Phil's Philosophical Phenomena

I brought Sherry home this afternoon. She ate leftover pizza and took a nap. She and Kyle cleaned and did laundry while I worked.
She's tired, but not in much pain.
She washed her short hair in the shower, and it constantly fell out. She said she finally just quit.

Two doctors have told Sherry that she will be going home today. She hasn't seen her substitute doctor yet, but he's the one who will get the process started.
She told me last night that the latest count on her white blood cells was 3,000!
She also had a fever last night, but not high enough to keep her there.
She's been sleeping much of the time--something not very common in a patient room.

Sherry's white blood cell count is up over 500 now. They still require masks to go into her room, but it's a big improvement, and it means she should go home tomorrow.
Her count was down to 40 when they decided to intervene with an injection that forced her bone marrow to work overtime producing white blood cells. Yesterday she was up to 200, and today over 500. Normal (according to one source) is 4,500 - 10,000.
The culture results should be in this evening or tomorrow morning. These will show whether she has the right antibiotic for her kidney infection.
She feels better today.

Finally, they found a room. The problem was they wanted her in a PRIVATE room (to isolate her from germy people), and no such rooms were available. Now she's in C501. The C is for Cullen, the original building that was built in 1925.
The sign on the door tells everyone they must wear a mask, and no fresh fruit or flowers are allowed.
Sherry's having some muscle spasms in her back from the nephrostomy replacement, but her infection is clearing. Her appetite seems to be returning.

When I left Sherry in the Emergency Room, they had decided to admit her, which means she would shortly be moving into a room. I've called a couple of times (I'm working), but she's still in the ER waiting for a room to come available.
The nurse I talked to said they ordered food for her, and that means she'll be there a while. The hospital must be very full.
I asked how she is, and she said, "I'm OK."

Tuesday afternoon late, Sherry felt feverish and started watching her temperature. She reached a fever of either 100.4 or 101.5 (difference of opinion between thermometers). We decided that was close enough to 101, the marker her doctor said meant to go to the Emergency Room. A fever could mean an infection, and she has very few white blood cells to fight it.
They took blood and urine specimens for cultures, and gave her pain medicine and antibiotics. Of course, that took over seven hours. Finally, they decided to admit her. I went home to get a little sleep before going in (a little late) for work Wednesday.
What caused the fever? We don't know. Maybe the injection to "kick start" the white cell production, maybe the kidney infection that the antibiotic may not have killed, maybe some new infection, or some other reaction to the chemotherapy.

Sherry got the nephrostomy replaced, and without sedation. She said it hurt some, but not anything like the original installation.
She also got a shot to boost her white blood cell production. The count was very low this morning. It's so low she's been told not to go anywhere there are crowds.
Right now, though, she feels good.

Yes, as I suspected, the brush found many more strands of hair that just let go. After I got home from work, we removed all but about a half inch all around, so Sherry's feeling a bit cool now. No photos, though. She's kind of shy about sharing her new coif.
She's going to work with me today at the hospital. I'll bring her home when Intervention Radiology gets through replacing her nephrostomy. She'll be sedated, so I hope she'll sleep afterward.

Sherry got the attention of Intervention Radiology today, and they scheduled her for some kind of "replacement" under sedation. It doesn't sound pleasant, but maybe it will help reduce or eliminate the infections that have been already too frequent.
This will happen after the weekly blood work already planned for Tuesday.
Also, the first signs of hair loss came this morning. It wasn't much at the time, but I wasn't using a brush, either. She called me at work to see if I could pick up a scarf for her.

Sherry still has some pain, low on the left side, toward the front more than the back. Maybe it's the kidney, or maybe the bladder. She also has a bit of nausea, evidenced by her difficulty with fragrances or cooking odors.
Otherwise, she is stronger and feeling good.
We were all lazy today, and slept in. It feels good.

The results are in from the lab--the infection is two bacteria, and the antibiotic recommended for the two is Levaquin. That's the one the substitute doctor started her on two days ago. This wasn't Sherry's first choice, because it causes rapid heartbeat and indigestion. She's taking it, though, and dealing with the side effects.
She's uncomfortable, but not in excessive pain. She ate some biscuits this morning, and that's an indication of improvement--she hasn't wanted to even think about biscuits.
She's making good use of the new couch. It's too boring and uncomfortable to stay in bed all day.
The real side effects of the chemotherapy are supposed to occur 10-15 days after it starts, so that would be yesterday for the Rituxan and today for all the others. It seems to me she's already experienced most of them, except she still has her hair.
Sherry told me yesterday if her hair doesn't fall out, she needs to get it cut because it's too long.

Sherry saw her substitute doctor today (and a photo of her regular doctor's new baby). He gave her another antibiotic to use instead of the one she just started, because it has a broader scope. That's still subject to change tomorrow, because results should be in from the culture. Those results should make it easier to determine what antibiotic will be most effective.
She's feeling very stuffed, and the doctor says that's because of the attack on the tumer, and resultant swelling of kidney and the mass itself. It's causing indigestion, nausea, and difficulty in eating and drinking.
Still, she feels better today (mostly) than yesterday.
She's trying to get in to see a urologist tomorrow with the group that installed the nephrostomy (drain). We don't feel the nephrostomy is getting the proper attention it needs for upkeep, evidenced by two infections in a short time.
There's quite a contrast between the substitute doctor who will make room in his schedule for her on the day she calls and the urology clinic that doesn't return her calls and can't see her any time soon.

After some frustration with doctors and others not returning calls, we got the antibiotic last night, and Sherry woke early to take a second dose. She is not feeling well, and will attempt to see a doctor today, either one of the doctors on the staff that installed the nephrostomy or her substitute physician (her doctor is out on maternity leave).

Just talked to Sherry--she found out her nephrostomy (the kidney drain) is infected, and she's waiting for a call with a prescription for the infection.
This should make her feel better soon.

Sherry continued to be uncomfortable through the night and into the morning.
She has had a fever up to 101, but mostly around 99. Her skin has been hot to the touch at times, and her stomach hurts. Julian, a nurse at the Oncology clinic, said she didn't seem to have an infection, based on her blood work Tuesday.
I encouraged her to eat some "comfort food" and drink lots of water.
She also has a mouthwash concoction filled by the pharmacy that seems to help her mouth and throat.

Sherry has been feeling achey today. She is at the hospital/clinic to have a blood test, but not feeling good. She's having her central line bandage changed, and waiting for the results.

Sherry has tried several remedies for her sore mouth and throat, and they are helping. I got her popsicles made with fruit, and she likes them best. She tried Cream of Wheat with fresh strawberries (yuck) and she drank Ensure with Borden's Dutch Chocolate Milk (much better). She also tried a new seasoned carrot recipe with butter (to coat her mouth), and that works. I got her some canned whipped cream she can eat a spoonful at a time, but it's sweet, so she doesn't want it much.
She's beginning to like my scrambled eggs with butter for breakfast, but she's not interested in my bacon or sausage.
We walked a little this evening, but once around the apartments was enough.
Tomorrow she'll have her weekly blood test.
She's tired, but still no naps.

We're trying different foods to help ease Sherry's sore mouth. I whipped up some Campbell's Cream of Potato soup, and that helped. I also got her to eat a heaping teaspoon of (canned) whipped cream. I bought some other Cream of... soups for her, and more yogurt. The soup was the best so far, because it was real food.
She made it to church this morning, but was tired after that. She also worked in some laundry while Kyle and I went grocery shopping.
Blood work is scheduled for Tuesday.

Today started out nice and lazy, as Saturdays should. We went to the library to exchange books, and then to Whole Foods Market to check out the organic selections.
As the day wore on, it became more obvious that Sherry's mouth is showing evidence that the chemotherapy is doing its job. The variety of chemo she is receiving works on quickly dividing cells, so one of the first areas to be affected is the lining of her mouth. We got her some lozenges to sooth the soreness, and they seem to be working some. She's also eating yogurt to help.
Sherry tires easier now, but otherwise feels good.
You can contact her directly by e-mail at saruffin@gmail.com

Sherry has felt good again today, especially after returning the pump that has been her constant companion for the last 48 hours or so. She never did like sitting still for long, and today has felt very normal.

Sherry had a very good day today!
She's been doing laundry, cleaning, and staying pretty busy (resting some, too).
Justin was coming this evening (he's here now), so she was excited.
She's still taking Prednisone daily and wearing the 48-hour pump.
No side effects today.

The day started (early) for an echocardiogram. We expected it to be pretty painless, but firm pressure in sore areas proved otherwise.
What followed included an unplanned wait for over two hours while the chemo package was being delivered. By mid-afternoon, the first course of CHOP-R was complete, except for the Prednisone pills to be taken daily for four more days and Sherry's new companion for the next 48 hours--the Adriamicyn pump.
No significant side effects so far.
Sherry is tired, but not inactive, and sometimes emotional.
Things are going pretty well.

Today began our assault on the lymphoma.
I took Sherry to the hospital early (hungry this time) to have her Central Line installed. I think it fair to call this a horrible experience. It's over now, and the soreness is a constant reminder of its presence.
Next came a long wait (they hadn't gotten approval from our insurance for the Rituxan) and finally, the slow drip.
Fortunately, no reactions.
The day started early and ended late.
Sherry is tired and sore--and anxious.
Tomorrow will continue the assault.

Sherry spent the day at the Hematology/Oncology clinic in the hospital today.
She had two appointments:
10:00 Install a "Central Line" (a kind of IV that will be in place for the entire chemo adventure)
2:30 Meet with the Hematologist to hear the results of biopsies

Oops: They neglected to tell her not to eat so she can be sedated for the Central Line installation, so that will take place tomorrow instead.

THE GOOD NEWS: Bone and Bone Marrow Biopsies are Negative.
Combined with the other results, that means there is no sign of any additional masses anywhere.

Tuesday morning (early) she will be sedated for the insertion of this new companion into the jugular, then a six-hour (or so) slow, monitored administration of Rituxan. This is a monoclonal antibody that will help target the effort against fast-replicating B cells.

Wednesday will be the first CHOP chemotherapy:
Cytoxan
Adriamycin (the long name starts with an H)
Oncovin
Prednisone

Some will be pills, some injection, and one by a portable pump for 48 hours.
I tried to corner the Hematologist to tell us what stage we are dealing with, but he was too slippery. Because there are no other apparent masses, I wanted him to say it is stage one, but his answer was "with this type we never say stage one." Not much of an answer.
We forgot to press him to find out how aggressive it is.

If everything goes well, she will have Thursday off, and return Friday to disconnect the pump.
Mondays will be blood tests.

Sherry is tired and stressed.

We've had a dramatic change here in Houston. Sherry was diagnosed with a lymphoma.
Here's how it started.
She was having some trouble with indigestion and feeling "full", so the doctor treated her for GERD. That didn't solve the problem, though, so she had some more tests. In the process, she was alerted to the fact that her blood pressure was very high, and one doctor suggested a sonogram of her kidneys, among other things. That led to a CT scan of the kidney area, looking for a kidney stone, but instead they found a large mass crowding her left kidney. Her right kidney was revealed to be quite small, and with reduced function.
As a safeguard for the functioning kidney (although reduced function because of the crowding) a nephrostomy (external drain) was installed. This led to a very painful infection of the kidney, but that has been resolved with a good antibiotic.
Biopsies, more CT scans, and MRIs have (so far) exposed no additional masses. A biopsy of the mass itself shows that it is a B-cell Lymphoma, composed of large cells and follicular cells.
The plan is for Sherry to undergo chemotherapy known as CHOP-R. I don't remember the chemicals that stands for, except the R (Rituxan) is antibodies to help her body attack the mass itself.
The picture composite below is Sherry trying on different wigs, in anticipation of losing her hair.
I'll attempt to keep this fairly up to date for anyone who wants to follow our adventure.

Sherry trying out new hair