Today was an awesome day in Salt Lake. The treatment went very quick and Bryon got some good rest in. We would have made it home in record time, but it was such a beautiful evening Bryon suggested we drive through Weston Canyon to get home. It was well worth it. Once we got home and picked up the girl's, Bryon decided he felt good enough to go to work. He got dressed, grabbed a Coke, and headed out the door! How awesome is that?!
Dr. Akerley, who is over the clinical trial, stopped in for the first time in 10 weeks. He said he couldn't believe how good Bryon looked, acted, spoke, and moved. He said his balance was right on and he couldn't really tell a difference between hand functions. The right one is gaining strength and is keeping up with the left very well. With nothing but positive comments and the sun shinning, it made for a wonderful day for Bryon. His goal now is to get back on top of his projects at work. He missed quite a bit of time since the port got put in and he doesn't want Schreiber's to stop relying on him. It is still a second home to him.
So, Congratulations Bryon!! You are finally able to do things on your own terms with smile on your face! Rock on!
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
May 19, 2009
Bryon had his first treatment on Monday, using his new port. He received a Power Port on the right side of his chest last Wednesday, it will be used to put medications into his body and to take out blood samples as needed. The theory behind it is that he will no longer have burnt veins from the chemo, or have to be poked several times with a needle to find the vein.
The treatment went very smoothly and Bryon is very pleased with how painless the process was. The nurses who administer his treatments were very relieved to see the port also. Believe it or not they don't LIKE to poke people with needles. If you have a medical professional who does like to poke you then get a new one. He still has about 8 stitches holding the port under the skin, but they will be taken out in the next couple of days.
The clinical trial doctor also took a look at the suspicious mole on Bryon's neck. She kind of chuckled and said it wasn't a priority since he was already on chemo. The only reason to have it biopsied is if it gets bigger, very quickly. Since Bryon sees a doctor every week, he does not feel like he is in any immediate danger. Overall, Bryon is a new man with high hopes for his, now, extended future. Even though he feels better mentally, the drugs keep him limited physically. He has missed a lot of work in the last week, but will be returning to Schreiber's this evening. Loaded with pain meds and anti nausea pills he should fair pretty well. Most healthy people need those just to survive 8 hours at their own place of employment.
Good job Bryon, and keep on trucking!
The treatment went very smoothly and Bryon is very pleased with how painless the process was. The nurses who administer his treatments were very relieved to see the port also. Believe it or not they don't LIKE to poke people with needles. If you have a medical professional who does like to poke you then get a new one. He still has about 8 stitches holding the port under the skin, but they will be taken out in the next couple of days.
The clinical trial doctor also took a look at the suspicious mole on Bryon's neck. She kind of chuckled and said it wasn't a priority since he was already on chemo. The only reason to have it biopsied is if it gets bigger, very quickly. Since Bryon sees a doctor every week, he does not feel like he is in any immediate danger. Overall, Bryon is a new man with high hopes for his, now, extended future. Even though he feels better mentally, the drugs keep him limited physically. He has missed a lot of work in the last week, but will be returning to Schreiber's this evening. Loaded with pain meds and anti nausea pills he should fair pretty well. Most healthy people need those just to survive 8 hours at their own place of employment.
Good job Bryon, and keep on trucking!
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
May 13, 2009
We have little bits of news coming in, so we had better get them posted. Bryon came home today, after having a port put in his chest. There are a few stitches in there that we were not expecting. Turns out he's a bleeder. Anyway, everything went well, except when the doctor became fixated on one of Bryon's many moles. He asked that Bryon see a dermatologist as soon as he can, especially considering his tendency for cancer growths. You think they could give us good news and let that be it for once. Oh well, we know it is just maintenance. The treatments are successful and tolerable, so we will stay this course until the wind changes and pushes us in a different direction. Get well soon Bryon, there's is life out there waiting for you!
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
May 12, 2009
Just a quick note to all...Bryon's MRI looked AWESOME!! There was some contrast on the last scan 8 weeks ago that is not visible now. The doctor and staff were extremely excited to tell us this wonderful news. HURRAY!
Monday, May 4, 2009
Another Day of Treatment
Today, Bryon had another dose of experimental treatment. It marks his 6th week in the clinical trial and so far he is doing great. The worst part of the day came right at the beginning, when the nurse attempted to start an IV. They tried in the left arm twice and had no luck. So, reluctantly, they tried in the right arm. They struck blood, but not before deciding Bryon was dehydrated and very cold, this made it much more difficult to find a vein. His arm hurt terribly the rest of the day, but they got the treatment done. We are crossing our fingers now in hopes the veins do not burn again. It was terribly painful to endure last time and it still hasn't fully healed. After today, the doctor has decided it is best to put a port in
Bryon's chest. Even if this chemo isn't working he will still have some kind of chemo treatments later on, so it just made sense to put one in and prevent undue torture.
Next week is the week we have been waiting for. The plan is to get the MRI and doctor visit done on Tuesday, stay the night in SLC, and then have the port put in on Wednesday. This is a big deal since it tells us if treatment is working, how fast the tumor is growing with treatment, and what the plan will be from here on out. We are trying not to get too worked up, but it is pretty hard since it is all that is on our minds. Bryon is feeling very good, his speech has improved significantly in the last week and he has no noticeable problems with his vision. These are all signs the treatment is working, according to the trial doctor.
We want to thank Josh Swann for doing the new layout of this blog. He has made it much more functional and easier to get the scoop on Bryon's whole story. He and his family are close friends to us and we love them for all their support.
There will definitely be an update after the trip to Salt Lake next week, so stay tuned!
Bryon's chest. Even if this chemo isn't working he will still have some kind of chemo treatments later on, so it just made sense to put one in and prevent undue torture.
Next week is the week we have been waiting for. The plan is to get the MRI and doctor visit done on Tuesday, stay the night in SLC, and then have the port put in on Wednesday. This is a big deal since it tells us if treatment is working, how fast the tumor is growing with treatment, and what the plan will be from here on out. We are trying not to get too worked up, but it is pretty hard since it is all that is on our minds. Bryon is feeling very good, his speech has improved significantly in the last week and he has no noticeable problems with his vision. These are all signs the treatment is working, according to the trial doctor.
We want to thank Josh Swann for doing the new layout of this blog. He has made it much more functional and easier to get the scoop on Bryon's whole story. He and his family are close friends to us and we love them for all their support.
There will definitely be an update after the trip to Salt Lake next week, so stay tuned!
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