Free Flowing Veins
This morning Chester and I went to the hospital and received an ultrasound on his right arm to check the progress of his blood clotting. These clots were caused by the PICC line delivering the antibiotic, and were discovered one month ago. Chester has received daily blood thinner injections for one month and has a very bruised belly. So we were very thrilled to learn that the blood clots are almost completely "resolved", except for one small area in his upper arm that the nurse assured us was "on its way". I was quite mesmerized by the technology and the ability to look into Chester's veins, watching the swishing movement of his flesh, seeing the vein compress as the nurse applied pressure. I joked with Chester on the way out "well, i've had the chance to look at your brain and your veins, what's next?".
We are still waiting to hear from the oncologist if Chester needs to continue the blood thinner, and if he is cleared to begin the next round of chemotherapy. Chester took a daily dose of Temodar with his six week radiation treatment, which ended on Halloween. He now will move into a cycle of a very high dose for five days a months for six months. We are hoping that his tolerance for the chemotherapy will hold despite the higher dose.
UPDATE!
Just as I was writing this I received a call from Dr. Hartman's practice nurse. She said the ultrasound report looks GREAT and that Chester doesn't need to receive any more blood thinner for the time being. This is great news on so many levels. Every time we get to eliminate a drug from the routine it is cause for celebration. The clots clearing means that Chester's body is doing what it needs to do to heal and clear, which is good news all around. And, we don't need to make daily trips to the hospital for injections. This may just mean we have some days with _nothing_ to do! I've been researching parks and hiking trails in the area that are wheelchair friendly so that we can go spend some time outside and just be.
UPDATE 2!
Another phone call came in and we were told that Chester can begin the chemotherapy again when he chooses. This means that those "chemical predators" can once again be unleashed to eat up the tumor cells. This predator image is what came to Chester before his first round begins, and it continues to serve us well. Predators are precise, thorough and clean in their kill. May they pass by the healthy cells and go straight for their prey.
And! It is SUNNY today! For the first time in over two weeks, sunshine is pouring down and it is (almost) warm out.
A good day. We'll keep you updated on when Chester chooses to start taking the oral chemo so that we can all send his body lots of good loving prayer to sustain his health and energy as the chemo does its job.
Meeting each moment as it comes,
Chrys
We are still waiting to hear from the oncologist if Chester needs to continue the blood thinner, and if he is cleared to begin the next round of chemotherapy. Chester took a daily dose of Temodar with his six week radiation treatment, which ended on Halloween. He now will move into a cycle of a very high dose for five days a months for six months. We are hoping that his tolerance for the chemotherapy will hold despite the higher dose.
UPDATE!
Just as I was writing this I received a call from Dr. Hartman's practice nurse. She said the ultrasound report looks GREAT and that Chester doesn't need to receive any more blood thinner for the time being. This is great news on so many levels. Every time we get to eliminate a drug from the routine it is cause for celebration. The clots clearing means that Chester's body is doing what it needs to do to heal and clear, which is good news all around. And, we don't need to make daily trips to the hospital for injections. This may just mean we have some days with _nothing_ to do! I've been researching parks and hiking trails in the area that are wheelchair friendly so that we can go spend some time outside and just be.
UPDATE 2!
Another phone call came in and we were told that Chester can begin the chemotherapy again when he chooses. This means that those "chemical predators" can once again be unleashed to eat up the tumor cells. This predator image is what came to Chester before his first round begins, and it continues to serve us well. Predators are precise, thorough and clean in their kill. May they pass by the healthy cells and go straight for their prey.
And! It is SUNNY today! For the first time in over two weeks, sunshine is pouring down and it is (almost) warm out.
A good day. We'll keep you updated on when Chester chooses to start taking the oral chemo so that we can all send his body lots of good loving prayer to sustain his health and energy as the chemo does its job.
Meeting each moment as it comes,
Chrys
posted by Chrys Curtis-Fawley at 2:08 PM
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