DAY 14 APRIL 7

Chemo Day 2

Got up today, showered, ate breakfast (no Sunday Brunch offered) and had my morning cocktail. Started around 940am. Lasted almost 2 hours. Half way done with chemo. 4 days total.

I am going to try to explain the type of chemo I am receiving.

My chemo is a liquid infusion. I found out the other bags are to help with nausea, headaches and kidney protection.

I didn't really understand the cycle of chemotherapy so Dr. Fedorenko explained it to me.

He said this chemo is not like a gun. The chemo goes into the cells. It takes more than 7 days to destroy all the cells. This is when the immune system gets to it's lowest point and the reason for isolation. Four days of chemo then typically a day off and then receive the stem cell transplant on the sixth day. I am not sure why the transplant takes place when it does. I will have to ask.

This procedure is not as aggressive as what a cancer patient might receive though. Similar but different.

They are trying to get your leukocytes to as close to zero as possible to start a new immune system. The idea is that your old immune system is rogue and attacking healthy parts of your body (i.e. myelin).

So Angelica, who is in isolation, sent me a picture of her numbers. They are tracking her hemoglobin, leukocytes and platelets. Her leukocytes (white blood cells to me) this morning were at .04. Johnathon, who just came out of isolation today, said his lowest point was .02. Now he is at 6.5 out of isolation. They will give him some more medication to boost it more before he goes home in a few days.
Breakfast

Lunch...tasty bean and potato soup with meatloaf and veggies

Dinner-Salmon with potato and I think something else from the ocean that I am supposed to eat but still can't





Comments

  1. Granny carenApril 7, 2019 at 4:09 PM

    Probably SEAWEED..LOL.VERY PROUD OF YOU..👶HERES TO THE NEW YOU!❤

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownApril 7, 2019 at 5:59 PM

    Hey Paul, I haven't been able to post on my computer so we finally tried Sharon's and we can post anonymously now. Your blog has been so interesting. Thanks for telling us about each phase you're going through. We're learning a lot. So impressed with your positive attitude in the face of some difficult experiences. I"m also not surprised at the sense of community that I know you help build there in the hospital. You lift everyone around you.

    Sharon says they always have soup in Russia and looking at your meals it looks like that true. Looks like you always have some nice bread to accompany it. We're wondering if Lynette would ever consider a guest post telling us about where she is staying, what she is doing and what is she eating?

    Keep up the good work and we look forward to having you back stateside soon! Dave and Sharon

    ReplyDelete
  3. GailApril 7, 2019 at 8:56 PM

    Awesome job Paul and you have a great attitude!, love it!

    ReplyDelete

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