Tuesday, February 28, 2012

The second cyle of chemo is underway! (And Mom and I are both exhausted -- not from the chemo, but from more than ten hours at the Cancer Center.) I will write more tomorrow. But for today, I just want to give you all the basics.

1. Mom is doing excellent! Her red blood cell and platelet counts are average. And, her white blood cell counts are above average! (That is VERY good news.) Also, she has maintained her weight during the first chemo cycle. That is a tremendous accomplishment!

2. Her oncologist ordered an oral diuretic this time, rather than the IV diuretic. He said that it should be gentler on her system. (During her last cycle, she was retaining too much fluid. They put a diuretic in her IV to help. But, the diuretic worked too well and she became dehydrated. She will be monitored closely so that they can find the right balance.)

3. Mom has three more days of chemo treatment this week. They are short days though, with the treatments running about two hours each. Friday she won't have chemo, but will receive another shot to stimulate white blood cell production.

4. In the next two weeks: Mom will meet with the radiologist so that they can start the battle plan for the upcoming chemo/radiation cycle. She will also have a CAT scan done to see how the tumor is responding to chemotherapy. And, she will meet with her Oncologist again.

Thank you all for the positive thinking, prayers, wishes, and all of the wonderful ways you are reaching out to Mom. Everyone is so important to her and she is very grateful for your support.

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