Tube free!

We met with international radiology at the beginning of February to see what the process of removing my Gtube would be. My biggest concern was if we removed it, would I be able to get another one placed if I start having bowel instructions again. The good news is that my stomach has already been moved into place and putting another Gtube in would actually be easier. 

On Leap Day, we celebrated getting my Gtube out. This was an outpatient procedure and the PA told me they would silver nitrate the rest of my granuloma, and recommended that I use the numbing cream that I used from work for prior silver nitrates because they don't numb at all. 

I've started a program to try to run a 5k in May at our church. So Wil and I went to the gym and began the day running (Wil much further than I). Then I had acupuncture before the afternoon of getting my tube pulled. 

For some reason I was more nervous about this procedure than some of my other surgeries, I guess the unknown is always scarier. So I took some Xanax that I had to help calm my nerves, and boy did it calm me down.

The g-tube was only held in by a plastic dome, and if you pull on it with enough pressure it just comes out. So when they started pulling I felt like I was being levitated off of the table, but it came out. It was uncomfortable in the silver nitrate hurt more because of how far down they did they chemical burn. 

There is the table after the procedure. My Xanax hit me all at once and I don't remember much of the afternoon. We visited my friend in the hospital. On the way home, I insisted that Wil stop and get me every flavor of Sweet Tart rope he could find. Where I then saw someone from church while I was waiting in the car, of which I don't remember much either. 

I had chemo the next Monday which went well. My neuropathy started acting up again and so Debby my symptom management NP, increased my Lyrica to three times a day. It was also time for another CT Scan. Since I'm now allergic to the IV dye, I have to premedicate with Benadryl and Prednisone. 

The following week was Wilson's spring break. We were able to do lots of fun things, High Point children's museum, fishing and mountain bike riding with Wil, and just playing around the house. 

Last Saturday, the boys ran in the St. Leo's 5k. Wilson won first in his age group, 30:21, he ran without stopping! Then Wil ran the 10k right after and he won 3rd in his age group! 

We met yesterday with Dr. Skinner to get the CT results and for chemo. Praise report that the CT scan results continue to show that tumors are getting smaller. One area on the outside of my abdomen near belly button is more consolidated and distinct which is something they will just keep an eye on and if it doesn't respond to treatment may consider surgery to remove. GTube site is still healing, doc put some more silver nitrate on it which makes it pretty sore now. 

My blood marker, CA125, came down again, which is in line with what the CT scan showed. I'm recovering this week

Prayer Requests: 

1. Praise for chemo continuing to work and decrease tumors. 

2. Pray for protection from neuropathy pain and for healing from Gtube site. 

3. Pray for bellybutton tumor to not cause any issues and stop growing and not need surgical removal. 

4. Pray for endurance for me and my family during this grueling, every 3 week treatment cycle. 

ADDENDUM: As I was getting ready to post this blog update, I was admitted to the hospital for an infection around my tube site. It got super red, hard, and painful after getting the silver nitrate done. Was getting IV antibiotics but started having an allergic reaction to it this morning. Those are on hold until we get the CT scan results. The scan is to determine the depth of infection to see what the plan of treatment will be; could be just draining it bedside and oral antibiotics. These results will also dictate how long I need to be in the hospital. 

Thankfully, my in-laws are able to help with the kids so Wil slept with me at the hospital. 

Please pray for quick healing of the infection and to get home soon. 

Lyrica, Ritalin, Oxy Oh My!

Another 3 months have past and time for another blog update. 

Since my last post, I have continued to have the chemo Elahere every three weeks with a scan at the end of December. 

Praise the Lord, the CT scan showed a reduction in all of my tumors. My cancer marker continues to decrease as well, all pointing that this chemo is working! 

I continue to see my Symptom Management NP Deby who is amazing. Gabapentin wasn't working for my neuropathy pain and Lyrica at the increased dose leaves me with no pain at all. I still deal with tingling and numbness which is manageable. I rarely have to take my oxycodone for it now. 

She also put me on Ritalin to help manage my chemo related fatigue a couple of weeks ago. I take it twice a day and it just makes me feel normal again. The week after starting it was the best I have felt since I started having bowel obstructions almost two years ago. I don't take the Ritalin right after chemo since it decreases my appetite and it is also dampened by chemo. 

We were able to have a wonderful Christmas since I didn't have chemo until two days after. Wilson asked Santa for a Tarsier (a small primate found in Asia), a megalodon tooth, and a Zipline. He got two out of three. Parker asked for a toy pony. 

 Wilson is in the middle of his basketball season and he has the same wonderful coaches as last year, Sierra and Kit. He has had quite the large cheering sections most games! 

Parker is taking swim lessons and is loving it. She will be doing Quickball in the spring while Wilson does baseball. 

We also got to celebrate both of our dogs' adoption days. Of course, they got a whipped cream treat! 

I have also started an exercise program for cancer patients. We meet twice a week doing cardio and strength training. Since I have the Ritalin, I've had the energy to work out in the first time in more than 6 months. 

My Gtube still causes me issues. The granuloma that keeps forming around it causes pain, bleeds, and oozes. We have used silver nitrate on it three or four times and it knocks it back for a few weeks but keeps coming back. I haven't had to use it (meaning empty my stomach because I have a bowel obstruction) since July. That in and of itself is a huge praise. We are meeting with Interventional Radiology (the ones who placed it) to see what the process is to remove it and recovery, if they would be able to place another one if we needed. The downside to taking it out would be having to go through the agony of getting a tube shoved down my nose and into my stomach if I get an obstruction again. Having the tube down your nose for a week is no cake walk either. It hurts and makes it hard to talk since it wiggles the tube. 

Prayer requests: 

1. Huge praises for the chemo working and meditations working to manage the side effects giving me a better quality of life. 

2. For guidance for Wil and I and our medical team as we decide whether or not to remove my Gtube. 

3. For protection from further neuropathy damage (which can lead to walking and hand issues) and continued protection for my eyes (these are doing good so far). 

4. For our kids to be able to use our family's cancer journey to help others and their own spiritual lives.