Chemo Gets Stalled

I know it has been a while since I have blogged, it seems as though time has been flying by between stuff in the store, traveling and of course dealing with cancer.

This morning Bonnie and I arrived right on time for her 4th chemo treatment armed with all of our various snacks and books to help pass the time. They did all the usual vitals and the blood draw and then we went in for Bonnie's appointment with Dr. Inhorn (she sees him before each treatment). He wanted all the details of how things have gone in the last 3 weeks since her last treatment which of course between the two of us we were able to give him an earful of all the little details of Bonnie's health. Dr. Inhorn is very pleased with Bonnie's progress and the tumor has shrunk so that it is no longer palpable. I of course insist if you can't feel it then it must be gone and do we really need 3 more treatments? He explained that there can still be millions of cancer cells there that you can not feel and that all the studies have indicated that 6 treatments is the magic number. He and I have gone over this before but I just like to make sure Bonnie is not having any unnecessary treatments!

Then we were free to go to the infusion room and get all comfy. They have these wonderful comfortable chairs for the patients and the usual straight backed chairs for the care giver. Really I don't mind because I am up and down a lot getting drinks or food and then just my usual wandering around! Bonnie's nurse, Caroline kept walking back and forth saying hang on there is going to be a change. Bonnie is thinking oh something good is going to happen, I am thinking here blood work isn't good enough and we are going home. Well I was right (yes I had had this sense she would not get her treatment all morning) her blood levels were too low which means her immunity is too compromised for her to get the chemotherapy. Bonnie responded with "UGGHHH" and I believe her real thought is this may happen to others but I am strong and healthy and it is not supposed to happen to me. So we packed everything back up and made a new appointment for next Tuesday when her blood levels should be much better.

From there we went to Whole Foods and got some Vitamin D, which they are saying helps boost immunity. Then Bonnie called for an acupuncture appointment and is already going in for her chiropractic appointment tomorrow. She is resting now and as well is admitting that she has been a bit more tired lately. So if you see her in the next few days please know she is not hugging and is keeping her distance from everyone to make sure she doesn't pick up any extra bacteria. Her birthday is tomorrow, Wed Oct 21 and she usually goes away over her birthday but with all the treatments and such we have made no plans to go anywhere except maybe a trip to Freeport!

A few weeks ago Bonnie was on interviewed for a piece on channel 13 that aired on September 30. They were talking about the trial she is in and her excellent prognosis. If you missed the show here is the link http://www.wgme.com/newsroom/top_stories/videos/wgme_vid_747.shtml.

So what have we been doing in the last month since I blogged?

We went to Napa to her niece's wedding. Bonnie had fun trying on hats! and she enjoyed being with her three sisters too.




Sherry, Pat, Bonnie & Barbara

Then we went to the unveiling of the anchor honoring President Bush.


President Bush invited everyone over to Walker's Point and we all had a great time visiting!

We have been walking at the beach every morning, not only do we love it but the dogs do too!


Everyone is making scarecrows and this is Bonnie's, she calls him 'Storekeeper 41'

And that is my daughter Audrey sitting with them!

And this is what Bonnie is doing now while I am writing this blog.

I am so glad that she is resting and taking care of herself as it is hard for her to do that.

Thanks again for all your kind wishes and prayers, Bonnie is very appreciate of all the well wishers and the love she feels from the entire community.

Helen