Blood Work

I've been feeling great for the last week. We went to Watertown WI for our nephew Ron's wedding on Saturday. Even though it was during a snow storm they had a great turnout and we all had a good time.

We had lunch with my siblings and cousins on Tuesday and went for my weekly blood test immediately afterward. According to the test results I shouldn't have been feeling so good. My red blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit and platelets were below normal. I should have been feeling tired and short of breath. Hematocrit is the amount of space within a blood sample occupied by red blood cells. The normal range is 42 to 52%. Mine was 25.6% and as a result I needed a transfusion.

Yesterday I received 2 units of blood and today I don't feel any different.

Weak Week

Last week was a rough one. I was tired and depressed and always cold. It seems like each treatment knocks me down a little further and it takes longer to bounce back. Today I feel fine. Its as though the symptoms were just switched off last night.

Yesterdays blood tests showed some of the results, including red blood cell count and platelet count, to be at the lowest point since this started. I guess I'll have to be careful shaving again.

Drain Gone

Had my drain tube removed last Thursday. On Tuesday (2/3) Dr. Haider suggested that it should be removed since the fluid had stopped and to avoid infection. On Wednesday the hospital called and we set up an appointment for Thursday. It only took a few minutes to pull it out.

Went to Madison again last weekend. Sunday was our 45th anniversary and we celebrated with dinner at Todd's.

I had my 5th chemo treatment on Tuesday and met with Dr. Haider beforehand. I asked what I should expect after my 6th and last treatment. He said it would be based on conditions after that treatment. It could be radiation, or a maintenance treatment. The cancer cannot be completely removed and if nothing was done after the last treatment I would have about 2 months. I guess we won't be able to make vacation plans until we know more.

Results

Met with Dr. Haider yesterday and we went over the results of the latest test. Good news. The CT scan showed that the tumors are still shrinking. The bone scan and brain MRI were still clear. The doctor said that the 1st four chemo cycles account for 90% of the results. The last 2 cycles will only produce another 10%. He pointed that out as something to consider with regard to joining the clinical trial.

We also met with the Clinical Trial Coordinator who went over all of the items in the 19 page "Informed Consent Authorization" form. I've decided to stick with the current plan and not join the study.

My blood tests results showed my platelet count (137) to be back in the normal range.