There's not too much happening since the last post, but I thought I'd do a quick post to check in. In my last post, I said that the side effects seemed to be passing - it turns out he had another several days before truly getting through them. It was a long week for him, but he is feeling better now. He has had a complication with the incision on his abdomen. It is is leaking seroma fluid, which is a clear fluid that sometimes leaks from incisions after abdominal and other surgeries. It's not serious and it's not uncommon, but does need to be taken care of. Cultures are negative for infection, but he has had to see the Doctor several times this week to re-bandage the incision and is on antibiotics as a precaution. The other two incisions are healing well.
He started rigorous physical therapy this week, as well. The first session was tremendously painful, but today's was easier on him. It really seems to be helping his mobility (which is a really, really good thing). He's loving his new La-Z-Boy recliner we ordered before he was admitted to the hospital. It's quite cushy and he's very comfortable in it. The hospital bed is fairly comfortable for him, too - what's not comfortable is getting IN to it. Physical therapy should be helping with that, too.
His counts look good and he's still scheduled to begin the next round of chemo on Monday the 26th. We meet with his main doctor in the morning, and then he'll do Monday's chemo in Miami. The other days of the week, he'll be able to go to Deerfield for the chemo, as it is a shorter duration then the marathon chemo days he has done in the past (different chemo drugs have different requirements for duration, pre meds, hydration, etc.) He's happy to not have to be admitted for this protocol. If the same pattern of side effects happens again after this round, the week after the chemo will be challenging as he deals with the side effects. They have a "late onset" with this particular protocol. While he's feeling better this weekend, he may try to catch up on some phone calls and may feel up to visitors for a short time.
We still don't know if this chemo protocol is working, and we still won't know for at least another couple weeks yet. After next week, when he's feeling up to, they'll probably do a MRI at that point. There's a chance his doctor will recommend a third round before the scans - we just have to wait and see.
Scott is really remarkable - he's still being very strong and still fighting hard. He is so determined to get through physical therapy and get some of his mobility back. Even though I'm his wife, I still can't imagine how he feels and how he is processing all of what he's going through. I know he's scared, but he's able to keep his head up and keep fighting. It is so admirable!
He misses talking to and seeing everyone, but is grateful for everyone's understanding that visits and conversations take a great deal of energy. It can be very hard for him to focus and concentrate. I, too, am grateful for how wonderful you all are. The offers for help are so appreciated and the prayers/love/positive thoughts do not go unnoticed.
I'll post an update after chemo is started and we've had the Doctor's visit. In the meantime, we're sending you all our love. I wanted to leave you with a cute picture I took the afternoon Scott got home from the hospital. It's bad quality, but its subject is adorable - this is Oliver laying on Scott. Oddly enough, he's laying right on top of the pelvic tumor - it's like he's trying to heal his Daddy. It's amazing that they seem to just know.
~Scott and Amy
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