Friday, March 19, 2010
Quote of the Day
I just texted Reba and asked what she was doing. Her response: Travis is here now. Getting 2nd bag of chemo, the one that can make me a little mental....ooooooh let's see what fun this brings;) Gotta love her! Louisa
Friday, March 19th
From Reba in the hospital:
My oncologist, Dr. Xavier, received a 2nd opinion from Dr. Sant Chawla at Cedars Sanai. He agrees with her chemotherapy cocktails. If by chance they don't work, he has a Plan B in mind. There will be a re-scan in 3 weeks to check progress.
Yesterday's MRI did not show additional information. The biopsy indicated sarcoma in utero, fast growing. Dr. Xavier likened the growth to that of the first 20 weeks of pregnancy in only 20 hours....YIKES!
Dr. Xavier will meet with the tumor board to discuss my case on Monday.
I am guessing I will be released on Tuesday. Dr. Xavier wants me to stay in the hospital for observation due to the side effects of one of the drugs. They are watching for mental changes and bladder irritation.
I will have to come by the hospital on Wednesday for an outpatient dose of nulasta (bone marrow protector). There has to be a 24 hour waiting period after the last chemo drip before I can get that dose.
At home with Brenna and Travis, I will have to watch my temperature. Anything = 100.4 we need to call Dr. Xavier immediately. I hope to be home for three weeks.
In the future I will meet with Dr. Bajador who is my new gyn oncologist for the hysterectomy. If uterine sarcomas respond well to chemo we will be able to delay the hysterectomy. If not, it will happen sometime after the second round of chemotherapy.
I'm feeling really good today. I received 2 pints of blood overnight which gave me fresh pink lips and a rosy complexion; I look just like a covergirl!! I walked Rondi out to the front and stood by the fountain and got some of nature's VitaminD :)
xoxoxo Reba/mom/sister/friend
My oncologist, Dr. Xavier, received a 2nd opinion from Dr. Sant Chawla at Cedars Sanai. He agrees with her chemotherapy cocktails. If by chance they don't work, he has a Plan B in mind. There will be a re-scan in 3 weeks to check progress.
Yesterday's MRI did not show additional information. The biopsy indicated sarcoma in utero, fast growing. Dr. Xavier likened the growth to that of the first 20 weeks of pregnancy in only 20 hours....YIKES!
Dr. Xavier will meet with the tumor board to discuss my case on Monday.
I am guessing I will be released on Tuesday. Dr. Xavier wants me to stay in the hospital for observation due to the side effects of one of the drugs. They are watching for mental changes and bladder irritation.
I will have to come by the hospital on Wednesday for an outpatient dose of nulasta (bone marrow protector). There has to be a 24 hour waiting period after the last chemo drip before I can get that dose.
At home with Brenna and Travis, I will have to watch my temperature. Anything = 100.4 we need to call Dr. Xavier immediately. I hope to be home for three weeks.
In the future I will meet with Dr. Bajador who is my new gyn oncologist for the hysterectomy. If uterine sarcomas respond well to chemo we will be able to delay the hysterectomy. If not, it will happen sometime after the second round of chemotherapy.
I'm feeling really good today. I received 2 pints of blood overnight which gave me fresh pink lips and a rosy complexion; I look just like a covergirl!! I walked Rondi out to the front and stood by the fountain and got some of nature's VitaminD :)
xoxoxo Reba/mom/sister/friend
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Quote of the Day
Reba just got shots for pain. Her reply 2 minutes later, "mama's high!" Love it!!!
(Jay)
(Jay)
Good news!
Reba's PET scan showed a clean head, arms, chest and legs!! She is having an MRI of her uterus early tomorrow (Thursday) morning and they are going to do a biopsy of her fibroids. Dr. Xavier (oncologist) has been consulting her collegues and has changed the chemotherapy cocktail a little. The diagnosis is so complicated we can't pronounce it! The cancer continues to become more and more rare. Reba might (keep your fingers crossed) have a hysterectomy between the second and third treatment. Reebs is waiting patiently to be taken to radiology for the port implantation. More later!
(Louisa)
(Louisa)
The Big Day
Reba had an appointment with Dr. Bressler for her echocardiogram on Monday morning. The tech was late and she couldn't get help coordinating her medical records and it got a little hectic so Reba decided to postpone the second opinion in Los Angeles. The date for the second opinion hasn't been confirmed but her treatment continues as planned for chemotherapy on Wednesday. She had a PET scan Monday afternoon which is is being used as the baseline for monitoring her progress. Today she has an 11:00 admit at Mercy. Reba will get a port in her chest then will begin chemotherapy this afternoon. Ready, set, go! The sooner it begins the sooner it's OVER! She doesn't want flowers or visitors at this time. Anyone entering her room will have to wear a mask. Brenna, Jay, Travis, and my sister, Rondi will be the support team this time around. I have strep throat so is staying as far away as possible!!
Reba will return to Brenna's house for recovery. Her condo and Brenna's house have been equipped with gloves, masks and plenty of hand sanitizer.
Please send good thoughts. Reba certainly has a village. (Louisa)
Reba will return to Brenna's house for recovery. Her condo and Brenna's house have been equipped with gloves, masks and plenty of hand sanitizer.
Please send good thoughts. Reba certainly has a village. (Louisa)
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Medical Details
For those of you who want a little background here is a snapshot:
Reba was experiencing weight loss and abdominal pain over the past few months. A CT scan a little over a month ago didn't show anything. Reba knew there was something going on so asked for additional testing. Next was a pelvic ultrasound where, during the exam, Reba asked the tech to scan a little higher in the abdomen and a mass was found. An MRI was ordered, the mass was confirmed and then Reba was admitted to the hospital. We were hoping Reba would not only have the mass removed but also would have a hysterectomy. However, during surgery Dr. Tanaka knew the mass was cancerous so he decided, much to Rebas' great irritation, the hysterectomy would have to wait. Next came the process of wrapping our heads around the diagnosis. We knew it was cancer, but still didn't know what kind. The lab work took forever and finally Reba received a call from Dr. Bressler. He told her it was a really rare kind of cancer related to Ewing Sarcoma. For those of you who google, you will immediately see that Reba isn't a 15 to 20 year old boy with cancer in her bones. Well, we all knew Reba is special.
The meeting with the oncologist, Dr. Xavier, and her resident, Dr. Nazir was full of positive information. They are treating the cancer like it's Lymphoma. The cancer is at stage 2 or 3. She is going to get a port in her chest where the chemotherapy cocktail will be administered. It's also where they will draw blood. They are going to keep a close eye on her white blood cell count. She will be inpatient for 4 days and out for 7. She is scheduled for three of these inpatient treatments but that may change when they see how she is handling the chemotherapy. The best news is that she has a very high probability of a 5 year cure rate!! Wahoooooooo!
(Louisa)
Reba was experiencing weight loss and abdominal pain over the past few months. A CT scan a little over a month ago didn't show anything. Reba knew there was something going on so asked for additional testing. Next was a pelvic ultrasound where, during the exam, Reba asked the tech to scan a little higher in the abdomen and a mass was found. An MRI was ordered, the mass was confirmed and then Reba was admitted to the hospital. We were hoping Reba would not only have the mass removed but also would have a hysterectomy. However, during surgery Dr. Tanaka knew the mass was cancerous so he decided, much to Rebas' great irritation, the hysterectomy would have to wait. Next came the process of wrapping our heads around the diagnosis. We knew it was cancer, but still didn't know what kind. The lab work took forever and finally Reba received a call from Dr. Bressler. He told her it was a really rare kind of cancer related to Ewing Sarcoma. For those of you who google, you will immediately see that Reba isn't a 15 to 20 year old boy with cancer in her bones. Well, we all knew Reba is special.
The meeting with the oncologist, Dr. Xavier, and her resident, Dr. Nazir was full of positive information. They are treating the cancer like it's Lymphoma. The cancer is at stage 2 or 3. She is going to get a port in her chest where the chemotherapy cocktail will be administered. It's also where they will draw blood. They are going to keep a close eye on her white blood cell count. She will be inpatient for 4 days and out for 7. She is scheduled for three of these inpatient treatments but that may change when they see how she is handling the chemotherapy. The best news is that she has a very high probability of a 5 year cure rate!! Wahoooooooo!
(Louisa)
Thank you, Jennie!
Jennie (wonderful friend in LA) encouraged Reba to get a second opinion and she's getting it! Jennie worked miracles and Reba has an appointment on Tuesday morning with the head of the Sarcoma department at UCLA. At this point all treatment remains on the books for Wednesday, but this might open the door for a change of plans. Let's keep our fingers crossed! Thank you, Jennie for making this happen!(Louisa)
March 11, 2010
Thank you SO much to everyone for all the love, prayers, support and positive energy you have been sending my way! I am deeply touched and moved by the outpouring...I don't know what I'd do without each and every one of you! I have also received so many well wishes from friends and acquaintances through all of you, please pass my thanks to all of them!
It's becoming more challenging to respond to each person individually so it's time for the group email thing. I'll do my best to stay in touch but you may hear some updates from my sweet Brenna. If you do not wish to receive these emails, please let us know. If anyone needs to be added, let us know also:) I'm sure I've forgotten someone? Feel free to forward this as well.
So what is it? According to my Oncologist, Dr. Marin Xavier, my cancer is most closely related to a Ewing's Sarcoma, the difference being Ewing's is bone based and mine is based on soft tissue in my abdomen. This is a "serious" and "rare cancer" but it is treatable and has the potential to be cured within 5 years. I consider this FANTASTIC news!
Plans of action? This Wednesday I will be admitted to the hospital for 4 days to start in-patient chemotherapy. I will rotate in and out of the hospital for treatments over the next few months.
While there have been lots of changes in my life recently and more lie ahead, I am at peace with this and confident I will kick this cancer's back side! I have great support and am being taken excellent care of by my village -- super duper special thanks to Brenna, Travis, Tate, Louisa and Jay.
What do I need? Not totally sure right now bit I do ask that you keep the love coming. IO feel it and it makes all the difference in the world. Visitors will be limited while I'm in the hospital and please do not feel the need to send flowers. I'm sure I'll be looking for company and fun outings during my non-hospital time so I look forward to seeing people then.
Today was a good day. I now know where I stand. I know what lies ahead and I'm going in swinging! After spending the morning at the doctor's I ran some errands and had an awesome lunch with Louisa. Brenna gave me an adorable short haircut and now I'm chilling at home with Travis and Tate.
Life is good. Reba
It's becoming more challenging to respond to each person individually so it's time for the group email thing. I'll do my best to stay in touch but you may hear some updates from my sweet Brenna. If you do not wish to receive these emails, please let us know. If anyone needs to be added, let us know also:) I'm sure I've forgotten someone? Feel free to forward this as well.
So what is it? According to my Oncologist, Dr. Marin Xavier, my cancer is most closely related to a Ewing's Sarcoma, the difference being Ewing's is bone based and mine is based on soft tissue in my abdomen. This is a "serious" and "rare cancer" but it is treatable and has the potential to be cured within 5 years. I consider this FANTASTIC news!
Plans of action? This Wednesday I will be admitted to the hospital for 4 days to start in-patient chemotherapy. I will rotate in and out of the hospital for treatments over the next few months.
While there have been lots of changes in my life recently and more lie ahead, I am at peace with this and confident I will kick this cancer's back side! I have great support and am being taken excellent care of by my village -- super duper special thanks to Brenna, Travis, Tate, Louisa and Jay.
What do I need? Not totally sure right now bit I do ask that you keep the love coming. IO feel it and it makes all the difference in the world. Visitors will be limited while I'm in the hospital and please do not feel the need to send flowers. I'm sure I'll be looking for company and fun outings during my non-hospital time so I look forward to seeing people then.
Today was a good day. I now know where I stand. I know what lies ahead and I'm going in swinging! After spending the morning at the doctor's I ran some errands and had an awesome lunch with Louisa. Brenna gave me an adorable short haircut and now I'm chilling at home with Travis and Tate.
Life is good. Reba
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