(Joe is writing this) - Thanks to Tiffini Sorcic for the recommendation on the CaringBridge website. We are transitioning this blog over to that location due to the better user/reader tools and security features offered instead of the generic Google blog here. The website is:
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/krissorcic
Most of you should have received an official invite from the site - you should be able to sign up and get email or text notices from CaringBridge when new content is posted, and you can leave comments and what not as well, so we can see and even respond to you through that medium.
In the interest of full disclosure, they are a "donations funded" website, and have no direct relationship with any cancer charity or research group, so you will see donation requests to help maintain their website. If you find their website is a useful tool, please let us know. I am interested in making a donation to them if our friends and family get more utility out of their site than this Google system.
Anyway, please make sure you transition over to that site as we will discontinue updating this page. Thanks again for all of your support for Kris during this time!
Joe
Friday, August 2, 2013
Thursday, August 1, 2013
Here's the latest (done in LARGE font for those with eye issues):
On July 31st, we went back to Walter Reed for installation of a port device (at 7 am) to allow easy access for chemo drug infusions, blood samples, etc. This was a relatively minor procedure and we were back up in the Hematology department around 1030 or so.
Through discussion with the docs, we made the decision to start chemo right away instead of waiting until Monday. We were able to go home and throw some essentials together, then get Kris back to the hospital that night.
During the treatment regimen, she will be admitted to the hospital for 5 days, with pretty much a continuous infusion of chemotherapy drugs during that time. The drug regimen is known as EPOCH-R and is a standard treatment for the type of cancer she has. The doctors have been great and open, honest, and forthright in everything they've been telling us. The overall prognosis and projected outcome is good, although there are no guarantees, as with any type of cancer. We will take it a day at a time and adjust where needed.
The overall cycle is 5 days of chemo, followed by 16 days of rest. During the rest period, Kris will have blood samples taken twice a week to check her blood chemistry and make sure the chemo is doing what it should be doing. The doctors can adjust the medication as needed to make sure the maximum effect is obtained to kill the cancer cells. She gets to go through 6 of these cycles, so she should be complete somewhere around Christmas time.
As I write this, she is in the hospital, waiting for the treatment to begin. We are still waiting on results from the bone marrow biopsy that was done, but the PET CT showed the cancerous areas were limited to the right tonsil, the lymph node next to it, and possibly another node about 2-3 inches down the neck, on the right side. Per the docs, this is classified as a Stage 2 cancer - it is localized, on one side of the diaphragm, but has spread to more than one physical location. There were no factors against starting the treatment right away, and the docs felt that starting sooner was better than waiting.
The internet connections in the hospital are very spotty, so while she is in the hospital, I will provide updates as I can. I know a lot of you are waiting on pins and needles to hear the latest, and I apologize for not being able to get things out as quickly as you may need. On behalf of Kristen, thank you for all the thoughts and prayers during this time!
On July 31st, we went back to Walter Reed for installation of a port device (at 7 am) to allow easy access for chemo drug infusions, blood samples, etc. This was a relatively minor procedure and we were back up in the Hematology department around 1030 or so.
Through discussion with the docs, we made the decision to start chemo right away instead of waiting until Monday. We were able to go home and throw some essentials together, then get Kris back to the hospital that night.
During the treatment regimen, she will be admitted to the hospital for 5 days, with pretty much a continuous infusion of chemotherapy drugs during that time. The drug regimen is known as EPOCH-R and is a standard treatment for the type of cancer she has. The doctors have been great and open, honest, and forthright in everything they've been telling us. The overall prognosis and projected outcome is good, although there are no guarantees, as with any type of cancer. We will take it a day at a time and adjust where needed.
The overall cycle is 5 days of chemo, followed by 16 days of rest. During the rest period, Kris will have blood samples taken twice a week to check her blood chemistry and make sure the chemo is doing what it should be doing. The doctors can adjust the medication as needed to make sure the maximum effect is obtained to kill the cancer cells. She gets to go through 6 of these cycles, so she should be complete somewhere around Christmas time.
As I write this, she is in the hospital, waiting for the treatment to begin. We are still waiting on results from the bone marrow biopsy that was done, but the PET CT showed the cancerous areas were limited to the right tonsil, the lymph node next to it, and possibly another node about 2-3 inches down the neck, on the right side. Per the docs, this is classified as a Stage 2 cancer - it is localized, on one side of the diaphragm, but has spread to more than one physical location. There were no factors against starting the treatment right away, and the docs felt that starting sooner was better than waiting.
The internet connections in the hospital are very spotty, so while she is in the hospital, I will provide updates as I can. I know a lot of you are waiting on pins and needles to hear the latest, and I apologize for not being able to get things out as quickly as you may need. On behalf of Kristen, thank you for all the thoughts and prayers during this time!
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Screws and hat shopping
This is my lump. The bruise is from the biopsy.
The reason this blog is named "my screw is loose" is because Joe told me that the lump is just the screw that holds on my head coming loose.
I went hat shopping today- thanks, Michelle! It's good to have friends that will go with you to buy hats and consider what the hat will look like with no hair, and how itchy it will be!
Here's hoping I won't need the hats!
My Screw Is Loose!
July 30, 20013
I'll start at the beginning.
July 5th I noticed a lump on my neck, just under the right ear. It kinda freaked me out! Monday, July 8th I went to the clinic. The provider gave me Keflex and had the lab draw blood to check for infection. The clinic called that day to make a follow up appointment because of some abnormal results. I went back on Wednesday for another blood draw and found out I was severely anemic. Normal is 12. I was at 6.2. I had an appointment for a routine mammogram that day, after the clinic appointment. While I was driving home from the mammogram I got a call from the doctor I had seen that morning. She had spoken to a specialist and wanted me to go to the ER at the local hospital for a blood transfusion. I went to Fredrick Memorial Hospital and ended up being admitted and getting 3 units of blood. The clinic doctor had also made a follow up appointment for me with the Hematology Clinic at Walter Reed Military Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland.
The following week I went to Hematology, had more blood drawn and got a referral for the ENT clinic for a biopsy of the lump on my neck. Tuesday, July23 I went to ENT and had a needle biopsy of the lymph node and a tissue biopsy of the tonsil. The doctor I saw that day told me to be prepared for it to be cancer, but not to worry because this kind is very treatable, and he would call as soon as he had the results. Friday the 26th he called and told my that I had lymphoma and the Hematology doctor would be calling me back. By late Friday afternoon I had appointments for a PET scan and a bone marrow biopsy for the following Monday, followed by a meeting with the doctor.
Sunday at church the Bishop announced to the ward that anyone who would like was invited to include me in their fast for Fast Sunday, August 4th. So many people were incredibly kind to me that day, some I know well, and some I just recognize from the other side of the chapel on Sundays. That evening Bishop Smith and Brother Kitchens came to my home and gave Ashley a blessing, then gave me a blessing. I felt great comfort and peace from those blessings! I know the Lord loves me!
Yesterday, July 29th, Joe and I woke up at 4 am and went and had the PET scan, the bone marrow biopsy, and an ultrasound of my heart (it's not 2 sizes too small!) The PET scan was a little weird. I had to drink 2 huge bottles of Barium, then get an IV. Then the technician brought in the stuff she had to inject in the IV. It was in a lead box. In a lead sheathed syringe. That makes you stop and take notice! The scan went well, even if I didn't get a nap.
The bone marrow biopsy was another story! That was horrible. Have you ever had a really thick milkshake that is too thick to suck up your straw, and you almost turn your face inside out trying? Now imagine how that shake feels. I didn't see the needle, but I'm pretty sure it was even the size of a drinking straw. And they do it in your backside, on a ridge of your hipbone, just above the coccyx. I think I nearly had an out of body experience.
Then I went for an ultrasound of the heart. The tech apologized if she was making me uncomfortable or if the gel was too cold. After what I had already been through, that was a massage!
My official diagnosis at this point is Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma.
So I go in tomorrow, Wednesday, July 31st to get a port implanted in my chest, so I won't have to get IV's every time I need medications. Hopefully they will have all my test results back, and the doctor plans to start treatments by Monday, August 2nd.
All prayers, well wishes, and jokes are much appreciated!
I'll start at the beginning.
July 5th I noticed a lump on my neck, just under the right ear. It kinda freaked me out! Monday, July 8th I went to the clinic. The provider gave me Keflex and had the lab draw blood to check for infection. The clinic called that day to make a follow up appointment because of some abnormal results. I went back on Wednesday for another blood draw and found out I was severely anemic. Normal is 12. I was at 6.2. I had an appointment for a routine mammogram that day, after the clinic appointment. While I was driving home from the mammogram I got a call from the doctor I had seen that morning. She had spoken to a specialist and wanted me to go to the ER at the local hospital for a blood transfusion. I went to Fredrick Memorial Hospital and ended up being admitted and getting 3 units of blood. The clinic doctor had also made a follow up appointment for me with the Hematology Clinic at Walter Reed Military Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland.
The following week I went to Hematology, had more blood drawn and got a referral for the ENT clinic for a biopsy of the lump on my neck. Tuesday, July23 I went to ENT and had a needle biopsy of the lymph node and a tissue biopsy of the tonsil. The doctor I saw that day told me to be prepared for it to be cancer, but not to worry because this kind is very treatable, and he would call as soon as he had the results. Friday the 26th he called and told my that I had lymphoma and the Hematology doctor would be calling me back. By late Friday afternoon I had appointments for a PET scan and a bone marrow biopsy for the following Monday, followed by a meeting with the doctor.
Sunday at church the Bishop announced to the ward that anyone who would like was invited to include me in their fast for Fast Sunday, August 4th. So many people were incredibly kind to me that day, some I know well, and some I just recognize from the other side of the chapel on Sundays. That evening Bishop Smith and Brother Kitchens came to my home and gave Ashley a blessing, then gave me a blessing. I felt great comfort and peace from those blessings! I know the Lord loves me!
Yesterday, July 29th, Joe and I woke up at 4 am and went and had the PET scan, the bone marrow biopsy, and an ultrasound of my heart (it's not 2 sizes too small!) The PET scan was a little weird. I had to drink 2 huge bottles of Barium, then get an IV. Then the technician brought in the stuff she had to inject in the IV. It was in a lead box. In a lead sheathed syringe. That makes you stop and take notice! The scan went well, even if I didn't get a nap.
The bone marrow biopsy was another story! That was horrible. Have you ever had a really thick milkshake that is too thick to suck up your straw, and you almost turn your face inside out trying? Now imagine how that shake feels. I didn't see the needle, but I'm pretty sure it was even the size of a drinking straw. And they do it in your backside, on a ridge of your hipbone, just above the coccyx. I think I nearly had an out of body experience.
Then I went for an ultrasound of the heart. The tech apologized if she was making me uncomfortable or if the gel was too cold. After what I had already been through, that was a massage!
My official diagnosis at this point is Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma.
So I go in tomorrow, Wednesday, July 31st to get a port implanted in my chest, so I won't have to get IV's every time I need medications. Hopefully they will have all my test results back, and the doctor plans to start treatments by Monday, August 2nd.
All prayers, well wishes, and jokes are much appreciated!
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