|
April 30, 2003 -- Delayed Intensification #1 (Day 14) Katie had a great week after the last update I sent. She bounced back from the effects of the chemo by Friday afternoon and had a wonderful time playing outside, when the weather was nice. This week, unfortunately, won't be as good. Katie went for her Delayed Intensification #1 - Day 14 CBC and chemo treatment today (4/30). She had her Zofran (for nausea), the VCR IV push and the DOXO infusion. (Some side effects of DOXO and VCR: metallic taste, lack of energy, vomiting and nausea, droopy eyelid(s), achy joints, hair loss, and low ANC.) Everything went the same as last week, with the exception of her counts. Last week her ANC was over 6000 and today it was 50, which means her ability to fight bacteria and infection went from great last Wednesday to very poor today. Dr. Rock gave us a list of things to look for that could be a possible sign of infection, the main one being fever. Over the next two weeks or so we will be closely monitoring Katie and will be ready to make a run to the clinic in King of Prussia or Children's Hospital at the first sign of infection or illness. Going outside to play is now off limits until Katie's counts go over 1000 when she'll have a better chance of fighting infection. Katie has to go back to the clinic on Friday 5/2 (and maybe Monday) for another CBC to check her counts, and a possible blood transfusion if her red blood cell or platelet counts are low. She's be back on the DEX (steroids) for another 7 days. The effects of the last round haven't quite worn off yet, so her mood swings and strange food cravings will be getting worse. |
|||||||||
|
|||||||||