Team Tina

Monday I completed my ninth chemo treatment. (Only eight more to go!) Since there was no school due to the Thanksgiving holiday, the kids and my parents accompanied Patrick and me to MD Anderson this week.

My parents stayed with me during my treatment while Patrick took the kids out to explore Houston. I loved them being there with me rather than having to miss them so much this time! I think it was good for them to see where I go every week and I was thankful my parents were able to meet some of my healthcare team.

Since my red and white blood cell counts plummeted dangerously low after my seventh treatment, my doctor reduced the amount of the drug causing the issues (Carboplatin) by twenty percent last week before my eighth treatment. The reduction has helped my body tolerate the chemo much better.
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The last two weeks have been very challenging. I received my 7th round of chemo October 27th and it took quite a toll on my body. Until this past Friday, a walk from the bedroom to the living room left me breathless. For several days it took considerable effort just to sit up in my chair and converse with visiting friends or family.

It hit home this week just what my doctors meant when they said, “Aggressive cancer means aggressive treatment.” They don’t mess around! We have learned a few additional details about what the next several months will be like for me as I battle this disease and now, more than ever, I am cherishing good days when I get them.

My doctor requested that my blood be tested last Friday. They did not want me to make the trip to Houston on Monday only to find my counts were too low to receive my 8th round of chemo. As suspected, the results of my test confirmed that my red blood count was very low. We also discovered that my white count had dropped dramatically as well and was dangerously low.

So no chemo Monday.
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I’m Gena, Tina’s little sister. (She has plenty of sisters, but I’m the only little sister she’s got!) I’ve come all the way from sunny Hawaii to spend some time with my big sister. So far we’ve watched Spider Man and a Chicken get lots of candy, sent Madeline off to dance at her last freshman football game, and sat by the fire in comfortable silence.

Although I’ve been reading the blog, keeping updated from family, and talking with Tina regularly, being here has provided a more intimate picture of this battle my sister is fighting. One thing I can tell you, though, is Tina is still Tina.
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Parent-Teacher conferences for Creed’s school were held this week. I feel much better than I did last week, but wasn’t sure my energy level would allow me to attend the conference in person, so his teacher, Darla Landers, graciously arranged to have our conference via phone rather than in person.

I couldn’t help but smile as I listened to her recount what she has been teaching those sweet third graders this year. I love knowing he’s “growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord” (2 Peter 3:18), while also learning math, spelling, and reading.

I have no doubt that God divinely arranged Mrs. Landers to be in Creed’s life this year. She, and all the other teachers who interact with him everyday, have been so wonderful to show the love of God to my boy. He is happy and learning and looks forward to school everyday. Makes my heart smile.
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Today I will receive my sixth chemo treatment. I know it can get confusing when I speak of all these chemo rounds and cycles and such, so I wanted to clarify the terminology and schedule a bit to help you better understand what I’m talking about.

During this phase of my treatment, I will undergo four cycles of chemo. Each cycle consists of three rounds — except the first cycle, which was four rounds. I get the first Monday of the month off to help elevate my blood counts, and then receive a round of chemo each Monday of the month thereafter.

I completed my first cycle, which was four rounds, in September. This afternoon I will receive the second round of my second cycle.
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