Sue Charen

A Week

On Friday Sue went in to see the oncologist about next steps. Sue was told to start retaking the new drug again (Sprycel). Sue had not felt great taking it before and unfortunately she has had a bit of nausea again. Sue had just recovered from the nausea from the chemo. We are working out a better schedule for the anti-nausea drugs to both keep the nausea away and to avoid to much of the sedative effect.

Starting in 2-4 weeks Sue will get monthly chemo by way of lumbar punctures to get to her CNS (cental nervous system). Although this will not be easy, it will be outpatient with few apparent side effects.

Some of my New Jersey cousins vistied as well as Sue's NY uncle and aunt. And over the weekend some of Sue NJ friends came down for a visit. So it has been a little busy, but Sue is getting her rest. 

Good Weekend

Saturday at Hopkins was very easy, with improving numbers and Sue feeling still better. And we will be back at Hopkins Monday morning for another check of Sue's numbers. 

Eat My Words

One more day... not. Actually, and unexpectedly by everyone, Sue's chemo drug level went up a little bit. That added a couple of days onto the stay at Hopkins. Finally the number was down to a safe level for Sue to leave, which we did today/Friday. And because of that odd jump in the numbers, the doctors want to closely monitor the level, so we are back for an outpatient visit Saturday and Monday (hoping they don't have us come in on Sunday too).

That being said, Sue is much improved with a good appetite and much reduced nausea and much more energy. So we are back in the house tonight for some decent sleep for the first time in just over a week. And enjoyed sitting on the back porch in the cool evening watching the birds at the feeder and the wild flowers that are blooming in the patch I made last month.

One More Day at JHH

One more day at JHH, because Sue just missed the target for the chemo drug leaving her system. Almost definitely, tomorrow will be the day that Sue can go home. We will be packing tonight and trying to leave early, I think. And Sue is slowly improving, and actually had an appetite this morning for the first time in a couple of days or so. 

 

Feeling a Little Bit Better

Sue was feeling a bit better today. Despite some nausea, Sue seemed more awake and even smiled at my bad jokes. The numbers improved again and may be if tonight the chemo drug is mainly gone, we might be let go from the hospital. Of course we would have to come back pretty often. So, Sue is asleep and hoping for an even easier day tomorrow.

 

Almost 24 Hours...of Sleep

Due to a pretty high level of residual chemo drug, there was a lot of nausea. It won't take very long to clear it probably, but to keep Sue comfortable, the anti-nausea drugs were increased. This as expected and hoped for has made Sue very, very sleepy. She wakes up every couple of hours for a couple of minutes. By tomorrow, the chemo drug should be mostly gone and Sue should be feeling much better. We are guessing on a Tuesday release.

Almost 24 Hours

It has been almost 24 hours since the chemotherapy was administered to Sue. This is the second round and the nausea seems worse than before. But since it hadn't gone away completely from the first round, I guess it is somewhat compounded. Sue is on a lot more anti-nausea drugs which makes her very sleepy (she is sleeping as I type this). It is always better to not be awake during these bouts. Hoping tomorrow and the next few days will be easier as the chemo drug is pushed out of her system -- using lots and lots of hydration and an antidote. Otherwise Sue's "numbers" continue to be good.

Assuming it goes like last time we should be out of the hospital by Monday or Tuesday. My in-laws and I are staying at the hospital's patient and family pavillion that is across the street. It is very convenient and is very similar in design and decor to the hospital rooms (which are not to bad).

Some of my local family members came over, but Sue was not yet up for visitors and so they had to make due with just talking to me mainly (and my in-laws). I am hoping that once back in WV, that she will be soon be up for more visitors.

Friday

Sue will be going back in for a second round of chemo on Friday. This round will probably take the same amount of time as last, about 4-5 days.

It has been quiet at the house. Sue has still had nausea and been sleepy, perhaps due to the anti-nausea drugs. Hoping for an easier post-second round.

 

 

Major Reduction in Size

There is always anxiety in waiting to hear results from a medical test. Yesterday, Sue received her first scan--an MRI-- since the chemotherapy was given. Fortunately the results were very good, showing a major reduction in the size of the tumor. And since Sue's "numbers" have been very good as well showing that she endured the chemotherapy without any problems, the doctor has decided that a second round of chemotherapy should be done. 

So, we will be returning next week for the second round of the chemotherapy. Again a high dose of the chemotherapy will be given, and Sue will need to stay in the hospital until the chemo has be washed out of her system. This takes around 3-5 days. 

Sue was losing some hair from the chemo and decided to do the hair chop, rather than wait for all of it to fall out. 

We are relaxing out at the house and enjoying the July 4th weekend. Hope you all have a great fourth!