Chemo Sabe

Let me start this blog post by saying how touched we are by your emails, conversations, blog comments, meals, hats and other correspondences. We feel so blessed to have so many caring, concerned and prayerful friends and relatives. Thank you all so much...from the bottom of our hearts.

Most of you probably remember "The Lone Ranger," right? The Lone Ranger always got credit for saving the damsel from a blood-thirsty savage, or rescuing a family from cattle rustlers or fending off and then catching train robbers. With a wave of his hand and a "Hi-ho Silver," he was off to the next adventure. Meanwhile, the Lone Ranger's trusted sidekick, Tonto (Kemo Sabe), took the worst beatings and got clean-up detail. In other words, he did all the dirty work. Tonto didn't get much of the glory, but without him, the Lone Ranger would have never won the day.

Today, Karl began an adventure nothing like that of the Lone Ranger. There is one similarity, however...his trusty sidekick will be ifosfamide/adriamycin, or rather, Chemo Sabe. His Chemo Sabe isn't quite as nice as Tonto -- there will be some less-than-pleasant side-effects (like hair loss and possible nausea among other stuff) -- but the results should be the same. Unlike the Lone Ranger, Karl may have to take a few punches, but with Chemo Sabe on his side and all your support and prayers, we know he will win the day.

Now for the nitty gritty details of what's happened so far this week. On Monday the 14th, Karl had a double access chest port implanted (Karl, ever the motor-head, believes it's a 4-quart duel port med injection with a 3/4 cam hemi). The port will allow him to receive chemotherapy and other medications without having numerous needle pokes while giving good access to a major artery so that they can be circulated quickly. It can stay implanted for up to three years. The procedure to implant the port took about 2 hours. After that, we traveled to the oncologist for a follow-up visit. He gave us some very good news: the PET scan on Wednesday revealed that THE CANCER HAS NOT SPREAD!! After some bloodwork, we departed for St. Joe's so that Mom could have her radiation treatment (only two weeks to go)!

Today (Tuesday the 15th) Karl and I arrived at the Med Inn for his first chemotherapy infusion. The actual infusion of the ifosfamide and adriamycin takes about an hour and a half. However, because they are such powerful drugs, he needs to be hydrated thoroughly so he receives a bag of potassium chloride before and one after the chemo infusions. He also receives a small bag of mesna before and after. This drug protects the lining of his bladder, which the chemo apparently attacks with voracity. After the last of the potassium chloride is infused, he takes more mesna, only this time orally. This allows us to go home at a decent hour (today we got there at 8 a.m. and left at 5 p.m.). This routine will be repeated every day this week including Saturday.

We also received lots of information and instruction on the myriad medications he's taking and will be taking in the near future. He was pretty groggy from all the pain medication he's now on, but I was listening very intently and taking very good notes. The gist here is that -- finally -- he has to listen to and follow the directions of his big sister. Bahahahaha!

Anyway, we're hoping the Chemo Sabe will work its magic and shrink the tumor to relieve some of Karl's pain in very short order. The nurses told us he should probably notice reduction in pain by the third or fourth treatment. With your support, prayers and continued faith along with Chemo Sabe's deadly attack on the tumor, Karl will not only win the battle but the war!

Love and blessings,
Kerry