Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Foot Infection and a Cold
V&J got a much needed weekend away to their beloved Sea Ranch, but V returned home with a cold and some kind of infection in her foot. She made a trip to the emergency room where she was treated with IV antibiotics. She returned the next day for a second treatment. There were long waits both times so she's pretty tired out.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Miracles Happen
Hello out there in the blogosphere. I have not posted much lately, but that doesn't mean nothing is happening. Vicki's blood counts have been steadily going up, up, and up. Many of her numbers are getting into a normal range. As predicted, the platelet count is the last to reach normal, but it's been going up each week with no setbacks.
Over the weekend Vicki had her first outing for non-medical reasons since August. She's been taking walks and has been given the O.K. to go out for dinner with her out of town guests. It's pretty amazing if you consider the shape she was in just a few weeks ago.
I think they should have rehab programs for cancer patients the way they do for cardiac patients. She's going to need a lot of gentle exercise and good nutrition to rebuilt her muscle mass and strength. Fortunately all of Jack's cardiac rehab lessons came home so they're teaming up on the project.
Over the weekend Vicki had her first outing for non-medical reasons since August. She's been taking walks and has been given the O.K. to go out for dinner with her out of town guests. It's pretty amazing if you consider the shape she was in just a few weeks ago.
I think they should have rehab programs for cancer patients the way they do for cardiac patients. She's going to need a lot of gentle exercise and good nutrition to rebuilt her muscle mass and strength. Fortunately all of Jack's cardiac rehab lessons came home so they're teaming up on the project.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Still no Transfusions
This week V. went to see her oncologist on this side of the bay instead of going all the way over to UCSF.
She was a little worried that they'd have trouble getting a blood sample. Her veins are pretty messed up from all the chemo and she's had some pretty bad experiences having blood drawn. At UCSF they have a special IV nurse for patients who have this difficulty. V. was relieved when they got her on the first stick at Dr. G's office.
Her numbers are still increasing, ever so slowly, but heading in the right direction all the same. She didn't have to get any transfusions again.
Being able to do all this locally is a great advantage too. It makes for a much, much shorter day which is less tiring which is bound to help with recovery.
She was a little worried that they'd have trouble getting a blood sample. Her veins are pretty messed up from all the chemo and she's had some pretty bad experiences having blood drawn. At UCSF they have a special IV nurse for patients who have this difficulty. V. was relieved when they got her on the first stick at Dr. G's office.
Her numbers are still increasing, ever so slowly, but heading in the right direction all the same. She didn't have to get any transfusions again.
Being able to do all this locally is a great advantage too. It makes for a much, much shorter day which is less tiring which is bound to help with recovery.
Friday, February 13, 2009
No Transfusions Yesterday!!!
Posting an update from V.
=============================================
Went to UCSF today and I needed NO transfusions!!!!I got the go ahead to try going to DR Ganey's office once a week for a blood test. We are going to try it on Tuesday of next week. I am a little concerned whether they can get a vein on the first try. Also I am concerned about having to go to John Muir for blood. I am not sure how long it will take. But I am willing to give it a try and see if we can cut down the traveling to and from UCSF.
=============================================
Went to UCSF today and I needed NO transfusions!!!!I got the go ahead to try going to DR Ganey's office once a week for a blood test. We are going to try it on Tuesday of next week. I am a little concerned whether they can get a vein on the first try. Also I am concerned about having to go to John Muir for blood. I am not sure how long it will take. But I am willing to give it a try and see if we can cut down the traveling to and from UCSF.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Posting the following update from Vicki:
==================================================
Went to UCSF yesterday and platelets were up again to 15! I did not have to get platelets , I htink this was the first time!But the NP felt my red blood count was too low so I had to go to the LSU (I actually go through admitting) and get 2 valentine's red blood.
==================================================
Went to UCSF yesterday and platelets were up again to 15! I did not have to get platelets , I htink this was the first time!But the NP felt my red blood count was too low so I had to go to the LSU (I actually go through admitting) and get 2 valentine's red blood.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
The Numbers are Up (Not "Your Number is Up")
Vicki's red and white blood cells counts were much, much better today. They're starting to look almost normal. Her platelets are still very low, but they increased 50% over last week's number so they're heading in the right direction. The platelets are the last thing to come back so this was expected. They topped her off with a unit of platelets today, but she didn't need any other blood products.
Vicki had decided she wanted to get more input before taking the recommendation to receive additional stem cells. With these good numbers it looks like she won't need them and won't have to make that decision. This also means she'll get to save her leftover stem cells in case, God forbid, she needs them in the future.
Anybody out there giving blood? I cranked out a unit of O+ today, a mere drop in the bucket of what it's taken to keep our friend alive and well, but every little bit helps.
Vicki had decided she wanted to get more input before taking the recommendation to receive additional stem cells. With these good numbers it looks like she won't need them and won't have to make that decision. This also means she'll get to save her leftover stem cells in case, God forbid, she needs them in the future.
Anybody out there giving blood? I cranked out a unit of O+ today, a mere drop in the bucket of what it's taken to keep our friend alive and well, but every little bit helps.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Progress Report
I watched the Super Bowl with the McF's on Sunday. Vicki was pretty tired, but we were all on our feet screaming at a late fourth quarter touchdown for those lovely red birds. With her low platelets she's bruising up which makes her sore. She also chills easily.
Monday she made one of her bi-weekly trips to the clinic to top off the fluids. She only needed platelets this time, no whole blood. This meant getting home much earlier and getting in an extra nap. Between worrying about what it might mean if she needs additional stem cells and feeling crummy she hasn't been sleeping well, but after the platelets and nap she says she's feeling a lot stronger.
She asked the nurse practitioner what probability she thinks there is of Vicki's platelets returning to normal without additional stem cells. The NP said 90% and that the additional stem cells would be more a quality of life issue. For now Vicki's thinking those are pretty good odds so it would be best to leave things alone and see how it goes, but she's going to talk to the doc and confirm.
Monday she made one of her bi-weekly trips to the clinic to top off the fluids. She only needed platelets this time, no whole blood. This meant getting home much earlier and getting in an extra nap. Between worrying about what it might mean if she needs additional stem cells and feeling crummy she hasn't been sleeping well, but after the platelets and nap she says she's feeling a lot stronger.
She asked the nurse practitioner what probability she thinks there is of Vicki's platelets returning to normal without additional stem cells. The NP said 90% and that the additional stem cells would be more a quality of life issue. For now Vicki's thinking those are pretty good odds so it would be best to leave things alone and see how it goes, but she's going to talk to the doc and confirm.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
