Joe's treatment was canceled Wed. 7/9 after we learned that although his Hematocrit was up 35.6 and his Platelets to a whopping 351 (normal levels!), his WBC was down to L1.7 and his ANC L289. With that WBC and ANC, going out of town isn't the best plan. If you catch a cold or flu you'd have to turn right back around. You're on germ lock down with ANC below 500.
Tue. 7/15 was the re-do to see if his numbers were up to start Maintenance. Again to start this you receive a spinal sedation Methotrexate chemo procedure and Vincristine IV chemo if your ANC is 750 or above. We were hopeful his numbers were up since there were no signs of sickness and his energy was good.
On the way in, he was giggling away with his brother in the back of the car and ate 4 peanuts out of a container (unintentionally) from our road trip over the weekend. We noticed this (thank god) as we were driving up the driveway to the hospital.
No eating before sedation. If they vomit due to nausea it could cause a blockage in the airway or pneumonia (started by fluid in the lungs as a result of vomiting during the procedure), so they take no chances. Procedure canceled.
We stayed around and got our results along with the IV Vincristine. We go back tomorrow @ 930a Wed. 7/16 to start Maintenance!! His WBC was up to L3.7 and his ANC was 1480. This is a huge deal, but a little anti-climactic due to the 4 peanuts.... :)
He begins his oral chemo's tomorrow for 2 years and 7 months (but whose counting?!): Mecaptopurine (daily), Bactrim, to prevent garden variety bacterial infections (M/Tu. weekly), Dexamethasone (2x daily 5 days a month), oral Methotrexate (1x weekly). Lot's of pills which Joe gladly takes in exchange for the minimal hospital visits.
They say we could potentially work up to coming only once a month to the hospial for the Vincristine once his blood work hits a predictable balance, this would be fantastic!
All of this is super good news of course, we are moving through this and getting healed!
Thank you for checking in, thank you for your prayers.
More on Joe's Maintenance soon, and hopefully our vacation to Legoland that we need to fit into a thankfully busy summer!
Ang
1 comment:
I'm glad to catch up here and see how much fun you guys are having this summer... that's my favorite time of year for seattle for sure. And you'll make good use of your law enforcement connections when you get your driver's license Jojo ;) I know it's not all fun + games + vacation for you though, and that's a good reminder for us when we feel like complaining. Thanks for that + have a great weekend!
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