september 2011

The MRI showed positive results. The tumor was stable. It stopped growing. In my mind it meant no growth equaled more life. I didn't know if that was true but the medicals at NIH seemed pretty happy. THe orders were to keep doing the carboplatin and come back in 8-12 weeks.

wow

Wow, it's been nine months since the last post. No, we haven't gone anywhere. We're still here and Marie continues to battle a stubborn disease. A lot has happened and more is coming. The reason that I have not been posting is not because nothing has been going on, Quite the contrary, there have been trips, MRI's, treatments, insurance hassles, changes, and more changes. Successes and disappointments have rounded out the roller coaster last nine months.  

nervous time

Nervous time. Marie gets her MRI on Friday. In Bethesda MD.

Long way to go for an MRI? Not if it's a negative result. At least we'll be in a place where there's hope.

back to bethesda

This week we go back to the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda. First for an MRI and then we meet the doctors.

$13,500

After each carboplatin treatment, Maries get's a shot of a drug called Neulasta. The purpose is to help boost the production of her white blood cells. She's had three of those shots which cost $4500 each. So far our insurance has denied payment on the first two, and I don't think they've even received the third yet. If they deny all three, I will own $13,500 just for those shots. If anyone has any ideas, let me know.

chemo today

Marie Had chemo today. Her white blood count was low, but still good enough to proceed with chemo. In the next few week we will go back to Washington for an MRI at the National Cancer Institute.

one more chemo

More than a month has past and Marie is handling the chemotherapy well. She's had two of the carboplatin treatments and two Neulasta booster shots. On Wednesday she will get her final Chemo treatment before the next MRI. That should be done about mid September. Is it working or not? I can't tell from anything that I'm seeing on a day to day basis. But at least she not having any side effects of any significance.