procedure
Psychological benefit of reducing the cancer

Side effects are likely to be nausea, fatigue, reduced blood count and possible anemia. She'll have a cocktail of drugs to counter all of this. We are also preparing a super diet to fortify her and keep her active.

Hair loss is almost a certainty with thinning likely to begin by the second cycle and total loss by the fourth cycle. This is the only wavering in Kim's strength and I get it. Any of you older men reading this know the feeling, we tie our youth and vitality to our hair; it's tough to watch it go away. For Kim, and women like her, it has the same effect but with a faster pace. And it's a tell-tale sign for the world about your condition. Kim has read some interesting therapies but also has begun thinking about some fun wigs she can wear. I'd bet we find some cool hats, too.

Kim's oncologist is pretty great. He's told her to remain active, stay in constant communication with him on any thoughts, and to "push herself, sort of". I love this comment and I love that he's expecting Kim to be assertive with her recovery and her day-to-day life. He also encourages complementary therapies such as acupuncture going so far as to recommend his own personal therapist. He also advises drinking lots of water. Lots of it. That's good advice for everyone reading this, too. Do it.

During today's business at the hospital we had Kristen and Jim sending notes, staying in touch, and reminding us to ask good questions. These two are incredible and many thanks to them.

Dr. Anderson left us with a positive prognosis and the confirmation that he'll do whatever it takes to help Kim feel her best. He has a great relationship with Dr Johnson so our team is lining up for a great run.

Word about this blog went out today and we've had over 300 friends begin their journey following Kim through hers. As I type this, Jason is performing card tricks with Kim and there's a lot of laughter. Andrew is making a healing tea he calls Hug In A Mug and the house smells fantastic. Me? I made dinner and it was pretty good if I say so myself.

More tests on Thursday so the next two days get to be normal around here.

Thank you for your well wishes to Kim, she feels them. I get a few of them, too.

-CD