CHEMO TREATMENT #3--DAY 10

Three Stooges Golfing

Thanks for all the cards, food, gifts and well-wishes.   Both Mario and Sherry and wanted to share their sincere appreciation  to Mike, Sandy, Lindy, Kristy, Chaney, Ryan, Reagan, Heather, Matt, Jeff, Bobbie, Brandon, Carol, Hal, Ellen, Jim, Parker, Jack, and Louise for your thoughts and prayers. It means a lot to them to know that they have some many family and friends supporting them in this.  Your cards say “I love you, laugh, take care of yourself, get better soon, and let’s play golf ”.    

Chemo Treatment # 3 has been the hardest yet, perhaps due to the increased amount of toxins being accumulated in his body. Also the week after the chemo treatment is when many of the bad chemotherapy symptoms arise, especially the increased risk of infection. As on the previous treatments, around Day 9 of a chemo treatment, he has low grade fever, a warning to be on the lookout for a possible infection. Nausea, a relatively new symptom, also made an unwelcome appearance, but seems to have lessened after one really bad day. A loss of appetite has been a common symptom, resultring in his loss of about 25 pounds .  Of course, he is tired and weak. Even so, thanks to technology, he has been able to work from home . Also the Laird has been in good spirits and is polite and nice to the Butler and Nurse Sherry, even when they bother him with questions and concerns.This says a lot about the type of person he is.Mr. FOG would probably be grouchy, even with the cat.

Today, we had an appointment with Mario’s oncologist. Mario’s low grade fever, apparently intimidated, decided not to show itself at the doctor's office. Mario’s temperature was normal when it was taken, although he had a low grade temperature all day. Red blood cell levels were acceptable, but the white blood cells were at a very, very low level. On Monday the white blood cells were a 5, and today at 0.2 At such low levels, the risk of infection is much higher. The doctor explained that the Laird is on an intense chemotherapy, much stronger than that given to most cancer patients. Hence the symptoms and the very low cell counts he is experiencing. The upside is that we have had very good results with the chemotherapy treatments, but the downside is the aftermath. The doctor has Mario on oral antibiotics to help protect him over this low point in white blood cells and stressed hygiene. If our luck holds, we seem to have avoided a blood transfusion for Chemo #3. Mario will return on Monday, Day #14, for a follow-up blood test to make sure the white blood cell count is going up and the red blood cells are holding their own.