When you say Neutropenia out loud it sounds a little like a character from the Harry Potter books (or films, depending on your preference). And if it was, she would be a villain! But alas, it’s really what the medical world says when a special type of white blood cell is running low. Karen recently…
July Already?
Half the year is over, and we’re not quite sure where it went. This week Karen had the energy and time to put around in the yard (when it wasn’t too hot), and generally be up and about. It was a “good week,” for the most part. Yesterday we visited the doctor and he was encouraging….
First Week With New Chemo
The first week of the new chemo combination hit Karen harder than previous cocktails did. It’s hard to tell if it was the new chemo medication or residual effects from the low platelet count in the preceding weeks, but she felt a new “not well” that was hard to characterize. The new “I don’t feel…
What’s With Those Platelets Anyway?
It was another week of low platelet counts, so they couldn’t administer the chemo again last week. Chemotherapy interferes with the body’s ability to create platelets, and Karen’s body wasn’t very happy with the new chemo medications. The doc is still hoping to lower the dosages to find the best level. Karen has a history…
It’s Been a Good and Bad Week
The weekend seemed to get away from us without me making a blog post, and I’m not quite sure how that happened, but it did. Where does all the time go? Karen was too fatigued to have chemo last week. Her platelets were too low and the doctor thought it best to hold off and…
What’s Going On This Week
This week was a bit better than last, but Karen is still getting tired rather easily. Her last round of blood tests show that her platelets are low, so her body didn’t hold up quite as well during the last round of chemo. She’s having more tests to day to see if the chemo needs…
It Was a Gemzar Week
This week Karen had the chemo medication Gemzar without any other medications. This was the first time she’s had that one without the Carboplatin, so we weren’t really sure what to expect. The Carboplatin/Gemzar mix last week rolled over her like a steam roller, and it took days before she was able to be up…
Start of a New Cycle
The first week of the chemo cycle is always the hardest for Karen. Some of the chemo medications are administered weekly, while others on some type of interval. No matter the interval, the first infusion has all the medications, and the side effects are at their maximum in the period following. When considering side effects, anticipation…
Chemo Starting Up Again Next Week
Karen’s chemo starts at the Cleveland Clinic next Tuesday, May 16th. Her surgeon sees patients at a Medina branch, so we’re going there, as it’s about 40 minutes closer for us. There’s not much excitement about starting a new cycle of chemo. It’s no fun at all. She’ll be starting the Carboplatin again, but adding…
Some More Info
Most of my last few posts have been related to the surgery and how well Karen is recovering. She’s doing great! But I’d like to share a few more details about the surgery itself, including what we hoped, and what we ultimately got. The objective of the surgery last Friday was to remove the visible…