Update on February 14th (Valentine's Day!!)

Gary is finally through with his treatments for several weeks.  We had thought he would be having a chemo treatment once a week for three weeks, then off one week; however, Dr Leo told us last Monday that he was going to stop the chemo for now and just keep the radiation going for one more week.  So last week Gary just had radiation and no chemo.  As a result, his nausea stopped last Wednesday and he hasn't had any since then.

Needless to say, we were anticipating a weight gain this week since he has been eating better and keeping it all down.  Not so!!  He lost 3 1/3 pounds this week and we don't know why.  He also is starting to have anxiety attacks.  So we had a long discussion with Dr Leo this morning and got some help in understanding what is going on. 

This is what Dr Leo said:  The treatments Gary has been getting have been some of the most aggressive they give due to it being Pancreatic Cancer.  The combination of constant chemo and radiation is a hugh assault on the body in addition to the cancer itself.  The reason they have to give him so much is that Pancreatic Cancer is one of the most deadly cancers and one of the hardest to treat.  It is because it is lying in the middle of a lot of other organs and is so vital to the body functions.  This assault on his body had taken its toll.  Even though the treatments have stopped, the chemicals and radiation are still in his body and affecting how everything is working.  This is why he is still losing weight, but that should stop in a couple of weeks. 

The anxiety is coming from the chemical imbalance caused by the treatments.  Gary said he feels like he is falling, or going over "thrill hill" in a fast car.  He also sometimes forgets to breathe and that is making him panic a little.  I noticed last Friday night that he kept going into the bedroom and lying down instead of staying in the living room like he had been.  When I asked if he felt all right, he said "sort of'".  He didn't know how to explain how he was feeling.  Dr Leo explained that this is very normal and gave him a prescription to help alleviate the anxiety attacks.  This situation should take care of itself as he gets stronger and not having so many treatments. 

The week of March 14th, Gary is scheduled to go to Barnes in St Louis for another CT Scan and to Cox in Springfield to have the stint in his bile duct replaced.

Since we found out about Gary's Pancreatic Cancer,  he has had many friends come to visit him while in the hospital at Cox and here at home.  Each visit is treasured.  It means a lot to him to know that people care.  I also treasure the concerns that people give to me and the help with food and meals.  Some very special people have been helping supply food to our home, which is such a help to me since I still have to go to work every day and sometimes don't get home until 7:00 or 8:00 at night.  It took me awhile to accept help from people, but now I do it willingly and am ever so grateful.  Thank you all very, very much!!!

Till later.                Jannis