Chemo Boy Update

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I really need one of you artsy fartsy types to draw me a Chemo Boy superhero. Dad? Bro? Unicorns? Come on. Something with a cape and a bald head would be nice.

Anyhoo. This week was Hubs’ chemo-induced low point for blood counts and immune system, which means Neupogen shots. He’s opposed to me coming at him with a needle for some odd reason, so he goes to the injection center to get it done. He’s liking the side effects of Neupogen shots less with each round. Since they kick your bone marrow into production mode, it’s like having all-over growing pains, but he seems to be able to manage the pain with acetaminophen. So, it’s either not too bad, or he has balls of steel.

He’s been wanting to take some flowers to the nurses as a thank you for sticking needles in him on a regular basis, so I picked up an orchid for him to take with him when he went in for this round of injections. Unfortunately, chemo brain has fully set in, and he managed to forget the 3-foot tall plant that I’d placed next to the front door, not once, but twice. Thankfully, it’s a plant. It should still be alive when we go in for his next chemo cycle in June.

Prior to Tuesday’s Neupogen shot, Hubs also got the requisite blood work done. His sedimentation rate (sed. rate) has come up a tad, but still looks good, and everything else is in the normal range. His LDH has come down even further, and is now 112, I believe.

Aside from a serious case of chemo brain, some tingly fingers, and a sexy bald head, he’s continuing to kick cancer’s ass.

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Comments

[O'Neal]

I remember those days, and nights! Bone pain, leg cramps,dry heaving, hiccups that last for days, burning molting skin on his feet, purple pee... I swear the chemo makes you sicker than the cancer but he sounds strong and determined! And I'm sure he's got a good home nurse tak'n care of him, I give you mad props for being so awesome and mak'n it look so graceful!!!

Think'n of ya'll!

[Cathy]

I never doubted for a second that you and Bob would take this lying down ... you are both kick-ass types of people, and I'm glad to see that you are still whupping cancer's ass. Thanks for the updates - I think and pray for you often.

[Karen]

Yay Bob! Yay you! So glad he's getting good care.

I'm pretty sure "sed. rate" stands for "sedimentation rate"; we have Steph's checked regularly because it can be a sign of any infection anywhere, or just the body fighting off something. When she was first diagnosed with colitis, her sed. rate was 56. :-( Now it's back down to 9. We were told that for her, anything under 20 is good.

[califmom]

Thank you, my dear editor friend. That's what I get for blogging on nosleep. I'm so used to calling it/hearing it as sed. rate. Hopping intoTypepad to correct it right this minute!

Glad to hear Steph's doing so well.

[Melanie @ Mel, A Dramatic Momm]

*stomp, kick, hair pulling, groin shot* <----Cancer.

[Al_Pal]

Huzzah for you guys. Rock this shizz.

[califmom]

Many thanks.