Set back for BREwing

[DianeE]

Brian was admitted to the hospital today because he has been in
a lot of abdominal pain and has been vomiting a lot. Last Sunday,
while on vacation, Loretta had to take him to the ER because he was
having such bad pain. X-rays and blood work were OK, and they
advised him to get on clear liquids for a couple of days. By Wed, he
was feeling better, but went downhill during the night. He had a follow
up appointment with his oncologist and Loretta brought him to the
appointment, and his white blood count was so low, they didn't want
to take any chances and admitted him. They also want to control his
pain. He hasn't been able to eat much because of mouth sores.

His oncologist said he's never seen anyone this sick from chemo and
thinks they may have overdosed him! He is talking about doing the
second round in patient, which I hope he does.

I am so upset about this. It seems like every bad thing that could
happen has! When his testicle was removed, we were told 70%
of the patients are cured by removing the testicle. Then we found
out there was lymphatic invasion, and were told 70% of the
patients who have RPLND cured, but once again, the odds beat Brian!

Now his first week of chemo has landed him in the hospital after I thought
it was going so well. I don't understand how his white blood count is
so low as he had the $4800 shot Sunday morning! Does anyone
know long it takes to kick in?

I guess I should be thankful that he didn't get a full blown infection of
some kind and that he had the follow up appointment today. God knows
what would have happened to him!

Thanks for letting me sound off. Don, you are so right-CANCER SUCKS!!

Diane

[Scott]

You have every right to sound off. My heart sank when I read your post's title. I hope things are turning around for Brian.

[Apache]

the time to work depends on the shot he got. Neupogen is fast acting (within one day the counts should go up like a rocket) but the Neulasta is a longer acting one that steadily raises the counts over time.

[Hopeful]

Hang in there. I know it's hard to watch but he will get through this.
Patti

[Kev332]

Oh Diane, I'm really sorry to hear this. I hope things get better from here. I'll be sending good thoughts your way.

[Karen]

Diane,
Cancer sucks BIG TIME. Sorry to hear about Brian's set back. I hope he has a quick turn around and no more upleasant surprizes. Hang in there.

[Fish]

Sorry to hear about Brian. Hopefully things will improve quickly. You'll both be in my thoughts and prayers.

[DianeE]

What a difference a couple of days makes!!! Brian's white blood count
was .6 when he was admitted to the hospital Thurs. and had only gone up
to 1.0 by Saturday, but he was feeling much better. Sunday morning
the count was 5.7 and he was released! I picked him up and drove him
to Ocean City, NJ, to join his family for vacation and he said he felt great
although a little tired by the end of the day. He felt great again Monday,
and this morning, he made blueberry pancakes for all of us!

His hair started falling out this morning, but he had already buzzed it
on his head and he views it as another step to recovery.

Before he left the hospital, he spoke with one of his oncologist's associates and asked about diet. The doc told him he should be on a "See Food" diet---
when he sees food that he wants to eat, he should eat it!!!

Looks like second round will start out-patient, but as soon as he
has discomfort, he will be admitted for the whatever time is left
in the round.

Thanks for the support everyone. I don't know what I'd do
without this site!!!

Diane

[Fish]

That's great news! Lets hope the rest of the treatments are uneventful. Sending you good thoughts and prayers, Jim

[Scott]

Phew! That's great to read!

[Mom]

So good to hear the news, Diane. I'll email you about my weekend. It didn't get any better! I'm glad everything turned out great for you and your family. Dianne

[BREwing]

Well, I guess that I will make the latest post. A 'new' set back for me now, toothaches and infections. Last week on Wednesday, during the end of my so called vacation, I developed a severe toothache so I went to a local dentist down the shore who told me that he did not believe a root canal was needed and that it looked to be a slight infection in the tooth/gum area so he gave me some penicillin to clear it up. Well, Thursday morning, my face was a little swollen up, not too bad, but noticeable. I continued to take the penicillin hoping that it would clear the infection and bring the swelling down, but by Friday morning, it looked like I went a couple rounds with Mike Tyson, and LOST!!!

I had a follow up appointment with my oncologist that same day from last week’s ordeal and when he walked into the office, I though his jaw was gonna hit the floor. He gave me a prescription for Clindamycin along with the name of an oral surgeon who was able to remove the bad tooth. The oral surgeon told me that the swelling should go down by Monday, which I hope it does as my oncologist told me that if there isn’t a significant change, my final round of chemo which is supposed to start Monday, could be delayed.

I have to tell all of you that everything up to the point of the chemo was pretty easy to deal with, but this is really getting to be way too much for all of us to handle. Very draining physically and emotionally. I know that it will all work out in the end, but it’s getting to that point that is becoming very frustrating for me!!!

[Scott]

Hang in there, Brian. It is frustrating, but this too shall pass.

[IowaBrian]

Good Luck with the last round it will start Monday those meds will knock out the infection like Mike Tyson. You will be done soon and looking forward to time with family without cancer coming up.
Keep us updated
Brian

[amorgan74]

Brian, Sorry to hear about all of the ups and downs you are having with chemo. My husband had four rounds of BEP and by the time we started the third one I don't think I slept but a couple of hours at a time getting up and down with him. You hang in there, it will finished soon and you will feel so much better when you know all of this is behind you. Take Care, April