"Cash"

We've returned to the Hope Lodge for another week of Belinostat.  Since John received his port, treatments continue to be uneventful and there are limited side effects.  He has difficulty getting to sleep, due to the steroid he receives as part of the pre-meds administered prior to the chemo.  The other side effect, which is indigestion, usually begins on day 3 of treatment, but is easily managed by over-the -counter remedies, such as Tums.

He was re-scanned last week to check the progress and the CT indicates stability in the lung spots....there's been no shrinkage, but, there's also been NO growth.  So the plan is to continue the current schedule of treatment for another 2 months, at which time he'll have another CT scan, as well as a new PETscan.

You may have noticed the name of this installation of my blog.....Cash.  It is in honor of a visitor we had today in the infusion center......a beautiful, 3-year-old Golden Retriever who is a member of the therapy dog program (along with his person, of course).  What a wonderful program this is and what a valuable service they provide.  When these dogs arrive to visit & cuddle up, the change in the mood of the patients is visible....at least for a little while, their focus is not on the treatment, but on these wonderful dogs.

In addition to being a therapy dog, Cash's person told us that he is also a champion in agility competition & obedience.  And, by the way, he gets his name from Johnny Cash, his person's favorite singer!!!

Many thanks to Cash, the other dogs, and their people.....you definitely help to lighten the mood in what is often a daunting situation.