The Need for Blood

Bob has been feeling very tired and not eating solid food.  This  is an off week for chemo but we checked in with Dr. Filip today. Bob is in need of some blood, so we will return on Thursday for a blood transfusion.  Hopefully, he will feel better.
Paula

Cooler

Our air conditioner was fixed last night.  We are poorer but cooler.  Bob is feeling OK today.
Paula

A Hot House

Everything went well with Bob's chemo today.  A steroid was added to his usual  treatment to prevent a repeat of last week's fever.  So far so good.  Amazingly, Bob and I voted in Georgia's primary election on our way home.  The day was going well until we walked into our house.  No air conditioning!  A repair man is coming tonight.  Hopefully, it can be fixed quickly.
Paula

Bob is Home!

Bob was discharged from the hospital this morning and is happy to be home.  All the tests and cultures did not reveal an infection.  He may have had an allergic reaction to the chemo.  The next treatment will probably include benadryl.  We will hope that all goes well next Tuesday.
Paula

A Hard Week

On Monday, Bob had the procedure to clear his port so that blood could be drawn from it.  All went well and it was doing the job.   On Tuesday, Bob went for chemo.  Dr. Filip said that his numbers were "surprisingly good."  We were very pleased and surprised because he had not felt that well.  The treatment got started a little earlier than usual and we were home a little earlier.  Bob laid down to rest and about an hour later got very cold.  He then got the chills and later a fever.  After consulting with the doctor on call and my sister, we headed to the emergency room at Piedmont Hospital.  We arrived at about 9PM.  It was a zoo.  After triage, Bob was put in a room in the ER.  His fever was down but there were other signs of an infection.  After many tests, it was decided that he would spend the night.  He was to receive antibiotics by IV.  The oncologist on call would see how he was in the morning.  I left at 3AM. Bob was admitted to the hospital but they didn't have a room. He remained in the ER.  The room was OK for an evaluation but not a place to spend the night.  Wednesday morning the doctor decided to keep Bob another day.  Still no room.  Still in the ER.  Next he was moved to another room in the ER.  About  2PM he was moved to an outpatient room in radiology.   7PM-Finally a room!  Since I didn't sleep at all last night, Marshall left work early to be with Bob.  I really need the rest.  So I am here, filling you all in and Marshall is at the hospital.  I am hoping that Bob will be released tomorrow.  I will let you know.
Paula                                                                                                                            

Not Feeling So Good

Bob did not feel as good this weekend as we had hoped.  He did visit with Michele and Judy but he was not up to going out with us.  I enjoyed spending time with them.  Saturday we went out for a southern dinner with Marshall and Elliott and their girlfriends.
Tomorrow morning Bob is having a procedure to clean material from his port.  Hopefully, this will make it possible to draw blood from it again.  Then Tuesday he will be back for more chemo.
Paula

Tired

Bob has been very tired for the past week.  He has spent a lot of time resting and napping in bed.  Today we saw Dr. Filip.  Bob's blood count was down but not too bad.  He will be getting two units of blood  on Thursday.  Also, on Thursday, Bob will have a procedure to check his port.   With no chemo this week and some added blood, hopefully Bob will have more energy this weekend.  Speaking of this weekend,  we are looking forward to our special visitors:  my sister, Michele, and my childhood friend, Judy.  Michele is coming from Philadelphia and Judy from Boston.
Paula