| One more day down -- we're T+9 and so far, so good. Don't get me wrong -- she's still feeling like she's been run over by a bus - twice - but at least she's not getting worse. She did have to have blood today -- her hemoglobin (red blood cells) were 2.36 (normal is 4.1 to 4.8). Her platelets (what allow clotting) were only 37,000 (normal is 150-450,000 so she'll probably be getting those again tomorrow). Her white blood cell count is less than 1, which is a good thing because it means that the radiation and chemo *did* kill off her bone marrow. So, if the transplant takes, her chances of being leukemia free are much higher. She's retaining a lot of water -- almost 2.5 pounds in 24 hours since yesterday. Found out today that although the mouth/throat pain is mainly from the transplant, she is also developing a case of thrush -- a yeast infection in her mouth just like babies get. So, she is getting (are you ready for the list?) -- TPN -- liquid nutrition -- IV lipids -- fats -- IV FK506 -- an immunosupressant -- IV heparin -- blood thinner -- IV saline -- salt water -- IV ativan -- nausea medication -- IV kytril -- nausea medication -- IV nystatin -- to help with the thrush -- oral, rinse and swallow, three times a day lasix -- diuretic -- IV diuril -- diuretic -- IV vancomycin -- antibiotic -- IV slurry -- to numb her mouth -- oral, rinse and spit, three times a day another antibiotic I can't remember -- IV a mouth rinse -- oral, three times a day, followed by sponging the inside of her raw mouth a hormorne pill once a day, to suppress her menstrual cycle I'm sure I've forgotten a few No wonder she sloshes when she walks! <G> She's off the oxygen for now, and is using an incentive sperometer to help open up her lungs. Oh, and the FK506 is causing the bottoms of her feet and the palms of her hands to hurt, and burn (neuropathy -- an inflammation of the nerves). But the drug they use to treat this is only available as a pill, and she is having a hard time swallowing as it is. AARGH! Maybe tomorrow she can take them. I talked to Cassie today (she calls me about once a day). She's having fun at Aunt Sam's -- although she can't wait for the rain to quit so they can go ride their new bikes. She's having a good time watching the joggers (male) run past on the jogging trail -- I did tell her not to drool on the window... <G> I miss my baby so much - I can't wait for all of this to be over and the three of us to be at home again... Missy |
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| July 19. 2001 |