I have never been so happy to say GOODBYE to a month.
Dad will start his fourth night of chemo tonight. He is running a fever and had a headache today while we were there. He was really trying to eat something and got some turkey and stuffing down and some cherry slushy. I think his mouth has improved and his will is there to want to eat, but his head was just brutal.
The numbers are holding. He will get transfused some blood tonight if the fever can come down some. His white blood cells are back down to .2, which is pretty much 0. They had gone up to 1.5 or so earlier in the week, which is okay, I guess, considering he started out at 43.0 and above.
They are really monitoring his fluid intake and outake and have given a diuretic again. He was on oxygen part of the day too, which seems to go hand in hand with the fever.
That's about it for today - nothing huge, which hey! I'll take it.
Let's hope March holds true to tradition - comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Day 24 - Chemo Back Up and Running
They actually re-started Dad's chemo last night and then they'll run another round through him tonight. That would be day two and three of this five day sequence.
I didn't get up to visit until 4:30 today and brought another slushy. The first thing Dad asked me was if I had my computer with me and I didn't. He wants to check out this blog - so people he'll be reading this one! ha ha! Send me some comments for him and I'll show him the posts.
The only other news is he ate a baked potato today and iced teas, gatorade, and some slushy. He dissed my Peanut Butter cup that I brought in. I swear, I didn't know he didn't like those. Oh well!
He is back to running a low grade fever, which seems to be typical with chemo treatment (at least for him). His kidney results must have come back normal or else they wouldn't have done the chemo last night. They did another EKG today to check his heart and are constantly checking his oxygen levels and vitals. The chemo last night really took a lot out of him today, I guess, because he was pretty sleepy. He didn't fall asleep while I was there, but I heard he was dozing on Ethan's visit (ha ha! See I am the favorite! Just kidding!).
Anyways, we're inundated with girl scout cookies at our house, so if you ordered from us, we'll be hitting you up soon - or else, you risk the chance of your order being eaten around here!
I didn't get up to visit until 4:30 today and brought another slushy. The first thing Dad asked me was if I had my computer with me and I didn't. He wants to check out this blog - so people he'll be reading this one! ha ha! Send me some comments for him and I'll show him the posts.
The only other news is he ate a baked potato today and iced teas, gatorade, and some slushy. He dissed my Peanut Butter cup that I brought in. I swear, I didn't know he didn't like those. Oh well!
He is back to running a low grade fever, which seems to be typical with chemo treatment (at least for him). His kidney results must have come back normal or else they wouldn't have done the chemo last night. They did another EKG today to check his heart and are constantly checking his oxygen levels and vitals. The chemo last night really took a lot out of him today, I guess, because he was pretty sleepy. He didn't fall asleep while I was there, but I heard he was dozing on Ethan's visit (ha ha! See I am the favorite! Just kidding!).
Anyways, we're inundated with girl scout cookies at our house, so if you ordered from us, we'll be hitting you up soon - or else, you risk the chance of your order being eaten around here!
Friday, February 26, 2010
Day 23
Nothing much new to report. Dad had his Doppler today and they're awaiting those results. Until that happens, everything is kind of on hold. The number that jumped was his Creatinine number. It went up to a 2 something and normal is under 1.5, I think. Anyways, that's what tipped them off to the kidney issue.
Dad is growing a little peach fuzz back on his head - pretty good. His hands are pealing really bad from that red hand side effect last week.
He managed to get down some of a slushy from Sonic that I brought in and said it tasted pretty good. He commented that the fish fry I'm going to tonight sounded good, too, so maybe his appetite is coming back a little.
Just another day in oncology, so check back later for something more exciting.
Thanks for all the prayers and support - we know you are all there for us.
Dad is growing a little peach fuzz back on his head - pretty good. His hands are pealing really bad from that red hand side effect last week.
He managed to get down some of a slushy from Sonic that I brought in and said it tasted pretty good. He commented that the fish fry I'm going to tonight sounded good, too, so maybe his appetite is coming back a little.
Just another day in oncology, so check back later for something more exciting.
Thanks for all the prayers and support - we know you are all there for us.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Day 22 - Chemo Interrupted
First of all, Happy 6th Birthday to my niece Mia. I can't believe she's 6!
Okay, the daily report. Apparently, the doctor who's been on my Dad's rotation this past week (Dr. Walters) came in today and said they were going to stop the chemo for now. Dad's kidney numbers came back with some concerns (I think that's his creatinine levels, but will check tomorrow when I can go up to the hospital). They are doing some tests to see what's going on and change up his antibiotics. The doctor assured them that stopping the chemo wouldn't inhibit his progress. Personally, I don't understand that, but okay - they're the experts. They are going to do a Doppler to rule out a blockage too.
Dr. Walters also told them that he was switching rotation again - they do this every week or so and that Dr. Cashon was coming back on to Dad's case. They liked her too. He also said Dr. Cashon would be the oncologist Dad saw in clinic as an outpatient.
Just as an information point - the new chemo cocktail they did last night was cytarabine, mitoxantrone and etopicide. They might switch that once they figure out the kidney issue because some of those drugs have adverse side effects on the kidneys in some patients.
Thanks for your thoughts today and for straying onto the blog to see what's new. Keep the cards coming for my Dad, he enjoys them and visitors too.
Okay, the daily report. Apparently, the doctor who's been on my Dad's rotation this past week (Dr. Walters) came in today and said they were going to stop the chemo for now. Dad's kidney numbers came back with some concerns (I think that's his creatinine levels, but will check tomorrow when I can go up to the hospital). They are doing some tests to see what's going on and change up his antibiotics. The doctor assured them that stopping the chemo wouldn't inhibit his progress. Personally, I don't understand that, but okay - they're the experts. They are going to do a Doppler to rule out a blockage too.
Dr. Walters also told them that he was switching rotation again - they do this every week or so and that Dr. Cashon was coming back on to Dad's case. They liked her too. He also said Dr. Cashon would be the oncologist Dad saw in clinic as an outpatient.
Just as an information point - the new chemo cocktail they did last night was cytarabine, mitoxantrone and etopicide. They might switch that once they figure out the kidney issue because some of those drugs have adverse side effects on the kidneys in some patients.
Thanks for your thoughts today and for straying onto the blog to see what's new. Keep the cards coming for my Dad, he enjoys them and visitors too.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Evening Edition - (last night, posted this AM)
Talked to Mom a little more tonight. This round of chemo is a series of two and a half hour treatments, once a day. So Dad will start them at 9:30pm and they'll go until midnight. Three different drugs will be given during that time.
The doctors told them that he has a chromosomal mutation called FLT3. You can look it up for more detailed info, but basically, the FLT3 is extremely resistant to chemotherapy.
I don't know where all this leaves us. I think too much info is not always good because it blocks what we should really be focusing on. I know, for me, it's been way too much to process today. I am also going to block all websites to AML and just listen to the doctors - TMI - too much information.
More tomorrow.
The doctors told them that he has a chromosomal mutation called FLT3. You can look it up for more detailed info, but basically, the FLT3 is extremely resistant to chemotherapy.
I don't know where all this leaves us. I think too much info is not always good because it blocks what we should really be focusing on. I know, for me, it's been way too much to process today. I am also going to block all websites to AML and just listen to the doctors - TMI - too much information.
More tomorrow.
Day 21 - Conference with Doctor
My parents met with the doctor this morning and they are going to start a second round of chemo today for five days. After that, he'll have to wait three weeks to have another bone marrow drawn to see if they got it all. Right now his blasts are at 30% from his bone marrow last Friday.
So, we're looking at another month in the hospital and then we'll see.
So, we're looking at another month in the hospital and then we'll see.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Day 20 - part deux
The doctor came by tonight to talk to my Dad. He is meeting with my parents tomorrow morning to discuss a treatment plan from here on in. Basically, the bone marrow results were not what we had hoped for. The blasts were still at 30%. Dad mentioned they may start back on the chemo tomorrow. I have a lot of questions and I'm hoping that after the meeting, they will have some more answers.
This second round of chemo they are talking about would be a combo of 3 or 4 drugs for 5 days. It would bring Dad's system even further down and open him up for even more infection. There are obviously some risks here, but what else do you do?
More tomorrow when we hear more.
This second round of chemo they are talking about would be a combo of 3 or 4 drugs for 5 days. It would bring Dad's system even further down and open him up for even more infection. There are obviously some risks here, but what else do you do?
More tomorrow when we hear more.
Day 20
Here's the quick update. Dad's throat is still sore. Imagine a million canker sores and that's what he's dealing with. His hands are starting to peal from his yucky red hands last week. He looks kind of tired, but is holding his own. He managed to eat some jello today and drink some iced tea.
The good news is his white blood cells hit .7 today! Yeah! They were .4, remember, yesterday. That's a good sign and hopefully the neutrophils will show up soon and help him out with his sore throat.
When I left this evening, they were starting to transfuse platelets. That takes 30 minutes.
More tomorrow!
The good news is his white blood cells hit .7 today! Yeah! They were .4, remember, yesterday. That's a good sign and hopefully the neutrophils will show up soon and help him out with his sore throat.
When I left this evening, they were starting to transfuse platelets. That takes 30 minutes.
More tomorrow!
Monday, February 22, 2010
Late Numbers
Today's numbers were better.
WBC - .4
Plt- 13
Hb - 9.9
Hct - 28
He still doesn't have any neutrophils showing up which are a specific type of white blood cell that fights infection and would help him get over this throat agitation. Come on neutrophils - do your thing!
WBC - .4
Plt- 13
Hb - 9.9
Hct - 28
He still doesn't have any neutrophils showing up which are a specific type of white blood cell that fights infection and would help him get over this throat agitation. Come on neutrophils - do your thing!
Day 19 - KOKO
A friend clued me in on the KOKO - it means Keep On Keepin' On. That's what we're doing. Went up to see Dad this morning and got him out of bed and into his recliner. I ordered some breakfast for him (an appetizing Italian ice and sherbert and a gatorade) and watched him choke down a handful of meds. HIs throat is still raw as razors.
They hooked him up to a pain pump (he finally conceded) and I'm hoping it gives him some relief today. It has to get better soon, right?
They are pushing him to get some food in him and it's hard. His energy level will begin to wane if he doesn't start putting something inside to feed his metabolism. I told him to order chicken broth for lunch and I was going to call and see how much he finished. He just laughed at me.
I know we're all nervous about his bone marrow results which should come in on Wednesday. Cross your fingers and pray for the best. Realistically, I am not expecting the first round of chemo to have completely destroyed all the blasts, but the optimist in me is still secretly hopeful that it did!
Send up a wish and a prayer today. : )
They hooked him up to a pain pump (he finally conceded) and I'm hoping it gives him some relief today. It has to get better soon, right?
They are pushing him to get some food in him and it's hard. His energy level will begin to wane if he doesn't start putting something inside to feed his metabolism. I told him to order chicken broth for lunch and I was going to call and see how much he finished. He just laughed at me.
I know we're all nervous about his bone marrow results which should come in on Wednesday. Cross your fingers and pray for the best. Realistically, I am not expecting the first round of chemo to have completely destroyed all the blasts, but the optimist in me is still secretly hopeful that it did!
Send up a wish and a prayer today. : )
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