Changing schedules

One of the things we are learning about this new journey with Lee is that his schedule is subject to change.  He kept his early appointment at Duke on Monday, April 2.  Son Todd came down on the night of Easter Sunday so they could both leave by 6:30 Monday morning.  They were able to meet the demand of arriving by 9:10 to keep the appointed lab.

A complete blood count is imperative during chemotherapy, and it must be done on the morning of the infusion of the drugs.  There is a waiting period of about an hour and then Lee meets with his assigned PA to receive the lab results, and her physical assessment of him.  After that a decision may be made as to the type of chemotherapy he should receive for that day.

On this particular Monday, Lee's platelet count was 90.  (that is 90 K).  Normal platelet count is 350K or above.  It is the standard of measurement at Duke to delay Chemotherapy if the platelet count is below 100.

Lee had decided several days before this appointment to ask the infusion team to remove his PICC line that had been in place since March 5.  This line was established for the sole purpose of administering I.V. antibiotics at home upon his discharge on March 6.  After a candid discussion with the home-health provider and the risks involved with keeping the line in, Lee decided to have it out.

Lee and Todd had a small lunch at the café in the cancer center, then returned for the removal of the PICC line.  To date we are observing the site and all is well.

Yesterday he felt very good and was out and about most of the day.  His good friend, a retired farmer in our neighborhood kept him occupied all afternoon.  He was happy at the end of the day.  It was quite a contrast in comparison to the week before when he had received two chemo drugs that unfortunately made him restless at night with night sweats and some mild nausea during the day. Fatigue became an issue later during the week.  His appetite was poor and he supplemented his diet with nourishing high-protein drinks several times a day.

We are both concerned that he continues to lose weight.  He has lost about nine pounds in the past two months in spite of trying to eat and supplement his diet.  We both understand that this is yet another toll the cancer takes on your body.

In spite of all the changes Lee has had to endure these past almost eight years post lung transplant, the cancer appears to be the one that will require the biggest battle.  I am convinced that Lee will tackle this fight the same as he has always done.  He will use his defense tactics and strategy that he learned long ago on the football field.  I also know that he will not give up as long as there is a shred of fight left in him.

So....blogger friends, I am depending on you to support Lee's defense team.  Please drop a card, or make that phone call.  It takes a family, friends, a neighborhood, a village to fight cancer.  I know I can count on all of you.  Any information can be obtained via the children, or me.

Thanks,...................................................................................more later, Brenda