Another Tough Week

The new cocktail with the carboplatin is really taking its toll. She had severe nausea for most of yesterday. Mentally the depression seems to be getting the upper hand. Please continue to pray for us as this is a very difficult time.

Keebo - The Family Pet

This weekend was especially sad for our family. We had to put our dog of nearly 15 years, Keebo, down this past Saturday. Keebo was Angela's first "child". She gave him birthday parties and he rode with her nearly everywhere she went (pre-kids of course). She is taking his loss pretty hard.

In general, things have been very rough since our return from Duke. She has not been tolerating the new chemo cocktail very well. Mentally she has been in a "funk" for lack of a better term. It has been a challenge to get her motivated enough to get out of the house or go to physical therapy.

TREATMENT DAY

Today Angela was "introduced" to her new drugs. She is now receiving a new chemo drug (added to the two she is already taking) and a new nausea pill. Time will tell if the new chemo drug is working but I can tell you that the new nausea medication IS working. She called me today after her treatment and she was having trouble deciding between a cheeseburger from Wendy's or homemade lasagna that we brought her last night. Does that sound like someone not feeling well??? When we last spoke it sounded like the lasagna won...............but I am sure she'll change her mind a few times before she gets home.

She will continue with her treatments every other Wednesday (new chemo once per month). The next MRI is scheduled one month from now with the next visit to Duke in two months. David will post more details at a later date regarding her treatment plan.

Angela seems to be doing well. I am sure that you all can understand that she has been a little down lately BUT she still remains positive and focused on a full recovery.

Please pray for Angela to continue to have the strength to fight the battle.

Thanks for the prayers,
tammy

PS - Angela just called to say that the lasagna was great.......guess she didn't change her mind!

Setback

I wish I had better news, but the tumor appears to be growing again. Dr. Reardon, her doctor at Duke, is adding another chemo drug to the "cocktail", Carboplatin. We're waiting to board the plane. It will be a long ride home.

We're Still Here!

We survived Gustav. Angela said she is leaving to find a far away island next Labor Day. Last Labor Day it was a brain tumor. This Labor Day it was Gustav.

We have no power like the rest of Louisiana, but we were very fortunate to have no damage to our house. The boys and Kat clung to my legs as we ventured out into the early part of the Hurricane on our front porch.

Angela is doing fine. As I'm typing this we are sitting in the luxury of air conditioning at Dr. Staggs' office getting her biweekly round of chemo. I'm sure she'd skip the chemo if she could even, if though it comes with AC. We're gearing up to go to Duke on Sunday. We're going to miss all this heat and humidity here.

PREPARING FOR GUSTAV

All is well with the Fluker's. The kids have adjusted well to school and Angela is back at work! I visited with Angela a few days ago and it was almost like old times...........an incredible visit!!!!
I wanted to let all of you know that they are prepared for the storm with a stocked refrigerator and lots of water and batteries. They will ride the storm out at home but rest assured that I will be checking in on them often.
This is an off week of chemo so that is good since we have no idea of what traffic will be like for the next week.
Please continue to pray for God to continue to bless Angela with only the best of days.

Thanks for the prayers.

tammy

Duke Agrees

Duke has agreed with the MRI results given in Baton Rouge - Tumor Remains Stable!!!! Angela travels to Duke in September.
Wednesday was a treatment day (Lowry - you were correct) and I am pleased to say that once again.........no nausea! What a blessing. Angela and I have a ritual that she calls me on her way home from treatments to celebrate the lack of nausea. Since starting the new medicine months back, she has been able to call me every time!!!
Everything is going well in the Fluker home. The kids started school this week. They started a new school this year and are quickly making new friends. The teachers told Angela that Katherine loves to be outside.
Once again, great news and for that we are all thankful. Thanks for your continued support and prayers.

tammy