Thursday evening

No time to put out any news this morning. Deb had a miserable night which means I did also!

Remember, 'when momma's not happy, no one's happy!' It's TRUE!

The change from one pain killer to another is really dragging her down. At bedtime last night we tried to get her into her bed that she's been sleeping in the last few days. When she was flat on the bed and pillow, she began having muscle spasms in her back in the region where vertabrae were most recently repaired. Her face turned bright red, and her breathing almost stopped. We had to get her up ASAP. We tried a number of other ways to no avail. So, she slept in a chair. Tried that lately?

Today she had a bone marrow test. I assisted in keeping her calm while two techs did the painful bloody procedure. Basically,they get a sample of her pelvic bone and the bone marrow inside it. Deb was so courageous in enduring it.

After the chemo that she took today takes affect, she will get another bone marrow test Saturday. She took one several weeks ago prior to any meds to establish a genetic baseline, one today to genetically monitor the affect of the last chemo, and of course,the test Saturday will be recorded.That way, an automated chemo injection kit will be loaded with a customized cocktail of various drugs that she will carry about for 4-5 days. It is motorized to provide automated unattended injections thru the three prongs of her port cut into her neck vein. Can't wait! 'The bag!'

Today we had a consult with our super-nurse who is overseeing Deb's chemo program. She consulted with Dr. Nair about the back spasms last night. In order to look for any possible new back fractures, he ordered another xray.Otherwise, the pain will be attributed to the cancer. They feel that Deb will begin to feel better after the chemo has killed the cancers cells off. Unfortunately, many other cells including Deb's immune system will be killed in the coming days. She will be incredibly vulnerable to infections.Therefore,we have all manner of sprays, wipes, masks,etc.

Tonight I have some very small zip lock baggies that I have to sort out and label for meds. There are so many which will be given in the next 2 weeks in specific times and numbers that my heads spins trying to sort them out. There are four periods per day to take meds and some quantities are up to ten each. We had to sign agreements with the manufacturers of some which were shipped directly for us.

In watching the dedication and intensity of these medical providers here,I can see how some would lose themselves in medicine and not have a life outside the clinics and hospitals.In fact, the head of the whole cancer program has one outside interest he allows himself: a bright red motorcycle. It seems to always be here in his reserved parking spot. Supposedly, the board of directors here have begged him to dump it, but he insists it is his one 'normal' activity he allows himself and enjoys.

Vern