It was a big day for us -- with meaningful endings and beginnings. Kerry had his last Interleukin 2 treatment and Seth began college.
Kerry ended up having a total of 5 doses this week which they say is a typical amount for Round 6. He is elated to have the treatments behind him. I will miss the amazing sunset views from his room -- as well as some of the nurses -- but that's about all.
Hopefully Kerry will be home tomorrow.
Meanwhile Seth is moved into his dorm room and has started classes. His only complaint so far is that his room is next to the laundry room for his floor and the squeal of the washer's spin cycle is rather alarming especially at midnight. (Surprisingly, he isn't bothered at all by the trains that run all night long on the track just a few feet from his dorm. Go figure.) Though the newness of everything must be overwhelming for him, he seems to be doing OK.
For the dedicated readers of the blog, I will do sporadic updates for awhile to let you know the results of the treatment. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers.
Friday, August 24, 2012
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Round 6 -- Day 2 August 21
So far Kerry has had 2 doses and will likely have another one tonight. His doctor said that he expects Kerry to get no more than 4-5 doses this week since by the 6th week of treatment that's about the most that patients can tolerate. Kerry was comfortable but sleepy most of the day.
For those of you wondering about progress getting Seth off to college, so far he has packed nothing and he leaves in 36 hours. He did manage to say farewell to a few more friends today, so I guess that is progress.
For those of you wondering about progress getting Seth off to college, so far he has packed nothing and he leaves in 36 hours. He did manage to say farewell to a few more friends today, so I guess that is progress.
Monday, August 20, 2012
Round 6 -- Day 1 August 20
The good news is that Kerry has a room with a great view. The sunset tonight was amazing. And its probably the most expensive room in town. Too bad its in the hospital.
The first dose went pretty well and he got a second dose at 11 pm.
Sean, Tracy and Keenan -- Kerry's brother and family -- have been in town helping out and stayed with Kerry at the hospital today while I worked. Sean took his guitar and Kerry's banjo to the hospital and they played until Kerry got his 3 pm dose. Apparently there are no hospital rules against bluegrass music -- yet. Kerry said the only complaint was from a nurse who said they weren't loud enough. (My theory is that the patients were all too weak too complain.)
It should be a crazy around here since Seth starts college on Thursday. We have done most of the pre-college shopping, but I'm not sure he realizes that he needs to figure out what he is taking and pack. He is spending every waking moment with his friends saying goodbye and trying (with some sadness) to move on. I think it will prove to be an emotional week for us all -- Seth saying farewell to his current life, our oldest son leaving home, the realization that Kerry and I will have to figure out how to operate the computer, and writing the enormous check to pay for Seth's education (while he is mostly focused on how much FUN he is going to have.) All this while Kerry is in the hospital -- wish us luck.
The first dose went pretty well and he got a second dose at 11 pm.
Sean, Tracy and Keenan -- Kerry's brother and family -- have been in town helping out and stayed with Kerry at the hospital today while I worked. Sean took his guitar and Kerry's banjo to the hospital and they played until Kerry got his 3 pm dose. Apparently there are no hospital rules against bluegrass music -- yet. Kerry said the only complaint was from a nurse who said they weren't loud enough. (My theory is that the patients were all too weak too complain.)
It should be a crazy around here since Seth starts college on Thursday. We have done most of the pre-college shopping, but I'm not sure he realizes that he needs to figure out what he is taking and pack. He is spending every waking moment with his friends saying goodbye and trying (with some sadness) to move on. I think it will prove to be an emotional week for us all -- Seth saying farewell to his current life, our oldest son leaving home, the realization that Kerry and I will have to figure out how to operate the computer, and writing the enormous check to pay for Seth's education (while he is mostly focused on how much FUN he is going to have.) All this while Kerry is in the hospital -- wish us luck.
Saturday, August 4, 2012
Round 5 -- Finished
Kerry is done for now. His last dose went pretty well with no drastic drops in blood pressure. He had a total of 6 doses this round and will be back in 2 weeks for more fun. Kerry is sick of hospital food and ready to get home where he can get out of bed whenever he wants without loud alarms going off and where he can go to the bathroom without an audience.
It will be good to have him home -- flaking, snoring and just laying around. The dog will be happy to have him back too -- Kerry's lap is bigger than mine.
For those of you who need something to look forward to after the Olympics are over, I will start putting up more blog posts when he goes back into the hospital for his next round of treatments on August 20.
It will be good to have him home -- flaking, snoring and just laying around. The dog will be happy to have him back too -- Kerry's lap is bigger than mine.
For those of you who need something to look forward to after the Olympics are over, I will start putting up more blog posts when he goes back into the hospital for his next round of treatments on August 20.
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Round 5 Day 3
Kerry got one more dose today with a resounding response of shakes and drop in blood pressure. But thanks to modern medicine and the constant vigilance of the nurses, they got things under control pretty quickly (in 2-3 hours) and he is now stable, doing a crossword puzzle and watching the Olympics.
Probably won't have another dose before tomorrow afternoon as it will take them at least that long to wean him off the neosynephrine they use to keep his blood pressure up.
Today's highlight was seeing Kerry do some exercises in bed with the elastic bands the physical therapist provided as a way to keep his muscles from atrophying too much while confined to bed for the week. Seeing him do exercises when he is healthy is a very rare site -- so seeing him do them in a hospital bed was definitely a site to remember.
Probably won't have another dose before tomorrow afternoon as it will take them at least that long to wean him off the neosynephrine they use to keep his blood pressure up.
Today's highlight was seeing Kerry do some exercises in bed with the elastic bands the physical therapist provided as a way to keep his muscles from atrophying too much while confined to bed for the week. Seeing him do exercises when he is healthy is a very rare site -- so seeing him do them in a hospital bed was definitely a site to remember.
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