Monday, March 25, 2013

Day 1 Chemotherapy: DONE

Kavan's blood work was within normal limits this morning and so he was able to proceed with chemotherapy. YAH! One more started, one less treatment cycle to go! His hemoglobin remains on the low side and therefore there remains the possibility that he might require a blood transfusion in the future.

Overall, today went quite well. I received a sad phone call from Kavan at around noon today which sent me into a panic. Luckily, he was only calling because he had dropped his food on the floor and required a replacement. I was out running errands and reluctantly headed to the closest fast food restaurant, McDonald's. I took a photo of the occasion so he may remember it....it will never happen again!! I have great dislike for all things McDonald's and fast food in general, so Kavan was really really lucky today. Needless to say, he was thrilled when I arrived with a bag full of McDonald's, and the smile on his face made it all worthwhile.

Kavan happily enjoying his McDonald's
Today Kavan was fortunate enough to have some special visitors at the Cross. He was visited by our close friends Evan and Kristin and a very special guest, Leah Rutman! Leah is Evan's sister and also known Kavan since he was a little boy. It was clear that Leah's visit really made Kavan's day!


Evan, Kavan, Leah & Kristin
Tonight Kavan is resting comfortably at home. He's likely watching his terrible hockey team lose again! I know he was feeling a little nauseous earlier but still well enough to enjoy an ice cream float!

Sunday, March 24, 2013

Week 38 Chemo Week

And now on to week 38! Another week has gone by quickly. This past week Kavan was hospital-free and enjoyed a busy work week. He's been feeling quite well lately and fingers crossed he'll be starting another round of chemotherapy tomorrow.

Kavan sad about starting chemotherapy tomorrow!
This week is going to work a bit differently. He usually has blood work and a check-up with Dr.Chu the Friday before starting chemo on the Monday. However, this past week Dr.Chu was exceptionally busy and couldn't see Kavan on Friday. Tomorrow he will go to the Cross Cancer EXTRA early and have his blood work and meeting prior to starting chemotherapy later in the morning. Thank goodness Kavan picked up on this scheduling glitch. Had he not identified the mix-up, his chemotherapy might have been delayed another week. At this point, every week is precious and one more down is one closer to the end of this ordeal. I'm hoping that everything will be okay with the blood work tomorrow morning so treatment may start! It's hard to believe there are 12 weeks left...just three months. Kavan will be at the Cross this entire week, stat holiday included, and I know afternoon visitors would be much appreciated! 

This weekend Kavan enjoyed some Oilers hockey and a night out with the boys. I think he was paying the price a little today. I suppose it's okay to indulge every once and awhile! 









Another blast of winter
Hopefully this week goes smoothly! Safe travels to Kavan's mother as she is visiting family in South Africa! We're all thinking of you! Maybe by the time you arrive home, the snow will be melting and spring will have finally arrived!

Sunday, March 17, 2013

Happy St. Patrick's Day-Week 37

Another week has flown by! We're now on to week 37 which means approximately 13 more weeks of treatment for Kavan.

I am happy to report this week was rather uneventful for Kavan. Overall, he was feeling well and was able to work. He's been gradually increasing his physical activities as well. Slowly his left foot is improving and inching its way back to normal. Unfortunately, he's still wearing those awful shoes! One of these days, sometime very soon, he will wake up and they will be missing!

This weekend we had the opportunity to enjoy some of Patrick's last games of hockey for the year. I know that it gives Kavan such joy to see his nephew enjoying the sport he so adores. It is fantastic to see such enthusiasm from Patrick.

Kavan & Patrick

Today we celebrated St. Patrick's Day. There are quite a few Patricks in the Hyde household, so it was quite the occasion.

I am hoping this week will be as uneventful as the last. Kavan is again hospital-free this week! Yeah! Next week he will have another week-long round of chemotherapy. It's hard to believe we're at the point where we can start counting remaining treatments on one hand!

Have a good week all!

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Week 36

Wow. Another week gone. This means Kavan has now completed over 70% of his treatments. It seemed like just yesterday it all began.

Though it seems most weeks that time flies, this was not the case for this past week. Kavan was sick for the majority of the week and even had to miss a couple of days of work. I can't help but think this might have been related to the infusion of doxyrubicin over 15 minutes rather than the usual 4 hours. Kavan felt extremely nauseous and fatigued over the week. He just really wasn't his usual self. I'm really proud of him that he attended work as much as he did. I know it must have been difficult to interact with clients and put on a happy face when he was feeling so lousy. Usually, I can't remove myself from my bed when I'm sick. Kavan never ceases to amaze me.

This weekend it felt as if spring was in the air. I'm not sure if it's just me, but I've found this winter more difficult than the last. It seems that we have not had as much sunshine and our weather has been much more erratic. I know I shouldn't get my hopes up when it comes to the arrival of spring because living in Alberta we can have unpredictable snow storms in even May!

The weekend was filled with time with friends. Friday night Kavan engaged in his favorite past time: video games! On Saturday we celebrated a birthday with one of Kavan's close friends, Katie. It was really nice to have the whole group together.

Thankfully, Kavan has an appointment free week. In fact, he has an appointment free couple of weeks as he is not due back at the Cross Cancer Institute until March 25th! Freedom!!!!

Have a good week!

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Sick Day

Just a quick update on Kavan. Unfortunately he's been feeling quite lousy today. He stayed home from work today because he has been feeling fatigued and nauseous. I'm not sure if this is somewhat related to the speed at which he received his doxyrubicin or another reason.

Send your well-wishes and positive thoughts his way. Hopefully he will feel better tomorrow!


Hawaii 2009

Monday, March 4, 2013

Week 35 Chemo Day

Another week gone! Now to catch everyone up from last week. On Friday Kavan met with his oncologist for his pre-chemotherapy check up. As per usual he had his blood levels checked which followed by a meeting with Dr.Chu. His white blood cells were within an appropriate level to proceed with chemotherapy and his hemoglobin was 113. His hemoglobin is on the lowish side and he's charting into possible transfusion territory. No transfusion date set as of yet, but it is a distinct possibility in the future. Hopefully he can bounce back after this latest round of chemotherapy.

Friday night Kavan spent some much-needed guy's video game time with a couple of his friends. I was able to catch up on the mountain of school work I had and the next day we were able to attend a matinee with Kavan's nephew, Patrick. For me the best part of the whole afternoon was watching Patrick so thoroughly enjoying his popcorn and the movie.

Today Kavan received another round of chemotherapy. I think everyone was prepared for another long day at the Cross Cancer Institute, however, when Kavan arrived this morning he received some much welcome news. The protocol for one of his chemotherapy agents, doxyrubicin, had changed. Instead of being given over a period of four hours, it was now to be given slow IV push over approximately 15 minutes. That meant that Kavan was done at 11:00am rather than 4:30pm! What a difference! As a result, we were able to go out for a nice lunch with my dad who was teaching at the university today. A nice surprise!

Kavan also received word that he's reached his lifetime maximum of doxyrubicin. So, no more doxy. While this is exciting news as well, it also serves as a reminder of how truly toxic these medications can be. Doxyrubicin is notorious for damaging the heart's ability to function and so I'm thankful he's done with it! Now, on Kavan's one day treatments, he will receive the two medications-vinecristine and ifophosphamide, rather than the usual three. Shouldn't be too many more treatments though!

I know Kavan's feeling a bit lousy tonight, so please send good thoughts his way!

Fall 2009-One of my fav photos of Kavan & Patrick
Have a good week!