Robin Update: Ups and Downs --- March 28, 2010

These last two weeks were a real roller coaster. Tuesday, March 16th, Robin started her third cycle of the GemCarbo Chemo. Everything went well for the next couple of days, considering the recent chemo treatment. About Thursday, though, Robin started having severe nausea problems, getting worse through the weekend. Of course, I tried to get her to call the doctor or go to the emergency room, but she would have no part of that, thinking she would hold out until her next chemo treatment on Tuesday. She finally called her doctor on Monday, and she directed us to give Robin GatorAde and Ginger Ale. At the same time, I got Robin to start taking all of her nausea medications (she has three) and taking them BEFORE she felt sick, on a schedule. This seemed to work, and by the time we got to the doctor, she had not thrown up for 18 hours.

At the Deke Slayton Cancer Center, they tested Robin's blood and found everything relatively normal, except that she was dehydrated, and her white cell count was elevated. The latter, indicated a possible infection, which additional testing showed to be in her bladder. They hooked her up to an IV, and gave Robin a liter of fluids. It was like putting a wilted flower into water as I watched her face change. Since she was feeling so badly when we arrived, the doctor told Robin that she could put off the chemo treatment. However, after receiving the fluids, Robin felt well enough to take the chemo treatment, which also gave her more fluids. We usually take snacks for chemo, since the infusions take most of the day, and Robin ate for the first time in days while they were pumping in the chemo cocktail.

Since Tuesday, Robin has been steadily improving. There have been a couple of bumps along the way, but generally, she has been feeling well this week and eating regular foods. She is continuing the use of all the nausea medications as a preventative measure, but we may try reducing their use as she enters the third (off chemo) week of this cycle.

On a different note, I need to tell you about Robin's surprize on Friday. At work, there were a couple of angels (Carla and Beth) who decided to collect a care package for Robin. On Friday, I was called to pick up a box and a bag of gifts for Robin (and a couple for me). The box had a sign titled, "Robin Burns 'Cancer Sucks' Survival Package." When Robin opened the box and bag, she found a variety of items for her physical, mental, and spiritual health. There were lots of skin care products, books and magazines, including books on CD, videos, His & Hers coffee cups, gift cards for gas and i-Tunes, snacks of various types, a pair of "virtue stones," and a music CD of Susan Boyle (you know, the British woman who shocked Simon Cowell with her singing of "I Dreamed A Dream"). This last CD was something that Robin said she really wanted to hear. Robin and I were deeply touched by this amazing outpouring of care and concern expressed by our Boeing family. Our heartfelt "Thanks" to all!

I wish we could thank each and every person who has shown Robin their love and concern by cards, flowers, phone calls, meals, or prayers. As this disease slowly continues to progress, Robin's ability to get out becomes more difficult, and she becomes more isolated. These outward signs provide her with a connection to the outside world and an affirmation that she is loved and appreciated. Please keep up the good work.

Please continue to keep Robin in your prayers. We hope that you will join us in asking God for mercy and healing for ALL those suffering from various cancers, especially those for whom we have been personally asked to pray.

Our love to all, and Thanks Again,

                  --- Larry, Robin, & John

Robin Update--Return to Normalcy --- 03/16/10

Robin was released from the hospital, as we expected, on Thursday, 3/11/10. Even though Robin's oncologist agreed to release her at 8:00 AM, the process took most of the day. After seeing the gastroenterologist, the nurse needed to do her paperwork, and give us our discharge instructions. We finally left the hospital about 2:30 PM. From there, we went to the drugstore to drop off the prescriptions, and then went home. The trip took a little longer than expected because we had to stop to let Robin's stomach settle. However, in spite of the extra effort and time, she lost her lunch (if you could call it "lunch") before we made it home. Connie, Robin's attendant, met us at the house and helped me get Robin settled in. We both had showers, some real food, and our regular prescriptions. By 8:00 PM or so that evening, Robin was doing 100% better. It was as if someone had flipped a lightswitch. The doctors seemed to think it was the blood that did the trick, but WE know there were other factors involved.

Over the next couple of days, Robin continued to do well. We had only minor bouts of nausea, no upchucks, and her sores seemed to be improving. She was able to rest through the weekend without anyone waking her to take her vital signs, change her IV, etc. It was a good weekend for Robin (so it was a good weekend for me, too).

Today,Tuesday, March 16th, Robin started her third cycle of the GemCarbo Chemo. Her blood counts were still good after the transfusions, and the chemo infusions went well. She was finished with the treatment by about 2:30 PM. We stopped to get lunch and I got her home before 4:00 PM. Chemo day wears Robin out and fills her with fluids, so the next 12 - 18 hours will be spent between sleep and the bathroom.

Please continue to keep Robin in your prayers. We are praying that her Hemoglobin (red blood cells) do not drop again, so she will not need a colonoscopy. During this last week or so, we have learned about several other folks (friends and family, or friends and family OF friends and family) who are also dealing with serious cancers, and WE have been asked to include them in our prayers, too. We hope that you will join us in asking God for mercy and healing for ALL those suffering from various cancers, especially those for whom we have been asked to pray.

Our love to all, and Thanks Again,

                  --- Larry, Robin, & John

Robin Update - Going Home??? 03/11/10

Yesterday, Robin completed the Upper GI without finding any bleeding. The gastroenterologist wanted to do a lower GI (colonoscopy), but he said it was reasonable to choose not to, based on Robin‘s situation. Late last night, we discussed the options with Robin‘s oncologist, and we decided to wait and see if the blood count gets too low again. If it does, then Robin might get the colonoscopy.

Based on this decision, we should be getting out today. She still needs to see the gastroenterologist and her oncologist before she can be released (sounds like prison, doesn’t it?). There is the discharge instructions and paperwork, but it’s looking good for going home… While I was writing, Robin’s oncologist dropped by and confirmed that she was okay with discharge. She is still a bit concerned about the nausea and vomiting from yesterday, but Robin assured her that she would be fine once back on her schedule.

The wound care nurse came by a few minutes ago. She is ordering medications and dressings for Robin’s bedsores. Apparently, you can’t get one of them by prescription, so a home health care nurse will need to come and bring it to dress the wound. She also wants Robin to increase her protein intake. She said that with a straight face while looking at Robin’s breakfast of beef broth (a bouillon cube in a cup of water), apple juice, sugarless jello, and (barely warm) tea. LOTS of protein in THAT meal!!!

Thank you for your love and support, and especially for the prayers. Last night, Robin was visited by Linda Robison, a long-time friend and former member of our parish. Her kids used to babysit John when he was very young. Anyway, Linda and a friend sang the “Chaplet of the Devine Mercy” for Robin. We were both unfamiliar with this prayer, and Robin found it to be a great comfort. Later, Deacon Al dropped by for a visit and prayer. He brought some water from Lourdes, and prayed with us and blessed us. I really like the way Al closes prayers of petition… He asks (paraphrasing) that God grant us what we truly need, not necessarily what we ask, for God knows so much better than we do what that is. Thank you ALL who continue to keep Robin in your prayers. Keep up the good work, please.

I’ll close for now and send more after we are home. But I wanted to let folks know that Robin is doing better and she will be going home where we BOTH can get a bath and some rest.

Love from us both,

                  --- Larry and Robin

Robin Hospital Update - 03/10/10

Robin received a transfusion of three units of blood since yesterday, and she completed the Upper GI without finding any bleeding. Recall that the doctor ordered a the Upper GI exam because she felt that Robin’s blood count was lower than would come just from chemo, alone.

The transfusions were started on Tuesday afternoon, and did not finish until 8:00 AM this morning (Wednesday). Since she was going to have anesthesia, Robin was not allowed to eat or drink anything since Midnight. Do you know what that means in the Hospital? It means its time for the nutritionist, the diabetic specialist, the case manager, and EVERYBODY ELSE in the hospital to come talk with Robin about food. The torture was exquisite… I could see Robin’s face… I think if they had gotten close enough, (and if she could SEE them), I believe she would have tried to take a bite out of them.

Fortunately, they came to get Robin a little bit early (about 11:30) for the procedure, and she was done before 1:00. There was only one minor problem. They couldn’t use her port for the anesthesia, so they poked a new hole in her hand. Once back in the room, Robin’s nurse was able to get it flowing again. The gastroenterologist wants to do a lower GI tomorrow or Friday, but he’s leaving it up to Robin to decide (and she’s not quite ready to make decisions).

Please continue to pray for Robin.

I’ll try to keep you posted as we learn more.

Love from us both,

                  --- Larry and Robin

Robin is in the Hospital Again - 03/09/2010

Robin went in to start her third round of the “GemCarbo” chemo treatment, but her red blood count was way too low, so her doctor sent her to the hospital for a transfusion of blood (probably three units). The doctor also ordered a GI exam because she felt that the count was lower than would come just from chemo, alone.

At this point, we are just getting her settled in. The nurse just started her IV and they have taken blood for tests, but have not started the transfusions. If everything goes well, hopefully, she will get out tomorrow. Alas, nothing is easy with Robin, so we shall see…

Please continue to send up your thoughts and prayers for Robin.

I’ll try to send more if we learn anything. For now, consider no news as good news.

Love from us both,

                  --- Larry and Robin

Robin Update: Grad School Reunion --- 03/07/10

Robin completed the second round of her new Chemo cocktail, GemCarbo, last week. Recall that she gets chemo for two weeks in a row, then a week off, making it a three week cycle. Last week was her week off. Again, the aftereffects of this mixture seem fairly tolerable, with mostly three or four days of nausea, hot flashes, and general achiness, somewhat like a mild flu. After a Tuesday dose, it seems to resolve by about Saturday or Sunday. She starts round three on Tuesday, March 9th.

Of course, nothing is ever simple with Robin, though. On Valentine's Day, both eyes bled, so she can hardly see at all. Her vision is just starting to recover. Then, last week, sometime Saturday (I think), she developed "intestinal problems." She started getting over that about Tuesday, then came down with a (or should I say, "my") sinus infection, causing coughing and chest congestion. This is the second time we have been through this together. The last bout was in January, and now we are suffering together through it again. I called and received antibiotics, but Robin chose to wait until she sees the doctor on Tuesday. Besides these maladies, she is still dealing with bed sores.

In spite of the blindness and problems with the alimentary canal, last weekend was a big lift for Robin. We had a small grad school reunion with our friends Terry and John, and John's wife, Marie. Friday or Saturday nights during graduate school, Terry, John, Robin, and I would get together to advance spaghetti sauce technology and study the mathematics of (alcoholic) fluid mechanics. This was generally followed by a study of probability (using cards) and meters (with music). Saturday night, Terry did a fine job of advancing spaghetti sauce technology once again, but we passed on most of our other traditions in lieu of catching up after so many years. Terry stayed with us until Monday morning and was a big help to us both during the weekend, especially with Robin's illness on Sunday. It was a priceless gift. (I hope we didn't scare him away).

We do appreciate everyone's prayers and support. Robin's love of meatloaf was satisfied this week as she received meatloaf from two different excellent cooks, Kelly and Dottie. Due to her illness, she couldn't really eat any until Thursday, and Friday is no meat, so she's been eating meatloaf all weekend. Fortunately, meatloaf is one of those foods that seem to get better with time.

Please continue to keep Robin in your prayers. Pray for everyone suffering from cancer! As Robin says, "Cancer Sucks!"

If you haven't talked to her in a while, consider giving Robin a call. Our number is in the Houston phone book.

Our love to all,

                  --- Larry, Robin, & John