Chemo Begins…Again!

Dear Barb’s Army,
Just a quick update. Barb started her next cycle of chemo on Thursday, January 29th. She had the Gemzar and anti-nausea medicine by IV and the Oral Xeloda began Thursday night. After IV Chemo, Barb went out to lunch. She will continue to take the Xeloda each morning and night for three weeks. The Gemzar will continue to be on Thursdays. After three weeks, Barb will have a week off and then begin the three week regimen again.
God Bless you Barb’s Army for all the support and prayers. Barb continues to gain strength from all her friends and family! Keep up the prayers. Love always, MK

Positive News from Mayo!

Dear Barb’s Army,
Barb spent today at Mayo Clinic with Jason and Amy by her side. Barb’s bloodwork looks great. Her liver on the CT Scan looks CLEAR of tumors. The pancreas on the scan looks good as well. There may be a little scar tissue on the pancreas, but it is hard to tell. This CT Scan is a marker for the scans to come after more chemo. Dr. Grothey has decided that since the Gemzar/Xeloda combination worked so good for Barb, they will just keep doing that. So, radiation is on hold for a bit. Barb will have 2 more rounds of chemo starting this Thursday (in Ames). Remember, a round is three weeks on and one week off. There will be another CT Scan at Mayo the last week of March. Dr. Grothey is extremely pleased with Barb’s progress! (Aren’t we ALL!) Barb will see Dr. Kendrick tomorrow for a follow up to her surgery and then she, Jason, and Amy head back to Ames on Wednesday. Chemo starts bright and early on Thursday morning.
This is the NEW plan. Keep the prayers flowing for Barb and all those affected with this horrible disease. (I just learned yesterday of another pancreatic cancer patient. So, I have added Michelle, a dear friend of my friend Leslie, to my prayer list. Michelle was receiving a Whipple procedure today at Stanford. She is 46 years old.) Keep praying Barb’s Army! Miracles do happen! Love, MK
PS Congratulations to Amy and Dennis, proud grandparents in this month of January to TWO new grandchildren: Alexis Marie born on January 23rd and Clayton Thomas born on Amy’s birthday of January 25th. Parents and babies are all doing well.

Barb Continues to Mend!

Dear Barb’s Army,
Barb had bloodwork on Friday and everything looks great! Barb, Amy and Mom then saw Dr. Merchant. He said the final “call” on treatment coming up will be made by Dr. Grothey and Dr. Kendrick at Mayo Clinic this week. Remember they are talking about doing some forms of radiation and chemotherapy. They will decide if they will do radiation first or later on. Chemotherapy may go along with radiation or not. Things are in a “holding pattern” right now. Mayo Clinic visit is this Tuesday and Wednesday, so more information will be given after those two days of appointments.
Thanks Barb’s Army for all the prayers, support, love, and kindness. Barb and the family feels them daily. It is giving Barb strength to continue the fight! Love, MK

Matt’s Swimming Success!

Dear Barb’s Army,
Barb, Jason, Mom, Matt and Jimmy all went to Lawrence, Kansas over the weekend for the Mid-West All Stars Swim Meet. Matt took time off EVERY event he swam. His highlight was a 2nd place finish on the Team Iowa Medley relay, in which he swam the backstroke leg. Matt lowered his seeded place in every event except one. Matt took 9 seconds off his IM time (Individual Medley). Matt you are AWESOME! Barb was able to go to all Matt’s events. She was a real trooper getting up early and heading over for a full day of swimming. Schagers and Mom went home on Sunday and relaxed on the Monday holiday.
Today, Jimmy has his first 8th grade basketball game after school. Mom says he is very excited to get playing against other teams. Go Get-em Jimmy!
Warmer weather has come to Iowa, and it may even get in the 30’s or 40’s. Finally! (Of course, in California it has been gorgeous spring-like weather….yet we do need some rain and snow or the media will be harping on drought conditions!)
Barb has her next Mayo appointments on January 27th and 28th, so much more info will come after those appointments. Keep the prayers and the faith alive! Love, MK

Cold Day, “HOT” NEWS!

Dear Barb’s Army,
It is freezing cold in IOWA…..literally. Yet, Amy and Barb met with the radiologist/oncologist, Dr. Rhodes today. Dr. Rhodes was extremely nice, funny and quite the “hip” guy! Barb really liked him, as she has all of her doctors. Dr. Rhodes is recommending radiation on the pancreas for 28 days, beginning when Barb is fully recovered from surgery. He would also keep her on the Xeloda during this time. Thus, he wants to kill any remaining cancer cells in the pancreas and also eradicate the cancer cells floating around the bloodstream or liver area or wherever the little ” boogers” try and hang out. The radiation would be for 15 minutes Monday thru Friday with Saturday and Sunday off. So, 5 days on 2 off, 5 days on 2 off….until we hit 28 days of radiation. After this, it is back to the Gemzar and Xeloda chemotherapy regimen. Dr. Rhodes will consult with Drs. Grothey, Kendrick, and Merchant so everyone is on board with this plan. ( I figure Katie will throw in her 10 cents as well.) It may be tweaked a bit, but this is the radiologists recommendation.
Barbara’s appointment at the Mayo Clinic for the surgery follow-up is on January 27th and 28th. On the 27th Barb has CT scan, X-ray, bloodwork and an appointment with Dr. Grothey. On the 28th she will have a follow-up surgery appt. with Dr. Kendrick. If all doctors agree on the new protocol, then Barb would begin the following Monday with the radiation regimen.
Barb is thrilled that Dr. Rhodes told her she could go to Matt’s swim meet this weekend. Remember this is the Zone meet in Kansas, where Matt will be swimming for Team Iowa. So, Jason, Barb, Matt, Jimmy and Mom Helen will all be going to cheer for Matt! Go Matt, we are sending Michael Phelps swimming vibes your way! We all pray for a safe trip in the horrible weather you are encountering.
That’s it for now. Keep the faith and the prayers. Love, MK

Jason is THE Son-in-Law of 2009!!!

Dear Barb’s Army,
Wow, do I have a story for you! Mom Helen flew into Omaha, Nebraska on Monday, January 12th. Jason picked up Mom in a snowstorm and proceeded to get lost going back to the freeway. Well, thank God he got lost for a few minutes because 5 minutes up the interstate there was a huge wreck. Traffic was at a complete standstill….in the storm. Jason pulled over to get gas, and Mom ran into the gas station to see what the status of traffic was. Mom found out that there were actually 3 wrecks and no one was going anywhere. Jason asked the attendant where the nearest motel was located. The attendant, a woman named Chris, called the motel down the road and got the last room for Jason and Mom. Chris told Jason and Mom to just tell the motel people “Chris sent you.” So they head to the motel, which according to my Mom looks like the Bates Motel out of the Alfred Hitchcock movie Psycho. Jason and Mom walked into the office where “Mom and Pop” were telling three late teenage girls there were no more rooms. Jason said,” Chris sent us.” The motel woman replied,”We have a room for you!” The girls were shocked that there was actually a room, but it was given away to a good-looking mid-30 year old and his 69 year old what??? Mother-in-Law!!! The girls were directed down the street to another motel. So, Jason and Mom head down to their room, and Jason asks Mom if she knows how many beds there are, “because nothing personal Helen, but I am not sleeping in the same bed with you.” Mom opens the door and there are two queen beds to which Jason replies,”Thank you God.” They walk in and the carpet is threadbare, yet the heater works and the bathroom is fairly clean, so all is well. This lovely room was all of $52 (plus tax…), a good deal in a snowstorm! Jason and Mom hunker down to watch some TV. First they watch NCIS, a Mom favorite. Then Mom tells Jason he can pick. Being a gentleman he tells Mom that she can choose again. So Mom picks a Hallmark Channel movie (chick flick) for the rest of the night. (Turns out it is a sappy love story about a Mom with cancer. Sheesh!) After the movie, they go to sleep in their SEPARATE beds. (The question remains what would they have done if there was only a King bed???) Mom sleeps like a rock and Jason has some insomnia off and on…..can you blame him…..he is sleeping in the same room with his mother-in-law! According to Jason, Mom does NOT snore, which is baloney….ask any of the rest of us. I figure the wind was howling louder than Mom snores. (Love you, MOM!) Anyway, their “SLEEP OVER” ends Tuesday morning about 7:30am when they get back on the road to Ames. I challenge any of my brothers-in-law to TOP this! Jason you are the Son-in-Law of 2009….and it is only January! Kudos to you and thanks for getting my Mom Helen safely to Ames.
Barb continues to heal, but she rests often which is good. Jimmy and Matt are back to school and their activities. More to come later in the week. Love, MK

Barb Progressing Well

Dear Barb’s Army,
Barb had bloodwork on Friday and it all looks great. She is no longer anemic! Hurray! Barb is back on her wheat grass each day, and she is gaining her strength back. After bloodwork, Barb and Donna met with Dr. Merchant. He and Dr. Grothey are still discussing future plans for Barb’s treatment, which will include chemotherapy and radiation. More on the exact plans for treatment in the next week or two. Wishing everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year. Keep up the prayers! Love, MK

Barb Improving Daily

Dear Barb’s Army,
Barb continues to heal on a daily basis. I can say this because she, Amy, and Donna were treating themselves to a pedicure today!! However, Barb is still on the Percocet for some pain relief, so she still can’t drive. She continues to eat tiny, tiny meals and is hoping this will alleviate the constipation problems, yet still allow her to maintain her weight or even gain some.
Jimmy has made the 8th grade basketball team at Ames Middle School. He is enjoying playing basketball and getting exercise. Hoop it up, Jim!
Matt continues to be a fish! He has a swim meet this weekend in Minneapolis and next weekend the Mid West Zones in Lawrence, Kansas. Go get-em Matt!
Jason has spent some time back at the farm after being gone during Barb’s surgery and early recovery. I saw that it was snowing in Iowa, but Jason always has work to do with equipment and paperwork and other stuff I am not even aware of. I saw first hand when I was back in Iowa in November how hard Jason works. It gave me an eye-opening appreciation for farmers in the midwest. Love you brother! Thanks for being there for my sister!
Barb goes on Friday for bloodwork and a visit with Dr. Merchant. Still no word on the follow-up appointment in Rochester at Mayo Clinic. Should be coming soon, however.
That’s it for now. Keep the prayers going and again thanks for all the support for the Schager Family. Love, MK

Barb Resting Comfortably!

Dear Barb’s Army,
Had a long talk with Barb last night and here are the details! Barb is tired, but feeling better all around. She has to eat 7 to 8 little meals all day long. She will eat like this for about 6 weeks. It is tough for her to do this, but she is adjusting to her new regimen. She is off the cumaden and back on the Lovenox shots into her abdomen. Since her “tummy” is still sore from surgery, the lovenox shots hurt, but they must be done. The doctor upped her lovenox shot from 40mg to 80mg for one month. This will help prevent clots from forming. Barb is still on the Percocet for pain, but does not have to take as much of it. She is on Pepsid 2x a day to avoid acid reflux as her body heals internally. Barb is on “slow release” Iron pills to help her anemia but avoid constipation.(Barb does not like to talk about Constipation, but it has always been a problem for her, so I talk about it. HA!) She continues to take her pancreas enzymes with each little meal she eats. She is back on the wheat grass since she went off the cumaden. That should help keep her blood counts up.
Barb returns on Friday, January 9th for more blood work. When she left the hospital her hemoglobin was 11, so that was very good as normal is 12. (She was given 2 units of blood in the hospital to bring it up from 8.) She should be receiving her next appt to Mayo Clinic in the mail very soon. She figures it will be about the second or third week of January.
Donna, Barb’s friend from Bako who is a nurse, is coming on January 6th. Mom Helen will return to the great state of Iowa on January 12th.
Well, you are all up to date! Keep the prayers and positive thoughts going the Schager Family’s way. Love, MK
PS A HUGE congratulations to Matt Schager for being one of the TOP 5 boys, age 9-10 Iowa swimmers. Matt has been asked to swim with TEAM IOWA in the Winter Zone games to be held in Lawrence, Kansas in two weeks. Matt qualified in 5 individual events and will be in at least one relay. Matt will swim against competitors from all over the mid-west states. Good Luck, Matt! We are cheering for you and TEAM IOWA!

Barb Resting at HOME!

Dear Barb’s Army,

Barb is home again from the hospital.  She was released from the hospital in Ames yesterday.  Her hemoglobin is up, so they let her go home.  She is resting at home and thanks everyone for their prayers!  Keep it up Barb’s Army.  Love, MK