Hello Friends:
Margaret began Week#2 or Cycle#2 of her chemotherapy protocol this past week. On Wednesday, Week#2, began with a doctor appointment and of course the dreaded finger prick! -- thank the Good Lord for warm packs and kind staffers! Although Doctor Goldfarb was on vacation the doctor who saw Margaret was quite nice and was extremely impressed by Margaret's ability to navigate through and pronounce the medical lingo like a pro. The first infusion session of this second cycle lasted about 3 hours -- just as planned. After lunch, Margaret slept comfortably through the infusion.
On Thursday Margaret returned to MSK to have another lymph node biopsy. Margaret was so thankful and pleasantly surprised that the procedure was fairly painless. And certainly we celebrated that with a quick trip further uptown where Margaret and I indulged ourselves with a delicious and huge corn beef sandwich for St. Patrick's Day. Hopefully, with God's Grace, the results of this biopsy will confirm that her cancer is indeed HER2+ and she will remain in this clinical trial for a long time.
Thank you all for your love, support and prayers.
peace, and all good
Lorraine
Friday, March 18, 2011
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
March 9, 2011 - Ash Wednesday
Greetings Good Friends and Pray-ers:
Today Margaret was scheduled for her 3rd chemotherapy appointment at MSK. On our way to the appointment Margaret and I first stopped at St Mary the Virgin at Times Square ( www.stmvirgin.org ) for noon worship, Eucharist and ashes. It was such a wonderful blessing to start today with the affirmation that though we are sinners we are so very loved. It is such a comfort to hear and know that our sins are wiped away and that there is such a deep joy in Jesus' saving help and grace.
So with that comfort we headed off to MSK for the completion of Margaret's first cycle of chemo!
Margaret's chemotherapy protocol cycle is three weeks long. The first appointment, or week one of a cycle, includes a doctor appointment and then an infusion of three different chemotherapy drugs which takes about 3 to 4 hours. Then the two subsequent weeks one chemotherapy drug is infused; therefore the appointment time is shorter, lasting about 1.5 hours.
Today when we arrived at MSK we were met by her sister Jackie and we chatted away while awaiting our turn. Finally, some time later, Margaret was called and lead into her room and was, as usual, pampered. With a warm blanket and a warm compress soon Margaret was sound and fast asleep (effect of the Benadryl). During this time I myself pretend to read but am usually bouncing between moments of sleep myself and prayer that these wonderful drugs are doing what they are meant to do.
When the infusion was over she was joyfully met by her loving and wonderful son Chris and daughter-in-law Nicole and handsomely adorable grandson Carter for a car ride home. I personally cannot express how deeply it warms my heart so completely to know and see how loved and supported Margaret is.
Next Wednesday Cycle#2 begins. First with a doctor appointment, followed by more blood work and then the longer chemo session of three drugs rather than one, followed by even more blood work!
On Thursday Margaret will be undergoing another lympnode biopsy to double check that her cancer is in fact HER2+.
On another note Margaret's side effects from the chemotherapy drugs were minimal this cycle and certainly we give thanks, a great thanksgiving for that gift. Personally, I pray that this great blessing continues and I humbly ask you join me in that prayer.
Thank you all for your love, support, cards, phone calls, emails and especially for your prayers.
peace and all good,
Lorraine
Today Margaret was scheduled for her 3rd chemotherapy appointment at MSK. On our way to the appointment Margaret and I first stopped at St Mary the Virgin at Times Square ( www.stmvirgin.org ) for noon worship, Eucharist and ashes. It was such a wonderful blessing to start today with the affirmation that though we are sinners we are so very loved. It is such a comfort to hear and know that our sins are wiped away and that there is such a deep joy in Jesus' saving help and grace.
So with that comfort we headed off to MSK for the completion of Margaret's first cycle of chemo!
Margaret's chemotherapy protocol cycle is three weeks long. The first appointment, or week one of a cycle, includes a doctor appointment and then an infusion of three different chemotherapy drugs which takes about 3 to 4 hours. Then the two subsequent weeks one chemotherapy drug is infused; therefore the appointment time is shorter, lasting about 1.5 hours.
Today when we arrived at MSK we were met by her sister Jackie and we chatted away while awaiting our turn. Finally, some time later, Margaret was called and lead into her room and was, as usual, pampered. With a warm blanket and a warm compress soon Margaret was sound and fast asleep (effect of the Benadryl). During this time I myself pretend to read but am usually bouncing between moments of sleep myself and prayer that these wonderful drugs are doing what they are meant to do.
When the infusion was over she was joyfully met by her loving and wonderful son Chris and daughter-in-law Nicole and handsomely adorable grandson Carter for a car ride home. I personally cannot express how deeply it warms my heart so completely to know and see how loved and supported Margaret is.
Next Wednesday Cycle#2 begins. First with a doctor appointment, followed by more blood work and then the longer chemo session of three drugs rather than one, followed by even more blood work!
On Thursday Margaret will be undergoing another lympnode biopsy to double check that her cancer is in fact HER2+.
On another note Margaret's side effects from the chemotherapy drugs were minimal this cycle and certainly we give thanks, a great thanksgiving for that gift. Personally, I pray that this great blessing continues and I humbly ask you join me in that prayer.
Thank you all for your love, support, cards, phone calls, emails and especially for your prayers.
peace and all good,
Lorraine
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
February 23,2011
Good Morning Friends and Pray-ers!
This morning Margaret is at Memorial Sloan-Kettering. She will start her day with a doctor appointment and then will be receiving her first chemotherapy infusion. She will receive chemo infusions weekly and will be re scanned and re tested in a few months. For now however, we pray and give thanks to the good Lord that so much progress has been made in the field of cancer research. We give thanks for the scientists and doctors and research assistants that have put their hearts, souls and prayers into the development of the drugs and thanks giving for the many people who have entered into clinical trials over the years so that so many others can benefit.
I pray today for Margaret that the medicines she is infused with will be hard and do battle with those nasty cancer cells yet I pray that they will be gentle with her good cells. I pray for her and for all the doctors, nurses, technicians, medical assistants, secretaries and the multitude of others behind the scenes at Sloan that they too will be blessed abundantly with peace and all good. I pray for the cancer patients that are alone today and feel unsupported or unloved through their trial.
Please join with me today in prayer for our friend, sister, and deacon. Let us lift her up in a cloud of loving prayer, may she feel the healing graces of God's love. Let us pray her through the day!
This morning Margaret is at Memorial Sloan-Kettering. She will start her day with a doctor appointment and then will be receiving her first chemotherapy infusion. She will receive chemo infusions weekly and will be re scanned and re tested in a few months. For now however, we pray and give thanks to the good Lord that so much progress has been made in the field of cancer research. We give thanks for the scientists and doctors and research assistants that have put their hearts, souls and prayers into the development of the drugs and thanks giving for the many people who have entered into clinical trials over the years so that so many others can benefit.
I pray today for Margaret that the medicines she is infused with will be hard and do battle with those nasty cancer cells yet I pray that they will be gentle with her good cells. I pray for her and for all the doctors, nurses, technicians, medical assistants, secretaries and the multitude of others behind the scenes at Sloan that they too will be blessed abundantly with peace and all good. I pray for the cancer patients that are alone today and feel unsupported or unloved through their trial.
Please join with me today in prayer for our friend, sister, and deacon. Let us lift her up in a cloud of loving prayer, may she feel the healing graces of God's love. Let us pray her through the day!
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
February 9, 2011
Hello Friends,
Sorry its been silent on this blog this past week, but honestly until today there was nothing to report as an update.
Last week Margaret had further testing including a bone biopsy (not a pleasant test), and a much simpler MUGA test.
Today, all the test results were in and we had the long awaited appointment at Memorial Sloan-Kettering. I must be honest its hard not to be completely impressed with this wonderful institution and all the doctors, nurses, techs and everyone who works there. We are so lucky to have a place such as this right in our backyard. At the appointment Dr Goldfarb informed Margaret that the bone biopsy did indeed show a few cancer cells already in the bone; she then went on to talk about treatment options and clinical trials that are currently being offered. Margaret and the doctor are excited about her participating in a clinical trial. As part of the Clinical Trial she will receive not only the usual course of medication for Margaret's particular cancer but an additional medication will be added to the cocktail. This new drug is showing great potential therefore, not only is it a good thing for Margaret but for cancer research as well. Taking part and being accepted into the clinical trial however, means a few more tests must be done prior to starting chemo. Therefore, today there was more blood work, and this coming Monday she will have another CT and Echo. Hopefully all will be in order before next Wednesday-Feb 16th, when Margaret will see Dr Goldfarb again. Hopefully at that time treatment will begin that same day! If by chance not all the data is in quite yet then chemo will begin the following Wednesday. (Feb 23).
Next up date Feb 16, 2011. Until then keep praying that tests and results go smoothly and that Margaret is accepted into the trial. Pray too that she responds well and positively to this treatment and will be able to be part of this study for a long, long time to come.
Thank you and blessings to all!
Lorraine
Sorry its been silent on this blog this past week, but honestly until today there was nothing to report as an update.
Last week Margaret had further testing including a bone biopsy (not a pleasant test), and a much simpler MUGA test.
Today, all the test results were in and we had the long awaited appointment at Memorial Sloan-Kettering. I must be honest its hard not to be completely impressed with this wonderful institution and all the doctors, nurses, techs and everyone who works there. We are so lucky to have a place such as this right in our backyard. At the appointment Dr Goldfarb informed Margaret that the bone biopsy did indeed show a few cancer cells already in the bone; she then went on to talk about treatment options and clinical trials that are currently being offered. Margaret and the doctor are excited about her participating in a clinical trial. As part of the Clinical Trial she will receive not only the usual course of medication for Margaret's particular cancer but an additional medication will be added to the cocktail. This new drug is showing great potential therefore, not only is it a good thing for Margaret but for cancer research as well. Taking part and being accepted into the clinical trial however, means a few more tests must be done prior to starting chemo. Therefore, today there was more blood work, and this coming Monday she will have another CT and Echo. Hopefully all will be in order before next Wednesday-Feb 16th, when Margaret will see Dr Goldfarb again. Hopefully at that time treatment will begin that same day! If by chance not all the data is in quite yet then chemo will begin the following Wednesday. (Feb 23).
Next up date Feb 16, 2011. Until then keep praying that tests and results go smoothly and that Margaret is accepted into the trial. Pray too that she responds well and positively to this treatment and will be able to be part of this study for a long, long time to come.
Thank you and blessings to all!
Lorraine
Thursday, February 3, 2011
February 3, 2011
Greetings Supporters and Pray-ers:
Margaret's appointment yesterday at Memorial Sloan-Kettering went very well. Margaret liked the young and vibrant energy of Dr. Goldfarb and felt she communicated a clear and real understanding of the next steps in this process. Margaret also had blood work done and the beginning of her cardiac workup. That said ~ Margaret will be having a bone biopsy early tomorrow morning at Mt. Sinai and then will head over to Sloan in the afternoon to continue and hopefully finish the cardiac workup which will clear her to begin Chemotherapy within the next week or two. It will take several days for the bone biopsy results to be completed so hopefully by next week at this time we will have clearance and the protocol to begin the treatment part of this journey. Thank you again for all your loving support and the many prayers offered.
In His Grace and Peace,
Lorraine
Margaret's appointment yesterday at Memorial Sloan-Kettering went very well. Margaret liked the young and vibrant energy of Dr. Goldfarb and felt she communicated a clear and real understanding of the next steps in this process. Margaret also had blood work done and the beginning of her cardiac workup. That said ~ Margaret will be having a bone biopsy early tomorrow morning at Mt. Sinai and then will head over to Sloan in the afternoon to continue and hopefully finish the cardiac workup which will clear her to begin Chemotherapy within the next week or two. It will take several days for the bone biopsy results to be completed so hopefully by next week at this time we will have clearance and the protocol to begin the treatment part of this journey. Thank you again for all your loving support and the many prayers offered.
In His Grace and Peace,
Lorraine
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
February 2, 2011 - morning post
It's morning in NY. Margaret will soon head over to Sloan-Kettering with her sister Jackie for an appointment today. Unfortunately, because of the icy weather, I am personally unable to make it into NYC to accompany Margaret, but we all know God's got her- holding her, loving her, supporting her; as well as her loving sister.
Please join with me today in prayer for Margaret's safe travel and for a good experience and outcome at Memorial Sloan-Kettering.
I am personally praying faithfully with one of my favorite mantras, the words of Julian of Norwich.
"All shall be well, and all shall be well, and in all matters and all things all shall be well"
Lorraine
Please join with me today in prayer for Margaret's safe travel and for a good experience and outcome at Memorial Sloan-Kettering.
I am personally praying faithfully with one of my favorite mantras, the words of Julian of Norwich.
"All shall be well, and all shall be well, and in all matters and all things all shall be well"
Lorraine
Saturday, January 29, 2011
January 29, 2011
Yesterday, Friday January 28th, Margaret and her entourage went to Mt Sinai Hospital. We arrived at 1 o'clock and just as planned we managed to pick up the copies of her records, films and slides in the various locations of the huge hospital complex and still get ourselves to the waiting room to meet the oncologist Doctor Adelson on time! Like everyone so far, Dr. Adelson was just wonderful. Unfortunately, the consult appointment did not necessarily provide us the information we were hoping for. The PET/CT scan results proved inconclusive, so further testing (MRI and a bone biopsy) to rule out stage lV have been ordered. True to the amazing speed at which things have been moving along Margaret had the MRI done immediately. Margaret's good friend John was able to run her record copies over to Sloan-Kettering while I waited for Margaret to emerge from the MRI. Next week we will have the results of the MRI, get the second opinion from Sloan-Kettering, and perhaps have or be scheduled for the biopsy, cardiac work-up, and another PET scan.
Thank you for your prayers and support, keep those prayers rising!
Lorraine
Thank you for your prayers and support, keep those prayers rising!
Lorraine
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