Month of June, 2012 Part 2

6/14/12

This time we see an Oncologist at LGH. We liked him but neither of us were impressed with the chemo regimen. He was using the 15 year old Gemzar with 5FU. He also only believed that the port should be placed in the arm not the chest. I questioned as to the reason being blood clots forming because of the Gemzar but he would not contribute the clots from the drug. I had read that Gemzar is known for blood clots. He was a No.


6/15/12

Appt with Oncologist at North Shore University Health Systems. This is where I went for my surgery and treatment. He is using the Folfirinox cocktail.  He is young and spent almost 2 hours with us detailing all alternatives that can be found across the country. His nurse came back with a printout detailing all the drugs that would be used and side effects. We also received names of nurses with contact numbers and the Dr's home phone number and cell number. We were disappointed to learn that he is only in Glenview one day a week and practices mainly at Highland Park Hospital. This would mean a 30 minute drive for the chemo treatments. However, we really liked him.

Went to the Chicago Botanical Gardens after to visit one of your favorite places. Everything is so hard. We tried to enjoy ourselves but when we got back to the parking lot we both cried and discovered it was for the same reason. All we saw were older couples together. Knowing that we would never experience that was heartbreaking. 


6/17/12


Fathers Day and my son's 23rd Birthday. We went out to lunch because Larry Kyo had to work. Spent the rest of the day taking a walk, sitting outside and trying to be happy. We all want to be hopeful and believe that he will still be here for next Fathers Day. 


6/20/12


We had a 2pm appt with a Dr from Northwestern University Hospital that everyone said I would not get Larry into to see. After waiting 3 hrs for him, he confirmed what we thought. He wanted Larry in his Phase 1 clinical trials.  Teaching hospitals are wonderful and that is where the research is but NW is downtown and would take us a long time to get to. Also, how long would we have to wait each time because of the large volume of people they see? Even though he is suppose to be one of the top Dr's for pancreatic, he was not offering anything different except for the trial. This was a No. 


6/21/12


Loyola was last on our list of consults. After a 45 minute drive at noon time, we decided that we could travel that distance if this was the place. We liked the Dr. The information about treatment was the same. No new news. The main advantage is that we would receive 90% insurance coverage versus the 80% elsewhere. This was a possibility. 


Was it worth having all the consults? Yes, we wanted to make sure that we were choosing someplace that we both would be comfortable with the Dr and staff. Communication is always so difficult and complicates everything during difficult times. I need to know that if I call, I will receive a return call asap. I also need to know that Larry will be given the latest treatment and be provided with the best care. 


6/25/12


We started couples counseling at the Cancer Wellness Center. It was painful but a good session. We already knew her because we saw her with my cancer. I feel that counseling can be very helpful going through this process. 


6/26/12


Our Birthday's! We have always loved waking up and singing Happy Birthday in bed to each other. Larry turned 57 and being the older one, I am 58. Each year he does not forget to remind me of it! 


We want to be hopeful that we will be waking up and singing to each other in 2013. 


6/29/12


Today we began family counseling at the Cancer Wellness Center. We needed to use a different counselor so that Larry Kyo and Laura would have their own contact if needed. I cried through the entire session, sorry kids. There are so many elements of difficulty but this one is brutal in knowing that Larry will be missing  so many important parts of our kids lives. It is brutal for us and for them.