Blood Cell Counts Back Up

Well after four days in the hospital we literally do not know much more information.  They have not been able to find anything out from all the tests they performed.  What we do know is there is No infection found in the brain or anywhere else for that matter.  That was the big concern, a infection to the brain and spinal fluid.  They think because the anti biotic’s started attacking any bacteria that was growing before the cultures where taken at Hazel Hawkins.  It could also be that her immune system was so low that she just got sick from all the chemo.  The good news is that her temperature is back down to normal and she is starting to be more aware of what's going on.  She is not nearly as confused as she was the past couple days.  Kelly’s white blood cell count was way down yesterday, so low to the point where we could not have any visitors and she could only have certain cooked foods.  She received a bone marrow shot yesterday which brought up her cell count today.  It is a good thing for her counts to bounce back up that quickly.  If things keep going well, we may be back home by Wednesday.  Kelly is scheduled to get a intratheical (aka chemo delivered directly to the brain) dose of chemo tomorrow morning.  They will also take some fluid out at that time to send to the lab to check and see if the number of tumor cells in her spine has gone down.  If it has gone down, she will only have to receive the intratheical chemo once a week as opposed to twice a week.   She is also set to get another treatment of Gemzar on Wednesday.   On a bad note, Kelly does seem to have another lump starting in her left breast now.  It started a couple weeks ago when we first noticed it.  We showed the Dr this morning and she did not have much to say other then it feels and looks like cancer.   This lump really does not change the course of action and treatment because Kelly already has metastatic cancer in multiple areas of the body.  The hope is that the chemo Kelly just started will help with all the cancer in her body including the skin, lymph nodes and breast along with the brain and spine.   She has a lot going on but this girl does not give up! She is a fighter and we all have a lot to learn from her about never giving up and or complaining about a bad situation.  Let’s all pray that she has a super good response from the Carboplatin and Gemzar treatments (Aka Chemo that goes throughout the entire body)

Kelly still is in a lot of pain, mostly in her spine..this has been the one thing that makes being at home miserable for Kelly and a challenge for me.  I did have a conversation with a pain management Dr. today about what we could do to keep Kelly more comfortable.  I think we have a game plan that could work but we will see.  We also have a new 24 hour / live in caregiver that was with us last week…Kelly and I really like her…This should make being at home a little easier for the both of us. 

  I will try to keep you all posted as things happen.  Thank you for continuing to read the blog and for all the good vibes and prayers!  God bless you all.  
~ Manny & Kelly