Thursday October 7th Maria had an intravenous port (BardPort Implant) installed in a main vein in her collar bone area today during an outpatient surgical procedure at Barnes Hospital. She also met with nurses from Trilogy Home Healthcare, who connected a portable unit to her port, which will deliver her chemotherapy drug -- Fluorouracil (5-FU) -- through a continuous infusion, 24 hours a day, seven days per week. Maria received her first "cassette" of 5-FU today, which contains a week's supply. A Trilogy nurse will meet her at her radiation treatment every Thursday to install a new cassette. Maria will carry her portable unit with her wherever she goes in a black "fanny pack." Maria additionally underwent her first external radiation treatment today at Barnes Hospital. She will receive her radiation treatments every weekday morning at Barnes for the next five to six weeks. Despite nearly five grueling, draining hours at the hospital today, Maria was inspiring in her resolve, her courage, her composure, and her stamina. Today marked a very important milestone: the first real step in her treatment regiment. Congratulations, Maria, your journey to recovery has truly begun!!!!!!!! Friday, October 8th Maria underwent her second radiation treatment today. Her Trilogy Home Healthcare nurses, Holly and Cindy, met up with her again today to check her implanted port and declared that it looks great! Maria's radiation oncologist, Robert Myerson, M.D., Ph.D, (listed once again in America's Top Doctors, 2004) met with Maria and her family following her treatment and spent quite a bit of time reviewing her case with her and answering questions. Dr. Myerson will meet with Maria every Monday. October 13, 2004 Maria is progressing through her first full week of treatments and is remaining focused and positive, despite what has proven to be a difficult regiment. While daily radiation treatments are inherently intense, in and of themselves, Maria's treatments are additionally challenging for her as she also has to contend with the colostomy, her central line port, and her chemo unit while receiving her radiation treatments. In addition, she has been battling some nauseasness in the morning, which has made it more challenging to get up and ready to leave for her daily treatments, and has made the ride to St Louis understandably unpleasant. It has become quickly apparent to Maria's family that recovering from cancer is literally a "fight." Fortunately, Maria is quite the contender and continues to show remarkable resilience, bravely bouncing back from each bout with even more resolve, and stating that she will not miss a daily treatment, even if she "has to crawl." Maria, we continue to be inspired by your valor and your graceful determination! October 14, 2004 Maria endured a grueling five hours of appointments and procedures today. She started off with her daily morning radiation treatment, followed by appointments with her medical oncologist, Dr. Elliott Abbey, and her surgeon, Dr. James Fleshman. Dr. Abbey gave Maria some good insight and tips on managing the side effects that she is beginning to experience from the chemo and from the radiation treatments. He feels that she is handling the difficult treatments thus far "as well as can be expected" and said that she "looks great!" Dr. Fleshman performed a follow-up examination on the incisions made for Maria's colostomy surgery and was pleased with her recovery from that operation. He also referred her to an Ostomy Clinic at Barnes to help her deal with and manage the myriad difficulties she is experiencing due to the combination of the colostomy and the radiation treatments. Maria also met with the Trilogy nurse, Holly, for her weekly chemo replenishment. In addition, Holly drew Maria's blood for her weekly bloodwork, took her vital signs, flushed her implanted port, and changed the port dressing. Maria also bravely underwent her first port needle-change procedure. Although this was a very unpleasant and scary procedure, Maria displayed her characteristc inner strength and courage. October 15, 2004 MARIA completed her seventh radiation treatment today.......her treatments are now 25% COMPLETE!! Congratulations, Maria......WE ARE PROUD OF YOU! |
Maria's Recovery Updates Weeks of October 4th & 11th, 2004 |
