PET Scan No. 2 - Monday 2011-05-23

A positron emission tomography (PET) scan is an imaging test that uses a radioactive substance (called a tracer) to look for disease in the body. The medical explanation is inserted for those that still may think that a PET Scan is a veterinary science administered by the local animal shelter.

PET Scan 2 was done before Chemo regimen 3 to enable the oncologist to determine whether Kirstin is on the right chemotherapy track. It is a long process but well worth the wait.

Lets go on a walk through into the PET Scan world:

08:00 - The radioactive substance or tracer is injected via the vein. She is then in isolation and the parents are sent to go and keep ourselves busy. The tricky part of this 'tracer' is that she has to lie still and may not move, read or do anything of the sort because any movement affects the tracer spread through the body. And as Kirstin will tell you ....its a long wait!

09:30 - The PET Scan is performed and takes approximately 30 minutes.

10:00 - Kirstin is taken to an isolation room where she must remain for 1 hour because she is 'radioactive'.
11:00 - The medical staff check that all is alright and she is released from isolation.

Work without pleasure would just be plain boring as will medical treatment be without a good laugh every now and again. And yes, Kirstin will find ways to amuse herself in any circumstance!
A huge pregnancy warning signboard is just the opening gap for a 'dash' of amusement.

Sisterly love

When sisters stand shoulder to shoulder, who stands a chance against us? ~Pam Brown

When we as a family decided that we would all shave our heads in support of Kirstin ... the only opposition we encountered was ... Kirstin! According to her we would look like an embarrassing version of some weird Adams family.
Kirstin's sister decided that if keeping her hair makes Kirstin happy then so be it however she, being a strong willed child, still decided that she would show support by cutting short of her beloved 'golden locks'. Once again one sees the strange side of life because we have always been used to Jordan with long hair and one does not realise how stunning she actually looks with short hair.

If you don't understand how a woman could both love her sister dearly and want to wring her neck at the same time, then you were probably an only child. ~Linda Sunshine

 

The Proverbial 'little finger' and the meaning of Reputable

Reputable, according to the dictionary means; 'having a good reputation; honoured, trustworthy, or respectable'.

Its great for a child to feel comfortable with a doctor but one expects that to remain on somewhat of a medical level. But No ... not for Kirstin because there are far more important questions to ask a doctor than those relating to medicine. So when the doctor, after a check up, asks if she has any questions ... the answer is Yes ... can I eat Kentucky!! So in keeping with medical diplomacy the doctor informs her that she can eat take away, now and again, as long as it is from a reputable place.

Now for Round 2; What is the logical meaning of the word reputable? No ... not what the dictionary says ... what does 'a Kentucky addict' say ... well its easy! Reputable place means the Kentucky that is still newly opened and has never caused any stomach problems before ... case closed!

To cut a long story short, we succumbed to the parental downfall of the 'little finger' and got KFC. To add insult to parental injury Kirstin had no 'side effects' as a result of the KFC so now basically we are somewhat ....

Chemo Regimen 2 is History - On paper anyway ...

Regimen 2 is done and gone by not quite yet forgotten. So far the effects are much like those after regimen 1 only somewhat more intense this time around. The good old Prednisone insomnia effect has held true and the monthly 'sheep count' has begun again. The nausea, although not really more intense, is now longer lasting but the 'new medical breakthrough' of 'force it down with food' is still proving successful.

So here is the run down of how she feels after Round No. 2:
Fatigue plus some ...

The fatigue has brought a new buddy with this time in the form of 'low energy levels'. This is seriously frustrating Kirstin given her history of obsessive sportiness. Doing stuff now takes a 'dash of effort' but luckily her frustration and dislike for laziness keeps it at bay.

Hair loss revenge ...
If hair loss is not bad enough then chemo will give an added bonus in the form of a slight and so far small follicle rash but its easily managed using Elizabeth Anne's or Johnson's Shampoo.

Smash and Grab ...

For this side effect you will need the following equipment: Broom, mop, bucket, packet and an account at Console glass ... Yes unfortunately it is a side effect ... the 'slippery hands' syndrome. If its a glass and it contains liquid, then its bound to fall. No wonder they don't let chemo patients drink alcohol ... imagine that 'balance a glass act' .... Console would become the new Bill Gates.

But the good news is that her blood count is, and I quote, very good for the end of regimen 2. Kirstin is now on 'chemo break' until the 23rd when they are going to perform the second PET scan.

Mothers Day - 'Shake' the Food Police for Supper

Mothers Day, a chance to thank mom for being mom and a golden opportunity to eat out and indulge just a little bit. Well maybe make that 'a silver opportunity' because its moms choice to eat at Ocean Basket but if it was Kirstins choice .... think about .... KENTUCKY!! But hey it still beats Mr and Mrs Bland from the home stove.

The calamari and chips, not to mention the sorbet, were a welcome change even if it requires a dash of payback tomorrow

As Kirstin will argue, she is already nauseas and tired, hey ... 'in for a penny in for a pound' so bring on the highlight of the day ... Hot Chocolate

Chemo: Round 2 - Day 1 to 3 and the Burger Pill

Regimen 1 is 'in the bag' and we have almost conquered regimen 2. Today was Day 3 of Chemo Regimen 2 and so far so good. The side effects are much like those experienced during regimen 1 except that this time the fatigue and nausea are a lot worse. Again she is battling to sleep but is however, so far, getting in a few more hours than during regimen 1. The nausea, as opposed to just during the chemo infusion, is now continuous throughout the day but the nausea pills are still 'standing their ground'.

Kirstin's medical break through - The burger pill:
Four of the drips "feel as though they are coming up her throat" so Kirstin's scientific analysis of this is that if the fluid is coming up her throat then surely she must get something to counteract that by forcing it back down!! So today, I finally gave in to that logic and got her a chicken burger which she promptly ate and ..... well apparently this 'logic' worked and she felt less nauseas. I do however have my doubts as to whether the medical industry is going to buy into this finding but I do believe that Burger King will jump at this as a source of advertising.
So the moral of the story is simple: The tools for chemo will now be ... book, PSP and a Chicken Burger.

Peoples Generosity

'Happiness exists on earth, and it is won through prudent exercise of reason, knowledge of the harmony of the universe, and constant practice of generosity'
Jose Marti

One only truly realises peoples 'softer' or caring sides when one is caught up in some or other traumatic or problematic situation. Without these situations its actually easy to see the human race as nothing more than people living 'in their own worlds'. We as a family have been stunned at the generosity of friends, acquaintances and colleague's who have all somehow or somewhere shown their support to Kirstin.

The management and staff of her school, Willowridge High School, have and still are doing everything to help and guide her. Schools often profess that the scholars well being is important but 'Willows' has shown it to be true in all aspects.

People from all friendship circles continually send messages or contact us for updates, some have provided meals, others have provided moral support and comfort and some have showered Kirstin in gifts, everything from hats and scarves to books and movies and even a PSP which has proved to be a great entertainment tool for the long chemo hours. Then of course there are those that 'knock the wind out your sails', probably because one does not really expect a specific response from a specific person, like our pharmacist who specially ordered head scarves from Cape Town or a friend of ours who brought her the most awesome gold necklace and cancer pendant. The necklace has gone straight to the safe because Kirstin wants to debut it at her matric dance. For those that will not be attending the dance, here is your sneak preview: 

Like they say 'every dark cloud has a silver lining' and of the many things that we have learned on this journey so far is that people are still inherently caring and generous in many different ways.