waiting, waiting

This mornings report: Overall, good.
Assorted information in no particular order-

-Margie's numbers still haven't come up: she said they "went into retreat" after the chemo, which is apparantly normal, but in the meantime, she's supported by blood infusions and the p.a. says that they should start seeing the numbers come up in the next couple of days.

-She has a rash all over her chest, face and shoulders, luckily not itchy, due to a side effect of the two antibiotics she's on.
Of course, rashes always tend to be a bit of a mystery and then one has to do some detective work to correct the problem, so they are going to change her antibiotics today and hopefully see an improvement.

-She has a bit of swelling at the site of her hickman which the p.a. says is part of the rash, but Margie noted that it did not come with the rash, so we shall see.

-Eating and sleeping are some big issues right now. Thinking about, looking at and faced with the task of eating makes her naseated. She's occasionally trying a med to offset this side effect, but overall the appetite is shot. The mouth sores are less of an issue.

-Sleeping: This is harsh- only about 1 to 2 hours at a time. So, as a sample, last night:
9 to 10 pm, sleep, up till 1. sleep from 1-3, up. Sleep from 4-5. Up. Sleep from 7-9. Up.
Those little blocks of 1 to 2 are hard and she's up and down constantly, what with the interruptions of the medical staff, obviously neccessary. So, she's getting the sleep anywhere she can.
She commented to me this week that she is the most exhausted this week than any other time during this hospital stay.
So, no visitors due to her immune system being compromised but sounds like a good thing so that any time alone she can try and sleep.

-Trying to clock 1 to 2 miles a day around the nurses station, so that's good and it's what her body has to have

-She discovered a smoothy type concoction that he kitchen makes that has 19g. protein and most importantly is cold, which seems to help to get it down and not so nauseating to drink.

So, there's the latest report: All in all, positive. Margies slugging it out and is just the tough cookie to get through-

Love,
Kathleen

p.s. THANK YOU to those of you that have emailed me with their summer plans (see previous post for more info if you missed it) It's not too late, email me at KERS@ATT.NET and let me know what you and yours are going to be doing over the summer and I'll compile them on the blog for Margie. She'll love to read about what her friends and family are doing!