Sandi had an early doctor appointment with lab work today and we are finally home. She is running a significant fever and there remain other various issues that cause a lot of concern. She was extremely anemic so she had two units of blood today, a round of antibiotics, some steroids, and some other various fluids. She also now has an emergency PET Scan scheduled for Saturday.
Sandi's fever is still getting worse despite everything they have done. Today she was running about four degrees of fever. Her kidney function continues to indicate things are not going in the right way. What was thought to be a fever caused by the white blood cell shot is now thought to be something quite more significant. It could be another bacterial blood infection though she is not having a lot of the symptoms of that. Symptoms that we are very familiar with having gone through two bacterial blood infections in almost as many months. So, it probably is not that.
In all likelihood the fever is being caused by the cancer mutating and attacking somewhere. Where and what kind of Non Hodgkins Lymphoma that would now be is totally unknown. Because of Sandi's urgent need for blood today they could not do the PET Scan today though they tried very hard to make that happen. Because of what they had to do to her with that with the steroids and all, tomorrow was out of the question. So, they are doing that scan on Saturday which means we will be there at least four hours if not way longer to get that done.
That is then and we will deal with it then. For this evening, she is going to try and eat a little dinner, watch a little football, and then head to bed.
Showing posts with label bloodwork. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bloodwork. Show all posts
Thursday, September 28, 2017
Tuesday, August 22, 2017
Sandi Update 8/22/17
Just talked to Sandi tonight and she is doing okay. They removed the tri fusion port this afternoon. They are now running what they need to do through one IV that is located in her right arm halfway between her wrist and her elbow. Currently that is one bag of antibiotics after another one with each one being a different antibiotic. After getting multiple units of blood and platelets this morning it looks like they are not planning to repeat that tomorrow.
Fortunately, she is not in much pain and has been able to crochet. Her mood is pretty good though she is a bit bored and restless and is not finding anything on TV to take her mind off of things. She can still hear and she is thrilled with that fact and hope it holds.
So, I think things are as good as they can be right now. Or, as she put it again tonight, "It is what it is."
Fortunately, she is not in much pain and has been able to crochet. Her mood is pretty good though she is a bit bored and restless and is not finding anything on TV to take her mind off of things. She can still hear and she is thrilled with that fact and hope it holds.
So, I think things are as good as they can be right now. Or, as she put it again tonight, "It is what it is."
Wednesday, May 17, 2017
Cancer Doc Visit
By the time this post appears, if things are going right, Sandi will be starting her IVIG infusion as we should have had the blood work and doc visit. Hopefully, we also know what the plan is for the biopsy for the new cancer.
Will update when we finally get home.
Will update when we finally get home.
Thursday, March 16, 2017
Finally Home
After a quick visit to the house to see my brother who is in town for a very few days to help with things, we came back here so that Sandi could eat and go to bed. Doctor visits always wear her out and today was no exception.
Blood work was okay though they do see some important numbers slipping a bit. They took six vials of blood out of her to double check some things as well as run new tests because of her allergy issues. While they think it is just allergies giving her a hard time, they took blood to rule out the return of a bacterial lung infection. They also dud nasal swabs to rule out other severe infections she has had previously and were hell to get rid of. What they are worrying about are things that have put her in the hospital before, even the ICU, but right now it does not appear to be what she is fighting. The fact that she does not exhibit any fever or coughing issues makes them lean towards the idea it is just allergies and nothing else.
Her meds are remaining the same with the addition of another antibiotic as a precautionary measure while they await the few days it will take to get the test results back.
Assuming nothing wacky happens in the meantime, we go back in a month so that she can have blood work and a doctor visit. At that time, assuming they can get insurance permission, they will also give her a multi hour IVIG infusion to support her immune system. The resumption of chemo as well as a PET SCAN remain on hold so that her body can better deal with what is going on right now with her.
Blood work was okay though they do see some important numbers slipping a bit. They took six vials of blood out of her to double check some things as well as run new tests because of her allergy issues. While they think it is just allergies giving her a hard time, they took blood to rule out the return of a bacterial lung infection. They also dud nasal swabs to rule out other severe infections she has had previously and were hell to get rid of. What they are worrying about are things that have put her in the hospital before, even the ICU, but right now it does not appear to be what she is fighting. The fact that she does not exhibit any fever or coughing issues makes them lean towards the idea it is just allergies and nothing else.
Her meds are remaining the same with the addition of another antibiotic as a precautionary measure while they await the few days it will take to get the test results back.
Assuming nothing wacky happens in the meantime, we go back in a month so that she can have blood work and a doctor visit. At that time, assuming they can get insurance permission, they will also give her a multi hour IVIG infusion to support her immune system. The resumption of chemo as well as a PET SCAN remain on hold so that her body can better deal with what is going on right now with her.
Tuesday, November 10, 2015
Doctor Update
Back home from the cancer doc. With the exception of her white blood cell count which has fallen off the cliff, her bloodwork was pretty good. No sign of anemia or other issues which was very good news. So, they gave her the shot she hates because it makes her sick to address the white blood cell situation and sent us on our way.
Because Sandi has a diabetes doctor appointment for next Tuesday, Sandi is scheduled for the next round of chemo on Wednesday. That means she will have her next round of IV chemo and then will start her next cycle of the oral chemo that evening.
Because Sandi has a diabetes doctor appointment for next Tuesday, Sandi is scheduled for the next round of chemo on Wednesday. That means she will have her next round of IV chemo and then will start her next cycle of the oral chemo that evening.
Tuesday, October 27, 2015
Doctor News
Back home and Sandi is doing pretty well. Oral chemo sideffects have been manageable so far and her blood work has not taken much of a hit. The fact that her white blood cell count dropped a little bit as well as a couple of other things is not surprising and should go away once she is off the oral chemo pill. All her other bloodwork looked very good and it seems that, at least for now, the anemia issue has gone away and she has stabalized.
In view of all that, the doctor decided that we could skip coming next week and have a week off from coming in to be checked. So, the next appointment is in two weeks when she has bloodwork and a doctor visit.
Things seem to be going as well as we could expect. Hopefully, they really are.
In view of all that, the doctor decided that we could skip coming next week and have a week off from coming in to be checked. So, the next appointment is in two weeks when she has bloodwork and a doctor visit.
Things seem to be going as well as we could expect. Hopefully, they really are.
Friday, September 11, 2015
Sandi Update
Blood work today indicated things are a little better so they left her alone and she did not have to have a blood transfusion. She is still having severe chills episodes and sleeping a lot, but those side effects should fade as she gets further and further away from the last round of chemo and blood transfusions.
We go back Tuesday for another check of everything. If everything is still relatively okay, they will start working on scheduling Sandi for another PET Scan to re-image the cancers and see how she is doing.
In the meantime, our weekend plan is to just hang out and relax with football games and Longmire if we can get streaming to work, and other TV stuff if it won't.
We go back Tuesday for another check of everything. If everything is still relatively okay, they will start working on scheduling Sandi for another PET Scan to re-image the cancers and see how she is doing.
In the meantime, our weekend plan is to just hang out and relax with football games and Longmire if we can get streaming to work, and other TV stuff if it won't.
Monday, August 10, 2015
Monday Doc Report
Blood work came back okay so they left Sandi alone today. Current plan is to check her on Thursday and go from there.
Friday, February 27, 2015
Sandi Update--Finally Home
After a 2 hour drive home (double the normal time) thanks to the snow and traffic signals with issues, we are finally home. Sandi's bloodwork was okay though her blood pressure was high. Medication changes to address that and a couple of other things were made. She also got the usual shot to try to slow down the normal white blood cell freefall after chemo.
We go back Tuesday and Friday of next week to do it all again.
Tuesday we might be dealing with severe thunderstorms too.
We go back Tuesday and Friday of next week to do it all again.
Tuesday we might be dealing with severe thunderstorms too.
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
Sandi Update
Long day trying to see the doc and getting the blood work done. So far, things are okay. As expected her weak immune system is in free fall headed towards collapse so they gave her a shot today to try and stem that. They will give her another one Friday as we as do the usual blood work.
Next week we will have very long days Tuesday and Wednesday as they do doctor stuff, blood work, and hours of chemo. Most likely she will be back there that Friday for a doctor visit, blood work, and a shot.
Next week we will have very long days Tuesday and Wednesday as they do doctor stuff, blood work, and hours of chemo. Most likely she will be back there that Friday for a doctor visit, blood work, and a shot.
Friday, February 13, 2015
Update
Just got home from the doctor. Things so far look good bloodwork wise. Next Tuesday she has bloodwork and a doctor visit.
The following week she will get chemotherapy on two days---schedule to be determined.
The week after that she will have bloodwork and a doctor visit.
Along the way she will get shots to try and maintain her white blood cell count--that schedule to be determined.
Today's insurance stupidity with Aetna--- She is also on an ZOFRAN to fight chemo nausea. Insurance won't allow her to have thirty pills. Instead, she has to pay $4.00 for NINE PILLS at a time.
The following week she will get chemotherapy on two days---schedule to be determined.
The week after that she will have bloodwork and a doctor visit.
Along the way she will get shots to try and maintain her white blood cell count--that schedule to be determined.
Today's insurance stupidity with Aetna--- She is also on an ZOFRAN to fight chemo nausea. Insurance won't allow her to have thirty pills. Instead, she has to pay $4.00 for NINE PILLS at a time.
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Blood Work
This hump day finds us heading down to Texas Oncology at Medical City Dallas for blood work on Sandi. As far as we know, she is doing okay. The blood work determines all. Hopefully the numbers will come up better than they did last week.
And just maybe her beloved Red Sox will win it all tonight.
And just maybe her beloved Red Sox will win it all tonight.
Friday, October 18, 2013
Sandi's Bloodwork
seemed to be where it should be today so they did not change anything. We go back next week for bloodwork and a doctor visit.
Monday, July 29, 2013
Doctor Day Monday
After a hard weekend we go to her cancer doctor later this afternoon to see how she is doing at this point. While Sandi feels a little better than she did last week, she remains on the oxygen at all times. When she comes off of it to go to the bathroom her numbers fall off the cliff.
Our youngest, Scott, is going with us to the hospital to help move the oxygen tanks around as needed. In the old days I could have moved several full ones at the same time with no problem. But, as I discovered Friday, moving one is now a very painful and nearly impossible situation for me to move. So, Scott is coming with us to help switch out tanks and all that.
Sandi has to have blood work and the doctor visit so it will be late this afternoon before we are back--assuming nothing turns up and they don't have to do something to her.
Sandi has to have blood work and the doctor visit so it will be late this afternoon before we are back--assuming nothing turns up and they don't have to do something to her.
Tuesday, July 09, 2013
Back Home
We are back home from the doctor. The news is mixed. They like how well she is doing overall, but there is some concern as all of her blood counts have dropped significantly. Everything is way down as if one fell off a cliff. They think the antibiotic is starting to suppress her bone marrow and causing the huge drops. Suppressing her bone marrow would be disastrous so they are changing her to a different antibiotic.
If her counts continue to drop next week they will have to do a blood transfusion. One hopes that does not need to be done.One hopes that by stopping the antibiotic now, Sandi won't get worse and next week will be at this same level before starting the climb back upwards.
The only blood work count increase was the cumidin which is now 2.3.
As to the pain in her hips and legs---the belief is this is minor inflammation and nothing serious. Tylenol is the preferred method of treatment for now and monitoring. This pain deal does happen frequently and the thinking is that this is NOT the sign of something major happening. It may also be tied into the fall of all her blood counts too.
For now, keep doing what you are doing and don't overdo is the mantra. Same time next week......
If her counts continue to drop next week they will have to do a blood transfusion. One hopes that does not need to be done.One hopes that by stopping the antibiotic now, Sandi won't get worse and next week will be at this same level before starting the climb back upwards.
The only blood work count increase was the cumidin which is now 2.3.
As to the pain in her hips and legs---the belief is this is minor inflammation and nothing serious. Tylenol is the preferred method of treatment for now and monitoring. This pain deal does happen frequently and the thinking is that this is NOT the sign of something major happening. It may also be tied into the fall of all her blood counts too.
For now, keep doing what you are doing and don't overdo is the mantra. Same time next week......
Tuesday, March 05, 2013
Sandi's Doctor Day
Today was blood work, a shot, and a doctor visit with the cancer folks. Sandi did not get the shot because her blood levels indicated it was not needed. A couple of things were lower as well as higher than they would like. She now has a magnesium supplement to take and needs to really watch what she eats from a diabetic standpoint as what would have done something minor before will send her sky high now.
Her biggest issues remain her extreme fatigue and nausea. A trip out, like today, wore her out. That is to be expected and another reason why she is to be home at all times except when necessary. The nausea is going to be treated by an additional medication that she will take twice a day. Everything else she keeps taking as scheduled and they will see her Friday for more blood work and another doctor visit.
And that is going to be our new routine. Every Tuesday and Friday Sandi will have to be there for blood work and a doctor check to make sure things are stable. That will take a couple of hours plus the drive back and forth each way. Every 21 to 28 days she will be back in the hospital for another round of chemo. Each round will take three to four days.
If things go right, this will continue for months until sometime, most likely late in August, when they will move to the next phase of treatment and longer hospital stays. I won't try to explain how this works now as I don't know it all, but, what little I do know seems very daunting. This is a very long haul deal and there are lots of milestones to meet and bridges to cross before we get to that point. When one starts looking at the logistical schedule of all this, the mind boggles. How we both are going to get through it I have no idea.
This is truly a one day at a time situation......
Her biggest issues remain her extreme fatigue and nausea. A trip out, like today, wore her out. That is to be expected and another reason why she is to be home at all times except when necessary. The nausea is going to be treated by an additional medication that she will take twice a day. Everything else she keeps taking as scheduled and they will see her Friday for more blood work and another doctor visit.
And that is going to be our new routine. Every Tuesday and Friday Sandi will have to be there for blood work and a doctor check to make sure things are stable. That will take a couple of hours plus the drive back and forth each way. Every 21 to 28 days she will be back in the hospital for another round of chemo. Each round will take three to four days.
If things go right, this will continue for months until sometime, most likely late in August, when they will move to the next phase of treatment and longer hospital stays. I won't try to explain how this works now as I don't know it all, but, what little I do know seems very daunting. This is a very long haul deal and there are lots of milestones to meet and bridges to cross before we get to that point. When one starts looking at the logistical schedule of all this, the mind boggles. How we both are going to get through it I have no idea.
This is truly a one day at a time situation......
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Cool Milestone
Earlier today Sandi had a major milestone. For the first time in over a year, Sandi had a haircut. A little over six months ago she was completely bald thanks to the chemotherapy. When her hair came back, it was very different in every way possible. While it did come back everywhere on her head, it also grows much slower than it used to before the cancer treatment.
Because her hair was/is so different now, Sandi wanted somebody who was used to working with cancer patients. So she went to "Survivor Gals" in Plano. They did a great job working with her hair and we both like the results.
Sandi's next round of bloodwork and PET SCAN to make sure she is still in remission is now scheduled for early December.
Kevin
Because her hair was/is so different now, Sandi wanted somebody who was used to working with cancer patients. So she went to "Survivor Gals" in Plano. They did a great job working with her hair and we both like the results.
Sandi's next round of bloodwork and PET SCAN to make sure she is still in remission is now scheduled for early December.
Kevin
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