The New Normal

Howdy, Folks!

A recap of DJ and Stivarga:  Round #1, January 1-21.  Round #2 - January 29-February 18. 

DJ is currently in the beginning of the third round of the administration of the chemotherapy drug Stivarga, which began again last Thursday, February 26.

At our visit with the oncologist nurse practitioner last week, I was happy to learn that DJ's tumor markers had fallen to 29.5 (from 69 in early January and from 42-46 in late January to early February).  We were seen by CNP Mary Okimoto, with whom we have never visited before.  I always appreciate a fresh set of eyes and another perspective, so I was happy to be seen by her.  She agreed with Dr. Spillane and with Dr. Rosen, that the increase in DJ's pain simultaneous to his taking Stivarga may be a good thing, in that perhaps the chemotherapy is causing the cancer to flare up and, ideally, for the cells to die.  That's what I pray for!

There was nothing of concern or alarm in DJ's blood work - hooray!  And pain management continues to be the topic of most discussion.  DJ's pain is practically constant, even with his taking strong pain-killing medications around the clock (and I mean around the clock - his alarm goes off once or twice while we are sleeping so that he can stay on top of the pain.)  DJ has begun to add the additional two pain medications into his regimen that Dr. Spillane prescribed 2 weeks ago, but very slowly and gradually.  As I have mentioned before, he DOES NOT like the side-effects of narcotics!  He seeks to minimize the pain and yet function as normally as possible.  And so the scales tip toward more pain in order that he may remain clear-headed and digestive-ly healthy (although the effects of the chemotherapy on his digestion as well as the effects of the pain medications on his digestion cause him to experience discomfort no matter what.  It's the name of the game.  I don't think any drug is "free" - it may help a body in one regard, but it often harms a person somewhere else.  Oh, well.  Such as it is.)

So every day is a new and different day.  DJ's pain and his energy levels vary, and although I search for patterns to understand and anticipate what may happen next, it's not particularly predictable.  On the one hand, it's a bummer that cancer likes DJ so much and that he experiences pain so often and that he is less healthy and strong and able to function than he was prior to March 2010 (original diagnosis).  On the other hand, as far as living with cancer goes, DJ is so courageous and steady and hard-working and not self-pitying, and we are so incredibly blessed by God's grace and by generous and kind and loving and helpful friends and family, that "it's all good".  It seems that we have certainly settled into a new normal.

And as far as patterns and predictably go, there may be an increase in the discomfort and the symptoms toward the end of the 21 days of the cycle of Stivarga, and a lessening of the same during his 7 days off.  It's a theory of mine.

Here is a photo of Caedmon making a catapult out of popsicle sticks and rubber bands at his school's STEM night, "Science, Engineering, Technology, and Math"

I've recited it several times on this blog in months and years past, but it's so true and worth repeating - "The Serenity Prayer: God, grant us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change, the courage to change the things we can, and the wisdom to know the difference; living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time, accepting hardship as a pathway to peace; taking, as Jesus did, this sinful world as it its, not as we would have it; trusting that You will make all things right if we surrender to Your will, so that we may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with You forever in the next.  Amen."

Aaaaaa-men!!   Living one day at a time and enjoying one moment at a time are especially what I am doing.  As well as trusting that God will make all things right as we surrender to His will; as well as looking forward to the time when we will receive our resurrected bodies and spend eternity with Jesus because then we will be supremely happy with Him forever.  Yahooooooo!!  

I am happy to have been visited earlier this month by my sister and her family, including this 7-month cutie-pie niece of mine, Haven Rae Wittstock.

Thank you for loving us!  xoxoxo

Stivarga Round Two

Hello, Friends and Family,

Well, our household was a little bit sad last week after the Seattle Seahawks lost the Superbowl, but we seem to have moved through the stages of grief and have accepted what we cannot change.  I super duper love Russell Wilson, and I appreciate that two days later he was visiting children in the hospital as he often does.  That's a great way to gain perspective - hang out with people who have less than we do.  Do something to serve and encourage others.  Hooray!

DJ is currently in the middle of round two of Stivarga.  We visited with Dr. Spillane last Wednesday, and there is nothing interesting to report.  DJ's tumor markers measured at 46 on the day his blood was drawn (January 31), and Dr. Spillane believes that the Stivarga is working.  DJ doesn't feel too many symptoms of the drug, except that he experiences pain most of the time and sometimes he feels somewhat fatigued.  His pain is likely caused by tumors eroding his ribs and bothering his nerves.  Dr. Spillane prescribed 2 additional pain management drugs, although DJ has not been quick to ingest them.  He does not like to be on medications.  He does not appreciate the side-affects that prescription drugs cause.  So he takes the minimum dose of pain medication that allows him to manage the pain and still function.  Some days are harder than others.  He continues to work light-duty for the Paso Robles Police Department, and to bear up under his pain.  I am super grateful for the courage and perseverance that he displays.  I am very glad to be DJ's wife!  :-)

Alexandra Bigelow is very happy to have been cast in the role of Zaneeta (the mayor's daughter; "Ye-gads!") in Paso Robles High School Theatre Company's upcoming musical "The Music Man".  She is teaching herself to play the piano, and here is a photo of Alex giving Caedmon a lesson.

Brooke Bigelow is busy playing club volleyball and getting ready for the upcoming All-Stars softball season.  Brooke and a team of 8th-graders from Flamson Middle School participated last week in a Mock Trial competition at the San Luis Obispo County Courthouse.  Brooke and her friend Sofia Moses (among others) played the parts of the prosecuting attorneys (raise your hand if you think Brooke would be good at arguing - I mean, at fighting for justice?  :-)  Emma Severson and a few others played the part of key witnesses.  

I am super happy with my part-time work at Paso Robles High School and to manage our household and to enjoy the moments of these fun, busy times of our family.  I am blessed beyond measure!

And I love and appreciate you!  Thank you for loving us!

Go, Hawks!

Hello, Friends,

A quick update regarding DJ and his health:

After posting to this blog earlier this week and realizing that DJ had been given Xgeva only three weeks prior, I called the oncology office and moved the appointment to next week.  So he did not receive Xgeva, but DJ did begin Round Number Two of Stivarga on Thursday, January 29.  His pain has been somewhat increased since then, but he manages it as best he can, per usual.  His next appointment with Dr. Spillane is this coming Wednesday, February 4.  DJ allowed the pathology clinic to draw his blood yesterday, so when we visit with the doctor this week we should have a sense of...whatever.  Tumor markers, liver function, white blood count, and all the myriad of other things that are measured by the blood. 

But for today, it's all about the Superbowl!  Go, Hawks!!