Posted for Sheri...
Hi All,
I know many of you are wondering how Wally’s first chemo session went. I am pleased to announce that it was very uneventful – he actually slept through half of it. :) We had a 2:00 appointment but they actually didn’t start treatment until about 4:45 – translation: we didn’t leave the hospital until 8:00 which made for a long day. So far so good as far as side effects – NONE! At this moment he is really feeling good and I am trying to keep up with him. We were told that this regiment shouldn’t cause too much nausea which was Wally’s biggest concern so if he can get through the next few days he will definitely be a happy camper. They did give him some anti-nausea medication which really knocked him out last night and allowed him a great night of sleep. Regarding loss of hair – he may see some of that after his third treatment but since he is a Carruthers he may be stubborn enough to keep it all!
Thank you all again for your prayers and correspondence. We both so appreciate each and every one of you.
I will continue to keep you posted when I have some updates.
Sheri
Friday, October 26, 2007
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Chemo starts next week
Posted for Sheri...
Hi Everyone,
It’s time for another WallyGram update. Wally had his appointment with the oncologist today which went well. The doctor was very pleased to see that Wally was looking and feeling so good. He asked him the question, “If you didn’t know that you already had cancer, would you think that you might have it?” Of course his answer was, “NO”. He even woke up the other morning and told me that he didn’t think he had cancer anymore because he was feeling so good! That has been a wonderful blessing for our family. He also had a flu shot today since they were giving them for free at the hospital and the doctor said it certainly wouldn’t hurt to get one, especially today.
His next appointment will be on Wednesday, the 24th for all of his tests which include a CT scan, chest x-ray, and blood work so that they can have a baseline for comparison. He will then start his chemotherapy on Thursday, the 25th and will go every two weeks for the next year – that sounds like a long time to me! His chemo will include 3 different drugs and each visit will be approximately 4 – 5 hours. I think Virginia Mason Hospital may get a little old after a while, although it will be a great time to catch up on some reading and just have some quiet time together. :) Wally, being Wally made the comment that maybe he will just ride the bus into Seattle for his chemo and I can just pick him up when he’s done. Both the doctor and I gave him the look of “You’re kidding – right?” Many of you think Wally always has good ideas – as you can see, some are not so good!
After a year, they will reevaluate and decide what to do next. He may go on a maintenance program or take some time off from the chemo. We will just have to wait and see how he does. Again, we are learning to live day by day. We love his doctor who has a great attitude and is a believer and will also pray for his patients – he looks at his job as a ministry! Praise God.
We will have to see how he reacts to the chemo – being a Carruthers, he may breeze right through it. Wally’s father used to always say, “Wipe up the blood and get back to work” and I think that has been passed on from generation to generation. Wally’s father also beat cancer – twice!
We continue to be encouraged by your blogs, e-mails, phone calls, cards, letters and prayers – many from people we don’t even know!
Next update will probably be next week.
~Sheri~
Hi Everyone,
It’s time for another WallyGram update. Wally had his appointment with the oncologist today which went well. The doctor was very pleased to see that Wally was looking and feeling so good. He asked him the question, “If you didn’t know that you already had cancer, would you think that you might have it?” Of course his answer was, “NO”. He even woke up the other morning and told me that he didn’t think he had cancer anymore because he was feeling so good! That has been a wonderful blessing for our family. He also had a flu shot today since they were giving them for free at the hospital and the doctor said it certainly wouldn’t hurt to get one, especially today.
His next appointment will be on Wednesday, the 24th for all of his tests which include a CT scan, chest x-ray, and blood work so that they can have a baseline for comparison. He will then start his chemotherapy on Thursday, the 25th and will go every two weeks for the next year – that sounds like a long time to me! His chemo will include 3 different drugs and each visit will be approximately 4 – 5 hours. I think Virginia Mason Hospital may get a little old after a while, although it will be a great time to catch up on some reading and just have some quiet time together. :) Wally, being Wally made the comment that maybe he will just ride the bus into Seattle for his chemo and I can just pick him up when he’s done. Both the doctor and I gave him the look of “You’re kidding – right?” Many of you think Wally always has good ideas – as you can see, some are not so good!
After a year, they will reevaluate and decide what to do next. He may go on a maintenance program or take some time off from the chemo. We will just have to wait and see how he does. Again, we are learning to live day by day. We love his doctor who has a great attitude and is a believer and will also pray for his patients – he looks at his job as a ministry! Praise God.
We will have to see how he reacts to the chemo – being a Carruthers, he may breeze right through it. Wally’s father used to always say, “Wipe up the blood and get back to work” and I think that has been passed on from generation to generation. Wally’s father also beat cancer – twice!
We continue to be encouraged by your blogs, e-mails, phone calls, cards, letters and prayers – many from people we don’t even know!
Next update will probably be next week.
~Sheri~
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
WallyGram Update
Posted for Sheri...
Hi All,
Sorry for the lag in updates but not much is happening at this time. Wally continues to feel pretty good, especially when he is eating the proper foods. For some reason chips, salsa and beer don’t sit too well with him (I obviously wasn’t around to play food monitor at the time) and I have to admit that I am not always sympathetic! I prefer to fix him a nice glass of beet, carrot and apple juice. :) Yum!
The doctor gave him the thumbs up to travel to California, so on Thursday we hopped a plane to the bay area to visit with family and friends. He will see his oncologist on the 17th then I’m assuming he will start chemo almost right away since it will have been a month since his surgery. Thank you all for your continued prayers, thoughts, cards, blogs, e-mails, etc... It really is very uplifting for both of us to see how blessed we are by our friends and family.
I’ll keep you updated when I get more info from the doctors.
Sheri
Hi All,
Sorry for the lag in updates but not much is happening at this time. Wally continues to feel pretty good, especially when he is eating the proper foods. For some reason chips, salsa and beer don’t sit too well with him (I obviously wasn’t around to play food monitor at the time) and I have to admit that I am not always sympathetic! I prefer to fix him a nice glass of beet, carrot and apple juice. :) Yum!
The doctor gave him the thumbs up to travel to California, so on Thursday we hopped a plane to the bay area to visit with family and friends. He will see his oncologist on the 17th then I’m assuming he will start chemo almost right away since it will have been a month since his surgery. Thank you all for your continued prayers, thoughts, cards, blogs, e-mails, etc... It really is very uplifting for both of us to see how blessed we are by our friends and family.
I’ll keep you updated when I get more info from the doctors.
Sheri
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