Best Practices - Lessons Learned

In the last 7 cycles of chemotherapy, I have been experimenting.  This is because I want to minimize the discomfort, weakness and other mild and moderate side-effects I have experienced with taking a 5 day on, 23 day off maintenance cycle of Temodar for the past 7 months.  Temodar is an Anti-Neoplastic agent.  I may do a more in depth nerd-style posting in the future of things I have learned about this last year.  Anyway...to continue.

If anyone takes Temodar (Temozolomide) and has not been able to minimize the side-effects to their liking, consider the following.  For my 5 days on, I keep a rather strict schedule.  I normally keep a fairly strict schedule anyway, but definitely do not stop during chemo week.  I don't adjust my schedule for chemo week so I don't have anything to re-adjust to something different later.  I just keep my normal schedule:
- Wake up early, eat whole grain cereal and fruit breakfast and go to work.
- Get off work (early evening)
- Get home and immediately go into exercise mode.  Light to moderate weights and cardio...90 minutes of exercise is my ideal goal.
- Finish, shower and eat dinner.
- Right after dinner begin cycle. Anzemet (anti-emetic chemo prep drug) then an hour of no food or drink...then chemo...then nothing for another hour.
- When I can eat again, I like to have a granola parfait with Activia yogurt and fruit.  Making sure to drink plenty of water.  Activia was chosen due to its active cultures.  This can also be helpful as chemotherapy can suppress your immune system.
- When I go to bed about an hour or two after that, I don't feel much different than normal.
Now, rinse and repeat for 5 days...

Anyway, after 7 variations of when to take the chemo, what to eat and when to sleep, this honestly is the best routine I have locked in on...I don't plan on changing anything else now.

I hope this can help someone who may have some difficulty with this type of process.  Please feel free to ask questions or comment as this type of process can be part of a tough time in one's life and you never know when you can help someone else.

Peace, Love & Prayers to you all.

Sincerely,
Leif

More Will Be Revealed

Dear followers devout,

There done aint been much to report or update y'all on thus why the posting frequency has slackened greatly.  Speaking of slacking...I have been doing quite the opposite of  that lately.  With nearly a year, YES I SAID A YEAR,  having gone by now since the discovery of the brain tumor, I feel there is a LOT of ground to make up.

It is amazing that the Lord continues to show me new ways to strengthen myself mind, body, and spirit.  As I continue to press into these areas, I am able to see more of Him.  Now that motivates and fulfills me in an incredible way.  I definitely feel excited to find the next challenge and allow it to enhance this experience of life that we have the joy of sharing together.

I will continue to keep the blog up to date as new information arrives.  Meanwhile, feel free to ask questions, post motivational comments and most inportantly...continue to LOVE one enougher as He loved us!!!

With Sincere Gratitude,
Leif Hyrne

One Day at a Time

Hello all,

My apologies for more than a month since the last update.  Not a lot has arisen with regards to new information about my tumor.  I still believe that the Lord is healing me and this illness will not defeat me!

I will share a bit of a heart issue I have had recently.  I have been trying to get a clear picture of what my life will look like in the coming months so I can plan accordingly.  Well, this has been very difficult as I really have no idea what things will look like.  Based on what has already happened this year, I don't feel any security in defining what to plan on.  Thankfully, David Jeremiah to the rescue again.  His message on the Lord's prayer Friday morning helped me to re-establish my footing.  God gives us what we need for today (our daily bread) and no more is promised.  So I gladly reduced the scope of my planning to just today.  It is actually easier to me to move ahead this way.  I am still working in certain directions (driving, living independently and so on) but can rest easier at the end of each day knowing I have done what I can for today.

Love and Prayers to you all,
Leif

Good News

Good news Indeed.  I have recently had a MRI to see how the radiation and chemotherapy affected my tumor.  After my oncologist reviewed the Radiologist’s report, she told us that the remaining tumor is even smaller than before.   This is good news!!  I now move into ‘maintenance chemo mode’.  That means that I take chemo one week of every month for a year.  Looks like this blog is living up to its name.  My love and gratitude to you as the prayer of many is truly a powerful weapon.  More info to follow as we find out new information.

Love and Prayers,

Leif

RADIATION/CHEMO TREATMENT SESSION 1 COMPLETE

PRAISE GOD ON HIGH!!!  My Chemo and Radiation treatment schedule ended 2 weeks ago this coming Wednesday.  It must have been the Lord’s timing as the fatigue was starting to set in.  I have had time to recoup for the most part and get ready for whatever is coming.  Well…I guess that gives me enough time to get ready for the upcoming race.  WHAT??!!??  Did you say ‘race’?  Yes I did.  One of the major neuro-science and tumor treatment centers in Cincinnati is sponsoring a 5K walk/run on OCT. 28^th.  It is called ‘Race for the Cure’.   For more information about this race, go to the following web address:

 http://www.walkahead.org/

Information on my team, ‘Tumor Assassination Squad’ can be found on the following link:

http://registration.walkahead.org/walkahead/teampage.asp?fundid=2445

This shows me how far things have come in terms of healing and blessings.  I still have many oncologist and therapy appointments left.  These should hopefully be just to verify my health status in their respective areas. 

Blog Supporters: Thanks for the prayer support.

Sincerely Yours (With Love, Peace and Prayers),

Leif

FINAL WEEK OF TREATMENT UPCOMING

Week #6 of Radiation and Chemo is now complete. Leif heads into the final week of treatment on Monday.  This final week will consist of 3days of Radiation addressing the remaining tumor in ‘Boost Mode’. Chemo will continue this week also. Following this ‘33’ days of treatment will be a ‘4 week’ break in treatment. At the end of this break Leif will resume chemo [pill form] for 5 days out of the month for the remainder of the year. Leif is feeling the drain in strength [fatigue] which occurs during radiation chemo treatment.  Radiation builds up in your system and takes its toll. Leif has continued to exercise and walk. PT, OT, and ST therapies have continued throughout treatment. Leif is looking forward to finishing the radiation portion of treatment. Strength will return in greater amounts and fatigue will go after radiation. This week Leif has had more discomfort in the head area. This could be a result of the radiation boost mode. Some medications are stopping. The body is now going to have to rebuild Leif’s immune system. The immune system is now suppressed. Blood work and counts will continue this week. Leif’s attitude is good and he is staying hopeful for full recovery. Today Leif went to his church [4 Corners] and then spent the day will his children and sister’s family. Therapy is scheduled later in the week. Leif’s appetite is very good! Leif is including reading, PC work, devotions, and appointments in his daily schedule. Thank God for helping Leif through this struggle.

Blog Readers; Thank you for your steadfast support and prayers. Your prayers continue to announce to our God Leif’s needs. You have come to his aid at a time of great need. Thanks again.

Praises to our God

Written by Pop

Input by Leif

'BOOST MODE' / CHANGE IN TREATMENT FOR WEEK 6

Leif has now completed ‘5’ weeks of radiation/chemo treatment. Leif works hard at staying strong and keeping the right attitude.  Leif continues to eat right and exercise. Walking distances area are now at 1 mile plus. Exercises also are in areas in addition to the physical. OT and ST Therapies help with the adjustments to deficits which remain at this time. Cognitive sharpness and sustained focus are goals of ST and OT Therapy.  Professional Therapy is a big-big plus. Leif’s reaction time continues to improve. [Praises!] Changes are in store for Leif as he goes into week ‘6’ of treatment. The radiation portion of treatment will go into ‘boost mode’ this week. This means that the IMRT Beams Intensities will be increased in specific areas of the brain tumor. These specific targets are located deep in the remaining tumor area. The goal is to ‘knock out’ the ability of the tumor to replicate and grow. Leif has had some stomach pressure of late. Headaches are low grade #1. Incision area pains are present on occasion. We pray that these go in the course of healing. Deficit improvements are our prayer petitions unto the Lord. Blood work is done on Tuesdays. This Tuesday Oncology will check the ‘blood counts’. These tests are indicators of the immune system status. When taking chemo and radiation the immune system is suppressed. Staying healthy during treatment is paramount. Leif feels that he is blessed because of his healthy state at this time during the treatment. Church friends have been there for Leif. Leif attended his home church today and enjoyed the timely message and worship. Leif then spend the day with friends and his family, Abigail and Luke.

Blog Faithful; Thanks for lifting up Leif in your prayers. The battle has been long and you have remained on the battlefield. I and the family ‘Salute ‘your faithful steadfast faith and action in prayer. Praises unto our ‘God and King’.

Written by Pop

[Additional input from Leif]