bendamron's Cancer Blog

March 14, 2008

unhooked and then some

Views: 242

angel’s 5fu was unhooked, and then we ran over for a echocardiogram. the ct scan from monday revealed (and i apologize for not mentioning this in my last entry) clots on her kidneys and spleen. the scan revealed several triangle shaped spots, which dr. otero explained were clots rather than tumors because of the shapes it formed. he wasn’t overly concern, but reassured us he is working to control and prevent any further clotting. baby aspirin was added to the regimen which will help prevent more clotting platelets from sticking together. he also said the medicine avastin was partly to blame. so today, unaware that there would be more testing other than a echo, they would also do a agitated saline shot to test for cardiac shunts (this one is new to me, and even my notes made little sense) but i think it tests for congenital heart defects, and specifically for holes (somehow related to the new clots, we will know more tomorrow). a shot of saline through the vein, as we watched it on the ultrasound monitor rushed into the right atrium(?). we were told if it enters the left side (i think they are looking for bubbles??) it indicates there is a hole. the doctor will replay this procedure frame by frame and let us know the results tomorrow. i’m sorry that i can’t explain more on this topic, and quite frankly, i hope i won’t ever have to.

we left the hospital around 5pm, and headed to angel’s office to pick up some things and hung out for a minute. it was a bit surreal, and i didn’t realize how much i missed seeing her in her own space. taking this time off from what she loves to do really pisses me off. i think she’ll be back, you just watch.

afterwards angel’s energy level skyrocketed and she wanted to visit gilda’s club to see if they offered any classes tonight, but they were closed. bummer. i was kind of tired out at this point, so i was a wee happy. on the way home angel pointed out a little vegan vietnamese restaurant. all she said was ‘yum’ and i pulled into the parking lot. full of food and back at home, angel puzzled for a couple hours, drank another smoothy packed with 40 grams of o soy protein, needle pointed for a bit and then finally crashed out at 11:30. throughout the night though, she felt short of breath and talks of going into the e.r. started but ended quickly. to save some time if need be, i packed the duffle bag with a three day supply of things. neither one of us wants to go back, and we are now really happy to be sleeping together in our own bed!

i am amazed as to how well she is doing. this regimen is working, and at the same time, it’s not completely wiping her out like the folfox she was on before this. her bilirubins are at normal range 1.2! she is eating much better and without magace the appetite stimulator. she actually gained five pounds last week! which angel allowed me to take full credit for.

i think this month will be a good one, starting with day lights savings this weekend, talks of visiting susan and craig (unbeknownst to them ;) renae’s return and a visit from our dear friends dr. paul and carolyn, and of course more goodness with angel’s health.

Posted on March 14, 2008 at 6:45:24 PM by angel & ben ( unhooked and then some, 0 comments)