Back to the clinic today for another blood draw and to meet with the doctor. It was kind of a roller coaster week. On Tuesday and Wednesday I actually went for a mile walk and made dinner Tuesday night, I might have over done it since I was extremely fatigued Wednesday afternoon and slept all afternoon. The doctor agrees, that might have been too much. The doctor suggests I should only walk a half mile a day and slowly start increasing my distance.
The doctor stated my blood counts are recovering nicely and that I do not need to return to the clinic for a week, unless of course I start running a fever or have other signs of illness. This was a surprise since I originally thought I would be coming to the clinic twice a week for three to four weeks.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
August 2011 - Day +19
Back to the clinic yesterday as an outpatient. Appointment was at 2:00 pm, had to arrive 90 minutes early for vitals and blood draw. It was a long day, we left our house at 11:30 and did not return until 6:30. Needless to say, even though my appointment was at 2:00 we did not see the doctor until 3:30 and by the time we left the city at 4:30 it started to rain, making the drive home a two hour drive, in good weather and traffic we can make it home in 45 minutes.
The doctor visit went well, the doctor stated how well I did in the hospital. The doctor said some people have to stay 3-4 weeks. My blood counts are recovering nicely. The doctor also stated that any colds, flus or even the chicken pox my body no longer remembers any of these I had in the past. So when I catch a cold or flu it will knock me to my knees and take longer to recover.
The doctor also wants me to drink two litters of water a day. I used to drink three liters of water a day, but since the high dose Chemo, I cannot even drink one bottle of water. Hopefully this will change soon. Water just tastes terrible.
I will be revaccinated in about 6 months same as a new born baby, with a vaccine schedule going out two years.
I have to be extremely cautious around anyone who receives a live vaccine, for example the nasal route flu vaccine. If anyone has this type of vaccine they cannot come in my house for 14 days. Likewise I cannot have any contact with someone who has had this vaccine for the same period of time.
I have been doing okay except for fatigue, I tire fairly easy. My muscles are kind of weak, I used to move up the stairs fairly quickly, skipping every other stair. I unconsciously did this last night, but was unable do so. Doctor said this is normal and will get better with time.
Back to the clinic on Thursday for another blood test and visit with the doctor.
The doctor visit went well, the doctor stated how well I did in the hospital. The doctor said some people have to stay 3-4 weeks. My blood counts are recovering nicely. The doctor also stated that any colds, flus or even the chicken pox my body no longer remembers any of these I had in the past. So when I catch a cold or flu it will knock me to my knees and take longer to recover.
The doctor also wants me to drink two litters of water a day. I used to drink three liters of water a day, but since the high dose Chemo, I cannot even drink one bottle of water. Hopefully this will change soon. Water just tastes terrible.
I will be revaccinated in about 6 months same as a new born baby, with a vaccine schedule going out two years.
I have to be extremely cautious around anyone who receives a live vaccine, for example the nasal route flu vaccine. If anyone has this type of vaccine they cannot come in my house for 14 days. Likewise I cannot have any contact with someone who has had this vaccine for the same period of time.
I have been doing okay except for fatigue, I tire fairly easy. My muscles are kind of weak, I used to move up the stairs fairly quickly, skipping every other stair. I unconsciously did this last night, but was unable do so. Doctor said this is normal and will get better with time.
Back to the clinic on Thursday for another blood test and visit with the doctor.
Saturday, August 6, 2011
August 2011 - Day +16
Being back home I did not think I would be this tired. In the hospital the last couple days I was feeling pretty good with lots of energy. Now that I am back home I am pretty tired, yesterday and today I am feeling tired and lazy, but it is great to be back home.
Jane was pretty worn out too, she drove into the hospital everyday and would stay till about 7:00, now that I am home she will be able to catch up on some needed rest also.
Thanks to everyone who helped with keeping the girls busy, this helped so much. I think the girls were busier than they could have imagined, it made the two weeks go quickly for them.
What's next for me? I will have clinic visits on Mondays and Thursdays for the next couple weeks, then the visits will be reduced to once a week, baring no complications.
My immune system could be compared to a new born baby. If I go into a public place I will need to wear a mask, for the next 100 days. No yard work or cleaning for the next 100 days either, though I can go for walks outside. Hand washing and sanitizing is of up most importance along with not being around anyone who is sick.
Jane was pretty worn out too, she drove into the hospital everyday and would stay till about 7:00, now that I am home she will be able to catch up on some needed rest also.
Thanks to everyone who helped with keeping the girls busy, this helped so much. I think the girls were busier than they could have imagined, it made the two weeks go quickly for them.
What's next for me? I will have clinic visits on Mondays and Thursdays for the next couple weeks, then the visits will be reduced to once a week, baring no complications.
My immune system could be compared to a new born baby. If I go into a public place I will need to wear a mask, for the next 100 days. No yard work or cleaning for the next 100 days either, though I can go for walks outside. Hand washing and sanitizing is of up most importance along with not being around anyone who is sick.
Friday, August 5, 2011
August 2011 - Day +15
Well I am back home!
Left the hospital about 11:00 am. The central line did not come out easy, had to have surgery this morning to have it removed.
Time to rest for a while.
Left the hospital about 11:00 am. The central line did not come out easy, had to have surgery this morning to have it removed.
Time to rest for a while.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
August 2011 - Day +14 - Update
Plans are in motion to get me out of here tomorrow (Friday). Things will start at 5:00 am with a platelet transfusion. The surgeon wanted my platelets a little higher before pulling the central line. At 7:30 am the surgeon will try and pull the central line bedside, if it cannot be pulled then I will have to go to a surgery room to have a small incision to have the line removed.
All in all I should be released and on the road home by noon.
All in all I should be released and on the road home by noon.
August 2011 - Day +14
Looks like I will be coming home tomorrow (Friday), baring no unexpected complications. My body is producing white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets; though the platelets are coming back slowly.
Yesterday was a good day, though I have to say I getting a little stir crazy knowing that I am so close to being released. It is getting easier to eat and had little nausea yesterday.
WBC - 5.12
ANC - 2.91
Hemoglobin - 10.9
Platelets - 25
Yesterday was a good day, though I have to say I getting a little stir crazy knowing that I am so close to being released. It is getting easier to eat and had little nausea yesterday.
WBC - 5.12
ANC - 2.91
Hemoglobin - 10.9
Platelets - 25
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
August 2011 - Day +13
We have lift off, numbers took a jump from yesterday's counts. I felt really good yesterday and had little nausea. I am down to one anti-nausea drug. I was able to eat all my meals, which is good since the "food police" come in after every meal to see what I have eaten.
WBC - 1.33
ANC - .42
Hemoglobin - 10.4
Platelets - 22
WBC - 1.33
ANC - .42
Hemoglobin - 10.4
Platelets - 22
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