Prayers have been answered-My Dad is a cancer survivor!-1/28

[JonathanBelles]

Its not a urinary problem.

Dionne: yes, and there will be surgery in a few months.

[Dionne]

Its not a urinary problem.

Dionne: yes, and there will be surgery in a few months.

Adriomycin and Cytoxin are pre-op chemo drugs used to shrink tumors. They are used together and frequently referred to as A/C. Patients have a slang term for these drugs.......they call them the red devil as they cause urine to turn red in some patients. It is common to suspect a urinary tract infection while taking A/C. Most patients run a fever. It's a good idea to keep a record of fever and meds used to control the fever. The more info you can provide your oncologist about daily function, the more the doctors have to work with. A/C attacks cancer cells. Cancer cells are fast growing. I won't tell you A/C is easy......for some it is quite difficult. Have you been through the chemo counseling? Are you aware of the necessary precautions to take while your Dads immune system is challenged?

[JonathanBelles]

Its not a urinary problem.

Dionne: yes, and there will be surgery in a few months.

Adriomycin and Cytoxin are pre-op chemo drugs used to shrink tumors. They are used together and frequently referred to as A/C. Patients have a slang term for these drugs.......they call them the red devil as they cause urine to turn red in some patients. It is common to suspect a urinary tract infection while taking A/C. Most patients run a fever. It's a good idea to keep a record of fever and meds used to control the fever. The more info you can provide your oncologist about daily function, the more the doctors have to work with. A/C attacks cancer cells. Cancer cells are fast growing. I won't tell you A/C is easy......for some it is quite difficult. Have you been through the chemo counseling? Are you aware of the necessary precautions to take while your Dads immune system is challenged?

Like I said its not in the urinary system. Im sure he has been through the counseling. And yes.

[DaylilyDawn]

I am glad that is not a urinary problem then. I will keep your father covered with prayers for healing.

[bvigal]

Jonathan,
Hang in there! These kind of setbacks are not unusual, as nearly any cancer survivor will tell you, and several here have testified. It sounds like you are a great source of strength and support to both of your parents, it's so good you are there with them! Will keep your Dad, your Mom, and you in my prayers.

[JonathanBelles]

Well, as all good things come....bad news came again...unrelated to my dad...more when I have confirmation.

[JonathanBelles]

Its Time for a new update. All things much better than the last update. The only negative thing that I have to report is that he has lost much of his head hair. The next round of week-long treatment may start tomorrow. The doctor said that if my dad was doing well enough tomorrow that they will do the reverse treatment (pump, then direct) starting tomorrow. He is still fatigued, but that is to be expected, and actually I think he is supposed to be much more tired. Taste has began to come back, but that probably wont last for long. The very large rash has mostly disappeared. He is doing most normal activities now including driving. He said that if he is doing this well after the next round of treatment that we will make out annual trip to Universal ( a little later than normal) sometime between the 13th and 18th of July as a three day trip. He talked to one of the nurses the other day and said that he should be good to go to universal except maybe the hulk and Dueling Dragons. As long as the doctor ok's it, we will be going. My older sister may be making a trip down for the trip, and also to visit my younger sister who will be leaving for Basic Training in August.

If they do start treatments tomorrow he will start with the 4 day pump that he wore, then 2-3 days of direct chemo at the VA.


I will update further in a few days.

[Stephanie]

I wish your father well and I hope that the treatments continue to be successful.

[dizzyfish]

Hair loss - thats normal. It happens with getting older too! lol

Hang in there - let him do whatever he is happy doing.

You know we are all thinking about you and your family.

[tropicana]

thats rather good news Jonathan YAY! but 13th is Big Brother time
still, i'm happy to hear of the better news

[JonathanBelles]

Hey Everyone,
As of yesterday the 2nd round of chemo is over. They cut it one day of pump down, making it only a 6 day round. Tonight he started the WBC (White Blood Count) booster shots. He will take no more than 5 shots, one each day for up to the next 5 days. He has complained about the loss of taste already. We are much more prepared for the thrush, so we arent expecting as much it this time. They have him on a few different meds this time to prevent a few of the effects from last time. Things from here through the next week are on the way down. He is very much looking forward to the trip to Universal. With the express passes we wont have to wait in line as long, so it should be a little better there. We also have club level rooms at the hotel, so that should be better as well. He was cleared as of yesterday, by the doctor, to go on all rides including roller coasters. We are all counting down the days. He is using it sort of as a light at the end of the tunnel. Even though we are about to go down the bad road, things are looking much better than last time around.

[DaylilyDawn]

I am still praying that your father will be healed. Anytime you need the Storm2k Prayer Warriors, just send out a prayer and we will be there.

[vbhoutex]

Still sending in prayers from Houston too!! Praying for healing for your dad and strength for you and the rest of the family!! I'm jealous-I've never been to Universal!!!

[cycloneye]

My prayers going from Puerto Rico.

[dizzyfish]

Praying that he makes it through this round of treatment better than the last!

The Universal trip was an excellent idea! "The light at the end of the tunnel" as you put it, is a very good thing - something to look forward to always helps your mental outlook.

Ya'll hang in there.

[Category 5]

Ya'll are in my prayers.

[KWT]

Yep still thinking of you from this side of the Atlantic but i'm pleased to hear things are going ok except for the side effects.

[JonathanBelles]

We got some bad news today. His WBC boosters are not enough and have gone from 5 to 10. His WBC is very low. He seems to be having a much better go around this time around. Thrush hasnt been anywhere as bad. Still very tired. I suspect he is at the bottom right now. I also suspect that he should be better by the 4th.

[azsnowman]

Johnathan,

I just read this for the first time. Rest assured my friend, you and your family are in my prayers. Keep a positive outlook and keep your head up!

Dennis

[JonathanBelles]

Time for a small update.

He is two days into his third (and last) round of heavy chemo. He is wearing the chemo pump and it will be removed Monday or Tuesday. Then he will go through the 3 days starting monday of direct trichemo. He is already starting to lose taste, but not appetite. No real effects other than that so far. He had no effects what so ever at Universal, even while going on the roller coasters. He had a great time while we were there. He will start radiation in August and it will go for at least 6 weeks Monday-Friday. He will be getting the feeding tube on August 1st so that he can pump himself with food.