Round #6 Short & Sweet

Round #6 came and went, 7.26-7.31.  I was at the hospital for 3 nights, shortest stay yet.  Sally, port goddess nurse,  was there to access my port, which went beautifully.  I received a spinal tap, my 10th, which is really not a big deal, and did the 3 days of chemo.  I came home Friday evening to a pizza party at the Fairchilds with Alexis, Jamie and Madelynn (parents were invited too).   Now it's waiting for my counts to drop and rebound.  My body has residual buildup of the chemo and its effects, so the effects are stronger and rebounding is taking longer than it used to.  No blood work though till next Thursday, 8.4.

Tahoe Pix - July 2011

Lake Tahoe - can't wait till I can go...

Maddie pitching for Mojo in Tahoe tournament

 

Timmy and Aiden

Grace, Alexis, Elizabeth, & Maddie
Cousin time in Tahoe

Beach day with Nana and Auntie JoJo

Nurse Kaitlin at home and then on to Round #6

The anitbiotics did their thing and I was able to go home on Tuesday, July 19th.  However, I did need to take antibiotics at home for the next 3 days.  Because I had a blood infection, the antibiotics had to be thru my port and not in pill form.  The hospital arranged for "home care" (did not even know this existed) and a big box of supplies was delivered that day.  A nurse came by after I was home to set me up and train us on changing out bags of liquid antibiotics for the next 3 days.  This entailed me having a "fanny pack" on me continuously.  Glad it was only 3 days.  All went well and nurse came back Saturday morning to remove my port needle.  Freedom felt good...  But I did love playing Nurse (and no I don't want to be one).

My sister Maddie had a softball tournament in Lake Tahoe over the weekend, so my dad took her and Timmy up for a long weekend.  Papa and Nana rented a house for the week and the cousins (with parents) spent lots of time hanging out together.  They also got to see cousin Chris, Aiden, and Audrey...  lot's of fun...  we will all have to do this again next year.  But it did mean a quiet house, so I was able to get lots of rest and my blood counts climbed back up.

Blood counts in check meant I could go on to Round #6.  This officially begins the Maintenance phase of my treatment plan.  My PET scan and bone marrow tests, from last week, came back all cancer free!  Only 4 Rounds to go and they should be somewhat lighter.  However, because chemo has now built up in my body, it is taking longer to recover.

Lastly ~ Happy Birthday to my mom, Debbie (Alexis' mom) and Teresa (Cody's mom)!

More pictures to come....

Sooooo much better today :)

I woke up feeling soooo much better today.  I am still on antibiotics, but am down to 2 from 4 earlier in the week.  I am no longer on heartrate, oxygen, and respitory monitoring - all have been within the normal range for the last day or so.  I even got a shower for the first time in a week.  On Monday I should find out more about when I will be able to go home and whether I will need to continue my meds there...  yes, thru the tubes.

Nothing much else going on, lots of TV and scrabble on the IPad with my mom.  Timmy played in a soccer tournament, for charity, in Dublin today and my dad got to coach his team.

I have turned the corner

Today is definitely better than yesterday.  I still have a way to go to be completely healthy, but have turned the corner.  Today they have me on some oxygen and I had a CT scan done of my chest.  Yes, I am wearing an "old grandpa" tube up my nose for the oxygen.  The doctors wanted to rule out a secondary infection.  No additional infection, but I did have a small case of pneumonia.  Because my white blood cells are climbing back to normal at the same time, they too want to attack bacteria in my body.  But it makes the "pneumonia" inflammation look worse that it is.  Oxygen does wonders.  My heartrate and blood pressure are getting back to normal.  I still have a little cough, but that too is better.  Well on the road to recovery.

"Time to pretend I am dead..."  Ok, I can't be that bad.  My nurse comes in and says they are testing their pagers.  She asked if I could help and hold my breath (not until I pass out) until my monitor begins beeping and is supposed to page her.  Couldn't make it happen, so we just unattached a couple of the wires from my body and bingo, it worked, monitor went crazy.



More updates tomorrow...

Ambulance Ride #2

The weekend was great and Monday started out pretty good also.  Although my counts were still low, I felt really good.  Made a "Welcome Home" sign for Alexis and family with Cody and Raymond and then went and laid in the pool at Papa & Nana's.  Went home and took a nap while my mom took Maddie and Timmy to see Mr. Popper's Penguins (it was really good).  And then it was all over.  I woke up to a 101.8 temp.  That meant immediate trip to the ER for some fluids, antibiotics and a trip to UCSF by ambulance.  Valley Care did pull a blood sample to test for bacterial culture.  The last time this happened the cultures were all negative and after a couple days of antibiotics at UCSF I went home.  However, this time the cultures came back positive and I officially had a blood infection.  Since Monday, I have been on heavy doses of 3 different antibiotics and lots of fluids.  This has been much more difficult than just getting chemo.  You truly begin to appreciate all the protection your body naturally has for infection and different bacterias.  My temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, and respitory breathing goes up and down.  I am on constant watch by the nurses and the doctors.  Their true spirit really shows during these challanging times.  Today has been better.  My temperature has stabilized.  I received 2 units of blood and 1 of platletts, so by tomorrow I should be much better... updates to come later in the week.

If you are looking for a way to give back,  GIVE BLOOD, at your local Red Cross.  I have received about 12 units/pints of blood.  A single person would have to donate for 2 years for that much blood as you can only donate every 8 weeks.


BTW - The port once again did not cooperate either at the ER or at UCSF.  It took 2 nurses and 4 tries on Tuesday for it to finally work...  And forget the ER, never again will they be trying to access it.  It doesn't hurt, but the more poking and trying they do, the more bruised it becomes and then it hurts.

Lucky Mia Bingo Sunday!

On Sunday the 10th, the SDES Portuguese Hall hosted a Bingo as a fundraiser for me.  It was a great day! My parents told me all about it.  I was not able to attend as my blood counts were low and you have to be 18 in order to play or even being on the floor once the event begins.  The event included a bbq chicken lunch and serious bingo playing all afternoon with many great prizes.  Fun was had by all.  Many thanks to all who made this happen for me, but especially Frank & Amelia Martins and Gil & Mary Lima.  I love you all!

Thank you also to everyone who attended!