Unravel Cancer: Experiences with family battling cancer: Update

13 September 2009

23:39 Update

A few people have asked how my mom & brother are doing. So here's the latest:

My mom began her 2nd round of chemo, Temodar, on Monday. The dosage is almost double what she was on while doing radiation. She took it for 5 days, Monday to Friday.

He symptoms were the same as when she was on the drugs before, so that's a relief. She's been pretty sleepy, had some digestive issues, and had a loss of appetite. This is all typical stuff, and nothing to be worried about.

More importantly, her attitude is very strong! I was so surprised to hear of her fierce opposition to the cancer. She's been reading inspirational books, and really focusing a lot of positive energy to her body. It's so cool that she's doing this, and truly focusing on herself. One aspect to co-dependency is lack of self-care. After having to deal with an alcoholic spouse, and raise 3 kids, she hasn't had much sense of self in recent years. So, in a way, the cancer has been a gift to her - teaching her how to focus on herself.

She was even able to give me some advice on some tough feelings I've been having recently. We had a lovely conversation.

She's also glad to be doing _something_, anything to fight the tumor. It was excruciating for her to have to sit & wait for all the paperwork and doctor's visits to materialize in a prescription. She figured, the longer she waited to be on the next round, the more likely the tumor could grow again. But all the MRIs showed no change. *whew*

My brother is doing ok. Recently his white blood cells dropped low enough, that he had to stop the Temodar. Not sure if he's back on it yet. Apparently, this is pretty common for cancer patients.

His spirits seem pretty zen. He's been really thrilled with the response his friends have given him, and the recent fundraiser they threw for him. Although a man of few words sometimes, I could tell he was really touched by the outpouring of support from all those that he knows.

Sometimes the frustration of his physical limitations gets the better of him, though, and he expresses a lot of anger. There have been some reports of that, too. Not a wonder! I'd be pretty pissed off I were in his shoes.

All in all, they are both hanging in there, and taking this about as well as they can.

That's the news from Lake Woebegone...

Labels: cancer survivor, cancer treatment, family cancer, Temodar

Breathe.

I'm a 30-something professional woman who's mother & brother were both diagnosed with Grade 3 Astrocytoma tumors within about a week of each other. My mother's tumor is in her brain, and my brother's tumor is in his spinal cord, causing him to lose feeling in his arms & legs. These writings are about my experiences dealing with them, coping, loving them, loving myself, and living my life knowing that they are both dying. I hope you find inspiration and courage from my writings to help you get through whatever is going on in your life.