Mum will be going for her last cycle of Taxotere on this Thurs....
She has diarrhea when she had Taxotere.... she told me yesterday she wonder to herself whether is there anytin wrong with her intestines..... for cancer patients...any aches and twinges will lead them to wonder is it cancer... life will never ever be the same for them from the day of the diagonsis up to the day they leave this world (may due to cancer or due to old age or other reasons)
Duno whether my mum is qualify for radiation treatment not... my mum has stopped her hypertension medication for about 3 weeks now... her blood pressure remains normal... meaning she does not have hypertension at all.... how irresponisble is the polyclinic dr to prescribe hypertension medication to her when she had a adnomral reading once....he should have monitor her for a period before confirming she has hypertension.... sometimes i really have skeptical thoughts about polyclinic drs... sometimes it really has to depends on your luck on which dr u will meet for your illness....
If my mum is qualify for the radiation treatment.... I wonder can i ask dr to refer us back to NCC for it... else it will be too expensive to do it at gleneagles... if my mum do it at NCC... her insurance will be able to cover all of it.... and I believe radiation at NCC will not fall short of their quality as compared to the private sector...
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Friday, December 19, 2008
Radiation
Mum went for her 2nd cycle of Taxotere yesterday....
Mum asked dr whether she will need radiation after the chemo sessions not...
Dr says to me that considering the aggressive tumours my mum had...she will benefit from radiation to reduce the chances of local recurrence.... but becos its on the left side where the heart is and becos of my mum age and the number of chemo she had and she has hypertension.... it will affect the arteries... so the dr suggest not to...
But I told dr that my mum cant really confirm whether she has hypertension not....cos the first time when her blood pressure shot up over 150...she went to polyclinic where the dr prescribe her with the med... but dr says this is not right....the patient has to be monitor for three readings before confirming the patient has hypertension so dr suspect my mum does not have hypertension....
Dr told my mum to off the med to monitor her blood pressure.... if she really doesnt have hypertension...we will discuss abt the radiation again... hopefully my mum can go for radiation and benefit from it...
Mum told her after the meeting with the dr....if she really needs to go for radiation...she rather have it at NCC where its much cheaper and can get full claim from the insurance.... hmm... i will ask dr to refer my mum to NCC if she really can go for radiation treatment...
Mum asked dr whether she will need radiation after the chemo sessions not...
Dr says to me that considering the aggressive tumours my mum had...she will benefit from radiation to reduce the chances of local recurrence.... but becos its on the left side where the heart is and becos of my mum age and the number of chemo she had and she has hypertension.... it will affect the arteries... so the dr suggest not to...
But I told dr that my mum cant really confirm whether she has hypertension not....cos the first time when her blood pressure shot up over 150...she went to polyclinic where the dr prescribe her with the med... but dr says this is not right....the patient has to be monitor for three readings before confirming the patient has hypertension so dr suspect my mum does not have hypertension....
Dr told my mum to off the med to monitor her blood pressure.... if she really doesnt have hypertension...we will discuss abt the radiation again... hopefully my mum can go for radiation and benefit from it...
Mum told her after the meeting with the dr....if she really needs to go for radiation...she rather have it at NCC where its much cheaper and can get full claim from the insurance.... hmm... i will ask dr to refer my mum to NCC if she really can go for radiation treatment...
Friday, December 5, 2008
Side Effects of Taxotere
Mum went to see Dr yesterday for review post one week of having Taxotere for the first time...
Blood test show low white counts... Dr gave my mum a injection to boast her white counts...
This Taxotere seems to have more side effects than the previous drug... nurse says Taxotere should be more manageable with minimal side effects... but it does not seems so for my mum...probably becos she had it for the very first time (the following cycles may be more manageable) and probably becos she had too many times of chemo...which affected her blood counts and the bone marrow... thats what the nurse said...
Side effects which my mum had for the past one week:
- No appetite
- Taste bud changed.... food is tasteless...
- Dry mouth
- Will feel the wind pine stucked after having meals.. even light ones...
- Diaharea
- Fatigue (hop onto bed at 8pm)
- Body aches
- Stange feeling around the intestines
Dr says the stucked feeling and the werid feeling around the intestines is becos there is infection.... probably becos my mum white counts are low so prone to infection... but it should get better after this week... hopefully...
Blood test show low white counts... Dr gave my mum a injection to boast her white counts...
This Taxotere seems to have more side effects than the previous drug... nurse says Taxotere should be more manageable with minimal side effects... but it does not seems so for my mum...probably becos she had it for the very first time (the following cycles may be more manageable) and probably becos she had too many times of chemo...which affected her blood counts and the bone marrow... thats what the nurse said...
Side effects which my mum had for the past one week:
- No appetite
- Taste bud changed.... food is tasteless...
- Dry mouth
- Will feel the wind pine stucked after having meals.. even light ones...
- Diaharea
- Fatigue (hop onto bed at 8pm)
- Body aches
- Stange feeling around the intestines
Dr says the stucked feeling and the werid feeling around the intestines is becos there is infection.... probably becos my mum white counts are low so prone to infection... but it should get better after this week... hopefully...
Monday, December 1, 2008
4th Cycle (New Drug)
Last Thurs my mum went for her 4th cycle... this time a different drug... Taxotere... Nurse says this drug has minimal side effects... might have body aches... slight nausea... numbness of the finger tips... thats abt all..
Mum told me yesterday that after she ate...she feels indigestion... like the food was stuck midway... she also experiences this with the drug before Taxotere... but this time feels more uncomfortable than before... she predicts she will have this for a few days at least after the drug is administered...
When my mum went for her 4th cycle last Thurs... Dr is not around... so we went straight for the chemo after the blood test results was out.... We already knew the Dr wont be around that day cos Dr told us he will be away and we can just come for the chemo...the new chemo drug will be ready for us... However when the nurse came by for the chemo...we realize its not a new drug...its still the red liquid pump ball... we asked the nurse how come...she says she didnt know cos the chemo form wrote the same drug by the Dr... we asked her to call Dr to confirm cos Im sure it shoudnt be...
After some time....the nurse came with the Taxotere....hmm... but when I asked her is it the Dr wrote wrongly...she did not answer me...hmm... I wonder what if I did not go with my mum that day.... Mum still told me its ok to use back the same drug....cos its cheaper.... Taxotere is very expensive... it cost abt $1k more than the previous drug.... arraghhh.... but I know why Dr uses different drug... to reduce the chances of realspe I guess... time really flies... its already the 4th cycle.... 2 more cycles to go... I hope mum will be in remission for a long long time....
Mum told me yesterday that after she ate...she feels indigestion... like the food was stuck midway... she also experiences this with the drug before Taxotere... but this time feels more uncomfortable than before... she predicts she will have this for a few days at least after the drug is administered...
When my mum went for her 4th cycle last Thurs... Dr is not around... so we went straight for the chemo after the blood test results was out.... We already knew the Dr wont be around that day cos Dr told us he will be away and we can just come for the chemo...the new chemo drug will be ready for us... However when the nurse came by for the chemo...we realize its not a new drug...its still the red liquid pump ball... we asked the nurse how come...she says she didnt know cos the chemo form wrote the same drug by the Dr... we asked her to call Dr to confirm cos Im sure it shoudnt be...
After some time....the nurse came with the Taxotere....hmm... but when I asked her is it the Dr wrote wrongly...she did not answer me...hmm... I wonder what if I did not go with my mum that day.... Mum still told me its ok to use back the same drug....cos its cheaper.... Taxotere is very expensive... it cost abt $1k more than the previous drug.... arraghhh.... but I know why Dr uses different drug... to reduce the chances of realspe I guess... time really flies... its already the 4th cycle.... 2 more cycles to go... I hope mum will be in remission for a long long time....
Monday, November 17, 2008
Monday
Its been a while since i last posted here.... not that im very busy... just that there is nothing much to update...
My mum just had her 3rd cycle last week... she will be starting her 4th but new drug cycle in another 2 weeks time... we asked the dr what are the side effects for this new drug....he says... no vomitting....but will have body aches... numbing of the finger tips... blacken nails.... this sounds pretty easy to manage rite.... but i know body aches can sometimes really very xin ku... mum had body aches before for her past chemo till she cant sleep at nite... hopefully this one is not as bad...
Mum told me she intend to go beijing for holiday after cny... she asked me whether she will need to go for radiation treatment aft her chemo ends... i told her no need for radiation.... didnt hear dr mention abt radiation....
I watched the tv show which featured Shin.... I teared when she talks abt how her kids and husband will manage after she is gone... the moments when she tells her husband what to tell her kids and pass them the things she wants them to have after she left.... this is so sad....and yet she is so brave.... what on earth does anyone has to endure and go thru such pain in awaiting death and knowing she has to leave behind loved ones.... Shin said that the pain will be much more for those surviving loved ones not her... this is so true... she is so considerate and understanding that she knows her worries and saddness will directly have an impact on the people around her...
When my mum reacts very sadly towards the news of her illness... I was deeply affected... I know its hard on the patient herself to react calmly... but caregivers ourselves feel the pain as much as the patient... i know its hard to strike a balance...
My mum just had her 3rd cycle last week... she will be starting her 4th but new drug cycle in another 2 weeks time... we asked the dr what are the side effects for this new drug....he says... no vomitting....but will have body aches... numbing of the finger tips... blacken nails.... this sounds pretty easy to manage rite.... but i know body aches can sometimes really very xin ku... mum had body aches before for her past chemo till she cant sleep at nite... hopefully this one is not as bad...
Mum told me she intend to go beijing for holiday after cny... she asked me whether she will need to go for radiation treatment aft her chemo ends... i told her no need for radiation.... didnt hear dr mention abt radiation....
I watched the tv show which featured Shin.... I teared when she talks abt how her kids and husband will manage after she is gone... the moments when she tells her husband what to tell her kids and pass them the things she wants them to have after she left.... this is so sad....and yet she is so brave.... what on earth does anyone has to endure and go thru such pain in awaiting death and knowing she has to leave behind loved ones.... Shin said that the pain will be much more for those surviving loved ones not her... this is so true... she is so considerate and understanding that she knows her worries and saddness will directly have an impact on the people around her...
When my mum reacts very sadly towards the news of her illness... I was deeply affected... I know its hard on the patient herself to react calmly... but caregivers ourselves feel the pain as much as the patient... i know its hard to strike a balance...
Friday, October 31, 2008
Something that warms my heart
I just read Fleur's blog... she prayed for my mum....she prayed for me... it goes like this :
I pray for kel's mother, who has been fighitng hard and brave, Father, give her that strength and minimise her side effects. Let her know Lord, that her strength is admirable, and Father, hold her in your hands when she needs you most.
I pray for Kel, who has been the stoic strength for her mother. Give her the courage and strength and knowledge in how she can best give her support to her beloved mother. Father, hold her when she feels she cannot go on anymore, give her your support when she thinks she is going to fall. I know Father you will send her an Angel..
She is not actually my friend nor have I meet her in person.... but she thinks of me and my mum when she prays... there is no words that can describe how I feel when Im reading it... these wonderwomans are my pillar of support and strength when I need them... they offers me encouragement and consolation at times when I really in need...
It brings tears to my eyes... no one can really understand those who are still fighting or have fought the evil illness and their caregivers... unless they went thru it themselves... when you read those fighters's blog... they actually wrote down loud what you are feeling inside.... its so close and familiar...
Fleur, just wana say a big thank you to you... I really appreciate your prayers and concern... lets be one another support and strength when ever or whoever needs it...
Some updates on my mum:
She is managing well... going for the 3rd cycle next week...afterwhich will start of a new chemo regime for 3 cycles... my mum looks perfectly normal other than her hair loss... just went shopping with her at chinatown yesterday....had vegetarian food at bugis before heading chinatown... my mum appetite is back...cos few days back she dun have much appetite...one of the side effect i think... and today she went for her manjong session...haha...
I pray for kel's mother, who has been fighitng hard and brave, Father, give her that strength and minimise her side effects. Let her know Lord, that her strength is admirable, and Father, hold her in your hands when she needs you most.
I pray for Kel, who has been the stoic strength for her mother. Give her the courage and strength and knowledge in how she can best give her support to her beloved mother. Father, hold her when she feels she cannot go on anymore, give her your support when she thinks she is going to fall. I know Father you will send her an Angel..
She is not actually my friend nor have I meet her in person.... but she thinks of me and my mum when she prays... there is no words that can describe how I feel when Im reading it... these wonderwomans are my pillar of support and strength when I need them... they offers me encouragement and consolation at times when I really in need...
It brings tears to my eyes... no one can really understand those who are still fighting or have fought the evil illness and their caregivers... unless they went thru it themselves... when you read those fighters's blog... they actually wrote down loud what you are feeling inside.... its so close and familiar...
Fleur, just wana say a big thank you to you... I really appreciate your prayers and concern... lets be one another support and strength when ever or whoever needs it...
Some updates on my mum:
She is managing well... going for the 3rd cycle next week...afterwhich will start of a new chemo regime for 3 cycles... my mum looks perfectly normal other than her hair loss... just went shopping with her at chinatown yesterday....had vegetarian food at bugis before heading chinatown... my mum appetite is back...cos few days back she dun have much appetite...one of the side effect i think... and today she went for her manjong session...haha...
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
5 Months since Molly left us
Today is 29th Oct... Molly left us 5 months today... Thou its only 5 months... I felt she has left us for a long time... I miss her... Today I saw a comment from Molly's sister... I am kinda surprised to see it... didnt know her sister actually visit my blog... thanks MaoMao...
I sometimes wonder to myself what will a person feel or thinking abt when he/she is about to leave this world... I also wonder to myself did Molly suffered alot of pain before she left... did she leave any words behind... did she pass on in her sleep..... alot of questions run thru my mind when I know she has left us... I hope she left us in peace with very little or no pain...
I also cannot imagine the pain the loved ones has to suffer to see their loved one pass on... I feel its the utmost pain one person can ever imagine... the person might have left but the surviving ones saddness has just begun... how long a time a person will need to make the pain subsise? I guess the pain will reduce over time but it will never go away.... never...
I sometimes wonder to myself what will a person feel or thinking abt when he/she is about to leave this world... I also wonder to myself did Molly suffered alot of pain before she left... did she leave any words behind... did she pass on in her sleep..... alot of questions run thru my mind when I know she has left us... I hope she left us in peace with very little or no pain...
I also cannot imagine the pain the loved ones has to suffer to see their loved one pass on... I feel its the utmost pain one person can ever imagine... the person might have left but the surviving ones saddness has just begun... how long a time a person will need to make the pain subsise? I guess the pain will reduce over time but it will never go away.... never...
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