Phil's Philosophical Phenomena

Sherry has two more Prednisone pills, and that will be almost all for the current cycle of chemotherapy. One chemical (Oncovin) was eliminated this time around, because of possible neurological effects. She has been having some trouble with numbness in her fingers and feet, and some clumsiness walking. The doctor decided she may be getting too much Oncovin, and dropped it from his orders. As a result, this week has been easier on her than previous chemotherapy weeks.
Monday she will get two shots: one to boost her white blood cell production and another for her red blood cells. Each of them causes bone aches and possibly muscle aches, especially in the pelvis.
Sherry is feeling pretty good today, if a bit tired. We went to a large mall and walked the entire place this afternoon.

Sherry talked with her hematologist (in his function as oncologist) yesterday, and is receiving her fourth round of chemotherapy this week. Today she gets Rituxan, and everything else starts tomorrow. She wasn't looking forward to this week, but she is determined to complete the treatment program.
She's as thin now as when we met over 30 years ago, but with less hair.

Sherry is gaining more strength, and still feeling pretty good.
She is able to drive, and can eat whatever she wants.
She misses her boys.

Sherry is regaining her strength, and feeling pretty good.
Soreness from the (now removed) nephrostomy and the multiple IV wounds is mostly gone, and her spirits are good.

Sherry is ready to go home, and should be leaving the hospital in the next hour or so.
She still has a minor infection, and will be taking medicines for the next week or so.
If she stays on track with chemotherapy, she will start again next week.

Sherry is much better.
Her white blood cell count is 'way up, and reds should be coming soon.
She's tired (not enough red cells), but no fever, no nephrostomy, and going home Monday.

Sherry is still fighting nausea, with the help of medicines and rest.
They took her off the liquid diet, so meals are a little interesting now.
Her fever is gone, and her white blood cell counts are climbing, but still low.
She also got a shot to increase red blood cell production. She asked for Tylenol tonight because of the bone aches it causes.
There was some mention of an infection in her Central Line. We hope they don't need to remove it, but she hasn't been able to ask a doctor about it yet. It was painful and scary to have it installed, and she just got the stitches out this week. Another one would need to be installed before chemotherapy could resume, so we don't want to lose it without good cause.
She's still weak, but gradually improving. We continue to hope for her to be released Monday.

Sherry had the Nephrostomy tube removed today, and she said it didn't hurt much.
She's still nauseated and weak. Once the antibiotic starts working, she should improve quickly.

Sherry found out yesterday that a culture shows an infection in her "gut" that is causing most of her distress. She's getting Flagyl now to take care of the infection.
She's also been told they will take out her Nephrostomy tube today! Great news!
Her doctor told her to expect to be in the hospital until Monday.
She's weak, and unable to eat much (if anything) because of the nausea from this infection.

Sherry got very dehydrated Tuesday night/Wednesday morning, and I took her to the doctor. She sent us across the street to the Emergency Room at Hermann Hospital.
They started pumping fluids and antibiotics, and got her rehydrated, and admitted her.
She's in a room now, and still feeling pretty crummy, getting medicine for nausea and pain.
She may go home tomorrow.

Sherry had a pretty good weekend, and went back in for a Neulasta shot today. That forces her bone marrow to work overtime making white blood cells. It also makes her pelvis ache from the extra work.
This week will complete the third of six chemotherapy cycles.
She has reduced stamina, and that could be from being a little anemic. If her red blood count is low enough, they could call her to come in for another shot that would be similar to the Neulasta, only to boost red cells.

Sherry is carrying her 2-day companion (the pump) today, and will give it back tomorrow. She is already feeling tired, and some nausea.
I calculated (using only a little creative math) that the mass as measured Friday is only about one tenth the size of the original mass. It originally measured 8x8 centimeters, but the depth was not documented. It now measures 4.6x3.1 centimeters, and I assume the depth is similarly half its original size. That's an 89% reduction in size.