Thursday at USC
Ten years ago, I carried this stone off Black Mountain and had it engraved. Last April, I added the boys' names to it.
Yesterday, Nancy and Val left at noon for an appointment with the nutritionist at UCSD. Val got sick en route and they had to do a u-turn back to Stone Canyon. She has been sick in the morning for a couple of days. We prayed last night and asked that she would feel well enough to make the trip to USC today.
She was better this morning. Nancy, Paul, and Val left for USC Norris at 7:30 this morning. Chris is out of town on business.
Val's weight is critically low at 108, ten pounds less than two weeks ago. Although some of it may be attributed to a bit less ascites, Dr. Lenz explained that the antiobiotics Val has been taking may have killed some bacteria that is needed for food processing. The bone structure in the area of the temporal lobe is the best indicator of mal-nutrition.
Val has to go immediately onto a TPN (total parenteral nutrition) regimen. This is a 12 hour per day, 5 days per week IV infusion to put on muscle mass. TPN includes a combination of sugar and carbohydrates, proteins , lipids, electrolytes, and trace elements. It has to be done very slowly so the fluid doesn't add to ascites.
Val received her regular chemo of Avastin and 5FU. Since her hemoglobin is low (8.2), she will also receive (2) units of whole blood. This will make for a long day. They will probably get out around 7 pm.
On the good news side, her CA 19-9 tumor marker was down to 1,200. Although this is still too high, the trend is down. Another piece of good news; she is scheduled for a PET CT at UCSD as another step toward considering SIR Spheres. This decision is still a way off since we have to get Val's muscle mass up first.
Nancy is going to Julie's tonight in San Luis Obispo. Werner and Dorothy Jacobsen have been kind enough to go out of their way and pick her up at USC on their way up to SLO.
I had a nice conversation with Gary Cook from Dallas this morning. His wife, Andrea, was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma in June of '05.
Thank you for your continued prayers beloved.
posted by McCrea Family at 1:58 PM
5 Comments:
Hi Val, I'm keeping up with you via the blog and I just wanted to let you know that we're thinking about you and we are inspired by you. I let your journey speak to me about my journey. May you find peace and comfort this day. Love, the Riders
I am hoping things are going smoothly today. Thinking of you as always....
Jen Gaetani & family
Val, I am at a loss for words for all that you and your family has gone through. We think of you daily and pray for your health and well being. We'll see you soon. Love, The Moolenaar Family
Dear McCreas-
My thoughts and prayers are with you always. You have been so brave and strong through this battle, and it gives me such inspiration.
Richard, thanks for the information that you sent.
Sending my love and prayers,
Caroline Stoufer
Hey Val, I know you probably get a ton of advice, but one thing we always used to tell patients when we were teaching them about their IV antibiotics was to EAT YOGURT. The kind with the live cultures in it. Definitely helps the intestinal tract with the good/bad bacteria thing. I think about you a lot and am praying daily for your complete healing as well as the daily hurdles including comfort and peace.
Much love,
Michelle Greer
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