Latest Update

Hello,

Darryl here, on behalf of Joanne, who asked me to provide an update to all of you.

It has been a most challenging week. Things changed quite dramatically on Sunday night when Joanne ended up in the hospital due to a high fever. She spent a day in Emergency until she was finally able to be admitted into the Oncology ward. In the meantime, on Monday, additional results came back, from her latest CT scan, that indicated further progression, this time to her brain. This news has set the next chapter of this journey into motion. The focus of Joanne’s treatments has shifted from active to palliative. There are no plans for additional chemo at this time. Tomorrow, Joanne is having the first of several palliative radiation treatments focused on the brain and esophagus progression. The intention of this phase of radiation is to ease the onset of symptoms that would otherwise arise from this new progression. Next steps and future treatment options are unclear at this time.

Joanne, Gord, Michelle, Craig and Brian are facing these latest challenges with the same strength and focus that we have all seen and drawn inspiration from in the past months and years. The continued support and prayers from all of you are appreciated very much, especially during this next most challenging phase.

Darryl Condon,
31 January 2008

CT scan shows mixed results

Well, for the most part my CT scan showed fairly positive results. My lungs remain clear, with no additional disease and no fluid, no new areas of problems....... My head (which the last doc threw in either for good measure or to freak me out, which worked like a charm) is clear, as are all my other organs, liver etc.... no new areas of cancer. All very good.

I do, however, have one area that is a problem, and that is the mediastinel lymph nodes (they are easist thought of as sort of surrounding the lower part of the esophagus). They have shown slight growth. Hard to say if it counts "officially as progression" but it doesnt really matter as it is causing me trouble with symptoms, and therefore unacceptable.

These nodes seem to be pushing on something important, creating an urge to cough and also a real problem with shortness of breath, and shortness of breath with even minimal exertion. This has been getting worse for me especially over the last month, and both have become somewhat unbearable. Episodes of either (terrible cough, and/or shortness of breath) are scary and exhausting.

SO........ I move on to try another chemo, this time it is Navelbine. And we all hope for the best. If the Navelbine shrinks these nodes, then all will be well, at least for awhile. My oncologist is also looking into the possibility of radiation to those nodes. It would be a large area to radiate and so may not be possible, especially given the radiation I have already had, but I guess we will see what the raditaion oncologist thinks.

This particular news has hit me hard, harder than previous CTs, for some reason. My biggest sadness is that I am now SO limited in what I can do and I must try to use my wheelchair for everything, to avoid getting short of breath. It is managable, but it feels horrible to me. I'm trying to stay calm because crying just makes breathing harder, and therefore I'm limiting my conversations until I get more adjusted to this new reality.

I will most certainly read the blog, but for those who do not post answers (or who are sick of posting, Lord knows that is a legitimate option) I've also put my email address in the margin. I will get myself over to the computer (or use a laptop) every few days.

So.... I start the new drug on Monday.... and I really need it to work!!!!! It seems odd that lymph nodes could be causing all this trouble even when my lungs are fine, but there it is, this can be a cruel and unusual disease!

Love to all, Joanne

Taxoterrible

Well, there's no way to sugar coat it, these two treatments of Taxotere have been very gruelling, and have left me weak and fragile. Even with the 25% dose reduction on treatment #2, it has been very tough, although I will say that I haven't had to make a trip to emergency, so that is certainly a success of sorts.

Interestingly, my lungs apparently sound very clear, apparently excellent in fact.....and so on the one hand it seems that it might be doing its job. I am very relieved that I will have a CT scan this coming Thursday, so that we will have a clear picture of what is going on, and I can make some decisions about what to do next.

So, I am laying very low..... resting quite a bit and unfortunately not really up to much by way of visitors or outings.... Again, I'm really pleased to be getting scanned this week so we can make a little sense out of it all. I have a few other drug options if I don't want to continue with the Taxotere, and frankly, that might be my choice, I'll just wait and see on the whole thing, until I know how well it is working.

One thing I will say is that I am enjoying watching winter from INSIDE my sunroom..... I honestly do not miss being out and about in -30 degree temperatures!

Joanne

View from Here

Michelle is long gone back to school, but I thought that this photo of the two of us in my bed was a little prettier than just me lying around in bed......... You can see how lucky I am to have a great view of the outdoors.

And, that's what I've been doing...... I'm on Day 7 now of Taxotere #2........ it continues to be a tough go, and even with the dose reduction, I still feel like I'm taking quite a pounding. Anyway, today seemed to be much better and I hope that is a good sign of things to come, although I was still tired and resting most of the day, I started "feeling" more myself, and that is always a welcome feeling.


I continue to be plagued with low grade fevers, weakness and fatigue and just a general malaise. I do take CSGF (Neupogen), which homecare gives me via injection every day. That is supposed to keep my white blood counts from bottoming out. Both Neupogen and the Taxotere cause bone pain though, and for that, I use heat, Morphine and careful use of tylenol (i.e. if I do not have a fever, I can use Tylenol).

Anyway, even having said all of that, I think the corner is turning, and we'll see what this week brings. Wish me luck!!!!!

Holiday Doggie

I think this might have been the biggest hit of the holidays... Heidi has taken to this new dog bed like a duck to water! We think she enjoys the pillows, it's crazy!

Well, we are winding down now.... Craig returned to Winnipeg (via Indianapolis for a leadership conference through his fraternity, Delta Upsilon). Michelle returns tomorrow. It's been a wonderful and lengthy visit which I have enjoyed very much, but it is time to get back to "real life" now. The kids have work and school, and I have some resting to catch up on!

I saw an oncologist today who was subbing for my regular (who is on vacation). Because I seemed to have such a tough time last cycle, he is giving me a 25% dose reduction, and I am thrilled about this, because I think I really need it, my quality of life was wiped to almost nothing for too long with my last cycle. My lungs sound "very clear" which is a great sign in my books. I do have a little lump on my shoulder - could be a cancerous lymph node, or could be something else..... if cancer, that will likely be the end of this chemo, but time and CT scans will tell that for sure.

After the first 2 1/2 brutal weeks, I am actually feeling MUCH better, MUCH more "myself" and absolutely everything has improved in the last couple of days - my breathing, my stamina, my cough. I've been up and about a bit as well. I even went to a movie with Anne and Michelle (and Brian with Anne's son Chad). (movie: P.S. I love you - huge chick flick warning, not a man in the theatre and I think that was just as well!).

Upcoming events: Chemo (Taxotere at 75% dose): January 7

That's all that is new for now! I hope that 2008 is treating you all well so far. For myself, I'm pretty happy to see each new day of it.

Cheers - Joanne