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.

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.

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

The Staples have been removed from Kris' incision

With the staples

On Wednesday February 25 Kris had the staples and the drainage tube removed. See before and after photos. She is doing as good as one could expect having this much surgery. Despite having difficulty moving around and getting up, she gets a little better every day. The scar is healing nicely. She will starting another 9-week round of chemo on Tuesday March 10, 2015.

Without the staples

Kris Recuperating with Murray

On the couch with Murray

Recuperating from her surgery, Kris stays warm and reads on the couch with our goof ball dog, Murray, aka Muzzie. On Friday February 20 she had about half of her staples taken out, although she still has the drain on her abdomen. If she coughs or sneezes really hard she could still split open the sutures. We are going to see the oncologist for a full post-surgery briefing on Wednesday morning, February 25.

"Muzzie" relaxes on the couch

Desi & Murray holding Kris' spot on the bed for her

Desi and Murray sleeping on Kris' side of bed

Just about the cutest picture ever: when Kris was away in the hospital, Murray and Desi slept together on Kris' side of the bed, keeping it warm for her.

Home from the hospital

Belly Button Selfie

Kris came home this afternoon. She is in a lot of pain and discomfort, and still has a drainage tube attached to her abdomen. She mentioned that the last picture - the one of her in the hospital looking happy - made this look too easy. It is not easy.