Vann went in on Friday to her Oncologist and things are looking better. Her blood platelet count has rebounded and is currently over 100 now. In addition, it seems the fever has passed, although we never really figured out what was causing it. Who really knows when you have two little ones around you all the time! So now we are looking at starting the seventh round of Chemo on Monday. Vann was given the Avastin on Friday, but due to logistical reasons the Fol Fox will be administered on Monday.
Should have a update coming next week. As usual the questions for the Oncologist are building up again. Thank you to everyone for the support and prayers!
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Seventh Round of Chemo
As usual I will briefly discuss how the last cycle, the sixth round, went for Vann. Things were a little bit tougher this round due to the cumulative toxicity of Chemotherapy. Vann has been able to maintain her weight, but her blood platelet count is starting to be low now. She is also having a lot more difficulty in sleeping now compared to the other rounds. Hopefully we will find an alternative to let her get some rest this week.
Prior to administering each Chemo round is when the blood tumor marker levels are checked. Both tumor marker numbers went down again by about one third. Vann has not been able to start the seventh round of Chemo yet due to her blood platelet count being below 100. In addition, for some reason she has had a fever and an elevated heart rate for the last 4 days. Her Oncologist has ran a couple culture tests which came back negative, but as a precaution she is on antibiotics again.
So, in the big picture of things, good news is the Chemotherapy is being effective in controlling the Cancer. The tumor marker numbers continue to decrease and we hope this trend can continue to get Vann to surgery. Her Oncologist is pleased with the results and had discussed the possibility of going to three week cycles rather than the current two week cycles. This would allow Vann's body more time to recover and maintain her blood platelet count above 100 before the next cycle is administered. At this point it is unknown how many more rounds of Chemotherapy Vann will have to do.
We will post an update on when Vann is able to start the seventh round. Right now we need to figure out the fever, the elevated heart rate and get her blood platelet count above 100.
Thank you to everyone for all the support and help! We honestly could not have done this without the generosity of our family, friends, co-workers and neighbors. Thank you all for making this tough time manageable and as normal as can be for Ryley and Taylor. We love you all and are blessed to have you in our lives.
Prior to administering each Chemo round is when the blood tumor marker levels are checked. Both tumor marker numbers went down again by about one third. Vann has not been able to start the seventh round of Chemo yet due to her blood platelet count being below 100. In addition, for some reason she has had a fever and an elevated heart rate for the last 4 days. Her Oncologist has ran a couple culture tests which came back negative, but as a precaution she is on antibiotics again.
So, in the big picture of things, good news is the Chemotherapy is being effective in controlling the Cancer. The tumor marker numbers continue to decrease and we hope this trend can continue to get Vann to surgery. Her Oncologist is pleased with the results and had discussed the possibility of going to three week cycles rather than the current two week cycles. This would allow Vann's body more time to recover and maintain her blood platelet count above 100 before the next cycle is administered. At this point it is unknown how many more rounds of Chemotherapy Vann will have to do.
We will post an update on when Vann is able to start the seventh round. Right now we need to figure out the fever, the elevated heart rate and get her blood platelet count above 100.
Thank you to everyone for all the support and help! We honestly could not have done this without the generosity of our family, friends, co-workers and neighbors. Thank you all for making this tough time manageable and as normal as can be for Ryley and Taylor. We love you all and are blessed to have you in our lives.
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