Wheelchairs need cup holders.....

After a relatively good day of reflecting and being thankful,well it was another wake up call reminding us of the brutal task ahead. Friday started out bad and the rest of the weekend became progressively worse. Reenie had the almost paralyzing headaches return, along with a big dose of lower extremity pain. We were unable to attend our "turkey day" at Mike and Amy's on Friday because the pain was so intense it was nauseating. Saturday the headaches were worse so our oncologist wanted a ct scan of the head and brain. This was also the first day that Reenie was starting to lose her hair; a sure visual of the monster's return. The fear of this disease is really the unknown, is the treatment working?, are the cells spreading?, is this new pain more cancer?, well the unknown is pretty scary. The doctors have told us of the aggressiveness of this particular cancer so when they ask for each test we know what they are looking for more "C"cells. The ct scan came back negative, that beautiful word, negative. They wanted Reenie to spend the night to monitor pain and start an antibiotic just to make sure no infection was underlining the treatment. The pain was still intense so they prescribed an injection of the pain killer she was taking orally which seem to help the headaches but the back and leg pain was now becoming greater than the head pain. The back and leg aches are from the NEUPOGEN shots Reenie needs, to keep her white count up, which on arrival Saturday was 0.3 (4.8 and above is our normal range). The shots work but cause pain, a necessary tradeoff, until we get the pain meds tweaked. Sunday we expected to be released until the visit from the doctor coincided with nausea and vomiting most likely brought on by the injected pain killer Dilaudid. The doctor now unsure if it was the medicine or a contracted infection (this just in: the hospital is full of infection) wanted to continue the antibiotic and just to make sure have an MRI of the brain. With another test comes more uncertainty and fear. Reenie's Sunday may have been the most miserable day she has ever had, at least from my vantage point, I know it was tough for me to witness. With the fear of infection we didn't want visitors or flowers, probably a mistake on my part. Reenie missed her kids and that was heartbreaking, (this just in: the company of your children trumps any fear of infection). The MRI was to look for any small tumors that a ct scan doesn't see or any infection of the brain (gee maybe we could have had an MRI first..just a thought..again subject for another blog). This situation was all taking place on the eve of another chemo treatment, which once you start and believe this poison is working you DO NOT want to miss one. The MRI came back negative, again that beautiful word: negative, and we got to check out of the hospital and go directly to treatment. Do not pass go and do not collect $200, go directly to treatment. We are trying a new pain therapy the Fentanyl patch which stays on for 72 hours and is a time released medication. The doctors have been wonderful and attentive to our concerns and needs and that has been comforting, just need to control the pain. Well spending long days and nights in the hospital again gave us time to reflect, doing a lot of that lately. Watching high school football, miss those days of cheerleading and our friends boys playing, when you are hungry even hospital food taste good, hospitals need cable TV, Comcast what a PR move that would be huh?. Daytime TV makes you feel better about yourself and oh yeah wheelchairs should have cup holders.
Well thanks again to all, we know you were with us all weekend in spirit we appreciate that, came home from chemo to a fantastic meal from the Higgins thanks so much and dessert from Vito which was awesome you guys are great,
Love to all

Giving Thanks Today

I hope EVERYONE had a Happy Thanksgiving today. Even in light of recent developments there is much that we are thankful for today. We are grateful for the love of family and friends, it is that love that helps us along our journey. We had a quite day today Reenie's mom made dinner for just the two of us. Our family is having our turkey day Friday when all can attend. Reenie had a good day, was able to relax and for the most part felt pretty good. The quite of day did give us ample time to reflect on all that is positive in our lives and what we are so thankful for. We are very lucky to be working at at this time of economic uncertainty and have employers who are so supportive of Reenie's plight and have given us the needed time off. I truly believe it is because Reenie turns coworkers and colleagues into friends who really care about her not just work with her. Our immediate family grew by one and that we are again so blessed, our children have been wonderful as has the Dea (Reen's mom). The boys (Reenie's brothers) and their wives have always been there for us and we have very caring nieces and nephews. Reenie has a great group of cousins who are there for her, whether its a note, a call or dinner, again we are so thankful. I have a hard time expressing how thankful we are for the friends that we have accumulated through our life. The treasures that have been with us since childhood and the blessings of the new relationships in our later lives. We hope you all know how much you are loved, and we are thankful for all the love you have shared wih us.
God Bless and Thank you
Reenie and Tom

Driving Ms Reenie

Hows this for an awesome day...sleep in, picked up by your personal chauffeur, an italian dinner is awaiting your arrival home and then........ RED VELVET CHEEESECAKE from the Cheesecake factory is delivered for your dessert, oh yeah did I forget to mention chemo treatment #2 in he middle of all the festivities. Today Reenie our super hero had her second infusion of chemotherapy, the doctors and nurses feel she is doing pretty good as far as tolerating the poison. They have prescribed some more medicine to help with the side effects, that hopefully don't stay around like they did last week. The fluid that was drained from Reenie's abdomen last week came back clean (no organism seen) I hate when they see organism, there was a fear that infection had returned in the fluid. The one issue we have to be careful of is the fact that her white blood cells or count has plummeted, making her susceptible to picking up an unwanted infection. When her cycle is finished next Monday she will need to have Nupigen shots 4 consecutive days to bring the count up. Back to the real highlights of the day quite a few recognitions of gratitute...One of Reenie's personal drivers the generous Dave Massat, tonight's awesome dinner on behalf of the Keating family one of Reenie's cousins and the cheesecake well that was from the DEA my wonderful mother-in-law who gets around more than "runaround Sue" and she doesn't even drive but thats a story for another blog. Thanks again to all our friends and family keep the thoughts and prayers coming, Reenie is enjoying the comments and you are all involved in this fight with us and you are going to helps us WIN

The end of week #1

Well it is the end of Reenie's first full week of dealing with the reoccurrence of the beast. What we have learned from the previous treatments is that when you are starting to fell pretty good, it must be time for another dose of poison. Today we all felt pretty good, the pain has subsided where Reenie had her port inserted and it's NFL Sunday, time to watch football on our lucky couch in one room and lifetime movies in another then gear up for another treatment Monday afternoon. The family and friends have begun to rally around us once again and I hope everyone understands how appreciative we all are. Whether it's an invitation to dinner, movie with the girls or lunch with friends Reenie will attempt to keep normalcy in her life as long as she physically can. The fatigue will at times get the best of her but she is determined to stay strong and keep a good positive mental attitude, she feeds off of the love she receives from all of you that have offered your support in her fight. As Oprah announced this week that she was leaving TV in September of 2011 and we wouldn't be seeing her as much (yeah right). I started to think or look forward to that day, it would mean the following has happened, no more Oprah, the Bears would be starting their second season under a new coach, the White Sox would be about to start their defense of the World Series title and yes Reenie would be cancer free for about 15 months...looking forward to Sept 9th 2011...
I am also trying to add a slide show presentation at the bottom of the blog so you never know when you may make an appearance..you better be camera ready

Wednesday is "two for" day at MetroSouth

Wednesday Reenie was scheduled to have a drain inserted into her abdomen, there was a pool of fluid found on a ct scan last week that needs to be eliminated. Thursday we had scheduled to have a port inserted into her right arm which will be used for the administration of chemo therapy instead of using Reenie's veins, which have deteriorated from her first bout with chemo. But today was Reenie's lucky day the fine staff and doctors at Metro (formerly St. Francis) hospital were able to juggle the schedule and perform both procedures in one visit. That made for a long day but having nothing scheduled until Monday she will get some much needed rest. Reenie has been in a hospital or doctors office or lab 8 out of last 13 days, she definitely needs a break. Reenie is experiencing headaches and fatigue so today was pretty draining, overall she has a wonderful spirit, and is enjoying the comments on 'her' new blog. I'm hopeful that all the appointments and lab work are behind her and for the most part she only has the treatments ahead of her. The treatment schedule will be 3 weeks of chemo(Abraxane)each Monday with a week off this will constitute a cycle and she needs to complete 6 cycles. Once a cycle is complete the oncologist will run tumor markers and a pet scan after every 3 cycles to judge how the treatment is working. The targeted drug Avastin will be administered every 21 days during the whole 6 cycles. This will be our schedule for the next 6 months, we know our warrior can handle this, she has done this before. Well we are looking forward to getting back to a somewhat normal schedule the next few days, thanks for all your love and support.
The Haas'

Plastic Surgeon visit Tuesday November 17th

Today Tuesday we had an appointment with Dr. Cohen Reenie's plastic surgeon at UIC medical center. This appointment was suppose to tell us the results of last Tuesday's biopsy, but we received that bit of news last Thursday which put our course of action into overdrive. Dr. Cohen concurred with Dr. Baridi on the course of action and was pleased to find out we have already started treatment. The team of doctors we have assembled all are very positive that this treatment is the correct one and one that will produce a positive outcome. We are hopeful that the bumps and irregularities that seemed to have been a byproduct of plastic surgery are really conditions brought on by the recurring tumors. The oncologist feels that as the medicine starts to do its job the surgery will heal better and the bumps will subside. The effects of chemo do not take long to present themselves, Reenie is feeling a little fatigued and woke up with an unusually strong headache. After our appointment with the surgeon Reenie was able to stop by work and enjoy a luncheon for Eileen's birthday. Time to rest up now for the rest of the week's festivities..Wednesday Reenie has a procedure scheduled to have fluid drained from her abdomen (we are hopeful that no infection is present). Thursday a passport will be implanted into Reenie's arm for the purpose of administering her chemo treatments and further blood tests. Friday looks good right now.
Reenie loves and thanks you

Chemotherapy day 1 Monday November 16th

Well after a pretty frightening week for our super hero...a biopsy..a pet scan..a ct scan of the abdomen..blood tests..an unwanted phone call..and the final results with a visit to the oncologist, Reenie is taking on the beast again. Reenie is set up for 6 cycles of chemotherapy that will last at least 6 months. The method of treatment will be different this time around, no surgery and no radiation, which is all good. We will battle this with chemo and an anti-angiogenic agent. I know thats a pretty big word for my limited vocabulary but from my understanding one of the most important words I've ever heard. An anti-angiogenic agent in this case AVASTIN is used to cut off the supply of oxygen and nutrients that feed the tumors, it also helps the chemo drugs reach the tumors more effectively. The chemo drug that Reenie will be on is ABRAXANE, this drug also has been explained to us as "user friendly" meaning it should have less side effects than most other chemo drugs. The fact that it is not a solvent-based drugs limits the side effects and allows for patients to receive higher doses of tumor fighting paclitaxel, another positive. We know this will not be picnic by any imagination, Reenie will undoubtedly feel fatigued, she will lose her hair again, chances are her white count could become lower and we need to be careful of infections, but all of this can and will be reversed once we have this beast under control. I was completely amased Monday with Reenie's attitude, spirit and courage as she was heading into the chemotheapy room, she has fought this battle before and knocked down the monster, but he's back and she is determined to knock it down and out for good. I firmly believe she has this fight because of the outpouring of support she has recieved from her family and friends and even from those that don't know her but know of her. That is where she gains strength and she will again call upon that support. So keep those prayers and well wishes coming....

Reenie sends her love to all