JoAnne started chemo yesterday and so far is fine and dandy. She has finished today’s and will get a Neulasta shot plus fluids tomorrow and fluids on Friday/Saturday. After Round 2, there is optimism that she will come through without much undue or unexpected duress. Her hemoglobin has continued to drop which isn't unusual or unexpected. As we write, she is getting a couple units of blood infused to combat that.
A CTscan taken last week revealed that the swelling in her lymph nodes had decreased in response to the first two rounds of chemo. This is a very good thing and the first positive news she has gotten in awhile. Swollen nodes are one of the primary symptoms of CLL (chronic lymphocytic leukemia) and the hope is that additional rounds will yield more shrinkage. Her other blood counts have also improved. They may suffer a bit during the chemo, but the key is where they will rebound to before the next round. Stay tuned.
And yes, to answer your question, I was able to maintain a sense of decorum when Dr. Wilkowske said to JoAnne, "Great news!! Your ANC is up to 2.3!" Not that it really matters as the poor woman is on chemo for the next few days. What kind of a cad do you take me for :-)
We'll be back on next week to let you know how Round 3 went overall. I don't know if I have ever seen a more beautiful stretch of fall weather, as we are experiencing in Minnesota. Our favorite time of the year. 22 Chilean miners out, 11 to go!
Cancer still sucks
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