No big news, which is good news. Vicki is nice and stable, no infections, no major developments. She's doing so well that her doctor suggested moving her to another floor so that a sicker patient could be moved to the leukemia ward. After moving four times this was unwelcome news. Jack made a phone call to the nead nurse and said, "I don't think so."* Vicki will be staying put for now.
* Private joke: reference to the time I scared a little girl in Las Vegas.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Monday, November 10, 2008
Growth Hormone Begins
I had a nice visit with the DragonflyGal on Sunday. She was perky and alert, taking her walks, and doing great. She says this treatment is a walk in the park compared to what she went through in August.
Today she'll begin taking the growth hormone which will increase her white blood cell count and prepare her for the collection phase of the treatment during which stem cells will be collected from her blood stream to be transplanted later. The drug, filgrastim (brand name Neupogen), can cause mild to moderate bone pain. Vicki took this drug in 2005 and found it to be quite painful. Our good friend vicodin will be back in town for the duration of this treatment.
Today she'll begin taking the growth hormone which will increase her white blood cell count and prepare her for the collection phase of the treatment during which stem cells will be collected from her blood stream to be transplanted later. The drug, filgrastim (brand name Neupogen), can cause mild to moderate bone pain. Vicki took this drug in 2005 and found it to be quite painful. Our good friend vicodin will be back in town for the duration of this treatment.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Private Room
Miss V. has her private room now. She has a view of the city and the Golden Gate Bridge. She said that last night she watched the fog roll in until her windows looked frosty.
She's tired and weak, but doing pretty well. The diarrhea is over, thank goodness! She had a little fever last night and has developed some itty bitty sores in her mouth, which is very much expected. She went for two walks yesterday which will help very much with keeping up her strength and energy.
She says she really likes her nurses and feels safe there.
Jack can't visit because he has a cold so keep the phone calls and e-mails coming to keep our gal company.
She's tired and weak, but doing pretty well. The diarrhea is over, thank goodness! She had a little fever last night and has developed some itty bitty sores in her mouth, which is very much expected. She went for two walks yesterday which will help very much with keeping up her strength and energy.
She says she really likes her nurses and feels safe there.
Jack can't visit because he has a cold so keep the phone calls and e-mails coming to keep our gal company.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Yeah for Neutropenia
Today's bloodwork showed that Vicki is neutropenic which means her white blood cell count is low. This is an expected result of the chemo and although it means she is now more vulnerable to infection. The good news is that it means she gets to move to a private room.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Shhhhh (It's a Surprise)
I need your help to try to coordinate a little surprise for Miss V. Please e-mail me privately so I can clue you in on what you can do.
She's reading the blog so Shhhhhhhhhhh!
How To -- REVISED 6-NOV
Sorry, my previous instructions aren't working. I didn't want to post my e-mail address because this is a public blog and I'm asking for heaps-o-spam. I'll It's AllenAndCatz@att.net. BE SURE TO WRITE IT DOWN. I'm going to take if off the blog after a couple of days.
She's reading the blog so Shhhhhhhhhhh!
How To -- REVISED 6-NOV
Sorry, my previous instructions aren't working. I didn't want to post my e-mail address because this is a public blog and I'm asking for heaps-o-spam. I'll It's AllenAndCatz@att.net. BE SURE TO WRITE IT DOWN. I'm going to take if off the blog after a couple of days.
Chemo Means Business
Yesterday was not good. Vicki said, "The chemo let me know it meant business." Today she is better, but very tired. Her blood counts are starting to decline, as expected. When they get low enough she'll get to move to a private room.
They are running a poo test to see if her diarrhea is bacterial and if so, antiobiotics will start. She's expecting her first transfusion today which always gives her a bit of pep.
She's working on doing a little exercise every day and said that everybody is out doing their laps around the ward during the day, but it gets pretty boring. She said she might try a short bike ride today. I assume she means a stationary bike, but don't be surprise if you see her out in Golden Gate park with her hospital johnny flying and her fanny hanging out for the world to see.
Keep the comments and e-mails coming. V. said that although she doesn't always feel well enough to reply, they really help lift her spirits.
They are running a poo test to see if her diarrhea is bacterial and if so, antiobiotics will start. She's expecting her first transfusion today which always gives her a bit of pep.
She's working on doing a little exercise every day and said that everybody is out doing their laps around the ward during the day, but it gets pretty boring. She said she might try a short bike ride today. I assume she means a stationary bike, but don't be surprise if you see her out in Golden Gate park with her hospital johnny flying and her fanny hanging out for the world to see.
Keep the comments and e-mails coming. V. said that although she doesn't always feel well enough to reply, they really help lift her spirits.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Treatment Details
Last Sunday Vicki gave me a copy of a patient consent form which spells out the details of the treatments she will receive along with the risks and side effects. For those who feel better with more information, I have provided a link to a copy of that document.
WARNING: I found it rather frightening and upsetting to get so many details all at once so please consider your own sensitivity to such things when deciding whether or not to read.
Patient Consent Form (.pdf)
This is a rather large document so it may take a couple of minutes to load in your browser window.
WARNING: I found it rather frightening and upsetting to get so many details all at once so please consider your own sensitivity to such things when deciding whether or not to read.
Patient Consent Form (.pdf)
This is a rather large document so it may take a couple of minutes to load in your browser window.
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