Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Fourth chemo. Five to go.

Kris relaxes at an 18th floor window gazing at the Empire State Building with her med pole on Tuesday March 31, 2015. Didn't make it Velselka today for pierogies because parts of 2nd Avenue below 14th Street were still shut down because of the massive gas explosion that leveled four buildings and killed two last Thursday at 7th and Second Avenue. Very sad days for our old neighborhood.

Saturday, March 21, 2015

With and without a hat. Chemo Day, infusion #2.

Another one of her hats by Amy Downs.
Kris relaxing during her second infusion session on March 17, 2015.  Her hair is growing back like "GI Jane," but will probably start falling out again later in this round of chemo treatment. She is enjoying her new white blankie with pom poms - a great gift from her old friends Beth and Colin, who came to visit last Sunday. One problem: Murray thinks the pom poms are part of a large dog toy for him. 

Despite the rigors of her treatment Kris is still upbeat. The shorter one-drug infusion sessions take at least 2 and a half hours. The double dose infusions (like last week) take at least 4 hours and a half hours. Kris cannot take public transportation while on chemo so we usually drive in. Thankfully, our NYU Langone Oncology center has subsidized valet parking for chemo patients at only $21 a visit. Other parking facilities can run as high as $45 a visit. It is still cheaper than traveling round trip by car service or Uber, which can run $40 each way at minimum. 

We are currently looking into the pros and cons of getting Kris on Social Security Disability. She has not worked in almost 6 months and is now eligible to apply. If anyone knows anything about SSDI let me know.

On another front, Abby pulled out his back a few months ago ago and has been suffering with severe sciatica pain. After numerous doctors, MRIs and a surgical consultation, he is getting another epidural next week. Guess who drives Abby to his doctor appointments? Fun times.




Thursday, March 12, 2015

KRIS IS BACK for Chemo, Round 2

RETURNING FROM A PEE BREAK WITH
HER TRAVELING INFUSION POLE
The first visit of three 3-week sessions which includes the two major drugs, started on Tuesday March 10. These double-med sessions take about 5 hours from check-in to picking up the car, starting with a blood test (not for the car). Only one drug is used for the second and third visits. So far Kris has been tolerating the chemo meds very well. The worst is a bad headache today. She is a trooper. Let's hope her positive attitude continues!









CARBOPLATIN
PACLITAXEL