From Steve:
Tiffany had the chest tube removed this afternoon and is breathing much better. Things seem to be looking up for her. They are even saying that there is a slight chance that she may get to be home for Thanksgiving. She is still very tired and getting lots of sleep is crucial to her recovery. The doctors suggest that she limit her visitors and phone calls so the she can get the rest she needs. But keep the emails of encouragement coming and we will make sure that she sees them.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
latest update on Tiffany 11/24/08
From Steve:
As of 1730 today it had been 72 hours since Tiffany had chemo. The next 24 will tell alot. She is breathing on her own but it is still difficult. She still has the chest tube in but they may remove that tomorrow. She is running a fever but hopefully that will break soon. She will be allowed to "eat" dinner tonight (some ensure).
Please continue to keep both Tiffany and Steve and Cas in your prayers
As of 1730 today it had been 72 hours since Tiffany had chemo. The next 24 will tell alot. She is breathing on her own but it is still difficult. She still has the chest tube in but they may remove that tomorrow. She is running a fever but hopefully that will break soon. She will be allowed to "eat" dinner tonight (some ensure).
Please continue to keep both Tiffany and Steve and Cas in your prayers
Sunday, November 23, 2008
latest update on Tiffany
From Steve:
1. Tiffany is off of all pain medications and sedatives.
2. She still has a breathing tube in but the ventilator is turned off and she is breathing on her own
3. They are hoping to extubate (take out the breathing tube) this afternoon
4. She still has the chest tube in but that has really helped in draining the fluid from her lungs and making it easier for her to breathe.
5. She is starting to make up and open her eyes and she is giving the "OK" signal.
They want to thank everyone for all of their well wishes and for those of you who have asked she is on the 3rd floor ICU at Portsmouth Naval Medical Center. It is ok to send something to her there they just can not be living (ie. plants, flowers)
1. Tiffany is off of all pain medications and sedatives.
2. She still has a breathing tube in but the ventilator is turned off and she is breathing on her own
3. They are hoping to extubate (take out the breathing tube) this afternoon
4. She still has the chest tube in but that has really helped in draining the fluid from her lungs and making it easier for her to breathe.
5. She is starting to make up and open her eyes and she is giving the "OK" signal.
They want to thank everyone for all of their well wishes and for those of you who have asked she is on the 3rd floor ICU at Portsmouth Naval Medical Center. It is ok to send something to her there they just can not be living (ie. plants, flowers)
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Update on Tiffany
From Steve:
Tiffany is now intubated and her breathing is being assisted with a ventilator. She has a chest tube in to drain her lungs. She is resting most of the time but that is what she needs right now. Cas and Steve are with her and her mom will getting here today.
From Karen:
I will make sure and keep everyone updated as I get information. I will also make sure that they are aware of all of the well wishes you have all sent
Tiffany is now intubated and her breathing is being assisted with a ventilator. She has a chest tube in to drain her lungs. She is resting most of the time but that is what she needs right now. Cas and Steve are with her and her mom will getting here today.
From Karen:
I will make sure and keep everyone updated as I get information. I will also make sure that they are aware of all of the well wishes you have all sent
Friday, November 21, 2008
Tiffany's condition
I am posting this on behalf of Tiffany and Steve......
Tiffany has been admitted to the ICU at Portsmouth Naval Medical Center today 11/21/08. Her condition is not good. She is having alot of trouble breathing and keeping her vital signs where they should be. The doctors are doing what they can for her but say that at this point it is touch and go.
Please keep them both in your payers,
Karen Moore
Tiffany has been admitted to the ICU at Portsmouth Naval Medical Center today 11/21/08. Her condition is not good. She is having alot of trouble breathing and keeping her vital signs where they should be. The doctors are doing what they can for her but say that at this point it is touch and go.
Please keep them both in your payers,
Karen Moore
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Another November Update
Hi all-
This is the new plan: Go on vacation, return & the same day, go to fill out admission paperwork for mediport placement on the 25th. Doc says I might get a new version; one that allows antibiotics, blood, CT contrast, as well as chemotherapy. I'm keeping my fingers crossed, & even said I'd wait for it to be available, but Steve says no.
The 26th, I'll have PET scan number eight, as a baseline for this next round of chemo. My Navy Oncologist read the CT from November 5th, starting that my cancer is still growing. This gave me relief, (I know-crazy) because I felt like the trial drug wasn't working, and for several other reasons,I stopped participating. Now I know, I made the right decision, early!
Cas will be here for Thanksgiving! This visit was unplanned, and so you've got to know, I am thrilled!
December 2 will be the first day of my next round of chemo. The infusion's will be once a week, for three weeks, and then off a week. At this point, this schedule will take place for an undetermined amount of time.
This is the new plan: Go on vacation, return & the same day, go to fill out admission paperwork for mediport placement on the 25th. Doc says I might get a new version; one that allows antibiotics, blood, CT contrast, as well as chemotherapy. I'm keeping my fingers crossed, & even said I'd wait for it to be available, but Steve says no.
The 26th, I'll have PET scan number eight, as a baseline for this next round of chemo. My Navy Oncologist read the CT from November 5th, starting that my cancer is still growing. This gave me relief, (I know-crazy) because I felt like the trial drug wasn't working, and for several other reasons,I stopped participating. Now I know, I made the right decision, early!
Cas will be here for Thanksgiving! This visit was unplanned, and so you've got to know, I am thrilled!
December 2 will be the first day of my next round of chemo. The infusion's will be once a week, for three weeks, and then off a week. At this point, this schedule will take place for an undetermined amount of time.
Friday, November 7, 2008
3weeks of a clinical trial & a night as an inpatient
Dear Friends & Family-
As most of you know, I've been participating with Duke Oncology department in one of their many clinical trials. October 15 was my first dose of this "trial" drug, and Wednesday November 5, was my last dose of it.
The short version of the story is that I developed a Pleural Effusion while on the clinical trial. Walking around normal, even demonstrating my lung capacity by doing laps around the Oncology department, my oxygen saturation level was in the 70's. (71 to be exact) Why my only symptom was a little shortness of breath, probably can be blamed on my many years of jogging. There's no explanation while I didn't fall over from lack of oxygen!
Anyway,I'll skip the part where I complain about the 5-6hours I had to wait to get diagnosed, sitting in the hallway because they were to busy to put me in a room, eventually admitted, and my favorite part-- never seeing my Oncologist again while I was admitted to her hospital.... oh wait, I complained. Sorry ya'll! Shoot, there was no way to avoid that....
I was admitted by some General Practice MD, who's two residents did a nice job with me. They even let me argue my case for no IV's, since I had already been stuck during my various appointments throughout the day. Just when I thought I had'em worn down, my sensible husband chimed in to tell me to "let the take care of you". I wont put into writing what I thought at that moment, but I'll tell you folks, that I listened! With that IV, I got three doses of steroids, and Lasix which are normal medications to rid the lungs of fluid. I sat & even slept with my oxygen on the entire time I was there; although I tried spending as much time in the bathroom where the tubing couldn't reach! Steve monitored every minute that I was off oxygen, giving me a little bit of free time off from it, but had me right back to doing what I was supposed to, in no time! Durn him, for taking such great care of me!
I was released (the staff probably cheered) on Thursday late in the afternoon. Which wouldn't necessarily matter, except now we had our usual 220mile, 3+ hour trip back to Virginia Beach. I've never said anything more honest than this: Sleeping in my own bed last night, was the best sleep I've ever gotten! Man, do I feel like a new person today! I'm still a little SOB, but I just take breaks. Wouldn't ya'll do the same? I don't know what the big deal is; can you tell me?
That is all I have for now. Thankfully, its not all bad news, like I normally share! I'm now in between chemotherapy treatments, and am not sure what comes next. I have to think, I have to decide what I want to do? As you know already, I'll let ya'll know when I do. Until then, please write me and let me know how things are with you and yours.
Oh yeah, thanks for letting me complain earlier!
As most of you know, I've been participating with Duke Oncology department in one of their many clinical trials. October 15 was my first dose of this "trial" drug, and Wednesday November 5, was my last dose of it.
The short version of the story is that I developed a Pleural Effusion while on the clinical trial. Walking around normal, even demonstrating my lung capacity by doing laps around the Oncology department, my oxygen saturation level was in the 70's. (71 to be exact) Why my only symptom was a little shortness of breath, probably can be blamed on my many years of jogging. There's no explanation while I didn't fall over from lack of oxygen!
Anyway,I'll skip the part where I complain about the 5-6hours I had to wait to get diagnosed, sitting in the hallway because they were to busy to put me in a room, eventually admitted, and my favorite part-- never seeing my Oncologist again while I was admitted to her hospital.... oh wait, I complained. Sorry ya'll! Shoot, there was no way to avoid that....
I was admitted by some General Practice MD, who's two residents did a nice job with me. They even let me argue my case for no IV's, since I had already been stuck during my various appointments throughout the day. Just when I thought I had'em worn down, my sensible husband chimed in to tell me to "let the take care of you". I wont put into writing what I thought at that moment, but I'll tell you folks, that I listened! With that IV, I got three doses of steroids, and Lasix which are normal medications to rid the lungs of fluid. I sat & even slept with my oxygen on the entire time I was there; although I tried spending as much time in the bathroom where the tubing couldn't reach! Steve monitored every minute that I was off oxygen, giving me a little bit of free time off from it, but had me right back to doing what I was supposed to, in no time! Durn him, for taking such great care of me!
I was released (the staff probably cheered) on Thursday late in the afternoon. Which wouldn't necessarily matter, except now we had our usual 220mile, 3+ hour trip back to Virginia Beach. I've never said anything more honest than this: Sleeping in my own bed last night, was the best sleep I've ever gotten! Man, do I feel like a new person today! I'm still a little SOB, but I just take breaks. Wouldn't ya'll do the same? I don't know what the big deal is; can you tell me?
That is all I have for now. Thankfully, its not all bad news, like I normally share! I'm now in between chemotherapy treatments, and am not sure what comes next. I have to think, I have to decide what I want to do? As you know already, I'll let ya'll know when I do. Until then, please write me and let me know how things are with you and yours.
Oh yeah, thanks for letting me complain earlier!
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