Officer Seneca With Faye

Children's Hospital is always a busy place, but last week as we neared the Hospital we noticed police everywhere and on every corner.  Even more police were in the parking garage, the entrance and inside.  I have to admit I was a little nervous but we soon found out it was 'Cops Fighting Cancer' day.  Officer Seneca, pictured left, is a leukemia survivor and he founded 'Cops fighting Cancer' nine years ago. This year over 150 officers from more than 30 different agencies delivered gifts (and lots of smiles) to every patient at the Hospital.



Radiation Room

PET technology is fairly new in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer and it apparently is the only way to measure active cancer. Faye's latest PET scan showed about the same amount of residual active cancer as the previous PET so last week we were diverted to evaluating different treatment options; more chemo, chemo with the radiation, etc. After numerous consultations with a number of Hodgkins experts our Doctors identified a general consensus to give boosted radiation in additional radiation treatments.  So now instead of roughly three weeks of radiation Faye will have five.  Radiation therapy tends to cause 'false positive' results on PET scans so we will have to wait a full three months after the final radiation treatment to have the next PET scan. Three.  Long.  Months.

Throughout treatment prioritizing school work has been particularly difficult to juggle. At times it seems super important and other times it is not important at all.  With the Holidays it is even more difficult to prioritize but as I write this post, Karl is tutoring Faye on 'Optimization'... holy freakin smokes(!). I used to be an excellent math student but I take one look at the stuff they are studying and walk away.  Fast.  I can't even contemplate how lost we would be without Karl's help. If Faye can stick to Karl's schedule, she will be caught up in Math by the end of break.  And more good news: thanks to Bev, who has been unbelievably generous with her time and who has been invaluable in getting us organized, motivated and moving forward, Faye is caught up in English.

I'm including below a couple more photos and a short video clip from the day they mapped Faye's radiation.

Merry Holidays, Peace and Goodwill,  ~Lolly

Radiation Mapping & Simulation

Two weeks ago Faye had one of the best first weeks of treatment ever but we must have jinxed ourselves because this past week was one of the worst. Faye's counts just would not recover and it was a busy week with fevers and infections, antibiotics and transfusions. Yesterday morning we went in for the radiation simulation, the PET CT scan and a quick blood test. The quick blood test turned into several hours of blood transfusions. Dr. Garrington stopped in late in the day to give us the initial interpretation of the PET results. They were not optimal but he is confident that the radiation will wipe out what's left of the mass and the metabolic activity. In another day or two we will have more quantitative results. Last night as we drug our tired selves to the car we were excited to see the 12 days of Christmas all lit up in front of the Hospital and very little traffic going home. Faye is feeling much better today, in fact she was able to get in a few hours of tutoring with Bev this afternoon. We are scheduled for another blood test Thursday morning which will hopefully reveal counts high enough to start the radiation which is scheduled the following Monday.

PET CT Scan

The radiation mapping and simulation was pretty darn amazing. To make the body cast two clinicians (Aaron and Christy) mixed up a large plastic bag full of liquid and placed it under Faye. As the liquid foamed and hardened around her body they made a head cage by draping a warm and gooey mesh over her face and head which then molded and hardened as well. Then they made four 'permanent' cross hatch marks on her body. All of this will be used for her 14 radiation treatments. We discovered that Aaron and Christy are also both big fans of 'Dexter', Faye was amazed to learn that Aaron is hosting a Dexter season finale party next week and he's changing his TV room into a kill room lined with plastic sheeting and all. Dexter really is a sick and unusual form of entertainment but I've given in to it: the shock factor has proven to be very effective in distracting Faye from her misery. ~Lolly

U17 United Soccer EOS Party -2011

It took some effort to get there but on Sunday evening Faye was able to enjoy a bit of her soccer team's end-of-season party.  The next morning we were back in the Hospital for the last two chemo agents of this fourth and final round.  I hesitate only slightly using the word 'final':  while I have no doubt it is Faye's 'final' chemo the reality is that there is no certainty.

Faye's discomfort had been 'manageable' relative to the first three rounds up until Monday afternoon when extreme nausea, pain and discomfort set in. This morning Faye is finally experiencing some relief and the 'ick' is now coming and going in decreasing waves.  We have one more big hurdle before moving on to radiation:  getting through the drop in blood counts/ANC over these next few days.  We are scheduled for a blood test early tomorrow morning and we anticipate another blood transfusion because Faye's counts were already low going in to this round.  We will also schedule Faye's last PET scan probably for later next week:  we have a lot of hope and expectation riding on the results, think positive thoughts and send them our way and I'll keep you 'posted'!  ~Lolly

11/27/2011 5K for Faye

The formal names for the various chemos are scary but they all have these cute little benign sounding abbreviations:  doxo, etop, bleo, cytox, vinc... Faye had them all in one long day yesterday in between pre and post hydration and an assortment of meds intended to counter-act the side effects.  Last night Steve re-filled three prescriptions, loaded up on Sobe, Life Waters and Boost, and we organized the med box for the week.  Ugh.  What a difference from the day before, a beautiful 5K Sunday in which we could not have had better weather or more fun.  I'm still in shock.  The show of support and concern, not just Sunday but throughout this whole process, is enough to convert even the most severe misanthrope.  Not that I recommend it as a means to enlightenment but it really has been an eye opening experience for us and we could not be more humbled or more grateful.  It is too early to say but I am optimistic that the psychological balm of the 5K along with knowing that this is the last (knock on wood and cross fingers it truly is the very last) of the chemo will make this cycle easier for Faye.

With a big start already into this last stretch of chemo and with a freezer full of food I've removed the meal calendar from the blog(!).  I wish I had been more careful throughout these months to better express our thanks for every meal, every plate of cookies, every card, every gift, the messages and well wishes... please know that we are so very grateful and we know how lucky we are.

I am writing this post in a hurry this morning, I'm behind on all things -big surprise- but I wanted to not only thank every one for a fantastic 5K but to share the link below from Ted Brudzinski, the x-country team photographer, who was so generous to take and share these great photos.

I also want to mention that we are still looking into doing more 5Ks this winter:  no fund-raising or t-shirts, no coffee or bagel sponsors - just an informal local running/walking club, weather permitting, show up if you can kind of a thing.  Karl is looking at 12/18 for the next one so mark calendars if you're interested and I'll post more details from here soon.  If we have enough interest we will start up a separate page on the internet; maybe Facebook and/or a Blog (for those who don't 'do' FB) so that any one can opt in or out, get updates, schedules, share photos and comments, vote on stuff, etc.

Oops now I'm really behind, we need to scoot off for more 'doxo' and 'etop' today.  ~Lolly

http://tjbphotography.smugmug.com/Sports/Cross-Country/Team-Faye-11272011/20301395_25TMVb#1605187463_DXHpscx

5K tomorrow!  Karl asked me to post a couple of updates:

• There will be coffee, bagels (cream cheese, peanut butter...)  and water -first come first serve. 
• Wear green if you can or team Faye tshirt if you have one (Melpo will have extras for sale too). 
• Also there is just a little bit of confusion - we are not running the school track: we are meeting in the Belleview Elementary parking lot between 9:30 and 10.  At 10 we plan to cross Dayton to a nice, wide path that leads to the Cherry Creek reservoir and back. 
• There will be a port-o-potty at the school and another in the reservoir but it is about another one/third mile beyond the 5K turn around point. 
• Skeleton maps will be available at check-in and Creek x-country volunteers will be helping direct along the route.

Welcome 5K Participants!

First 5K For Faye Route

Click on the map to see larger image of the 5K route for Sunday.  We are meeting in the parking lot at Belleview Elementary school between 9:30 and 10am. Check in, mingle, find a walk/run group and get ready to have some fun with friends. Being an out and back course, starting and finishing at the school, you can do as much or as little as you wish. See you Sunday. (Karl)

Grace, Lydia, Faye, Zoe & Hannah

Karl and Heidi have been working on what we hope will be a series of fun and casual 5K 'races'.  The emphasis will be on group exercise and family fun, kind of a local '5K running club'. It would be helpful to have an idea of how many people plan on joining us so please answer a few quick questions on the poll.  If the weather is the least bit sketchy the morning of the race be sure to check back here on the blog for updates.
 
Faye and I spent Friday at Childrens for a series of 'routine' tests for which we did an exceptional amount of waiting. For example, after waiting 25 minutes to be shown back to a cardio patient room, then waiting another 30 minutes for the echo nurse to show up for the echo which took another 20 minutes, we were told to wait for the practitioner who would be 'with us shortly' to give the EKG.  After waiting a little over an hour I flagged down the first official looking person I could find who discovered that - oh my - we had been forgotten.  Fingers pointed between the echo nurse and the EKG gal while smoke started coming out of my ears. The EKG nurse admonished me that the next time we are scheduled for this series of tests we should only wait '10 minutes or so' before asking if we had been forgotten.  ...more smoke... maybe some flames 'cause I started seeing red.  Faye got me out of there as quickly as she could.

The redeeming factor to the day was that the PFT (Pulmonary Function Test - the test Faye did very poorly on in September) showed 'marked' improvement.  We are now waiting, ahem, for our Oncologist to interpret the results and let us know what 'marked' means.

Thanksgiving has always been meaningful and emotional for us but this year I'll probably bawl my eyes out.  Oh shoot, I've already started.  Cheers to a peaceful Thanksgiving full of blessings for all. ~Lolly

In many ways the Fitzimmons complex reminds me of the 'Land of Oz'.  Monday afternoon the radiation clinic at the Anschutz Outpatient Pavillion called to schedule our first appointment with our Pediatric Radiation Oncologist, Dr. Liu.  Oddly we were able to see this particular wizard right away (Tuesday morning), no broom required just a very lengthy health history/questionnaire.  We did a quick reshuffle of our day and followed the yellow brick road.

First we met with Dr. Field, a senior resident, who spent a great deal of time explaining the process, the risks, the short term side effects, long term side effects and the very clear message that due to both the chemo and radiation treatments Faye will be required to live super healthy from here on; daily sunscreen, no smoking (don't even go there), weekly then monthly then quarterly (etc) checkups and tests....  The process itself is pretty wild.  They start by mapping the 'areas of concern', make a full body mold and a head cage.  Faye will slip into the mold and cage to hold perfectly still for each treatment - pinpoint zaps that she won't see, feel or hear. After meeting with Dr. Field, Dr. Liu came in and pretty much repeated everything all over again. Which is perfect when there is so much information to absorb.

After the appointment with Dr.Liu we went back over to the Hospital for another CBC. Faye did end up getting a transfusion on Friday ( it kind of freaked her out but it helped).  Faye's counts are still low but they are beginning to climb and each day she feels better as she recovers from 'round 3'.  She'll be hitting the books and enjoying the Thanksgiving holiday before starting round 4 on 11/28.  Karl is working on making the first 5K happen on the Sunday after Thanksgiving, 10am-ish. We're hoping the weather cooperates and that lots of you will be around to join us.

A student at Faye's High School emailed Faye a few weeks ago and requested an interview for a section of the yearbook titled 'Overcoming Obstacles'.  Faye gave me permission to post it here.....

Faye Walker
Junior, 11^th

Q: Describe the moment when you were first diagnosed. (What was going through your head? How were you feeling?):

A: I was first diagnosed on September 16th. It was a completely normal Friday to me. I went to school, I argued with my sister, I did poorly on a math quiz, and then, after school I went in to get an x ray which my pediatrician had suggested because I had developed a small painful lump on my collarbone. I got the x ray, went home, and started to make plans for that night. It was an hour later when Dr. Bauer called my mom and told her that we had to get to the hospital. The x ray had showed a mass in my chest that was pressing on my heart and lungs and causing my lymph nodes in my shoulders and neck to swell. He warned us that it could be lymphoma. At first, I completely rejected the concept of having any kind of cancer. The entire ride to the hospital I had to keep telling myself and my mom that it couldn't be cancer; how could it be when I have been so healthy my entire life? I had never even been in a hospital. After a long night in the ER, a doctor confirmed that it was lymphoma. I cried. I was in shock and scared. Once I got over the initial shock, the question was “Okay, where do we go from here?” Then questions came flooding: What stage is it? Am I going to survive? Can you remove the tumor through surgery? What type is it exactly? How bad is chemo really? After three days of testing the official diagnosis was stage 2A Hodgkins Lymphoma and I was lucky to have that diagnosis. My cancer is among the most treatable and has a speedy recovery rate.

Q: Medically, what procedures have you had to go through?:

A: The tumor in my chest can't be removed by surgery so, to treat my kind of cancer, I'm going through four, twenty one day cycles of six different types of chemos. Then, I will have two rounds of radiation. To administer the chemo, I've had a picc line and a power port, which were both minor surgeries. They're basically just ports with tubes that are run through your veins directly into your heart. I've also had a lymph node biopsy, bone marrow biopsies, xrays, CT scans, PT scans, EKG's, PFT's, transfusions, etc.

Q: What has been the hardest part?:

A: It's hard to say what the hardest part for me has been. Aside from the physical pain and sickness from chemo, being diagnosed with cancer is one of the hardest things to comprehend, and go through, mentally and emotionally. One of the things that was really hard for me was parting with my red hair, especially knowing that it might not grow back red. But the hardest thing by far has been dragging myself to the hospital to get chemo every round. It's the worst feeling knowing that in a couple of hours you are going to feel absolutely horrible, and you can't do anything about it because this horrible poison is really saving your life. But then again, every time I go for chemo, I get closer to the finish line.

Q: Who does your support come from?/How do they support you?:

A: I have to say that my parents have been my rock through this whole experience. They do absolutely everything for me, from driving me to and from the hospital to cleaning up vomit and holding my hand. I've also found that support has really come from everywhere; the community, my family, my friends, my teachers, my coaches, my team, my dogs, the nurses, and the doctors at the hospital. They have all been so supportive every step of the way. From the Facebook messages and get well cards to the home-cooked meals and “Team Faye” shirts, every little thing means the world to me and keeps me going.

Q: Where do you get your optimism?:

A: It's really hard to stay optimistic at points in this process but my optimism really comes from everyone supporting me. Getting a text that says, “Stay strong! Love you,” or “You're beautiful, and you can do it” or a sweet, get well card really makes it easier. You want to get through it, not only for yourself, but for everyone supporting you and to make them proud. So you suck it up a little more, try to be a little braver, and put on a smile.

Q: What have you learned from this experience?:

A: Being diagnosed changed my life and taught me so many things. I've learned not to worry about the little things in life and to make the best of every situation. For instance, losing my hair was a huge downer, but I tried to make the best of it by getting some cool hats and looking forward to how it will grow back in. I've learned to enjoy and live every second to the fullest. I've learned that nothing is more comforting than the love and support of loved ones. I've learned that I'm truly lucky and that there are people out there that are worse off and struggling. But I think, most of all, I've learned to be truly grateful.

Q: If you could give advice to someone going through a similar situation, what would you say?:

A: It's hard to give a person going through this advice because everyone's situation is different. But I think it's super important that you become the master of your disease or illness. Read about and learn everything there is to know about it. Fully understand it so that you are in control of yourself and your disease. I can say that I'm almost an expert on Hodgkins Lymphoma, and Typhlitis, and the treatments. I can also say that the knowledge has made the whole process a lot less scary or intimidating, knowing what the doctors are doing and have planned. I can also say that it helps to take one day at a time. There are definitely ups and downs, and for me it helps to take things one step at a time, with the last step always in the back of your mind.

You could not find a more awesome tutoring trio than Karl, Bev and Gary. They graciously, generously and flexibly help us take advantage of those few times that Faye feels well enough to do school work.

Karl, a renowned, vigilant and avid runner (in addition to being a great friend, tutor, x-country coach and AP Calc teacher at Creek) came up with such a great idea: a local '5K for Faye'. Karl offered to coordinate the details and I'm so excited (though I'll be the one lagging 2 miles behind, gasping for breath).  I especially love having another wonderful event to look forward to. Karl is working on the details and we will post information as soon as possible. Since there are so many great routes around here for a 5K we may shoot for more than one!

With each chemo cycle we become a bit more savvy to the process; what to take to the Hospital, how to navigate and time 225, where to park... We'll have it down by the time we are done. With each cycle however the chemo becomes exponentially more wicked miserable. On chemo mornings it is near impossible to drag Faye to the Hospital for more. I want to revile and despise chemo but of course I do not; I am very grateful it exists yet I look forward to the day it is replaced or - even better - becomes unnecessary.

The Doctors told us early on that they've 'perfected' medications to counteract the worst of chemo's side effects. I understand that chemo is a heck of a lot easier these days, but 'perfected'!?! Uh. No. What they have perfected is a mixture of chemo agents, steroids and meds that take cancer patients not to the edge of tolerance but far beyond. They've perfected the timing of these doses with barely enough recovery to do it all over again. My daily mantra is now 'one more round, one more round...'

While we were at the Hospital on Wednesday for the final dose of chemo of 'Round 3' Dr. A did a fly by and mentioned that radiation will start in January. Whaaaat?!? It turns out that I misunderstood back in September when Dr. A told us that Faye would be 'all done' by the end of December - she meant with the chemo.  In the big picture I suppose finishing chemo is a much more significant milestone, but still. Ugh. I am disappointed; not only will recovery be prolonged, there is now no hope of dodging that odious 'max out-of-pocket' in 2012.

Faye's counts are super low again and today we are scheduled to go back for a CBC and if necessary, a transfusion - a trip we will gladly make if it keeps us from an overnight stay.

Cheers to a comfortable and peaceful weekend, and beyond (TGIF). ~Lolly

It is a beautiful day and Faye's pain is near zero.   She had back-to-back tutoring sessions this morning (and most of last week) with Gary and Bev to cram in as many 'good' hours as possible before her next round of chemo.  It is turning out to be a delightful, 'Dr. Seuss' kind of Halloween; Bev brought the hat and Gary brought the 'Green Tomato Pie' (close enough Sam I am).



Faye & Bev - 'Happy Halloween'

Speaking of pie, this community is exceedingly gifted with culinary skills and generous beyond belief.  As we head into 'round 3' tomorrow I am both grateful and relieved that healthy, delicious meals are not on my list of concerns...


Emma & Max -Marry Me?

And finally, I have to sneak in this photo taken Friday evening of my nephew Max as he proposes to Emma, his new bride-to-be!  We could not be happier or more excited.  Being the emotional basket-case that I am, it just plain makes me giddy. 

~Lolly
 

I often struggle against being a 'Debbie Downer' but I'm not gonna lie:  it has been a brutal week. We spent almost every day at the Hospital but we are ever so grateful (and knock on wood) it has been 'outpatient'.


Yesterday started with a 7:30am PT scan and ended with several late night discussions with oncologists regarding the results.  The scan was the 3D color image that was supposed to have happened on Wednesday - they moved it to yesterday.  I venture to say that the results are 'great', though the delivery of the news was a bit unsteady. There is still metabolic activity (active cancer cells) in the neck, shoulder and chest region and based on this we were told that this was 'less than optimal' and that Faye would require more chemotherapy, beyond the original four sessions.  4 hours later they called to tell us that on further evaluation the mass has shrunk by greater than 60% which changes the parameters which they use to qualify treatment.  And, based on the amount of shrinkage Faye is now classified as an 'early rapid responder' and she will not need the additional chemotherapy.  She will definitely need two rounds of radiation but we kind of already knew this.  So.  Whew.  Big sigh of relief.  We are half way through the chemo part!

The one day that we managed to avoid a trip to Children's was the day of Ellie's funeral:  it was an absolutely lovely remembrance and memorial service.  The church was packed and overflowing into an outer viewing area and beyond.  I'm certain not one soul sat through that service without being overwhelmed with emotion.  It was an inspiration to us all to reflect on how capricious life is and how vulnerable we all are.  Cheers and big hugs to all.  ~Lolly

Melpo, Ellie & Faye

Everyone is just as sad as can be; we lost our Ellie Brown Sunday night.  Ellie was an amazing friend, team mate and class mate and the entire community is devastated with grief and loss.

Faye was so lucky to be Ellie's friend and team mate.  They played together as freshmen and sophomores at Creek and on Littleton United's white team. When the United coach and team visited Faye while she was in the hospital they had to take shifts there were so many - an amazing and beautiful group of girls.

Tomorrow is Faye's last chemo session of round 2.  She will be at the lowest point of her cycle on Friday but she is determined to make it to Ellie's service.  With Doctor's consent - and if at all possible - Faye will gather energy, put on her mask, and make it so, otherwise we will have to be there in spirit.

Zoe & Faye - Homecoming Night

Faye's next PT scan is scheduled for Wednesday Oct 26.  This scan is the full body 3D color image that shows remaining live/active cancer cells. Apparently some of the dead cancer cells remain as scar tissue and will show up in regular x-rays so the PT scan is necessary to know how much of the mass is active and it will determine the remaining course of treatment.  Based on the scan we will also find out the details on the radiation - how much, how long, side effects, risks, etc.

How can such gorgeous days be so tough and so sad.  ~Lolly

Faye had chemo yesterday afternoon followed by outpatient surgery: she had her new port put in and they removed the PICC. I'm not sure if being the last surgery patient of the day is good or bad, on the one hand they get you in and out quickly, on the other hand they get you in and out quickly (I am kidding - kind of - we're lucky they fit us in). Creek came through and will be providing a home/hospital tutor who starts Monday. We are also excited that some very good friends (thank you Bev and Karl!) have offered to help tutor Faye with her AP English and AP Math classes.  Hopefully Faye will make it out to the soccer field tomorrow morning to watch Zoe and Lydia's games and enjoy some of this beautiful Colorado weather.

Dr. Albano, Faye's Attending Oncologist, just stopped by our room to tell us that the mass has decreased -wow- 50%!!!  Faye will definitely get a port.  Dr. A will be back in later to show us the before and after x-rays and discuss the surgery.


We are at Children's and have just started our first day of Chemo for Round 2. Each round starts with 8 days of intensive chemo and drug therapy: the first day is a full day of 6 different chemos, the next two days are only 3 tor 4 more chemos which take a few hours each day, the 4th day we come back in for a quick injection, followed by 2 days of oral pills at home, then we come back to the clinic for one more day of chemo.  Amazing how time flies while it drags in slow motion at the same time.    ~Lolly

Faye and I just got home from a long day at Children's.  We ventured there this morning despite the temporary shut down yesterday from a stomach bug that had spread from the 4th floor.

Good news: the xrays show a 'definite reduction' in the size of the mass. We are super stoked about this though we still don't know how much it is reduced, or, if it is sufficiently reduced to safely implant a port. The PICC line is completely unreliable so we are crossing fingers and awaiting good word on this from the attending oncologist. More good news: Faye's blood count is super stable so we have a thumbs up to start 'Round 2' tomorrow (huh. wow, it is similar to a boxing match). 

While Faye and I were stuck watching multiple nurses horse around with the aforementioned malfunctioning PICC, we missed a meeting with Faye's counselors at Creek this afternoon.  Fortunately Steve was able to go, and with some juggling and dropping a course or two, Faye should be able to graduate on time.  No doubt though; Round 2 and the PT scan that follows will be the most important tests of the semester.

Lydia sporting 'Team Faye' attire

Zoe and Lydia left for school this morning sporting zazzy green 'Team Faye' t-shirts. To all who helped design, organize, order and wear them - they look great, wow, and thank you! Speaking of grateful, in a previous post I mentioned Chinese food and voila, home made Chinese arrived hot and yummy. I also mentioned 'wine' and presto - more wine for Mom... Not to be greedy or anything I'll just sneak in a couple more phrases here like, 'permanent remission', and, heck while I'm at it how about 'a million dollars' (please forward this blog to Warren Buffet if you have his address...).

Keep the well wishes, fingers crossed, prayers and positive energy coming our way.  And thanks to one and all for the wonderful meals, visits, texts, emails... everything.    ~Lolly

Back home! Predictably the best part of Faye's hospital stay was leaving, and we could not get out of there fast enough.  Yesterday evening we pulled onto 225 southbound in rush hour.  The routine (and traffic) began with scary similarity to the Wednesday before where, after a very long day at the Hospital, we were able to go home for only a few short hours before Faye's temperature went up and back to the ER we dashed.

Last night we all hovered over Faye anxiously pushing food and drink, taking her temp and being annoying in general.  And though we made a couple of late night phone calls to consult the on-call physician, we were allowed to stay home. I think we even slept a bit.  Today is a better day, a beautiful fall day in Colorado.

Faye has opted to stick to the original schedule and starts round 2 next Wednesday, 10/12. We plan to take full advantage of these next six days; they should feel like a vacation compared to the past six days and, like a typical vacation, we will be forced to return all too soon.

Once again I have to share my awe and gratitude for the ongoing cards, letters, notes, flowers, food, and general, lovely well wishes. The words 'thank you' just don't cut it. ~Lol

Faye & Melpo Catching Up

Though Sean the radiologist was super cute today, I'm certain Faye will not miss CT scans or the ionic 'contrast crap that tastes real bad'. Her CT scan shows big improvement and Faye feels better and better as her blood counts continue to rise.

Dr A has cleared Faye for clear liquids (notice the fabulous array on her tray: broth, jello, and ginger ale, whoo hooo), and, fingers crossed, Faye will graduate to 'solid' food tomorrow. Faye has been craving Chinese, no doubt due to watching Big Bang Theory where they seem to eat Chinese take out in every episode!!

I'm sure Faye would quit all pain meds and IV drips cold turkey if she thought it would get her home any quicker, but alas, she will have to make slow adjustments. We may get out of the hospital as early as tomorrow evening but Thursday AM seems more likely. This whole miserable episode may set us back a bit on our next cycle of chemo, which was originally scheduled to begin on 10/12. We will keep you posted.

Faye is enjoying her first visitors for this hospital stay, other than family. Her blood count had been prohibitive before now. In fact, Melpo is filling Faye in on the latest Creek action, Homecoming dynamics and soccer goings on as I type.

And finally, as expected and right on time, Faye's cute new short hair cut is proving to be short lived as well. It is messy, kind of scary and strangely liberating to move through this dreaded stage of the process.

I can't thank every one enough for everything you've all done, too numerous to list; from text messages, emails, visits, gifts, chocolate bars, care packages, wine (nourishment for Mom), jammies, flowers, meals (and meal schedules!), movies, pillow pets, house cleaning (!), tshirts, feathers and blogs - truly uplifting and amazing. ~Lol

Round 1

The first round of chemo was completed during the first week in the hospital and, depending on the side effects, they were hoping she could possibly attend school during the time she felt well, before the next round of chemo. Faye got to come home, Friday, Sept. 23rd. (Zoe was extra happy to have Faye home for her 9/25 birthday!)
Due to some side effects causing typhlitis infection, Faye was admitted back into Children's ~Sept 28. The Walker's celebrated Lolly's Oct 1 birthday with Faye at Children's. They are aggressively treating Faye with antibiotics,  to keep her strong and maintain/boost her white blood counts. Please keep the cards and letters of encouragement coming.

Walker's Meals: Google Doc sign up

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AoWI9_iy1r9IdGlTR2tqRlZCQXIwWjB5NmZKRDFaRXc&hl=en_US


You can always find this link at the top of this blog at any time. Carol Ericson is managing this calendar. There is a cooler on the Walker's porch to leave items in, please only use disposable containers so they do not need to be returned, and add heating/cooking/freezing instructions. Bring ice if you are concerned about the temperature of the food. Carol will update and add more dates as the she knows what the Walker's needs are. In addition to frozen or freshly prepared meals, please feel free to drop off grocery gift cards (Whole Foods etc), Tasty Taxi gift cards, or gift cards for restaurants, especially those around the hospital.
(Qdoba, Noodles & Co, )

A "google doc" is live, interactive and available for all to see and update. When you make changes on it, everyone's version is changed.

School

Faye has a lot of AP and Honors courses including calculus and engineering physics. Lolly and Steve are actively working with CCSD and CCHS looking at school for normal classes, alternatives, dropping classes, personal tutors, home schooling ...etc.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy and radiation treatments are now scheduled thru January/February 2012. Faye is scheduled for four cycles of chemo lasting 84 days which began on Wednesday (9/12), each cycle taking 21 days. The first seven days require administration of intravenous drugs at Children's followed by 3-5 days of recovery from the side effects, and the last 10 days or so should be the time she feels the best.

Lime T-Shirt anyone?

Melpomene Vasiliou, Sarah Couch and other loyal fans of Faye produce shirts for Faye-th. See the FaceBook Group for Faye-th to find out more.

Faye-th

Sara Couch, with the help of Grace Mimmack, and Zoe Walker as administrators launch the FaceBook Group Page Faye-th 
Click here to Join!

Diagnosis

After the biopsies and scans were completed, it was confirmed as Hogkin's Lymphoma. Faye is in Stage 2a, "not what we'd had hoped for but not what we'd most feared either". The survival rate for Hodgkin's Stage 2a is 91%. Faye's prognosis is good.

Sept 20, 2011

"The group at children's are so awesome. There is a formal team of 2 oncologists assigned to Faye plus heart and gyno specialists. All of them are in love with Faye, she's been such a trouper through this ordeal. Yesterday the oncology team estimated a 6 to 12 month chemo regime followed by radiation. The PET scan this morning showed no disease below the chest and heart and the bone marrow biopsy taken Saturday came up negative ... all good news. Faye has a large tumor on the right side of her upper chest underneath her collar bone and extending below her heart as well as a number of lymph nodes that are cancerous in the upper chest. The good news, the Stage 2a diagnosis after today's testing now calls for a 3 month chemo regime in 21 day cycles followed by radiation for the localized lymph node cancers. Faye will most certainly loose all of her red hair and suffer some degree of nausea, vomiting and general ill feeling. She'll miss a lot of school too. I have no idea what the cost is going to be or how much we're going to have to assume....haven't even gone there yet."

-Steve Walker

A routine check up....

Faye Walker* Steve and Lolly Walker's oldest daughter, went in for a well child check up Wed, Sept 14, and due to some complaints of shoulder pain and shortness of breath, their family doctor, Dr. Andy Bauer ran some additional tests. Within less than two days the shocking results pointed to a mass behind Faye's left clavical, and she was immediately admitted to Children's Hospital in Denver, CO on Friday, September 16th.
The first general diagnosis was lymphatic cancer.
Lymph node, bone marrow and spinal biopsies were done on Saturday, Sept 17th, and the preliminary diagnosis was Hodgkin's Lymphoma.

*Faye, 16, Junior at Cherry Creek High School
Zoe, 15, is a sophomore at CCHS
Lydia, 12 is a 7th grader at Campus Middle School