Progress after Round 1 Cycle 2

Mother has done well this week. We've incorporated more snacky foods like peanut butter, hummus (cholar daal paste), carrots into her daily regimen. Her GI problems are fine, her pain is under control.
This Saturday she went out with my aunt to the mall and other errands. This Saturday is the first day of spring, I hope we can take her out again.

This Friday she has her second infusion of this cycle. After the 26th I think the doctor will evaluate her, maybe give her a CT scan.

We are all very happy to see her doing well, walking around easily.

Also we've decreased her nausea medications so she no longer shakes all the time. She had some problems with that before because she was taking so many medicines.

I am glad she doesn't need to take a lot of medication to stay nausea free.

So overall, a good week. Updates to come after Friday.

At Chemo appt. round 1 second cycle

Hello all. I've discovered the joys of the wireless internet here at DFCI. We just saw Dr. A after blood drawing and we're waiting for her infusion to begin.

I have some positive news for you: she has maintained her weight (96lbs). The doctor is very pleased! He advised that we decrease some of her nausea medication because it causes her right leg to shake. It happened at the appointment and he said it's a common side-effect of anti-emetic medications.

He did a physical exam today and it was good, her stomach feels softer and not distended (it was slightly hard when she felt very sick).

Her labs are great. CBCs and all that.

What I'd like to do this week is increase her portions and get her some more snacky foods (hummus and carrots yummy).

He said there are no restrictions on what she's allowed to eat. She just needs to keep eating milder less spicy foods.

I can't say enough how nice everyone is here.

Mom went out

Hi everyone, I wanted to report more good news. Mom went out yesterday for the first time to the Arsenal mall with my aunt. This is the first time she's had the energy/strength to venture out for something unrelated to treatment.

No weight gain so far but her digestive problems have improved. The nausea's under control. The visiting nurse came Monday and was very happy that mom answered the door herself.

Mom was happy to meet Dan's family this weekend. The in-laws-to-be brought us a 2 pound striped bass as is the tradition in Bangali weddings for the tumeric ceremony.
It was a very sweet gesture.

We are heading into her second chemo cycle this Friday. Lets all hope that her blood counts are good.

Chemo off week

Hi Everyone,
It's been a lil while I know. I am glad I have nothing to report! :-) We've been sneaking Ensure into her meals, I made her some pancakes using the stuff instead of milk. It works. I tasted it and she said she liked the pancakes.

Also I made her caramel custard (pudeen) w/ ensure instead of milk as well.

She also liked this. Regular ensure makes her nauseous. The visiting nurse came this week and was happy to see her better.

A few days ago, however, she slipped up on the pain management. She didn't take morphine quickly enough, did not recognize that what she was feeling was pain. She thought she was having chest pains and aunt was home with her. Khalamoni said her face turned red and that she complained of chest pains when in reality it was her stomach.

That was the only ordeal of this week really. She's been a bit tired, it's been rainy outside so she's been sleepy.

She calls me at work, I call her. Parveen calls her. It's a wonder she gets any rest during the day :-).

I wonder what to make her this week. Dan's family is coming over for dinner Sunday. so excited.

My whole family is cooking: cousins Natasha and Sujon will be there, of course Parveen Jeff and Sabir. Aunt is making lamb biryani, Jeff's making palack paneer I think, Parveen's making chicken mosalam, Natasha's making desert, aaaaaaaaand I dont' know what I'm making. oye.

Anyway that is all for now. I am glad to report good news.

Thank you for the support

And quickly, thanks to everyone who is reading the blog and commenting (here, in person, on facebook etc.)

I really really appreciate it.

Feeling better before 3rd chemo

This Friday will be mom's third chemo appointment. Since her last appointment she's been eating, knitting, lightly cleaning, bathroom etc.

She said she had some issues with dry mouth yesterday but gargling with salt water will solve that problem. That is the least of our worries.

The Emend (a drug that she takes for three consecutive days after a chemo appointment) helped her. No vomit so far. Nausea is there sometimes but she is dealing with that well.

Our main goal is to get her to gain weight, at 93 pounds it's very concerning. Her doctor is upset as well.

I want to thank all of our friends for coming to the house, bringing lots of yummy food, and great company.

I have one last bit of good news: on Friday the 19th my boyfriend proposed to me and I said yes. I am now engaged. Mother was very happy as well as the whole family.

This week a great service called the Road to Recovery (American Cancer Society) informed me a volunteer will drive her to her appointment and bring her home. I signed her up for it a while back. I didn't think they'd be able to swing it but lets see how this first appointment goes. I hope he doesn't cancel.

I will post again after the third chemo appointment.

2 down 4 more to go

So Dr. A was very upset that mom wasn't eating well. She's lost weight and is now 93 pounds.

They tweaked her nausea medications and she is taking compazine, zofran, dexomethazone, and other drugs to help her w/ her nerves and bowels and all sorts of stuff.

She ate some toast today, some jello, half an egg. Now she's going to eat some rice and chicken and even soft veggies.

We are taking it slow for now, giving her 6 small meals. Now that she can actually keep stuff down we can think about meal plans, how much, how often, accommodate her changing tastes.

I really want to try and give her an Insure and Ice cream milk shake. Of course we'll have to thin it out because milk and diary products have always been a little harsh on her stomach.

She got up today and did the dishes, cleaned the kitchen table, even peeled some potatoes. Today is a good day so far.