Day two of chemo and all is well, Kevs spirits are still reasonably high. The fact he has a bit of an idea of what to expect may be making things a little easier.
It was a good day, not much action. Still no results from the throat culture though. Physical Therapy came again for a workout and Kev even ventured out himself to the kitchen with Bri. He has a little weeble to his wobble so walking is tough still. He took a little spill and landed on the floor, Bri said it was graceful, we think she tripped him (just kidding) no real harm done.
thats it .. uneventful is good, keep'm crossed for no side effects!
Friday, November 16, 2007
Thursday, November 15, 2007
so it starts..
The chemo regiment/ cycle begins again. Kev started this round just as he did the very first go around. Double injection with a drip. Chemotherapy has become old hat around these parts, but Kev is not looking forward to going through the after effects again. The whole process is quite tiresome.
Today Kev was carted off somewhere to do get a culture from his throat, they found a small plaque (results to come later) and an ulcer. They have yet to determine the course of treatment just yet, they are waiting for the biopsy of the plaque. Next we walked and showered, then Physical Therapy came and had him run through some exercises, even brought some weights. Shortly there after Occupational Therapy came and he walked again... accompanied by more exercise. Bad timing equaled a lot of work for Kev. He is walking and getting around very well, gonna be tough getting knocked back down after doing so well!
These next two rounds are going to include 3 intrathecal treatments, which will make things a bit tougher, but it is better than having to make them up in the future. He already missed three that will be made up in january sometime. All in all it was good day... should be good through the weekend before the counts start to drop again, keep'm crossed the side effects won't be that bad.
Today Kev was carted off somewhere to do get a culture from his throat, they found a small plaque (results to come later) and an ulcer. They have yet to determine the course of treatment just yet, they are waiting for the biopsy of the plaque. Next we walked and showered, then Physical Therapy came and had him run through some exercises, even brought some weights. Shortly there after Occupational Therapy came and he walked again... accompanied by more exercise. Bad timing equaled a lot of work for Kev. He is walking and getting around very well, gonna be tough getting knocked back down after doing so well!
These next two rounds are going to include 3 intrathecal treatments, which will make things a bit tougher, but it is better than having to make them up in the future. He already missed three that will be made up in january sometime. All in all it was good day... should be good through the weekend before the counts start to drop again, keep'm crossed the side effects won't be that bad.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
new plan
Today we woke up and waited for the doctors as usual, she was running a bit behind. Little did we know the entire Hematology staff was meeting about Kev. A decision was made. Instead of going home for a week or so, the Doctors felt it best to get the chemo, that was originally scheduled for after Thanksgiving, started A.S.A.P. This decision was not based on any scientific research or test results. It was simply a case of, "you recovered well, let's keep going."
Believe it or not, this made Kev really happy. Why put of till tomorrow what you can treat today. Yes a break home would have been nice, but knowing the means to kill the Cancer are in effect is nicer. This means Thanksgiving at the GMC and we'll certainly be thankful Kev is being treated.
Among other things Kev is having some throat trouble.. hurts when he swallows. Each and every doctor, nurse, patient, and passer by all asks the same question, "does it hurt or does it feel like things are getting stuck?" Kev always answers, "it hurts" reinforcing what he said. Kev has decided to tell all that 'it feels like things are getting stuck' expecting their response to be, "so it hurts." Regardless all the medications to sooth this are not working (even the one with MAGIC in the name, crazy) so they are going to take a culture tomorrow morning. This is the one test Kev is hoping they actually find something so it can be treated. There are some speculations that it may be fungus or a virus of some type. Either way it can be treated, which is good.
Believe it or not, this made Kev really happy. Why put of till tomorrow what you can treat today. Yes a break home would have been nice, but knowing the means to kill the Cancer are in effect is nicer. This means Thanksgiving at the GMC and we'll certainly be thankful Kev is being treated.
Among other things Kev is having some throat trouble.. hurts when he swallows. Each and every doctor, nurse, patient, and passer by all asks the same question, "does it hurt or does it feel like things are getting stuck?" Kev always answers, "it hurts" reinforcing what he said. Kev has decided to tell all that 'it feels like things are getting stuck' expecting their response to be, "so it hurts." Regardless all the medications to sooth this are not working (even the one with MAGIC in the name, crazy) so they are going to take a culture tomorrow morning. This is the one test Kev is hoping they actually find something so it can be treated. There are some speculations that it may be fungus or a virus of some type. Either way it can be treated, which is good.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
ground hog days
Woke up, again. Dr. McCoy came in and discussed Kev's appetite, again. She mentioned we will have to stay in the hospital a couple more days, AGAIN!
They are very good and very efficient around here and that is prolonging our visit. The stronger Kev gets himself (inside and out) the better his body will handle the intense chemotherapy to come. He was on the Nutrition drip, which basically tricked his brain into thinking he was full and nourished without eating. That was good then, NOW he needs to eat, but has no appetite #$%^&! It will come, today Ma brought Arby's, a cheese steak, and pizza. It was all gone, eaten by the chubby little brother #$&%!
Occupational and physical therapy have been rotating days giving Kev a pretty good little work out to strengthen his legs. He is walking a lot better and should be able able to get around real well at home. The Doctors are actually encouraging him to get out and do things while he is at home. After almost two weeks in the same room, just getting out will feel like "getting out and doing things" for Kev.
They are very good and very efficient around here and that is prolonging our visit. The stronger Kev gets himself (inside and out) the better his body will handle the intense chemotherapy to come. He was on the Nutrition drip, which basically tricked his brain into thinking he was full and nourished without eating. That was good then, NOW he needs to eat, but has no appetite #$%^&! It will come, today Ma brought Arby's, a cheese steak, and pizza. It was all gone, eaten by the chubby little brother #$&%!
Occupational and physical therapy have been rotating days giving Kev a pretty good little work out to strengthen his legs. He is walking a lot better and should be able able to get around real well at home. The Doctors are actually encouraging him to get out and do things while he is at home. After almost two weeks in the same room, just getting out will feel like "getting out and doing things" for Kev.
Monday, November 12, 2007
huh...
Another day at the GMC and Kev looks today better than he has in weeks. Just like when he looked terrible and everyone wanted to tell him, today was a day of well received, "you look great." Kev walked twice, once in the morning and another early afternoon with the Physical Therapist. He is walking very well, the days to come should only be better.
An awkward moment no one really expected, not even the doctors, was the results of Fridays CAT scan. Dr. Ron came in (with his usual wind in face, have to pee expression) and said Kev has a blood clot on his lung... huh! This came as a bit of a shot since with chemo his counts have been so low, especially his platelets. They think it has been around for a bit. The clot is so small it took some time to verify and be certain it was a clot, but it still needs to treated. SO, instead of Kev just hanging about at home doing nothing, but popping pills, he will now have to partake in daily blood thinning shots. There is an anti-coagulate that he could take, but they say it is basically rat poison? This is a bit risky for Kev at the moment. No one is really alarmed about the whole ordeal... more dumbfounded that it actually happened.
He did eat some today, but is bothered by a throat soreness. He is taking Carafate and Magic Swizzle for now. Hopefully this will get him ready to start eating people food and not liquid from a bag. Some bad news today, but the road to normalcy gets shorter with each day!
An awkward moment no one really expected, not even the doctors, was the results of Fridays CAT scan. Dr. Ron came in (with his usual wind in face, have to pee expression) and said Kev has a blood clot on his lung... huh! This came as a bit of a shot since with chemo his counts have been so low, especially his platelets. They think it has been around for a bit. The clot is so small it took some time to verify and be certain it was a clot, but it still needs to treated. SO, instead of Kev just hanging about at home doing nothing, but popping pills, he will now have to partake in daily blood thinning shots. There is an anti-coagulate that he could take, but they say it is basically rat poison? This is a bit risky for Kev at the moment. No one is really alarmed about the whole ordeal... more dumbfounded that it actually happened.
He did eat some today, but is bothered by a throat soreness. He is taking Carafate and Magic Swizzle for now. Hopefully this will get him ready to start eating people food and not liquid from a bag. Some bad news today, but the road to normalcy gets shorter with each day!
Sunday, November 11, 2007
stealing home...
There was some sleep last night, about 4 hours. Not bad considering the past few days. Tonight the nurses went back to the original recipe that worked well in the past, so hopefully it still works. Kev had his last bag of the nutritious nutrition and now needs to concentrate on getting an appetite and eating real food. This is currently the only thing keeping here in the hospital.
His counts today are practically normal. He and Dad went on a nice long walk about the hallways and later we strolled outside to get some fresh air. Dr. Khan said things are progressing well, but gave Kev some "what to expect" information for next time. He was low, down and out this round, but Dr. Khan said Round three should find you lower, more down and way out. He said this about Round 4 as well. In addition, he gave a forecast of "chemo brain" a condition in which the mind is in a fog — unable to concentrate and remember details about everyday things. More like taking a HUGE bong hit that lasts a few months, but there is no giggling.
Yes Kev is doing well, but it is defenitely taking a toll on him. He has been quite lethargic with very little motivation. He still does not complain or feel the need pitty himself, which is cool, but the idea of coming back and knowing it will be worse stinks. He has been fighting and now knows he needs to fight a little harder. Two more tough rounds before he can ring the bell!!
His counts today are practically normal. He and Dad went on a nice long walk about the hallways and later we strolled outside to get some fresh air. Dr. Khan said things are progressing well, but gave Kev some "what to expect" information for next time. He was low, down and out this round, but Dr. Khan said Round three should find you lower, more down and way out. He said this about Round 4 as well. In addition, he gave a forecast of "chemo brain" a condition in which the mind is in a fog — unable to concentrate and remember details about everyday things. More like taking a HUGE bong hit that lasts a few months, but there is no giggling.
Yes Kev is doing well, but it is defenitely taking a toll on him. He has been quite lethargic with very little motivation. He still does not complain or feel the need pitty himself, which is cool, but the idea of coming back and knowing it will be worse stinks. He has been fighting and now knows he needs to fight a little harder. Two more tough rounds before he can ring the bell!!
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