Success With Bloodwork!

Richard had his bloodwork done again this morning. His white blood cells are back up to above where they need to be. His platelet count is at a normal level (the transfusion was a success). His red blood cell count is a bit low, which accounts for his fatigue the past couple of days. He has been getting some headaches for the past few days too, but the hospital did a CT scan of his brain this morning as a precautionary measure, and everything is fine in his brain. (I guess that could be a matter of opinion....) :) They suggested drinking extra fluids to help with the headaches. I know Richard is drinking quite a bit, but perhaps even that's not enough. Poor guy will be a balloon just to get rid of these headaches!

Richard needs to just keep resting, being up and about when he's able to do so, and keeping up his positive attitude! I think he really needs a hobby of some sort; he's tired of television and movies.

The doctors at H.U.P. are tentatively setting him up to come back for Round 3 next Thursday. Richard will check in with Dr. Andreadis Monday or Tuesday for the final word.

Love, Daphne

Platelet Transfusion

The platelet transfusion was successful this morning. Richard was at the hospital for about 3 hours. He is feeling okay now - mostly just a little tired.

LGH - Bloodwork

Richard had a good weekend. He stayed awake all day Saturday and Sunday. He spent a lot of the time relaxing around the house. He gets tired quickly if he gets up and does too much. Sunday we spent a little time at our house putting primer on the trim and walls upstairs. Rich sat and worked on the baseboard and worked on spots lower to the floor. He really enjoyed being able to help out and even said he was having fun!

Richard had his normal Mon./Thurs. bloodwork done this morning. This afternoon, they called him (unfortunately, they only call when there's a problem) and told him that his platelets are lower than they should be. His white blood cells have also plummeted again. (This is the same week in the cycle that his count dropped last time.) Because his platelets are so low, he has to get a platelet transfusion tomorrow morning. They had him go into LGH tonight and give a sample of blood (not like they haven't taken enough!) so they can find the best match. He has to be very cautious because his blood is very thin due to the lack of platelets. He also needs to monitor his temperature. He is home now for the night; he is feeling very tired so he went to bed early. That's the latest for now. Send your prayers for Richard tonight. Thanks!

Love, Daphne

LGH Appts

Richard had 3 appointments this morning at LGH. He got his Neulasta shot (white blood cell booster), another intrathecal dose of the chemo drug, Ara-C, and regular bloodwork. His white blood cell count is slightly lower than normal, but not too low yet. The Neulasta should help that level increase.

He is continuing to feel very tired and sleeps for the majority of the day and night. He has not had too many issues with nausea; at least, nothing that drugs can't handle. Right now is his "down time," and hopefully, next week he'll have more energy to be awake for more hours in the day.

Love,
Daphne

Richard is home! :)

Good morning, everybody! This is just a quick note to let everyone know that we brought Richard home from the hospital last night! At 3:00 p.m., the test results came back showing a Methotrexate level of 0.09, so they tested him again. At 6:00 p.m., the lab said his level was 0.06. If he promised to drink extra fluids, they told him he could go home since it was so close!

He is working on getting lots of rest (making up for what he didn't get in the hospital)! So far, side effects are minimal - mostly just fatigue. He didn't have much of an appetite yesterday, but he hasn't had much nausea either. The doctors said it may take a little longer for any side effects of these drugs to become apparent.

Rich will go to LGH on Thursday for his usual Thurs. bloodwork, and he will also have another intrathecal (brain port) dose of Ara-C (name of a chemo drug). He will get his Neulasta shot (white blood cell booster) as well. Thankfully, he has no schedule appts. today or tomorrow; so hopefully, he can get a lot of rest!

Thanks for all of your posted comments; Richard loves "checking his blog" to see if anyone posted any new comments!

Round 2 down... The doctors are pleased with the progress the drugs have made on the mass in his chest and how his body is responding to the chemo! Let's keep hoping and praying for the best!

My turn:

Rose are red,
Violet are blue;
It was time for Richard
To get a new do.

(I shaved his head for him again on Sat. - he was tired of eyelash-size hairs falling out all over the place!)

Monday

Well, let's just say that things really pick up around here on a Monday! The food is even a little better - more choice, less soggy! Richard's still sleeping, and I'm eyeing up that cinnamon coffee cake on his tray! ...Just kidding. I already started on his coffee though...he ordered that for me.

There's not much going on today. Richard's getting his last bag of chemo this morning. Then, all we have to do is wait for his Methotrexate level to drop below 0.05. They will being drawing blood this morning and test results are expected this afternoon. If the level's below 0.05, he can go home tonight. If not, he has to wait and get another lab drawn this afternoon if it's close, or if it's not close, in the morning again.

That's about it for now. In the meantime, I need to get back and make sure Richie is drinking lots and lots of liquid. The more he drinks, the faster that methotrexate works out of his system, and the faster he can get out of here!
Hugs, Daphne

Not Much Going On So I Decided To Write

Not much has happened today. I saw that Daphne let you all know about my room change. Thank God. I was in a room with a fellow who left his TV on until two thirty in the morning at full volume. I finally had enough and just walked over and shut it off. I figured, if he is awake, I'll handle it. If he's asleep, good for me. He was asleep so Daphne and I had a quiet room until about seven thirty in the morning when, guess what!? Back on again at full volume. I am never going to watch NBA or BET ever in my life, I have been permanently scarred. But, that is all better now. I leaned on the nursing staff since Thu. night and kept reminding them of how nice it would be to have a private room. I tried to include the correct amount of Richie charm, (much to Daphne's groaning), but it must have worked because I am now in a nice quiet room with a refrigerator/freezer and my own TV with volume/channel control. Well, I needed to vent a little bit to some new people so thank you all for lending an ear. I will update again soon enough.
Roses are red,
H.U.P. food is yucky.
It has more rubber,
Than a yellow toy ducky. Who loves ya?! Richie

New room!

Hey everybody! Rich got moved to a new room today - a single room w/a refrigerator! He's very excited! No more nonstop TV, rap music, pro basketball games playing ALL DAY and ALL NIGHT! He is still on the sixth floor.

There is no new news today. He's working on his 22-hour bag of chemo now. It should be done in 4 hours or so. He will be getting a shot of brain chemo this afternoon in his Omaya port. They were supposed to come at 1:30 p.m., but it hasn't happened yet. That's not surprising though; hospitals schedules (except the food) are never on time. Well, that's about all for now. It's been a fairly quiet and relaxing day! :) Richard sends a hello to everyone!
Love, Daphne

Chemo Boy Says Hi from H.U.P.

Well, I discovered that they have the internet here for patient use, so I am going to give a quick update from behind the walls. I found out this morning that my tumor has shrunk significantly, so this next round of chemo is going to be the same strength as the first time, just different chemicals in order to shock the cancer and keep it at bay. Also found out that the fluid that was surrounding my lungs has also completely disappeared so my breathing has obviously improved by leaps and bounds. I am in a constant state of losing my hair out of my head only. Every single time I place my head on the pillow it looks like a gerbil exploded in my bed. They are pumping me full of liquids, so I am also in a constant state of peeeeeeiiiiiiiiinnnnnngggggg!!! Unfortunately, I am not allowed to pee in the toilet as all body fluids in and out must be measured, so I pee in a little canteen-looking thing with a snap lid. (Don't spill!!!) All right, not much more to say today, so I will leave you with this thought, Roses are red,
My head is spotty.
I'm not allowed,
To pee in the potty! Goodnight everyone! Who loves ya?

1st day at HUP

Richie had his CT scan this morning, and all we know is that it did respond to the first chemo treatment. :) They were planning on starting the new round this afternoon, but because Rich gets it on a 12-hour cycle, he wants to start it at 9:00 p.m. tonight. This way, he won't be getting it at 3 p.m. and 3 a.m. every day. 9:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. is much better! That's all the news we have for now. I'll be heading down to the hospital with Richie's dad and brother this afternoon. Thankfully, I have an early dismissal (1:30 a.m.) so we can head down before the weather gets too much worse. My principal has been so great in working with my requests!

Rich is still in the same room with his roommate. We'll let you know if that changes. There is someone else on the floor who doesn't have a shower in his/her room, so they have first chance at getting a single room that opens up. That's fair enough...at least Rich has a shower!

Well, I probably see some of you this weekend if you come visit. Keep up the prayers that Richie responds well again to this next treatment! We want a cancer-free Richard as soon as possible!!! Hugs to all from me, Rich's parents, Peter, and Richard D.!