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Jan 22, 2019, 9:27 PM
Dear Family and Friends, Well, I know its been a couple of weeks since an update but things change so fast I can't hardly keep up. Also, I kind of wanted to wait for good news and today we had that. All we had to do today was go to Paris for his 10-day blood test. Well, he passed with flying colors. Anne (nurse) reported that his CBC was excellent - in other words, normal! What that means is that Michael is tolerating the chemo well. So, what have we been up to?
I believe the last report was before the then scheduled chemo for the Friday before last. As most of you know, Dr. Prakash cancelled that chemo. In our conference with him he told us that they had run some more tests and that Michael has what is called Double-Hit Lymphoma. He explained that this is a very aggressive lymphoma and very hard to eliminate. There is the possibility he may have to have a stem cell transplant. Also, they were going to change his chemo routine to a full week. On Monday the 14th we trekked back to Paris for him to have a 5 hour chemo. We were very innocently thinking that a pump meant we would not have to go to Paris every day. Wrong! It turned out that he had to report everyday at 3:15 p.m. to change out the chemo bags and put new batteries in the pump.
I want to thank Carolyn for taking Michael on Tuesday. I had an eye doctor's appointment that had been postponed twice. That was a tremendous help. Then, John, Michael's nephew from Houston, turned up Tuesday evening and took Michael the rest of the week. They had a great time visiting and it was a tremendous help to me to have two days off to try to catch up at home. Michael also commented that it made the week go much faster. John really gets kudos for explaining to the Cozy Capachino in Paris that Michael really, really needs to have some of their homemade apple pie. When we went on Friday there was one waiting for him! Best apple pie in the country! Thank you John. It really meant a lot to us to have you here. Also, John, be sure to thank Michelle for sparing you for the week. That was a big sacrifice on her part as they have three BOYS 7 and under!
The weekend went OK. It appears that the routine is that for about two days after chemo you feel pretty good. A little light headed, not quite right. However, by the third day you are feeling pretty crappy - that was Monday. Today was a little better but still very fatigued. It seems that one of the side effects is multiple bathroom visits throughout the night! Anne explained to us today that is a good thing because that is how the body expels the bad stuff and the chemo is doing its job. Michael doesn't seem to be as hungry as the first few weeks but I am thinking that will pick up as he begins to feel better. We don't have any chemo or blood work; i.e. we don't have to go to Paris next week! The next scheduled chemo week begins February 4th.
However, tomorrow we are heading to Mesquite to stay with brother Gerry and Ramona. Thursday is our scheduled visit with Dr. Bhuchan at Medical City Dallas. He is the stem cell specialist that Dr. Praakash wants us to consult with. Our appointment is Thursday afternoon and at least Ramona will be able to go with us. Yes, Susie, she will stand in for you as our peripheral brain. We realize that we don't do too good by ourselves remembering all that is said. We will be returning home on Friday. Keep Michael in your prayers and good thoughts. We really don't know what to expect other than Dr/ Bhuchan will be assessing Michael for a transplant.
I think that brings us up to right now! Michael is feeling much better this evening and is busy working on the "book" of paperwork Medical City sent him to complete. Hope everyone has a good rest of the week and that the weather warms up for everyone.
Love to all, Francine
Dear Family and Friends, Well, I know its been a couple of weeks since an update but things change so fast I can't hardly keep up. Also, I kind of wanted to wait for good news and today we had that. All we had to do today was go to Paris for his 10-day blood test. Well, he passed with flying colors. Anne (nurse) reported that his CBC was excellent - in other words, normal! What that means is that Michael is tolerating the chemo well. So, what have we been up to?
I believe the last report was before the then scheduled chemo for the Friday before last. As most of you know, Dr. Prakash cancelled that chemo. In our conference with him he told us that they had run some more tests and that Michael has what is called Double-Hit Lymphoma. He explained that this is a very aggressive lymphoma and very hard to eliminate. There is the possibility he may have to have a stem cell transplant. Also, they were going to change his chemo routine to a full week. On Monday the 14th we trekked back to Paris for him to have a 5 hour chemo. We were very innocently thinking that a pump meant we would not have to go to Paris every day. Wrong! It turned out that he had to report everyday at 3:15 p.m. to change out the chemo bags and put new batteries in the pump.
I want to thank Carolyn for taking Michael on Tuesday. I had an eye doctor's appointment that had been postponed twice. That was a tremendous help. Then, John, Michael's nephew from Houston, turned up Tuesday evening and took Michael the rest of the week. They had a great time visiting and it was a tremendous help to me to have two days off to try to catch up at home. Michael also commented that it made the week go much faster. John really gets kudos for explaining to the Cozy Capachino in Paris that Michael really, really needs to have some of their homemade apple pie. When we went on Friday there was one waiting for him! Best apple pie in the country! Thank you John. It really meant a lot to us to have you here. Also, John, be sure to thank Michelle for sparing you for the week. That was a big sacrifice on her part as they have three BOYS 7 and under!
The weekend went OK. It appears that the routine is that for about two days after chemo you feel pretty good. A little light headed, not quite right. However, by the third day you are feeling pretty crappy - that was Monday. Today was a little better but still very fatigued. It seems that one of the side effects is multiple bathroom visits throughout the night! Anne explained to us today that is a good thing because that is how the body expels the bad stuff and the chemo is doing its job. Michael doesn't seem to be as hungry as the first few weeks but I am thinking that will pick up as he begins to feel better. We don't have any chemo or blood work; i.e. we don't have to go to Paris next week! The next scheduled chemo week begins February 4th.
However, tomorrow we are heading to Mesquite to stay with brother Gerry and Ramona. Thursday is our scheduled visit with Dr. Bhuchan at Medical City Dallas. He is the stem cell specialist that Dr. Praakash wants us to consult with. Our appointment is Thursday afternoon and at least Ramona will be able to go with us. Yes, Susie, she will stand in for you as our peripheral brain. We realize that we don't do too good by ourselves remembering all that is said. We will be returning home on Friday. Keep Michael in your prayers and good thoughts. We really don't know what to expect other than Dr/ Bhuchan will be assessing Michael for a transplant.
I think that brings us up to right now! Michael is feeling much better this evening and is busy working on the "book" of paperwork Medical City sent him to complete. Hope everyone has a good rest of the week and that the weather warms up for everyone.
Love to all, Francine
Jan 11, 2019, 10:03 PM
Well, folks, the week had its up and then downs. First, Michael did get the port put in his right shoulder on Thursday. Once again, Dr. MIKE Brown has worked his magic and Michael has had next to no pain and discomfort. Just tired! Surgery was at 7:30 a.m. so we went to Paris the night before. However, by the time we got home, we were both pooped and took naps!
Today he was scheduled for another chemo treatment. We arrived on schedule at 9:00 a.m. He first had to have blood drawn and after a short wait, we were called in to have a meeting with Dr. Prakash. Well, it turns out that more tests were run on the tissue and blood samples and the diagnosis is something like this, "Double hit BCell2 Lymphoma." Apparently, this is a fairly new type of lymphoma that has been identified. It has something to do with the genetics of this cancer and instead of having one marker Michael has two! Very rare! More is not better! It is the most aggressive of the lymphomas. What does this mean for us? Well, no chemo today because beginning Monday we have to go to Paris everyday next week for chemo. The first day will be 3 - 4 hours but shorter the rest of the week. They were apparently using strong chemo the first time but now need much stronger chemo. Dr. Prakash is making arrangements for us to meet with a doctor in Dallas at Midland the following week. So, that is where we are.
Now, I must admit that neither of us wrote down the new doctor's name but we do have a call into the office for that information. We were just kind of floored and once we left the office we couldn't remember it exactly. However, this doctor is apparently a specialist in this kind of cancer. Michael did find an article on the internet from January 2017 and at that time, the research was fairly new.
On the up side, Michael gained back what he lost last visit - he is still eating quite regularly. We are not eating out much and beginning to get creative with recipes. Lucky for me that Michael likes to cook!
Well, as they say, "that's all folks." At least for now. Pease keep Michael in your prayers.
Love to all of you,
Francine
Well, folks, the week had its up and then downs. First, Michael did get the port put in his right shoulder on Thursday. Once again, Dr. MIKE Brown has worked his magic and Michael has had next to no pain and discomfort. Just tired! Surgery was at 7:30 a.m. so we went to Paris the night before. However, by the time we got home, we were both pooped and took naps!
Today he was scheduled for another chemo treatment. We arrived on schedule at 9:00 a.m. He first had to have blood drawn and after a short wait, we were called in to have a meeting with Dr. Prakash. Well, it turns out that more tests were run on the tissue and blood samples and the diagnosis is something like this, "Double hit BCell2 Lymphoma." Apparently, this is a fairly new type of lymphoma that has been identified. It has something to do with the genetics of this cancer and instead of having one marker Michael has two! Very rare! More is not better! It is the most aggressive of the lymphomas. What does this mean for us? Well, no chemo today because beginning Monday we have to go to Paris everyday next week for chemo. The first day will be 3 - 4 hours but shorter the rest of the week. They were apparently using strong chemo the first time but now need much stronger chemo. Dr. Prakash is making arrangements for us to meet with a doctor in Dallas at Midland the following week. So, that is where we are.
Now, I must admit that neither of us wrote down the new doctor's name but we do have a call into the office for that information. We were just kind of floored and once we left the office we couldn't remember it exactly. However, this doctor is apparently a specialist in this kind of cancer. Michael did find an article on the internet from January 2017 and at that time, the research was fairly new.
On the up side, Michael gained back what he lost last visit - he is still eating quite regularly. We are not eating out much and beginning to get creative with recipes. Lucky for me that Michael likes to cook!
Well, as they say, "that's all folks." At least for now. Pease keep Michael in your prayers.
Love to all of you,
Francine
Fri, Jan 4, 10:37 PM
Good evening, everyone! Thought I would send a quick note on how our week went. Basically, it wasn't too bad - we tend to take it one day at a time. Each day brings a different challenge. Sometimes small, sometimes large! I guess our biggest one was Thursday. I probably told all of you, or at least most of you, that Michael was going to get his port on Thursday. Well, I called the surgeon's office Wednesday afternoon and Michelle says "No" he is only coming in for a consultation. I had begun to think that was what was going on because we hadn't been given the pages of directives yet! Anyways, despite the pouring rain, we drove to Paris for a nice rather short visit with Dr. Brown. Michelle, his nurse, showed us her port and gave us all sorts of information about it. Dr. Brown also answered all our questions. Anyways, NEXT Thursday morning we have to be at the Paris Hospital by 5:30 a.m. for surgery at 7:00 a.m. It shouldn't take long and then I am sure we will find a good breakfast spot! Michael will be hungry!
Hunger seems to be one of the side effects of the chemo - at least for Michael. It seems that every two hours he wants to eat and wants to know what I want to eat! However, while he is eating every two hours, he still lost about 5 pounds. In the meantime, I am trying desperately not to gain what he looses!
Next week we will be "on the road" again to Paris - three times. (I sure wish it was Paris, France.) Monday, we get to stay home. Tuesday, we head to Paris for his pre-op appointment. Wednesday, I have to head to McAlester for a Board Meeting. I need to go this time because the OHS is beginning to accession Allece's archives and they are requesting some financial help. I need to urge them to help! Thursday, as I explained, is Port Day! We have to report to the Paris Hospital at 5:30 a.m.! Friday, it's back to Paris for the day - Michael for chemo, me to visit the genealogy library and museum. Hopefully, Saturday is home.
Michael does seem to be doing well. Of course, there are side effects - the worst was the backache. But for now, it seems to be OK. Every day is something different so we are just taking it one day at a time. However, today was about the most normal day he's had. We are hiring a young man to help with the pasture and horses. Tomorrow he will put out hay and do whatever else is needed. Today, Michael checked out the tractor, we loaded it on the trailer and drove it to Salt Creek. We then were able to make it a little home in the south pasture and then went to Orscheln's to get the oil and order the protein tub for the horses. That we can pick up tomorrow and Garrett will put it out for us. He will also put out three bales of hay so the horses will be well fed hopefully for about 3 - 4 weeks. They are still eating a lot of grass and look good.
On final note, When we were in Paris yesterday Michael got a burr - his hair cut almost nearly off! He does look very different but I'm getting used to it. He almost looks a little like Tom Selleck! He says his head is cold but we have at least two dozen ball caps for him to wear plus a couple of stocking caps. I will attach a picture next time.
BTW, I just got an email from brother Victor that he has had one cataract surgery and eagerly awaiting number 2! So glad he is doing well enough to send an email! We're thinking of you, bro.
Well, it's time for me to go catch the news - for what its worth. Let's all hope for a nice sunny and warm day tomorrow! After days of rain, we need it.
Love to all, Francine
P.S. We saw "The Mole" It was very good! Of course, most of what Clint Eastwood does is good.
Good evening, everyone! Thought I would send a quick note on how our week went. Basically, it wasn't too bad - we tend to take it one day at a time. Each day brings a different challenge. Sometimes small, sometimes large! I guess our biggest one was Thursday. I probably told all of you, or at least most of you, that Michael was going to get his port on Thursday. Well, I called the surgeon's office Wednesday afternoon and Michelle says "No" he is only coming in for a consultation. I had begun to think that was what was going on because we hadn't been given the pages of directives yet! Anyways, despite the pouring rain, we drove to Paris for a nice rather short visit with Dr. Brown. Michelle, his nurse, showed us her port and gave us all sorts of information about it. Dr. Brown also answered all our questions. Anyways, NEXT Thursday morning we have to be at the Paris Hospital by 5:30 a.m. for surgery at 7:00 a.m. It shouldn't take long and then I am sure we will find a good breakfast spot! Michael will be hungry!
Hunger seems to be one of the side effects of the chemo - at least for Michael. It seems that every two hours he wants to eat and wants to know what I want to eat! However, while he is eating every two hours, he still lost about 5 pounds. In the meantime, I am trying desperately not to gain what he looses!
Next week we will be "on the road" again to Paris - three times. (I sure wish it was Paris, France.) Monday, we get to stay home. Tuesday, we head to Paris for his pre-op appointment. Wednesday, I have to head to McAlester for a Board Meeting. I need to go this time because the OHS is beginning to accession Allece's archives and they are requesting some financial help. I need to urge them to help! Thursday, as I explained, is Port Day! We have to report to the Paris Hospital at 5:30 a.m.! Friday, it's back to Paris for the day - Michael for chemo, me to visit the genealogy library and museum. Hopefully, Saturday is home.
Michael does seem to be doing well. Of course, there are side effects - the worst was the backache. But for now, it seems to be OK. Every day is something different so we are just taking it one day at a time. However, today was about the most normal day he's had. We are hiring a young man to help with the pasture and horses. Tomorrow he will put out hay and do whatever else is needed. Today, Michael checked out the tractor, we loaded it on the trailer and drove it to Salt Creek. We then were able to make it a little home in the south pasture and then went to Orscheln's to get the oil and order the protein tub for the horses. That we can pick up tomorrow and Garrett will put it out for us. He will also put out three bales of hay so the horses will be well fed hopefully for about 3 - 4 weeks. They are still eating a lot of grass and look good.
On final note, When we were in Paris yesterday Michael got a burr - his hair cut almost nearly off! He does look very different but I'm getting used to it. He almost looks a little like Tom Selleck! He says his head is cold but we have at least two dozen ball caps for him to wear plus a couple of stocking caps. I will attach a picture next time.
BTW, I just got an email from brother Victor that he has had one cataract surgery and eagerly awaiting number 2! So glad he is doing well enough to send an email! We're thinking of you, bro.
Well, it's time for me to go catch the news - for what its worth. Let's all hope for a nice sunny and warm day tomorrow! After days of rain, we need it.
Love to all, Francine
P.S. We saw "The Mole" It was very good! Of course, most of what Clint Eastwood does is good.
Fri, Dec 21, 2018, 9:06 PM
Michael Bray's Latest Adventure
Der Family and Friends, Well, I guess you are all wondering how our day(s) went. This has been one "hell" of a week. Monday was fine. Quiet. Tuesday, we headed to Paris (our new home) for a Mugga X-Ray/test and bone marrow biopsy. No results until this morning. Wednesday, Michael stayed home and crunched leaves while I drove to Idabel to the eye doctor to have my pressure checked. It was better in the left eye but climbing in the right so I now have extra drops in the right as well as the left.
Thursday, some of you have heard about. We had a 9:30 appointment in Mt. Pleasant for a PET Scan. Well, they called late Wednesday afternoon anKyla's Michael he could have a light breakfast, no bread, and water. So, he ate a hard boiled egg and drank water. After a two-hour drive we were then told no, he shouldn't have eaten anything!!! They also told the other lady waiting that since she took her insulin she couldn't have the test. They had come from Tyler, TX!!! I dealt with it really well - I had a melt down. We called Dr. Prakash's office to tell them what happened and what did they want us to do. We went to lunch to wait and then visited a lovely antique store and children's store. Wait until Jeff and Kara see Kyla's new pj's! Dr. Prakash's office finally called back and said to head back up to their office for a CAT scan. Well, we made that but it was after six by the time we got home! n.b. Had left for Mt. Pleasant and 7 am..
That brings you up to today. We arrived in Paris at 9:30 a.m. Our meeting with Dr. Prakash went very well. Briefly, Michael's bone marrow is clear of any cancer and his heart is pumping strong! However, they did see swollen lymph nodes in the area of his chest bone and some in the back of his abdomen. It is non-Hodgkins. B-Cell lymphoma/diffused large cell lymphoma. Despite being very aggressive, Dr. Prakash told us it is very treatable and he can almost guarantee Michael will be cured.
So, Michael went to the back room to spend the afternoon in a recliner! He has a cocktail of five different meds, plus a couple of prescriptions. Ann, his nurse, said he weathered it well with only one incident - an allergic reaction - itching, which they took care of with Benadryl. He had taken his tablet to finish a book, which he did, and then when he started to write his notes, it died! I think that we will be looking for a new one. They felt sorry for him and moved him to an area with a tv and when I got back from my explorations of Paris, found him watching tennis. He has been very anxious about all of this and is glad the first treatment is over. Now we just hope that he doesn't have too many side effects.
What to expect? The big deal is the next treatment is not for three weeks. However, we do have to head down there on the 31st for blood work. He will begin to lose his hair within three weeks. In the meantime, in the next few days, he may have diarrhea, nausea, etc., but they gave him one of those patches you see advertised on TV for the day after chemo (I think its called neulasta.). So, think of him when you see that advertisement! You only wear it for 24 hours. The medicine begins to work after that time.
He will have to have a port put in but that should help, especially with the time in the chair. This time it was over five hours, some of it getting a site to work. So, when did we get home? After 6:00 p.m.! After a light supper, we are going to sit down and watch the second of the new Hallmark Christmas shows. We are taping it. I can't believe we are watching Hallmark almost every night. However, since it is about the only "up" show on TV what else is there to do?
I will tell you that I did spend part of his five hours finding the Paris library, the genealogical society and two museums. Lockes, did you know that there are two train depots in Paris? The one that comes directly from Antlers - via Hugo - is just west of downtown, large, and beautifully restored! I will be spending some time in there and thinking of Tante whenever I'm there.
Merry and Blessed Christmas to all! Our plans are to head to Gerry and Ramona's hopefully on Monday. We will stay, hopefully, over Christmas.
Love to all, Francine
Michael Bray's Latest Adventure
Der Family and Friends, Well, I guess you are all wondering how our day(s) went. This has been one "hell" of a week. Monday was fine. Quiet. Tuesday, we headed to Paris (our new home) for a Mugga X-Ray/test and bone marrow biopsy. No results until this morning. Wednesday, Michael stayed home and crunched leaves while I drove to Idabel to the eye doctor to have my pressure checked. It was better in the left eye but climbing in the right so I now have extra drops in the right as well as the left.
Thursday, some of you have heard about. We had a 9:30 appointment in Mt. Pleasant for a PET Scan. Well, they called late Wednesday afternoon anKyla's Michael he could have a light breakfast, no bread, and water. So, he ate a hard boiled egg and drank water. After a two-hour drive we were then told no, he shouldn't have eaten anything!!! They also told the other lady waiting that since she took her insulin she couldn't have the test. They had come from Tyler, TX!!! I dealt with it really well - I had a melt down. We called Dr. Prakash's office to tell them what happened and what did they want us to do. We went to lunch to wait and then visited a lovely antique store and children's store. Wait until Jeff and Kara see Kyla's new pj's! Dr. Prakash's office finally called back and said to head back up to their office for a CAT scan. Well, we made that but it was after six by the time we got home! n.b. Had left for Mt. Pleasant and 7 am..
That brings you up to today. We arrived in Paris at 9:30 a.m. Our meeting with Dr. Prakash went very well. Briefly, Michael's bone marrow is clear of any cancer and his heart is pumping strong! However, they did see swollen lymph nodes in the area of his chest bone and some in the back of his abdomen. It is non-Hodgkins. B-Cell lymphoma/diffused large cell lymphoma. Despite being very aggressive, Dr. Prakash told us it is very treatable and he can almost guarantee Michael will be cured.
So, Michael went to the back room to spend the afternoon in a recliner! He has a cocktail of five different meds, plus a couple of prescriptions. Ann, his nurse, said he weathered it well with only one incident - an allergic reaction - itching, which they took care of with Benadryl. He had taken his tablet to finish a book, which he did, and then when he started to write his notes, it died! I think that we will be looking for a new one. They felt sorry for him and moved him to an area with a tv and when I got back from my explorations of Paris, found him watching tennis. He has been very anxious about all of this and is glad the first treatment is over. Now we just hope that he doesn't have too many side effects.
What to expect? The big deal is the next treatment is not for three weeks. However, we do have to head down there on the 31st for blood work. He will begin to lose his hair within three weeks. In the meantime, in the next few days, he may have diarrhea, nausea, etc., but they gave him one of those patches you see advertised on TV for the day after chemo (I think its called neulasta.). So, think of him when you see that advertisement! You only wear it for 24 hours. The medicine begins to work after that time.
He will have to have a port put in but that should help, especially with the time in the chair. This time it was over five hours, some of it getting a site to work. So, when did we get home? After 6:00 p.m.! After a light supper, we are going to sit down and watch the second of the new Hallmark Christmas shows. We are taping it. I can't believe we are watching Hallmark almost every night. However, since it is about the only "up" show on TV what else is there to do?
I will tell you that I did spend part of his five hours finding the Paris library, the genealogical society and two museums. Lockes, did you know that there are two train depots in Paris? The one that comes directly from Antlers - via Hugo - is just west of downtown, large, and beautifully restored! I will be spending some time in there and thinking of Tante whenever I'm there.
Merry and Blessed Christmas to all! Our plans are to head to Gerry and Ramona's hopefully on Monday. We will stay, hopefully, over Christmas.
Love to all, Francine