Tim is home now after a turbulent week of feeling ok one minute to not good at all the next. It has been difficult to adjust to every moment, as a sense of security and flash of wellness is completely turned upside down 20 mins later by a bout of nausea and all over body aches. My nerves have been on tender hooks as we have done our utmost to psych neutropenia away.......and I think we may have been successful!!!!
This week saw Tim admitted for a night on Monday. He had spent the week end at home, but unfortunately couldn't bring himself to be upright nor eat or drink anything as he felt extreme nausea. He was due into day oncology for blood tests and faced up in pretty bad shape (threw up 15 times) and the doctors decided he needed to be in o/n. After some strong anti nausea, IV fluids for 24 hours and a cell boosting injection (GCSF) he was good to come home again.
After two days of feeling ok, Tim woke on Thursday morning to find himself covered in bruises. Called the hospital and the next thing we knew he was in again having a platelet transfusion. His platelets tested at 13 which is extremely low ( platelets test at around 450 in a normal, healthy person). This is what had caused the bruising and it is scary to think that it was just normal toss and turn in his sleep that instigated the outbreak. If platelets test 10 or under, you are in danger of a spontaneous bleed. Luckily Tim is right on to everything and acts on his intuition. This has saved his life more than once in the last 6 months. (Sounds so dramatic, but is actually true!!!)
The up times this week have included some lovely family time at home, eating home cooked meals and watching numerous games of AFL. Tim was treated by Andrew and Harry Belli on Saturday night to the Crown Palladium for Essendon's 84/85 Premiership reunion dinner. It was so lovely to see him suit up and enjoy a fun and memorable night. I think he would have rolled up there attached to a drip, he was so determined to go!!! We were all so pleased that he could. It meant a great deal to Tim to be there.
Tim is now waiting for his blood counts to come back up, then he will begin the re induction phase of treatment. This is more or less a repeat of everything he has already had, minus the radiation and 24 hour chemo infusions. Yes, we are definitely making progress, but the next few months still involve daily chemotherapy.
Take care,
Love Andi
xoxoxoxo
ps. The scratch on Tim's nose below was caused from vomiting too many times into a sick bag. (just in case you were wondering!!!! ......chemo...it's a bloodsport!!)
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