Round Four

Again. I am so resistant to updating. I figure if I don't post an update, then we are all cancer free. [does that work?]

I will start from last week's doctor appointment with Rob's palliative care doc (Jane McPherson)...

3/16/2011 ~ Doctor Visit
Rob gained two pounds. His oxygen and everything else is normal. Blood levels are a little low, but within chemo parameters. Wahoo! His pain levels are much better (thanks to the doc's tweaking of his meds).

We talked to her about how much better he is breathing and how he seems to be coughing less than before. We wondered whether there was a connection between the chemo and his feeling better.

Jane told us that tumors trap infection and this constricts the airway. Chemo often times helps shrink the tumors which in turn reduces the inflammation and makes the oxygen work better in the lungs. (Phew!) Does this make sense?

Rob is still feeling a bit of pain from the chemo site from six weeks ago. Apparently, the chemo is a poison (really?) and it is causing some irritation in his veins. We talked about a PICT line and a PORT, but decided that to help combat this pain and to make it so it is better in the future, his nurses will dilute the chemo solution a bit more and he will need to apply moist heat on the site. It is less invasive this way and where we don't know how much more chemo he will be having, it doesn't make sense to hook him up and make him a Borg at this stage.

One thing we did - that everyone should think about doing - is we filled out a form called a "Pulse Form." This is a document that one carries with them at all times (glove box, wallet, at home, etc.). It tells any emergency worker/caregiver/hospital/etc. what one's wishes are in the event of a car crash, etc. It was a fantastic conversation to have with Rob and Jane. There were interesting questions: some that I wouldn't have thought to ask.

3/24/2011 ~ Chemo Day
Rob lost two pounds. (Are we seeing some sort of trend yet?) Blood levels were OK enough to get the chemo.

Chemo went well. It was long. The last few days have been good. Fatigue. Nausea. Hiccups. Nothing new.

xoxox