Update on Don Reed (the harley dude)

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JReed
JReed Member Posts: 428
in Esophageal Cancer #1
Just a quick note to all of you. First, Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthier New Year to each of you.

On Friday (Dec. 23) Don had a Bard Powerport put in (a nurse friend of ours told us that was a pretty nice Christmas present and we think so too!). It was not what we expected - it is much better! It is placed under the skin in much the same way a pacemaker is. He will get some numbing cream/gel to rub on the skin prior to chemo or blood draws, etc. so he won't feel the pokes.

After a rollercoaster of a week last week, things are settling down and Don is more than ready to begin radiation and chemo which will start Jan. 4. He will receive radiation every day (Mon-Fri) for 28 days and chemo once a week - a cocktail of carboplatin and taxol.

The report that the thoracic surgeon wrote to our primary care doctor, said that Don appeared to be younger than his stated age upon physical exam! He does stay in good shape and I'm so thankful for that.

Paul just reminded me how important hydration will be (thank you Paul!). So many of you have sent us personal emails and we cannot thank you enough for your prayers, thoughts, advice and 'stopping by' to check on us. Thank you very much.

We will keep you all posted on progress - we're checking on each of you daily and though we don't post everyday - we do check on each and every one of you.

Hugs from us to you,
Judy & Don

P.S.
Look for the red cardinal in your life - you may have more than one (some people call them angels and sometimes they appear here on earth to let you know they are ok and they are still checking in on you)

Comments

  • Ginny_B
    Ginny_B Member Posts: 532
    #2
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    Thank goodness things are
    Thank goodness things are moving along! I imagine this makes you much happier than before! It's hard to wait for treatment to being. Hang in there and keep on keeping on!
  • TerryV
    TerryV Member Posts: 887
    #3
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    Bet you're anxious for Don to start treatment
    Starting treatment is one of those mixed blessing things. Can't wait for the healing to begin, but dang, I hate sending someone into chemo & rads. I hope Don is one of the many that takes both well. Nick found great comfort in using an ice pack on the radiation point about an hour in advance of radiation. He never experienced the internal "sunburn" feeling that I had often heard about. And Paul is SO right about hydration. 1st Chemo went great for Nick, but he was drinking 4 62oz. mugs of water each day. 2nd round of Chemo was harder, but his drinking had also reduced. I think he was only drinking 3 32oz mugs daily. I never should have let him downsize his water jug :)

    Prayers for you both as you start on the journey to a new life.

    Love & Hugs to you both!

    Terry
  • jgwright
    jgwright Member Posts: 242
    #4
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    Similar Schedule
    Hey, Don is getting what I'm getting, and the same regimen exactly. Heading into week 3 three now, so I've had two weeks of radiation and two sessions of Taxol and carboplatin. I hope he has a similar response, in that I've had NO nausea, and minor diarrhea and constipation.

    Great to have something happening, isn't it!!!

    --Jerry
  • Mazj
    Mazj Member Posts: 42
    #5
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    jgwright said:

    Similar Schedule
    Hey, Don is getting what I'm getting, and the same regimen exactly. Heading into week 3 three now, so I've had two weeks of radiation and two sessions of Taxol and carboplatin. I hope he has a similar response, in that I've had NO nausea, and minor diarrhea and constipation.

    Great to have something happening, isn't it!!!

    --Jerry

    Watching you too!
    Hi Judy and Don,

    I read about you daily also and wish the very best for your treatment Don. BTW Judy, you need to be promoted too! You have built up a large amount of knowledge in such a short time. And you express yourself so eloquently.
    Many hugs
    Marilyn
    Wife of Brian T0N0M1
  • Donna70
    Donna70 Member Posts: 852 Member
    #6
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    Mazj said:

    Watching you too!
    Hi Judy and Don,

    I read about you daily also and wish the very best for your treatment Don. BTW Judy, you need to be promoted too! You have built up a large amount of knowledge in such a short time. And you express yourself so eloquently.
    Many hugs
    Marilyn
    Wife of Brian T0N0M1

    good luck on the treatment
    Hi Judy,
    So glad to hear that Don is moving forward and boy glad Paul is reminding you about the hydration. I was on that kind of schedule and had difficulty keeping fluids in so I would go for iv infusions once or twice a week. Hope Don can eat and swallow a lot of fluids but that port will come in handy for sure. My thoughts and prayers are with you both. As someone said here, the patient does not go on this journey alone, they go with their caregiver and family. Good luck!!! hugs to you both.
    Donna70
  • annalan
    annalan Member Posts: 138
    #7
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    Judy and Don
    You must be so relieved that things are starting to move along now. Really good that Don is fit and strong as it does make a big difference. Hope all goes well for you and the outcome will be all you pray for. Happy New Year to you both.

    Ann (2)
    wife of Alan T3N1M0
    Posting from England
  • nickgunboat
    nickgunboat Member Posts: 35
    #8
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    Progress is good
    Judy and Don,

    Glad to hear that your all ported up and ready to go. I remember when I got mine that I felt like I was finally getting on with the fight. I know waiting to get started is torture, so I'm happy for you that things are moving along. I'll be thinking of you and keeping track of your progress...

    Kirk
  • chemosmoker
    chemosmoker Member Posts: 501
    #9
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    LOVE YOU BOTH
    Judy and Don,
    Done NO Chemo and NO rads as you may know, but I have followed and I love you both. Hope all goes so well you feel like you are dealing with a head cold for god's sake.


    We are here with you, for you and may God gran't you a FULL cycle pain free and FULL of success and death to those little cancer monster cells. Bastards..

    God bless you both and glad your health is that of a younger man. You deserve that,

    Eric & Michelle....
  • Cora11
    Cora11 Member Posts: 173
    #10
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    chemosmoker said:

    LOVE YOU BOTH
    Judy and Don,
    Done NO Chemo and NO rads as you may know, but I have followed and I love you both. Hope all goes so well you feel like you are dealing with a head cold for god's sake.


    We are here with you, for you and may God gran't you a FULL cycle pain free and FULL of success and death to those little cancer monster cells. Bastards..

    God bless you both and glad your health is that of a younger man. You deserve that,

    Eric & Michelle....

    Judy and Don
    I wish you both lots of joy in the next few days and then I know you'll be relieved to get on with this process. It's hard to believe that while you are IN it that you'll ever be past it- but you will. You have a great cancer support posse here- we'll be thinking or and praying for you each day.
    Cora

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