I apologize for the lack of posts this past week. I've just been totally exhausted. Last week has been full of ups and downs. Here's a little summary of our week:
On Tuesday, we got four inches of lovely, white, fluffy snow that practically guaranteed us a white Christmas. Unfortunately, it all fell while we were trying to drive home from the hospital. A fifteen minute trip took half an hour. Tim gets carsick very easily these days. We made it all the way home, but not into the house before he got sick.
On Wednesday, we had to drive downtown to see Dr. T. We were running a little late. Unfortunately, the hospital was running later. Tim was scheduled for a blood draw and a fifteen minute doctor consultation. It took us two hours to do what should have taken forty-five minutes at most. We then had to drive back up to Evanston for his chemo. Did I mention that Tim gets carsick very easily these days?
On a brighter note, Dr. T suggested that Tim take a two week break from the ATRA. Since this drug gives Tim a headache and makes him nauseous, this was a very welcome suggestion. We also got word that HMO Illinois has approved going out of network to Northwestern Memorial and Dr. T for the stem cell transplant. So that's one worry gone. Dr. T also told us that Julie looks like the best candidate for Tim's stem cell donor.
On Thursday, there was a mix up with Tim's chemo. The arsenic was infused over one hour instead of two. Luckily, this mix up didn't cause Tim any problems.
On Friday, Tim had arsenic and methotrexate. Unfortunately, there wasn't a bed available when we arrived at the cancer center. They like to do the methotrexate in a bed, because it's easier for the nurses. It's also better for Tim if he has a bad reaction to the methotrexate. So we started the arsenic in one treatment room and moved to another when a bed became available. I don't know if it was the premeds or the lack of ATRA, but Tim was actually able to walk to the car after the methotrexate for the first time since before Thanksgiving.
We now have a break from chemo until after the New Year. Tim has to go in on December 26 for blood tests, to make sure that everything is going well. On January 2, Tim will have more blood tests, a methotrexate injection and a bone marrow biopsy. We resume arsenic infusions on January 5.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment