After a great week at home recovering from the last stay in the hospital and getting lots of rest, Mike gets his final chemo infusion tomorrow morning (Monday, 4/13). The procedure lasts for about 6 hours and it usually uneventful. It's what happens in the following 2-3 weeks that is most critical.
The infusion will cause Mike's white blood cell count to drop to around zero (the nadir) in about 10-14 days, at which time he's most at risk for another infection. If all goes well, the nadir will not last long and he'll start to regenerate his own cells again--which will be the real start on the road to recovery.
Sometime around late May he'll get another PET scan which will indicate how many Prairie Dogs are still present in his body. The 'target' number is zero, zilch, none, nada, bumpkiss.
During this next stretch, "No news will be good news" from our standpoint, so please don't be alarmed if there are few new blogs. But, don't let that stop you from sending cards (see the picture), emails, and comments to the blog. We love to get them, and each and every one cheers us up. Those of you who have been in our home at Christmas time know that we have a "Memory Tree" that shows some of the highlights of year just ending. Boy, do we have a good start on the Memory Tree for 2009 already!
Oh, some special thanks go out to Mike's brothers, Jim and John, who visited us for 3-4 days and provided some needed help while they were here.
This is one of the most critical times in Mike's treatment plan, so if you can spare any extra good vibes over the next 2-3 weeks, they will certainly not go unused.
mike and terry
So, Mike, is it really cancer, or is this just a "fad" weight loss strategy gone horribly awry? Is there a chance of an after school special on "Kids: Don't try this at home" for counseling on the "right" way to manage your weight?
ReplyDeleteSome people cope with gooey cards. My best coping strategy involves inappropriate humor. As a fan of "South Park" I'm thinking you can cope.
I hope you are able to access a computer or book or something while you spend 6 or more hours with the drug drip.
Best of luck with that and hope to see you in Myrtle Beach for the next PETE conference in Novemberish.
Murray.
USC (the East coast one).
Mike,
ReplyDeleteGreat to hear you're doing better. Keep up the good fight. Rebel and I are sending good vibes and prayers your way.
Danny Medley