Auspicious -- Word for the Day -- Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Auspicious

DEFINITION: (adjective) promising good fortune; propitious.

We are into 21 days of the New Year and it has been auspicious, to say the least! Labs have revealed the last few days that ChemoSabe is 'Upside down, all around me; inside/out -- round and round'... His WBC was way up over the weekend, when he was to be neutrapenic. He hasn't been, yet. They came down a bit on Sunday, then up on Monday, down one point on Tuesday and back up today. The Infusion nurse felt it was the growth factor shot keeping him up so he didn't get one today... Makes sense, doesn't it?

Platelets are falling two points a day. Down to 37 today. So the Lovenox (blood thinner) was stopped yesterday. Thank the Lord! I don't think he has a spot on his lower legs that remain unbruised. Since he has been on the B-6 every day and had one shot of B-12, his numbness has decreased and his legs are not swelling at ALL... We ran into a patient a few weeks back that advised him to wear ankle socks and put them on the top bone of the ankle and it would reduce swelling.... IT WORKS, too.

His face is still blistered.... I have decided to give him one of my itch pills (hydroxzine) tonight. I can guarantee it will be cleared up tomorrow.

With all this -- we had our doctor's followup visit today. She is amazed at how well ChemoSabe is doing. She was auspicious about his treatment this time. She says she has NEVER heard of any other patient working during any of the treatments and she can't believe he has been travelling to boot. He even told her of plans to go out of state tomorrow.

She agreed that the hydroxzine was a very good idea, since the benedrel has not made any difference for improvement. We are to see her again next week to schedule the port to be removed. That means daily labs will stop and he will probably only go once a week. Then the treatment begins again in six weeks.

The BEST NEWS of ALL!!!!! Are you READY FOR THIS!!!!! She tells us she firmly believes he will NOT go neutrapenic this time. She doesn't remember anyone not EVER going neutrapenic. She says his bone marrow is SO HEALTHY and that is the reason his counts remain stable or high.

Now, this is not to say that he may not crash tomorrow or Friday, but she feels certain he will not. If he does not drop, then the port will come out Tuesday...

Even though he has felt bad this week with the blister and being tired from the chemo and lab visits, I have to tell you, this has really ENERGIZED me. I have felt wonderful all week. I even rearranged my desk at work. When I get in the rearranging mood -- look out Katie!!!

I have wanted to do the garage for months since my mom's stuff is still in there. When we drive by garages with the doors up and we see storage space instead of vehicle space, we just roll our eyes. Well, that is almost the way ours is now. I rearrange it about once a year. I am glad I am off Friday and the weather is suppose to be half way decent. Never had a garage sale, but when I start pulling things out the neighbors might very well think I am.

Mom went to the beauty shop yesterday and got a cut and style... She was in a better mood. Thank the Lord for that one, too.

Oh gosh... I am just so hyper from the good news.

Good day and Love -- Pepper