Brief update

Two Dr. visits today. Urologist was a consult, talked about Oncologist being "Doc in charge" for now. Don't have to go back to this guy for 4 months unless something changes. He did say that the cancerous kidney still appears to be functioning OK.

Afternoon's radiation was #8 of 10. Still no side effects except fatigue. Just chillin.

Weight down again but could be due to total lack of taste bud activity. Making milk shakes (thanks to my old drugstore training), pretty much just snacking through the day. Puddings are good. Sweet potatoes were good. Sound like sugars are a positive?

Odd changes. More later.

Ed

Unexpected (but good) doctor visit

This time it's Joni. After Ed's radiation treatment today, he saw the radiation oncologist. I felt like I went to class without doing my homework because we didn't know we'd see the doc and Ed's collection of notes sat at home. Basically, the doc was checking in to see how he was doing. His comment was "You're looking better." Don't know what that was based on--maybe these things: 1) the doc seemed surprised that Ed was still just taking Tylenol for pain and then only when he feels the need, 2) the hip pain is lessened thanks to the hip radiation apparently, and 3) Ed stopped using a cane to get around the house and only takes it along on outings. Last week his steriod pills were cut back from 4 per day to 3 per day, and today the doc said to drop to 2 per day. We thought that wouldn't happen until radiation was over, so we're taking it as a good sign. The best part was that on the way home, Ed suggested we stop for ice cream. Since not much food is appealing to him these days, I jumped at the chance to spoil our supper this way. The other surprise today was that the drug he is to go on, Nexavar, is going to be delivered to us tomorrow. We need to be in touch with the oncologist for instructions because we thought he wouldn't have it until next week.

Weekend update

OK, after the first 4 radiation treatments there appear to be some trends. No probems with the actual radiations, quick and easy. Been getting pretty fatigued, though, the rest of the day. Taste buds out of whack, appetite up and down, indigestion continues (doctor says it's from the steroids), feeling like I'm in a "fog", etc. Wonder if it will accumulate further or level off?

This week will have 5 more daily treatments and a follow-up Urologist visit on Thursday. Oh boy, more medical outings!

Had quite a few visitors this weekend. Sherry and Jeremy came in for the weekend. Ed, Kurt, and Kyle stopped in. Dave was here Friday, Judi stopped, Becky will be here this afternoon, talked to Debbie. Neighbors from both sides stopped by. Everybody offers support, willing to help, etc. Nice. Glad that Joni has this support, she's bearing up well and doing a lot to keep things smooth. I spend a lot of time in my recliner. Watched the OSU spring football game on TV Saturday with several of the visitors and enjoyed that.

Have received 3 gift baskets (fruit, cookies, Tootsie Rolls), many cards and e-mails with prayers and well-wishes, and phone calls from old friends all over the country. Really helpful.

I suppose if there's an update I'll do it mid-week but also could be next weekend. Meanwhile, thanks to all of you.

Ed

First radiation

Had my first radiation treatment today, easy as could be. About 10 minutes total, just lying on the table. Did the head and the right hip. So far, no effects.

Back tomorrow, and 8 times after that, 3PM Mon thru Fri.

Will probably wait until the weekend to update again, it's not exactly newsworthy to just say "OK again".

Thanks for all your good wishes, prayers, kind words, etc. REALLY appreciate it all.

Ed

Getting started

This is our first attempt at blogging. We will use our blog to update everyone mainly on Ed's health as we proceed through his treatment for renal cell carcinoma. If you want details from Mar. 7 (when he first began having serious pain in his right hip) to today, Saturday, April 14, it would be much easier to talk about that over the phone--yes, there's that much detail. We'll try to provide an update every day that he has something going on. So you can expect an update next on Tuesday, April 17, after he has his first whole brain radiation treatment and hip radiation. He did the mapping session to set up this procedure on Friday. The treatments will be every day, 15 minutes per day, for 10 working days. After that, he starts on a new drug called Nexavar. The radiation is intended to prevent uncontrolled growth of the cancer in the brain and to ease the hip pain, and the drug is used to extend the period of no-growth of the cancer. He has been on steriods for 1 1/2 weeks to build him up for these treatments and reduce the swelling around the brain lesions. Right now he has some hip pain upon getting up from a chair and taking the first step. More annoying is a persistent hiccuping or burping, one right after another, especially at night (which of course means we are not getting much nighttime sleep--love those daytime naps!). This is apparently from the steriods. So if you call and talk to him, you can expect delays in his words while he burps a lot.