Making Adjustments

Making adjustments...or as they say, managing the side effects.  That's what we're doing and two weeks ago another side effect was identified and that is protein in Ed's urine.  (Wow...who ever thought I'd be posting on a blog about urine....crazy, but I am!)  Last week Dr. Bower had Ed do a 24-hour urine test and this week we found that 24-hour test also showed a high level of protein.  This is one of the "serious" side effects of Avastin.  So on Wednesday, we met with Dr. Bower and he informed us that we needed to suspend the use of Avastin until the protein levels go down.

Of course we worried that by suspending the Avastin, the tumors may grow again.  However, there is no choice if we want to avoid permanent kidney damage.  Ed will continue on the Xeloda which as Dr. Bowers explained is the primary chemotheraphy drug. The Avastin and the Irinotecean (that we stopped earlier this year) supplement the Xeloda.  So Ed will continue to go in every two weeks to get his blood levels and urine checked, but no infusions for now (since the Xeloda is an oral drug).

A possible bonus?  Well, the Avastin is also the cause of Ed's high blood pressure and even though Dr. Bowers upped the dosage of his blood pressure medicine earlier this year, he did so again this week since Ed's blood pressure continues to be high.  So by suspending the Avastin for a bit we hope this also helps with the hypertension.

Time will tell...

Rainy Sunday

Today, April 22nd, is a rainy Sunday and we need the rain so bad!  It has been so dry and so I was all set to settle in today and stay home on this lazy, rainy day.  Dan and I spent a chunk of time today creating and mailing invitations to his graduation party.  I cannot believe that graduation is only 4 weeks away!  Somehow that snuck up on us. 

Last weekend we finally met Cassie's parents--John and Peggy.  Their daughter Bridget, who goes to Holy Cross, had a track meet at UMass and her parents and Cassie drove up to see her.  Since they were right in our backyard, it was a great opportunity to meet them.  Ed and I went over and spent a few hours watching the track meet.  We saw Bridget compete in a couple events.  It was fun to see the track meet and even nicer to meet John and Peggy--who we really enjoyed!  An added bonus was that it was a beautiful day to be outside, enjoying the weather, and not having to work in the yard.

After the track meet, we all went out to dinner (unfortunately Bridget couldn't join us).  We decided on Judie's since we felt we needed to pick a unique restaurant special to Amherst.  Of course I had to order popovers with apple butter for them to try--which everyone loved!  We all had a great dinner, good conversation, and an enjoyable time!  We can't wait to see them again!  We got an invite to go visit them this summer on Long Island, so maybe we can make that happen!  If not, I hope they can stop by the next time they are in Mass visiting one of their daughters!

Bridget doing the long jump

Ed cooking on our new gas grill (my Pearson 30th anniv gift)

I have NO clue what they're planning to do with these!

Invitations and Commencement tickets to Dan's RWU graduation!!

Lilacs bloomed VERY early this year.  Ed picked them before the heavy rains destroyed them.

Welcome April

The first week of April Shumway & Sons Tree and Landscaping was here to cleanup what was leftover from the October snowstorm.  They trimmed away branches that were broken and hanging high up in trees and also took down several of the heavily damaged trees.  They also did Kay's next door as well.  Glad to get those hanging branches cleaned up and not worry about them falling during a strong wind!

Of course my big news for April was running my first 5K on April 7th!  I can typically do 3 miles in about 33-34 minutes but there were a couple big hills so my goal was to finish in under 35 mins.  Wasn't I surprised when I crossed the finish line in 32:16!

Warming up before the race

Right after finishing!

Post race

Easter was a nice day with family and friends and nice weather!  The entire family was together at my mother's for dinner and we were joined by Momma Jean, Papa, Maureen, and Roger!  A great day!!

Every holiday I try to get Dan and Gramma to pose for a picture!
These two love each other so much!