Yesterday, or rather a few days ago, we were confused on Shivam's treatment plan. Dr. Rabi and Dr. Mathews were mentioning that Shivam was still too weak to go to aggressive chemo treatment plan (consolidation) and the new doctors that took over last Sunday mentioned that he will go onto consolidation month. Basically, in consolidation, he gets extensive treatment for a month (almost daily to the hospital for a back or spinal poke) and in maintenance, it much lighter (mostly at home). Yesterday, we went to the hospital in anticipation of starting the consolidation phase. We were scared and confused on the conflicting directions we were getting.
When we reached the hospital we meet Tina and she explained that Shivam will be going on maintenance phase as originally planned by Dr. Rabi Hanna. He got his blood drawn for testes and the numbers looked good enough for a spinal top (or lumber puncture) where a chemo drug was injected into his spine. He also got another chemo (vincristine) via the port. These drugs make him extremely tired and sleepy and we all came back home with the new schedule and slept.
I soon realized that in our "rush" to reach back home, I had forgotten to pick his new medications (prednisolone, methotrexate and mercaptopurine) from the pharmacy. I again went back to the hospital and got them. By the time we came back (the traffic on 520 was horrible both ways), it was too late to give the medications. We had talked to Tina earlier about this delay and she mentioned that it was OK to not give the medicines in the night and start it in the morning.
Today morning started with the customary nausea, throwing up and diarrhea. After things settled down a bit, we gave him his 4-5 morning meds and he seemed to have kept them in. So far, so good...
This month should be a little lighter as his body slowly recovers from the trauma of last month. His counts will be still low (although not critically low) and we will have to exercise caution while exposing him. But all in all, this week we have been able to catch on some sleep and some lighter moments.
Friday, May 9, 2008
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7 comments:
good going..our prayers are with you..
Thank God everything is going good so far... praying for you all day and night!
wow!! So much happened and still so much is going on. You are all great for being so much on top of things. All my prayers for your family and if you need anything, I am a call away and would love to be of any help I can.
Tulika
Every day to come is going to be more brighter for Shivam and for you both too!!!
God bless Shivam give my luv to lil one.
Hi Urmila, Nikhil
Congratulations on your first accomplishment .. having Shivam home..
I have been meaning to let you know that my Mom has been successfull in her million diamoku campaign .. she introduced 13 new members (u need 10 for a million) last week.. she has conveyed her regards and we all continue praying for Shivam :)
Our Regards to all of you
welcome back!
Aloka
Take care .....gather your strength and energy ...... i am sure we'll have these good times sustaining forever soon .....
Loads of love for Shivam
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