Wigs anyone?

Here is the newest information-and the reason for "newest" is because Mom & Brian were given the wrong information yesterday, and therefore so was I. So I had to wait until I had all the correct information before I could give an update.

Mom and Brian went to their Chemo Teach class yesterday morning at the Cancer clinic. They said it was really helpful and gave them a lot of information as to what they can expect to happen (chemo symptoms, phone numbers to call if/when they have questions, etc.). Mom also said it a bit of an “information overload” as so much was discussed in such a short period of time. But all-in-all they found it to be very useful!!

Mom was originally scheduled to start chemo on Monday Aug 25; however that has since been postponed for another 3 weeks. The reason for this is because Mom is now going to be taking part in a clinical trial. Mom will be put on a drug called Docetaxel that she will be given once every 3 weeks. The clinical trial she will be on is a study of Docetaxel in combination with Sunitinib. So Mom goes to meet with the oncologist and the clinical trial nurse on Tuesday Aug 26 at 1pm. Before starting the trial Mom will have to have all the tests she has had done already re-done. These tests include CT scans, x-rays, blood work, a current bone scan, ECG’s, Echo’s, possibly an MRI/CT of the brain, physical, & medical history.

Like I had mentioned before, Mom will be starting Chemo in 3 weeks. She will likely be on a 6 cycle treatment plan, which should take about 5 months. This means that Mom will have chemo once every 3 weeks. This will continue until she has gone through 6 cycles. One of the side effects Mom will have to the Chemo will be losing her hair, which normally occurs within 2 weeks of the first Chemo treatment. So Mom will be getting some wigs, scarves, head coverings, etc. She went to the place in the Cancer clinic this morning to take a look, but they didn’t have any, so Mom will try again later.

Mom figures that once she starts chemo she will more than likely stop working as she will be too tired. So she should be finishing up in about three or four week’s time.

I know people have been asking what all they can do to help Mom and Brian through all of this and Mom hates asking for things like that so I will post some ways that you can help if you so choose.

• Rides to & from the cancer clinic/medical appointments-would love to maybe work out a schedule for this so Mom isn't stressing about how she is getting there.
• Meals (pre-made & fresh)
• Flowers/cards
• Stop by for a cup of tea/coffee (though Mom can’t have any)/glass of wine
• Invite/Take Mom out for breakfast/lunch/dinner
• Stop by and watch some TV or a movie with her
• Drop off bubble bath/lipstick/scarves-these were her requests LOL
• Humor her-through emails, phone calls, visits, etc.
• Keep her up to date as to what is happening in the office (work people *hint, hint* )
• Take Mom out for a drive.

As Mom has said- The battle has begun... and gonna fight it tooth and nail!!!!