This Weekend: Staying Inside, No Drama

The title says it all. We've spent the day inside, except for some lawn watering this morning before 9am. So far no drama or trauma. Other than some slight nausea, which is normal after his chemo and is remedied with a pill, Joe is feeling good. Quite a change from last weekend and I LOVE it!

Hope everyone handles the heat without any issues and for our family in Virginia and the DC area, hope your power is back on from last nights storms. Thank you to everyone, and there were many, who reached out and offered us support this week. You guys are the best!

Decisions, Decisions

Tomorrow we have a doctors appointment at 9:20am with Dr. Zafar or Leigh Howard at the Duke Cancer Center. The reason for two doctor's appointments in a row is that we are to give the doctor Joe's decision on what treatment he wants to proceed with due to the growth of the tumor revealed in his last CT scan. Last week Dr. Zafar presented two options. Option 1: continue with his current treatment and have another CT scan in 6 weeks (which would be earlier than his normal schedule for scans) or Option 2: Change the treatment now to a more aggressive type of chemotherapy that unfortunately would have more debilitating side effects. I won't go into what some of those side effects are, but lets just say they would not be pleasant, especially for Joe. If we go with Option 1, then depending on what the scan in 6 weeks shows, we would re-visit the idea of changing his treatment. Meaning, if the tumor has continued to grow, then we would switch to the new treatment. If there was no growth or minimal growth, then we would stay with his current treatment. We have thought about it since last Thursday and have come to a decision to stay with the current treatment and have the earlier CT scan. However, we have lots of questions about the other treatment so we might as well go ahead and ask all of them this visit in the event we have to change in the future. Better to be informed ahead of time rather than get blind-sided by something.

We didn't come by the decision lightly. Part of me would like for them to throw the biggest nastiest hardest form of chemo at the tumor and squash it. However, the rest of me knows what that would do physically and emotionally to Joe. The side effects would be horrible. I don't want that and I'm sure Joe doesn't either. Maybe some people will think this is not the right decision, I even question it myself. But nothing is guaranteed. There are no guarantees in life. That we learned in November of 2010. But enough of the downer talk, right? One solid reason for our decision is that the markers from the labs done at the time of the scan were good. No real change with them. Another reason, although I respect those professionals who read the scans, no one is perfect and I would like to have another scan done earlier.

We got a dose of what we might expect from a change in Joe's chemo treatment this past week. Joe started having stomach pains on Friday evening along with running a low grade fever. This continued on into Saturday. That day pretty much was a wash as both of us just laid around the house. I did manage to leave the house twice, first to get lunch and then dinner. Joe slept and complained of his stomach feeling bad. His fever never got to the 100 mark, but stayed in the mid 99 range most of the day. By late that night the fever seemed to have subsided so Joe was able to play for both services at PGUMC on Sunday and then accompany TGMC for their last concert of the year. Although he was able to get through it all, he was very tired and by Sunday evening his fever had returned and his stomach was once again hurting. Monday morning his fever was gone, but he was still experiencing stomach issues. This continued until late in the day on Tuesday when Joe started describing it as just a slight discomfort. Of course, we don't know why his stomach was hurting: tumor issues? hernia issues? or just stomach ache? We may never know, but it was a taste of Joe feeling bad for several days in a row.
I think one of the reasons why we took the news last Thursday so badly is that we've grown accustomed to Joe having good scans, feeling well most of the time and probably were just in a little complacent. The news was a dose of reality, at least for me.

But the week hasn't been all stressful and gloomy. On Tuesday, Joe took Dolly to the kitty spa. She got to spend 4 hours being bathed and pampered. She came out all fluffy and smelling good.

Thank you to everyone for the outpouring of love this past week. It has been a hard time for Joe and me but knowing so many people care so deeply is a great comfort

Post Chemo Fun

Or should I say lack of fun. Joe started feeling like he had a stomach ache late afternoon yesterday. By early evening the pain was a bit worse and so he went up to bed before 8:00pm. I followed soon after and found him cleaning up after throwing up. He felt better for a few minutes, but then the stomach ache returned. A couple of hours later he asked me to get his pain pills (which he NEVER takes) so he must have really been hurting. During the night he made another trip to the bathroom to throw up and this morning his temp was elevated so he took a couple of Tylenol. So he remains in bed resting. Here's to hoping this runs it's course and either later today or tomorrow he will get up refreshed and feeling better.

Sunday update 6/24/2012 Joe did get up this morning and wasn't running a fever. He has still been having stomach pains, but did play for both services this morning at PGUMC and even played for the last concert of the season for TGMC. I'm currently waiting in a McDonalds (free wifi) for the concert to finish and pick him up. We texted during intermission and he was doing ok. Can't wait to get him home so he can rest. Thank you to everyone the last few days for all the concern and well wishes.

CT results

The CT scan results are in and they are not what we were hoping for. The tumor showed a 10% growth. What this means: possibly changing Joe's chemo regiment. The change would be to chemo that could be more debilitating with more severe side effects. We don't have to make the decision today so Joe will have his normal chemo treatment today and then next week we will meet with the doctors again with a decision. If he stays on the same treatment, we would have another scan in 6 weeks to check for further growth. If there is growth, then the decision would basically be a no brainer: change to the other treatment. If no growth, he could stay on the current treatment. The other option is at next weeks doctors appointment is we just make the decision to go ahead and change treatments. We have a week to think about it. I want to thank both Dr. Zafar and Leigh Howard for the extra time spent with us this morning. They were both still very positive and optimistic about the treatment and Joes health in general. It helped a lot and meant a lot to both of us. It was a long night and now will be a long week. Maybe we will spend more time in the "quiet room" at Duke this morning.

Today's Scan and Tomorrow's Results

Joe had his scan this morning at 8:30am after having his lab work an hour earlier. Everything went a little ahead of time. I couldn't be there for the scan this morning, but I did Facetime with him awhile after he had changed into his cute little hospital gown. I should have saved a photo of that, but I'm trying to be good.

We won't have the results from his scan until tomorrow morning when we have an 8:20am appointment with Dr. Zafar or Leigh Howard. It will be a long evening. As I've said before however, at least it is only 1 day instead of the 4 days like back in April.

The highlight of the day however, was when Joe sent me the following photo at work. I have seen photos of him from high school before in his Roanoke Rapids High School band uniform, but this one takes the cake. Please read the caption about the "rock band". How many "rock bands" have you seen wearing marching band uniforms? Don't you just know they could really jam!!!

As soon as you finish laughing and get control of yourselves, I will continue. How could such a high school nerd turn into the cool, suave gentleman that is Joe Lupton today? Ok, ok....now I'm laughing. We all know that Joe is very much still quite the nerd. But we love him!

Thank you for all your prayers and support. We love and appreciate all of you. As soon as we are out of the doctor tomorrow I will update the site. Talk to you tomorrow. Thank you.

Friday Night Fever

Night fever, night fever. We know how to do it. Gimme that night fever, night fever. We know how to show it. Those may be lyrics to an old song, but they are very appropriate around here. Joe started running a low grade fever yesterday morning, first with his usual symptom of cold hands, then some mild chills. Although his fever never rose very high, it remained persistent throughout the night and this morning his hands started out being cold again. He's having his hot tea and relaxing on the couch. He has a concert tonight so hopefully he will be near 100%!

We hope everyone has a wonderful Father's Day weekend!

In A Mood

For the last 5 or 6 days I’ve been in a mood that I can’t quite describe.  It’s not a bad mood, though not a good mood.  It’s not a down mood, but not really feeling up either.  Maybe just a blue funk?   Feeling sorry for myself for no apparent reason?  Feeling out of sorts?  I really don’t know how to describe, but not just myself.  Not that I’m the most upbeat of people in the first place, but for the last few days, I’ve really not wanted to be around anyone.  That presents it’s own problems since I work in an office full of people.  Work is so-so.  We are getting closer to our target move date, but there are already rumors of it being delayed by a little bit.  The target date is June 29^th, or so that is what I’ve been told and that is the date that I have given to the phone company, our phone equipment people, our IT person, Time Warner Cable and various other vendors.  If it does get delayed, I’ll have to just contact them all over again.  At this point I wouldn’t mind at all if it were delayed by a week or so.  The following week is the 4^th, so we will be closed a day that week and then the following week Joe and I will be at the beach.  I don’t think I would mind one bit if the move happened without me there!  Come to think of it, it would probably be a good thing.  I’m always swamped after a week off anyway, might as well add hooking up my computer and getting my files straightened out to the work load.  All of that has contributed to a general feeling of apprehension, but that really isn’t the “mood” I’m feeling either. 

I knew something wasn’t quite right on Saturday evening when I was mowing the backyard.  I really don’t like mowing, but for some reason, Saturday wasn’t dreadful.  However, I did find myself crying the entire time I was mowing.  Not boo-hooing or sobbing, just a slow steady trail of tear drops running from my eyes the entire time.  My mind was going to all kinds of bad places so I know that’s the reason for the tears, but I don’t know what caused my mind to go there in the first place.  Ever since that night, I’ve just not had any interest in much of anything.  Even watching the premier of “True Blood” Sunday night wasn’t fulfilling.

I know I haven’t been getting as much sleep as I need the last couple of weeks, so maybe it’s just some fatigue setting in.  I’m taking my meds, so that’s not it.  Joe is doing well and feeling well, so that shouldn’t be it either, but I’m sure Joe’s illness does fall in there somewhere.  That’s something that is never out of my mind.  He has this week off from chemo but next week he has his bi-monthly CT Scan.  That usually puts me on edge.  At least this time the scan is on Wednesday and he sees the doctor on Thursday.  No days of worrying and wondering.  Just 1 day!  But that is more than a week away and was almost 2 weeks away when the “funk” started.  I’ve had bad days in the past couple of years, but not any that have gone on for so long.  Maybe it’s just old age.  Maybe it’s just from being fat.  Maybe it’s just me being a new me.  A sad, don’t want to be around anyone and would rather just be left alone me.  Maybe I’m just bored.  Maybe I’m just being more of a whiner than usual, although I don’t think that is actually possible.  Just ask Joe! 

Speaking of Joe, he got some bad news on Tuesday.  His friend, Liz Werner, from growing up in Roanoke Rapids that was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in late winter, died on Monday night.  Her cancer had spread to her bones and throughout her body so she had made the decision about 1 ½ to 2 months ago to stop treatment and just try to enjoy what time she had left.  The doctors helped keep her pain level at a minimum so she could function and she did lots of things she had put off during the last 2 months.  Even though we knew this was going to happen with the advanced stage of her cancer and her stopping her treatment, it still shook Joe up to lose a friend, and especially to lose Liz to pancreatic cancer.  Please say a special prayer for Liz’s family and friends during this time and please include Joe in there too.

Thank you to everyone for your continued support and prayers.  Joe and I are truly blessed to have so many people helping us.

CHeMo SidE SToRy

This morning was Joe's last chemo infusion for this cycle. He will now get a week off.(not much of a break, huh?). But we will take what we can get. He won't have any dealings with the doctors at Duke until the 20th when he has his next CT scan. But this time he has a regular doctors appointment the next day on the 21st so we won't have days of waiting and worrying about what the results will be. This time, less than 24 hours. I like that.

But what does chemo side story mean? I can hear the masses asking. Well that was Joe's idea since we are seeing "West Side Story" tonight at DPAC. Joe had it all worked out in his head. Dinner first at Cuban Revolution at ATC, then walk across the street for the show. Only problem, he forgot to make a reservation. DPAC show + Durham Bulls + restaurant week = no seating available. So next plan: leftovers at home followed by drive to DPAC. Maybe not as exciting as Cuban Revolution, but ALOT cheaper!

This is Joe Typing:
I really enjoyed seeing the professional tour of WEST SIDE STORY at DPAC. I was music director/pianist for the Fayetteville Youth Theatre production of it back in the early 80's, saw a dinner theatre production of it, and saw the North Carolina Theatre perform it a couple of times, but this was the first time seeing it like it was done on Broadway. This has always been one of my favorite musicals. I used to show the movie to my Stedman Junior High School general music students yearly so I have probably seen it over 100 times! I never tire of listening to Leonard Bernstein's music. Still totall exciting after over 50 years. The choreography was absolutely wonderful. I was wondering how it would be with Spanish dialogue inserted with the English, but this worked well and gave it a new authenticity. This tour was based on the production recently directed by the playwright, Arthur Laurents who also did the Streisand movie, The Way We Were and The Turning Point, two of my favorites! Jeff is not as big as a fan of it like I am, but I'm glad he agreed to go with me. He did enjoy the dancing and Maria's voice. The worst part was the 30 minutes it took to get out of the parking deck because of the Bulls baseball game being over at the same time. There was a lot of cussing going on with the drivers (but not Jeff)! --end of Joe's typing, Friday, June 8, blog addition.

Joe's treatment went well today, although slow. Best part, he only had to be stuck one time by the nurse for his infusion. Any day without multiple stabs is a good thing. This weekend will be a quiet one with no special plans. Maybe extra nap time? Probably not. More likely extra mowing and working in the yard time. I sure do miss townhome living!

OR

Thank you to everyone for your good wishes and prayers. Both of us are very appreciative.

Lupton Family Reunion 2012

Today was the Lupton family reunion.  Joe's cousins Renee & Ellyn organized the event and since they too live here in Durham it was quite easy for us. Others had to drive from Wilmington, Virginia & South Carolina. Joe's immediate family was unable to attend but there were lots of the extended family there and we had a great time. First we met at Ellyn & Ted's house and then headed up to Timberlake to Homestead Steakhouse. First lets just say, the food was wonderful and good proportions so everyone left very full.

Joe and I were late getting over to Ellyn & Ted's (aren't the ones who have to travel the least distance always the last ones??) home but we did have about an hour's visit there before leaving for the restaurant. We were just late enough to miss the unfortunate dog urination event so I will save everyone from having to hear the sordid details. Let's just say that Katy looks great in her new pair of jeans.

There were plenty of laughs and of course many questions for Joe about his health as this was the first opportunity for some to see him since his cancer diagnosis. I think Joe was very happy that we got to go and enjoyed the opportunity to see his cousins and Uncle Tommie and Aunt Mary Kay. The whole family is very special to him and I am so thankful that we were able to be there and get to spend time with the Lupton gang!

My only regret is that we weren't able to go by the visitors center afterwards!

Joe's Uncle Tommie said he drove the speed limit the entire way from Wilmington to Durham, however they were heading the same way as us when we were leaving and let's just say, we were doing the 55 mph speed limit as we watched the taillights of Tommie's car speed past us!