Thanks. Ken has another echo cardiogram Wednesday at 9:45 and an appointment with the cardiologist after the echo. Ken has had several episodes of no feeling from the waist down today. It lasts about 30-60 minutes and then it goes away. I am so worried but he thinks it is from the chemo last week but he also as severe peripheral artery disease. I am hoping the cardiologist can offer some option other than surgery to remove the fluid and for the numbness. I don't think he is in any shape for surgery right now.

Patti prayers still being said for Ken and you. That's really good new's about the reduction in tumor size and lymph nodes. I'm sorry to read about the heart issue.

Praying for you guys and keeping my fingers crossed for the best!

I pray for your Ken and you every day and hearing this good news really warms my heart. Such a wonderful report and you all deserve some good news. I pray Ken is totally well before long.

Patti my prayers are with you and Ken. This report is great news and hoping you have more good news next week.

Very happy to hear the CT results!! Sending more prayers that Ken's heart and platelet problems can be resolved asap

Patti, Sending special prayers for you and Ken. I'm glad you have the IPad to help you pass time, because I know it's hard when you are waiting and time passes so slowly. I hope you get more good news soon and I hope the fluid can be taken care of without surgery. Take care...

I am keeping you both in my prayers. I hope it is a good week for you.

That is great news about the CT scan. Now to pray away the other issues.
You're one strong lady. :love-hug3

Patti I have been following this thread from day one. I may not post on here often, but we are praying for you and Ken. I know what you are going through and just wanted to let you know you are often in my thoughts and prayers. If I can help you, feel free to PM me, You are not alone. Hugs Teresa

Thanks. I'm anxious to see what the echo shows. Hoping the fluid around his heart has decreased. If not hopefully they can remove it with medicine and not surgery. Prayers are so appreciated.

Patti, I am praying for you and Ken. Hugs, Jean

Dear Patti -- I have not been around much lately and have been catching up on what is happening with your dear husband. I am so sorry you two are having to fight this horrible battle! The shrinking of the main tumors was wonderful news to read! That means the first chemo and radiation must have worked! If he has the type of cancer that is helped by the chemo, it can add a very long time for him.

I wanted to suggest two things. Pls get him to agree to tell the doctor about the numbing problem. The doctors cannot treat him without all of the information. It could mean giving him the wrong treatment if they are not made aware of this major symptom, especially since he has the fluid around the heart problem!

The other suggestion is to discuss a feeding tube with your husband and the doctor. My husband had a very bad throat involvement too -- Barretts Esophagus. They said it was a pre-cancerous condition that left the throat all raw -- I wondered if the radiation had not caused it too. Regardless, it made him not want to eat at all and he was losing too much weight and getting dehydrated all the time. So, we got the feeding tube and I would put his Ensure through that. At least I knew he was getting nutrition. He got his strength back a bit from that.

I will keep praying for you and your husband. The radiation and chemo can help but prayer is the real power when you are fighting something as big as cancer. I know that is what gave us the extra time with my husband. I wish it had been more but I am grateful for every day we had. My husband's was very widespread when they found it so don't want you to compare or anything. You have many positive things going on in the midst of so much bad news. The tumor shrinking is a HUGE positive! So, stay focused on the good news and remember to take care of yourself during this time. Your husband will need you to stay well and strong. If you need a break, reach out and ask a friend or family member to stay with your husband so you can go to a movie, out to eat, or just take a nap. Whatever you need to rejuvenate! It will help to keep you well and positive. Praying for a cure, continued shrinking of all tumors, reduction of the fluid around his heart and strength & comfort for both of you!

Thanks so much!
The echo today showed o increase in fluid around the heart and the dr said it appeared it may have gone down a little in one area. He said it could be caused by 3 things: 1. Inflammation from the cancer, the first CT scan done in August showed a small amount of fluid on the heart (first we heard about it) 2. cancer cells that have invaded the lining of the heart ( chemo will help with that. 3. Radiation. He stressed how important it is for Ken to not get dehydrated as the heart can't pump well when dehydrated. We need to watch for low blood pressure, heart rate of 110- 115 and heart racing. If that happens he said it could be catastrophic. Ken will have his 2nd chemo next Thursday if his platelets are back to 100. Then in 2 weeks he has another echo and if it is still the same or more fluid Ken will have to go inpatient and have the fluid drained. We are praying it continues to decrease so he can avoid this. The YT prayers are working so if you wouldn't mind keeping them going!! Thanks

Keeping you and Ken in my prayers :hug:

Sending prayers for Ken's improvement and Pattis' peace of mind.

Prayers and Hugs for you and Ken. Hoping for more good results next week that Ken is stronger and fluid is reduced. God Bless you both.

Continued prayers for Ken and you.

Me too.... always keeping Ken and Patti in prayers. This is too big a burden for you two to carry alone, and I know your YT friends are helping you carry it.
Hang in there, and lean on us a little when you need to.

Patti you and Ken are in my thoughts

Thanks everyone. Ken is having a lot of difficulty walking due to the numbness in his legs, difficulty swallowing and terrible fatigue. I am afraid he will not be in any shape to get chemo Thursday and I want to continue the fight of the cancer. I am going to talk to his doctor about doing something to boost his overall decline. I am so grateful for YT. I had a bad day yesterday feeling really down and overwhelmed. Coming on YT is a good distraction and knowing you are all supporting us in this journey. Thanks to Connie and Sandy( MauiGirl) for reaching out when I need it most. Hugs

Prayers for you and Ken!!!

Sending Hugs and Prayers for Ken and you. You both are always in my heart...

Patti, prayers for you and Ken that he will grow stronger each day so he can have his treatments. God can perform miracles.

[QUOTE=Patti;3703713]Thanks everyone. Ken is having a lot of difficulty walking due to the numbness in his legs, difficulty swallowing and terrible fatigue. I am afraid he will not be in any shape to get chemo Thursday and I want to continue the fight of the cancer. I am going to talk to his doctor about doing something to boost his overall decline. I am so grateful for YT. I had a bad day yesterday feeling really down and overwhelmed. Coming on YT is a good distraction and knowing you are all supporting us in this journey. Thanks to Connie and Sandy( MauiGirl) for reaching out when I need it most. Hugs[/QUOT

Patti I'm sorry Ken is having so many problems. May I ask what Chemo he is on?? I know when I had chemo one of them gave me numbness and my Onc perscribed off label Gabapentin to help with it. Prayers certainly continue for you both.

[quote=TxVicki;3704001]Ken is on carboplatin and gemcitabine. That's good to know I am going to ask his doctor about it. We mentioned the numbness to the oncologist and the cardiologist and they didn't say anything.

Patti, always remember to that he may need hydration via IV. Dehydration slows down everything, and really leads to fatigue.

Hang in there gal, you are doing the best you can at each given moment. Ask for help when you need it from doctors, social workers, and especially us , your friends at YT who are ready with hugs, prayers, and much love for you and Ken in this struggle. You really have to speak up to the medical folks when you don't understand what is going on or have concerns. Without that they can't help you..... you have to ask.

More hugs & prayers going to you now.

Thinking of you Patti and your husband every day. Sending prayers for Ken's strength and for better days ahead for both of you.

[quote=Patti;3704053]Yep chemo is tough. I forgot to ask you, you said his counts were still low, Do they give him the Neulasta Shot the day after his treatments? This shot will help boost the White Cell count back up. Also one of the side effects can be bone pain from it. I know he may like drink water all the time and it very important that he does stay hydrated. One thing I found when I wnet thru chemo that helped was drinking Gatoraid G2 Series, this is the low cal one and helps with hydration really well. I loved the orange flavored one.