by Jena | Jan 5, 2016 | Brentuximab Vedotin, Radiation Therapy |
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Dad went back to the Moffit Cancer Center at International Plaza (MIP) today. His day started with the traditional blood draw to check his counts. Dad’s hemoglobin is slightly down from yesterday’s 8.4 to 7.7. April, the PA at MIP, has scheduled Dad for another blood transfusion tomorrow to stop the downward trend. Dad’s platelets are down to 28. But, the good news is that the Neupogen seems to have boosted Dad’s white blood cell production in 24 hours. Dad ‘s white blood cell count was 0.49 yesterday and rose to 2.27 today. The normal range is 3.5 – 10.5 billion cells/L. Neupogen seems to have given Dad’s bone marrow wings. (Sort of like Redbull for bone marrow!) Dad received his second shot of Neupogen today. I imagine that April is working to ensure that Dad’s blood is good and ready for the brentuximab vedotin infusion on Friday.
Dad also had his second radiation treatment today, which addressed the same spots as yesterday.
Mom, the uber caregiver, was tuckered out today. She was sound asleep on the sofa by 7pm. Dad commented this evening how Mom is always prepared when going to Moffit. She carries organized files of Dad’s medical papers, lab reports, his prescription list, a detailed journal that captures his condition on a daily basis, bottles of Boost, snacks, etc. Mom may be petite (all of 5’0″ and 100 pounds), but she is MIGHTY. Thank the Lord for all the mighty caregivers shouldering the invisible burden of their loved one’s cancer.
by Jena | Jan 4, 2016 | Brentuximab Vedotin, Radiation Therapy |
This afternoon Dad went to Moffitt Cancer Center at International Plaza (MIP) for his series of appointments. MIP is much closer to their condo. We prefer this location for its proximity when Mom is driving. Prior to Dad’s cancer, Mom had essentially stopped driving, allowing Dad to drive her around town as she needed. These days Mom finds herself driving a fair amount in a city that is somewhat new and unfamiliar. Mom would rather be home driving in her small, beach resort town in the Florida panhandle. In Tampa, she avoids highways, interstates and nighttime driving.
Recall from a prior post that the the doctors use 7.0 as the target hemoglobin value to determine whether or not Dad needs a blood transfusion to increase his red blood cells. The good news today is that Dad’s hemoglobin level has increased to 8.4. Thus, no blood transfusion for Dad today! His platelet count was 31, which is nearly the same as last week’s 32. Dad’s white blood cell count is lower than desired. Dr. Sokol, malignant hemotology, has prescribed Neopogen shots, starting today, 1 per day through Thursday. The last round of Neopogen shots, a month ago, had no effect on raising Dad’s white blood cell count. Let’s see if Dad responds better this round.
While at MIP today, Dad met with the pharmacist, who explained Dad’s upcoming brentuximab vedotin treatment plan as prescribed by Dr. Sokol. Brentuximab vedotin will be used as a treatment for Dad’s large cell transformation and Sézary syndrome. Assuming Dad meets the blood count criteria on Friday, he will receive one 30 minute brentuximab vedotin infusion. Infusions would normally be given every 21 days. Yet, Dr. Ayala, transplant, does not want Dad to receive a second infusion until after the stem cell transplant.
Dad also kicked off the new year with his second radiation therapy today. His first round of radiation was this past summer and was mostly limited to total skin electron beam (TSEB) therapy. Dad was examined by Dr. Montejo, who was surprised at the fast growing tumor between Dad’s forehead and left ear. In fact, I don’t recall seeing this tumor on Friday. Mom is now bandaging a few areas on Dad’s head since some of the tumors have opened and are either weeping or scabbing. Dad is having trouble sleeping due to the large painful tumors on his head. It is difficult for him to find a comfortable position to rest his head on his pillow. Today’s radiation tackled four spots: (1) back of his head; (2) directly above his left ear; (3) right side of his head between his right cheek and right ear; (4) lower spine (internal tumor). Dad continues radiation tomorrow. His next checkpoint with Dr. Montejo is Thursday.
Dad’s new Moffitt blanket to keep him warm.
Mom and Dad ran into their favorite infusion nurse, Ann, today at MIP. She provided them with a Moffitt holiday gift, which included a new Moffitt blanket. It came in handy since Dad was cold all day today at MIP.
by Jena | Jan 3, 2016 | Uncategorized |
For Christmas, one of the presents I gave to my children (aka Dad’s Grandson (13 years old) and Granddaughter (12 years old) in this blog) is Google Cardboard. It is a simple, fun and affordable way to experience virtual reality (VR) using a cardboard viewer and your smartphone. There are apps that offer a wide range of VR experiences. You can ride a virtual rollercoaster, experience key moments in Katniss’ journey in the Hunger Games, feel the force as a secret agent for the Resistance in Disney’s new Star Wars VR app, visit the bottom of the sea or the surface of Mars in one afternoon with Google’s Expedition Pioneer Program, and engage in news programming from the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times. Granddaughter had Dad give Google Cardboard a try this weekend. Google Cardboard can be quite the diversion!
Google’s patented “cancer fighting” wristband: Nanoparticle Phoresis
One of the Google Cardboard headlines this past week was “Doctors use Google Cardboard to explore a heart, save a life.” Wow! It made
me wonder, “What does the technology future hold for eliminating cancer?” Last spring, MDT reported that Google had been working on a cancer-detecting pill that may be used in conjunction with a wristband device that would detect cancerous cells and possibly target or destroy those cancerous cells in the blood. Who knows if and when these may come to fruition. Yet, it sure is nice to envision a day when Dad would not have to experience chemotherapy and radiation. Dad would just pop a Google pill and wear a Google wristband.
For now, Dad will have to stick with Google Cardboard and immerse himself in another world without cancer through virtual reality.
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