Sue Charen

Swapping Allergies?

Today, Sue was pretty good. She was up for over 3 hours again. The nausea seems to be more manageable. And her numbers continue to be OK. Sue is eating and drinking a little more, though not enough yet.

In a conversation with a doctor regarding various aspects of the bone marrow transplant, not only will Sue's blood type change to be the same as the donor's, it is possible for Sue to lose her current allergies and gain her donor's. Hmmm.

Awake

Sue continues to improve somewhat. Today Sue was able to sit up for over three hours. Nausea has been diminished. But Sue still is somewhat dehydrated. But most of her numbers are still good.

Unknowing

It is hard to know what are the effects of the intense chemo, the transplant and engraftment, infections, fevers or the myriad of drugs that Sue has been taking. Fortunately, today Sue seemed better. She felt much less nausea, was awake for a few hours and seemed to have a small appetite.

Yesterday, Sue was dehydrated and needed immediate hydration at the hospital. Sue had gotten a day off from going in to the hospital. Unfortunately, due to severe nausea, she was unable to drink anything and out of the hospital without IV hydration.

It is all a little bit of a balancing act, the meds, the sleepiness from the meds, etc. And the slow healing of the body in the meantime. Sue's numbers (white blood count, etc) still are quite good. And the rash that may or may not be mild GVHD, although itchy, has stayed mild so far. Until time elapses we are often left in a certain amount of not knowing what is going on.

P.S. There is an article about how various doctors treat patients with cancer in the New York Times today. We are very thankful for the care so far at Hopkins.

Day of Rest

Sue had a quick time at the hospital. The blood tests showed Sue doing very well, so the nurse gave her Friday off. Sue still has some nausea and is very sleepy still.

I Am Out of Here

The doctors stopped by on their rounds to tell Sue that since she had no fevers in the last day or so she could go home tomorrow. Or may be today, if the nurses said it was OK. Sue was pretty insistent she wanted to leave today. But Sue has not walked for two weeks except to go a few steps to the bathroom. They wanted Sue to be able to able to show she could walk. Well, she got out of bed and did two laps around the unit. Then she hid the bed for a couple hours. But then she was ready. And by five o'clock she was home.

Sue and I got a booklet filled with post-transplant care do's and don'ts. Part of effort will be to avoid infections and getting sick. And part of it will be to monitor for possible GVHD (graft versus host disease, where the transplanted marrow/immune system rejects the recipient). Sue will be going to the hospital almost every day for the next month for care and to check for GVHD.

Sue seemed very happy to be at the apartment in Essex. Then she slept for a few hours. 

Another Day, Another Ensure or Two

Sue is still having some nausea, fevers, and sleeping much of the day. But she seems a little better and she has been able to 2 or 3 bottles of Ensure (concentrated nutrition).

Sue has gotten a slight rash that may or may be a sign of GVHD (Graft Versus Host Disease). Having a rash is normal and viewed positive as long is it is the only type of GVHD symptom.

There is a chance Sue will be allowed to leave the hospital soon. Just as long as the fevers get under control

A Lot of Sleeping

Back to back days of sleeping the whole day. Sue felt a bit of nausea today. She had fewer bottles of Ensure today. And there was some fever. The doctors are not too concerned about the fevers and the diminished, but still hanging on, nausea. Sue's white blood and neutrophil counts are still okay.

Hoping tomorrow is easier.

A Little Bit of Nutrition, A Little Bit of a Fever

For most of the day, Sue was fine. In the evening she had a somewhat high fever and some nausea. However, during the day she was feeling good enough to drink some of the nutritional drinks. The doctors mentioned a possible day to leave the hospital, either Monday or Tuesday as long as she continues to improve.

A Glimmer

Since Saturday, Sue had slept for about 24 hours each day. Yesterday, the last of the anti-biotics and her permanent intravenous line were pulled. And today, Sue actually was up for an hour or so. And only had slight nausea. Her neutrophil count is climbing slowly which is good news. Just a glimmer...

Sleep All Day

Today was even more of a sleep event. Sue slept through it. In the few minutes of being awake there was some nausea, but it seemed like less than yesterday. Tomorrow ...