Nancy has just finished her third week of radiation and has two weeks plus a few days left. She is very happy with the new process at the radiation facility in West Chester. The entire treatment takes about 30 minutes. This compared to 2 1/2 hours at the original treatments at Christ Hospital. The new technology of the equipment in West Chester makes all the difference.
There are a few side effects; most notably she is fatigued all of the time. The radiation combined with the six month wound battle have taken its toll. The other side effect is a very sore throat as a result of the radiation around the throat. She has experienced a lot of back pain; likely a result of laying on the radiation table.
She feels well enough to drive herself to radiation. She was able to get out and do some shopping over the last two weeks. She also is able to get out and have lunch and dinner out with family and friends.
She is looking forward to completing the radiation and get rested up for the Holidays. Thanks again to all who have been so generous and for the many prayers she has received.
Bob
Saturday, November 16, 2013
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Ocober 29th 2013
Nancy has been cleared by the wound specialist to begin her radiation treatments. So today she will start a series of treatments that will be roughly six weeks in duration; five days per week.
The new radiation center in West Chester has a more modern machine that pinpoints the radiation and does it much more efficiently and in less time.
Needless to say she is anxious to get these treatments started and thus get this phase of treatments over with.
During her visit to the oncologist last week they did a blood test called CA27-29 cancer marker. Her score was favorable indicating no real concerns, so this is great news!
It was one year ago on October 10th, 2012 that Nancy received confirmation of the cancer. She has battled this like a true champion through all of the ups and downs and unexpected setbacks.
Once again we thank all those who have been praying for Nancy as we know the Good Lord is listening and helping her through this very difficult period.
Bob
The new radiation center in West Chester has a more modern machine that pinpoints the radiation and does it much more efficiently and in less time.
Needless to say she is anxious to get these treatments started and thus get this phase of treatments over with.
During her visit to the oncologist last week they did a blood test called CA27-29 cancer marker. Her score was favorable indicating no real concerns, so this is great news!
It was one year ago on October 10th, 2012 that Nancy received confirmation of the cancer. She has battled this like a true champion through all of the ups and downs and unexpected setbacks.
Once again we thank all those who have been praying for Nancy as we know the Good Lord is listening and helping her through this very difficult period.
Bob
Monday, October 7, 2013
Ocotber 7th 2013
Great news; after roughly five months and 75 Hyberbaric Oxygen treatments Nancy's wound specialist declared her wounds are healed and she no longer has to go to Christ Hospital for the treatments.
She has one more visit to the wound clinic to see if they will release her to the radiologist where she will be prepared for her treatments.
If approved she will have go for a simulation where they mark her body for the areas to be radiated. She will go to West Chester for this treatment because they have a more sophisticated machine than Christ Hospital to radiate the number of areas they need to treat.
Overall she is elated to be finished with the Hyperbaric treatments; however she continues to be fatigued. It has now been one year since discovering she had breast cancer and the fight has taken its toll. She wonders if the current medication she is on is contributing to the fatigue. Basically she is tired of being tired all of the time.
The goal is to have all treatments finished by Christmas and move on from there. We have a lot to look foward to with our new grand daughter and especially with our youngest daughter who just got engaged; the wedding is in October 2014. Lots of panning to do!
Thanks again to all who have been there for us in our time of need. Please keep the prayers coming.
Bob
She has one more visit to the wound clinic to see if they will release her to the radiologist where she will be prepared for her treatments.
If approved she will have go for a simulation where they mark her body for the areas to be radiated. She will go to West Chester for this treatment because they have a more sophisticated machine than Christ Hospital to radiate the number of areas they need to treat.
Overall she is elated to be finished with the Hyperbaric treatments; however she continues to be fatigued. It has now been one year since discovering she had breast cancer and the fight has taken its toll. She wonders if the current medication she is on is contributing to the fatigue. Basically she is tired of being tired all of the time.
The goal is to have all treatments finished by Christmas and move on from there. We have a lot to look foward to with our new grand daughter and especially with our youngest daughter who just got engaged; the wedding is in October 2014. Lots of panning to do!
Thanks again to all who have been there for us in our time of need. Please keep the prayers coming.
Bob
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Week of Sept 1st & 8th
Nancy's wounds continue to heal and the skin graft packing is working. That is the good news. The bad news is she has been scheduled for 20 more Hyperbaric Oxygen treatments and that news was a disappointment to her. The amount of time and effort these treatments require have taken their toll on her. Nevertheless she is determined to finish this stage of treatment and move on to the radiation.
She has been able to get out more often and we went out on the boat a few times over the last few weeks. She went to the eye doctor for some new glasses and that has helped a lot.
Saturday 9/12 was the breast cancer run/walk for the cure down at the stadium. My daughters organized a "Team Perazzo" group including personalized T-shirts. We had a great turnout for the walk as our family and friends joined us for the walk. My oldest sister lost her battle about 14 years ago and my other sister is a survivor. So we had a lot of support and it was breathtaking to see so many people come together (maybe 250,000) to race/walk for the cure.
Nancy was determined to join in the walk and completed the 3 mile journey! I think she even surprised herself by doing so well in the walk.
Recently my nephew was fortunate enough to go to New Zealand to play rugby for several months. When he returned he bought back a photograph of the New Zealand rugby team all wearing "Team Nancy" bracelets....it is awesome.
Thanks again to everyone for the thoughts and prayers. No doubt the Good Lord is listening.
Bob
She has been able to get out more often and we went out on the boat a few times over the last few weeks. She went to the eye doctor for some new glasses and that has helped a lot.
Saturday 9/12 was the breast cancer run/walk for the cure down at the stadium. My daughters organized a "Team Perazzo" group including personalized T-shirts. We had a great turnout for the walk as our family and friends joined us for the walk. My oldest sister lost her battle about 14 years ago and my other sister is a survivor. So we had a lot of support and it was breathtaking to see so many people come together (maybe 250,000) to race/walk for the cure.
Nancy was determined to join in the walk and completed the 3 mile journey! I think she even surprised herself by doing so well in the walk.
Recently my nephew was fortunate enough to go to New Zealand to play rugby for several months. When he returned he bought back a photograph of the New Zealand rugby team all wearing "Team Nancy" bracelets....it is awesome.
Thanks again to everyone for the thoughts and prayers. No doubt the Good Lord is listening.
Bob
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Week of August 18th and 25th
The past two weeks have been a roller coaster for Nancy. She is still going to the hospital every day for the Hyperbaric Oxygen treatments. Her regular doctor from the wound clinic was out for two weeks and the doctor who filled in told Nancy he thought she should have surgery to close the wounds up. In addition she should start radiation shortly thereafter. In the interim he recommended she go off the Methotrexate (the medicine she is on for her eyes).
The advice this doctor gave was contrary to her regular wound clinic doctor so it created some confusion and frustration. She decided to wait for her regular doctor to return and he examined her last week.
The good news is the wounds are almost completely healed and he gave her a new packing designed to help graft the skin together. So, no surgery required. The bad news is he signed her up for six more weeks of Hyperbaric Oxygen treatments. Needless to say this was very disappointing news. The only thing we can hope for is that it takes less treatments than what he signed her up for. The decision on the Methotrexate is still under consideration.
Concerning the radiation treatments; the wound specialist is very clear that she cannot start the radiation treatments until he is convinced the wounds are completely healed.
Once she starts back with the radiation she will no longer go to Christ Hospital for the treatments, but rather to a new location in West Chester that has more advanced equipment that can handle her case. Her radiologist at Christ will still monitor her progress.
Needless to say Nancy feels there seems to be no end in sight, but she is making slow and steady progress. Please pray the wounds completely heal so she can move on to the next step.
Thanks
Bob
The advice this doctor gave was contrary to her regular wound clinic doctor so it created some confusion and frustration. She decided to wait for her regular doctor to return and he examined her last week.
The good news is the wounds are almost completely healed and he gave her a new packing designed to help graft the skin together. So, no surgery required. The bad news is he signed her up for six more weeks of Hyperbaric Oxygen treatments. Needless to say this was very disappointing news. The only thing we can hope for is that it takes less treatments than what he signed her up for. The decision on the Methotrexate is still under consideration.
Concerning the radiation treatments; the wound specialist is very clear that she cannot start the radiation treatments until he is convinced the wounds are completely healed.
Once she starts back with the radiation she will no longer go to Christ Hospital for the treatments, but rather to a new location in West Chester that has more advanced equipment that can handle her case. Her radiologist at Christ will still monitor her progress.
Needless to say Nancy feels there seems to be no end in sight, but she is making slow and steady progress. Please pray the wounds completely heal so she can move on to the next step.
Thanks
Bob
Monday, August 19, 2013
Week of August 4th and August 11th
August 5th marked the 50th Hyberbaric Oxygen treatment for Nancy. From the time she leaves home and returns it takes about four hours. As of today she is up to 60 treatments so 240 hours put in so far. Needless to say she is tired of going to the hospital each day and it has worn her down.
The wound specialist told her the wounds are almost completely healed but still wants her to receive the treatments. Once completely healed she will have a little time off before beginning radiation treatments.
She is still getting out to shop and meet with friends; out on the boat last Sunday. She will busy help planning a wedding as our daughter got engaged a week ago; lots of fun ahead.
Hopefully she only has a few more weeks of treatments. Thanks for the cards and prayers.
Bob
The wound specialist told her the wounds are almost completely healed but still wants her to receive the treatments. Once completely healed she will have a little time off before beginning radiation treatments.
She is still getting out to shop and meet with friends; out on the boat last Sunday. She will busy help planning a wedding as our daughter got engaged a week ago; lots of fun ahead.
Hopefully she only has a few more weeks of treatments. Thanks for the cards and prayers.
Bob
Monday, August 5, 2013
Week of July 21st and 28th
Nancy received a very good report from the wound specialist last week. He told her she has made "remarkable progress" over the last week. He still did not give her an estimate of when the wounds would be completely healed so she still has to go to the hospital each day for the Hyberbaric Oxygen treatments. It gets a little easier knowing the process is working.
Her radiologist at Christ Hospital has recommended Nancy go to a new radiologist in West Chester that has advanced equipment capable of treating her more effectively than the equipment at Christ. Her current doctor will continue to monitor her progress when she resumes treatment, but said the newer equipment will reduce the amount of time she has to spend on the table and will be more effective. She cannot resume radiation treatments until the wounds are completely healed.
Nancy has been getting out more and more each week. We took two trips last week out on the boat on the Ohio river; and she has started quilting again. It's great to see her able to resume some of the things she really enjoys.
Please continue the prayers as we know they are being heard.
Thanks,
Bob
Her radiologist at Christ Hospital has recommended Nancy go to a new radiologist in West Chester that has advanced equipment capable of treating her more effectively than the equipment at Christ. Her current doctor will continue to monitor her progress when she resumes treatment, but said the newer equipment will reduce the amount of time she has to spend on the table and will be more effective. She cannot resume radiation treatments until the wounds are completely healed.
Nancy has been getting out more and more each week. We took two trips last week out on the boat on the Ohio river; and she has started quilting again. It's great to see her able to resume some of the things she really enjoys.
Please continue the prayers as we know they are being heard.
Thanks,
Bob
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