The Good Fight

The side effects of the preventive chemo that Mark started in March were so debilitating that he discontinued it and decided to concentrate on treatments to reduce the pain of lymphadema. He tried various modalities of pain management but the pain persisted and his range of motion was severely compromised. Then, nasty tumors started popping up under his left arm where the initial cancer first appeared 3 years ago. The area had been "fried" by radiation back in the Fall of 2006 so it was surprising that this is the area in which the cancer returned. In retrospect, it was evident that much of the pain and Lymphadema had been triggered by the emerging tumors. Dr. Aviles initiated treatment with a chemo pill called Xeloda to ready Mark's system for a stronger IV chemo because he has been so negatively impacted by every other chemo he has tried. This past Wednesday, April 29, he started an IV chemo called Cisplatin. He is hydrated before and after and will have the 4 hour treatment once a week for 3-4 months. At the moment, he is suffering reactions to the chemo and is heavily medicated for pain. However, during the course of the past month, some of the medications made him manic and he was industrious, exceptionally happy and on a spending spree! In the midst of this period, he was frequently fishing in local lakes and bought a new 18 foot fishing boat with a center console which is being delivered next week!
We are elated that Kevin and his girlfriend, Katie, have decided to come for the summer to share some time with us! Kevin has not been home for more than a week here and there for years. They arrive May 20.
Other exciting news is that CAPE MEDICAL SUPPLY was nominated as one of the top three home healthcare companies in the U.S. and won for the best in New England. Mark and I postponed the start of chemo treatments for a few days so we could be with Gary and Mike when the awards were presented in Baltimore.
And, our grandson Sean, who is now 4 months, continues to be a great joy in our lives and Mark's elixir. There were 15 family members at our house on Easter and Sean was the center of attention. You'd think it was Christmas he got so many gifts from adoring family members!
We squeeze in as much fun as we can between appointments and on days Mark has energy and in concert with that philosophy we are naming our boat "Seas the Day"!!
It is unclear how active or responsive to cell phone calls Mark will be so if you are having trouble getting through to him, please e-mail me at Sheehan@cape.com
A shout out to Barbara O'Hear who has been been so faithful in sending Mark
thoughtful and hilarious cards of support throughout his illness.
I'll update the blog when a new path reveals itself on this mysterious, bewildering journey.