November 19, 2009 - Chemo Begins

The surgery to place the Omaya Reservoir in Dee's head went very well.  A CT scan was conducted after to determine that it had been placed correctly so that it could do its job.  She came out of it clear and in minimal pain.  In fact, she was a chatty Cathy ~ most likely relief having the whole process over.  She has a 3 x 4 inch patch of hair missing from the front right of her head right at the hairline.  In place of the hair lies a 1 1/2 x3 inch "goose-egg".  Eventually, the swelling will go down and a slight bump will remain.  The first round of Chemo to her Brain begins tomorrow. That consists of one drug and will be administered every two weeks.  This will be monitored because, at some point Radiation Therapy will most like be administered to insure that the denser bone is treated, as the Chemo may not get it.   The Chemo she will receive intravenously has five parts.  The steroid she's been receiving is one of those parts.  A second component of the Chemo began this evening and it is the antibody portion of the treatment.  The next 3 components will be delivered together.  They have decided, since she's already in the hospital,  to administer the first round in this fashion to watch her reactions and monitor each step.  Not only to reduce the shock to her body, but her allergic reactions and extra-sensitivity to drugs warranted this caution.  She will receive this Chemo once every 21 days and will follow up with 3 days of Steroids.  The Chemo that's being delivered this evening triggered a very difficult anxiety attack and panic.  We have not been given the summation, as the MRI of her spine was not conducted.  The results of this are the last puzzle piece needed to complete that.  The MRI takes place at 10:45 a.m. tomorrow. We pray  that those results are clear and do not add another level of complication.  Love and Thanks.