Min Ser is on home leave for a few days. So yups, in case some of you are wondering about the absence of any new posts, it just means all is well. :)
He'll be going back to hospital on Sunday, when his blood counts are expected to start dropping.
Friday, 31 May 2013
Saturday, 25 May 2013
PET Scan results
On a high note, Monday's PET Scan result shows extramedullary tumours have reacted to chemo. The high activity areas (tumour areas) now show normal activity except for 2 areas with slight activity (but report did mention that it could be due to inflammation).
In short, the tumours found in different parts of his body in the first PET Scan have pretty much disappeared (broken down).
This third round of chemo will ensure a more thorough wipe before the next stage that is the bone marrow transplant.
In short, the tumours found in different parts of his body in the first PET Scan have pretty much disappeared (broken down).
This third round of chemo will ensure a more thorough wipe before the next stage that is the bone marrow transplant.
Second Day of Third Cycle Chemo
This cycle's regime is 5 days of fludarabine 30mg, followed 4 hours later by Cytarabine 2000mg (one dose, 4 hours). In addition, he gets one 300mg shot of Filgrastim (G-CFS).
He had headache/migraine since yesterday which spiked at midnight last night till 11am today. He didn't manage to get any sleep, despite being given paracetamol and a sleeping pill.
Since morning he had high fever (39.8), extreme headache and accelerates heartbeat (145). He was given oxygen + pain killers + trauma med. Followed by ECG (heart beat showed to be fast but normal). He was given sleeping med at 11am and has been sleeping since. Temperature is now back to normal. Now just tired from lack of sleep.
He had headache/migraine since yesterday which spiked at midnight last night till 11am today. He didn't manage to get any sleep, despite being given paracetamol and a sleeping pill.
Since morning he had high fever (39.8), extreme headache and accelerates heartbeat (145). He was given oxygen + pain killers + trauma med. Followed by ECG (heart beat showed to be fast but normal). He was given sleeping med at 11am and has been sleeping since. Temperature is now back to normal. Now just tired from lack of sleep.
Wednesday, 22 May 2013
Back To Hospital
We enjoyed our break, and now it's back to the hospital. These past few days have been spent in and out 3 hospitals. I feel like I've become so familiar with the different ones.
Monday was SDMC for 2nd PET Scan (results should be out by tomorrow or day after). Min Ser was initially planned to be admitted on Tuesday to Ampang Hospital and to be sent to Selayang Hospital the day after.
But we were informed that there were no beds available till Wednesday so we were requested to go to Selayang on our own, yet we still had to go into go into Ampang Hospital on Tuesday to get official letters and a precautionary blood test. Thankfully his blood counts are ok. The concern was that if his platelets were low, he would require platelet transplant before the stent removal procedure the next day.
So yes, 3 different hospitals, 3 days in a row. Today's procedure in Selayang was to remove the plastic stent that was placed in Min Ser's obstructed bile duct in March. (The very obstruction that started the whole chain of events). Good news, there is no longer any obstruction in the bile duct (sign that that particular tumour has shrunk or died?) though the lesion at the duodenum is still visible, but smaller. Looks like only the PET scan results will show a clearer picture of how the tumours responded.
Tomorrow a bone marrow sample will be taken, and once the results are consolidated, the team of doctors will decide on the 3rd cycle chemo regime.
Going into this cycle with more confidence and experience. Really thankful that the past two cycles though tough, it went relatively well. Praying that this cycle will go smoothly as well, and that any residue anomalies will be completely exterminated.
So thank you all family and friends for your constant support, prayers, encouragement, and delicious food! We really appreciate your love and we know this journey would have been a lot tougher without you.
Also want to thank God for blessing us with good doctors. Throughout the different hospitals, we have met and been treated by so many caring, knowledgable and experiences doctors. It's really comforting to be in such capable hands.
Monday was SDMC for 2nd PET Scan (results should be out by tomorrow or day after). Min Ser was initially planned to be admitted on Tuesday to Ampang Hospital and to be sent to Selayang Hospital the day after.
But we were informed that there were no beds available till Wednesday so we were requested to go to Selayang on our own, yet we still had to go into go into Ampang Hospital on Tuesday to get official letters and a precautionary blood test. Thankfully his blood counts are ok. The concern was that if his platelets were low, he would require platelet transplant before the stent removal procedure the next day.
So yes, 3 different hospitals, 3 days in a row. Today's procedure in Selayang was to remove the plastic stent that was placed in Min Ser's obstructed bile duct in March. (The very obstruction that started the whole chain of events). Good news, there is no longer any obstruction in the bile duct (sign that that particular tumour has shrunk or died?) though the lesion at the duodenum is still visible, but smaller. Looks like only the PET scan results will show a clearer picture of how the tumours responded.
Tomorrow a bone marrow sample will be taken, and once the results are consolidated, the team of doctors will decide on the 3rd cycle chemo regime.
Going into this cycle with more confidence and experience. Really thankful that the past two cycles though tough, it went relatively well. Praying that this cycle will go smoothly as well, and that any residue anomalies will be completely exterminated.
So thank you all family and friends for your constant support, prayers, encouragement, and delicious food! We really appreciate your love and we know this journey would have been a lot tougher without you.
Also want to thank God for blessing us with good doctors. Throughout the different hospitals, we have met and been treated by so many caring, knowledgable and experiences doctors. It's really comforting to be in such capable hands.
Monday, 6 May 2013
The Healing Process (end of second cycle)
We were given the go ahead for Min Ser to go home today. Which came as a pleasant surprise. This means he is done with the second cycle!
A PET scan is scheduled for 20/5 (Mon) to see how the extramedullary tumours have responded to two cycles of chemo. He will then be readmitted to Ampang Hospital, 21/5 for the third cycle of chemo. His stent will be scheduled to be removed in Selayang Hospital a few days after admission.
I would say the second cycle was somewhat tougher on him. Theoretically it was expected due to the higher dose chemo, but experiencing it is a whole different matter altogether. He went through extreme weakness and lost of appetite, pain, as well as two bouts of very high fever. There were days when he seemed so well, and then the next day he would be very lethargic and weak. The ups and downs were sometimes gradual, and at times quick and extreme. I am reminded that the process of healing and recovery takes time and patience, with it's ups and downs. It is human nature to want good things to come about fast and instantly. But oftentimes, patience is needed.
Inevitably, I can't help juxtapositioning our experience with what our country is going through now. The aftermaths of what some call the closest election in Malaysian history may seem bleak now, but in due time, I believe that true reconciliation, healing and recovery will come to pass.
Upon reflection, spending so much time in the hospital has truly blessed us with the opportunity to be thankful for what the present government is doing (not to say an alternative government would do any less). I have to commend the awesomeness of the team of doctors and nurses in the haemotology ward in Ampang Hospital. Their experience, quick action, plus their care and concern, rivals (in some area surpasses) any private hospital we've been admitted to. I see this care given indiscriminately to every Malaysian from various backgrounds. I think this is because there is a clear sole purpose, and that purpose is to see healing take place.
A PET scan is scheduled for 20/5 (Mon) to see how the extramedullary tumours have responded to two cycles of chemo. He will then be readmitted to Ampang Hospital, 21/5 for the third cycle of chemo. His stent will be scheduled to be removed in Selayang Hospital a few days after admission.
I would say the second cycle was somewhat tougher on him. Theoretically it was expected due to the higher dose chemo, but experiencing it is a whole different matter altogether. He went through extreme weakness and lost of appetite, pain, as well as two bouts of very high fever. There were days when he seemed so well, and then the next day he would be very lethargic and weak. The ups and downs were sometimes gradual, and at times quick and extreme. I am reminded that the process of healing and recovery takes time and patience, with it's ups and downs. It is human nature to want good things to come about fast and instantly. But oftentimes, patience is needed.
Inevitably, I can't help juxtapositioning our experience with what our country is going through now. The aftermaths of what some call the closest election in Malaysian history may seem bleak now, but in due time, I believe that true reconciliation, healing and recovery will come to pass.
Upon reflection, spending so much time in the hospital has truly blessed us with the opportunity to be thankful for what the present government is doing (not to say an alternative government would do any less). I have to commend the awesomeness of the team of doctors and nurses in the haemotology ward in Ampang Hospital. Their experience, quick action, plus their care and concern, rivals (in some area surpasses) any private hospital we've been admitted to. I see this care given indiscriminately to every Malaysian from various backgrounds. I think this is because there is a clear sole purpose, and that purpose is to see healing take place.
Friday, 3 May 2013
Under Observation
Seems like his fever is under control. Within the 37C range. A blood culture was taken to see if there are any signs of infection. He is under antibiotics (Tienam) and soon to be on anti fungal (ampho B) as well.
A new observation, it seems he may have developed an allergy to Tazocin (antibiotic). We discovered this when Tazo was administered around midnight via drip and he experienced shooting pain in his left arm (felt like his nerve) from the tips of his fingers to his shoulder. Pain level 8 (1 - 10). This was not the arm where the needle was inserted. We quickly switched off the drip and the pain subsided. It is a rare side effect and to be on the safe side he won't be prescribed Tazocin anymore.
Tomorrow his blood counts will be checked, so as of today just rest while on drips.
A new observation, it seems he may have developed an allergy to Tazocin (antibiotic). We discovered this when Tazo was administered around midnight via drip and he experienced shooting pain in his left arm (felt like his nerve) from the tips of his fingers to his shoulder. Pain level 8 (1 - 10). This was not the arm where the needle was inserted. We quickly switched off the drip and the pain subsided. It is a rare side effect and to be on the safe side he won't be prescribed Tazocin anymore.
Tomorrow his blood counts will be checked, so as of today just rest while on drips.
Thursday, 2 May 2013
Platelet Transfusion Reaction
Min Ser has had two platelet transfusions this week (the forth since the first cycle). One on Tuesday evening and one this morning. His platelet counts were low Tuesday morning along with two occurrences. A broken blood vessel in his right eye since Monday night (part of his eye is blood shot red, though it doesn't hurt or affect his vision, it will take a few weeks to disappear completely) and his gums were bleeding slightly before tranexemic asid was administered followed by the first platelet transfusion. He was weak and tired but felt much better after Tuesday's platelet transfusion.
Doctor's have mentioned it before, but today's transfusion is the first time he's experiencing a reaction. After the transfusion his temperature started shooting up after noon. He was shivering and it subsided after his 1pm paracetamol dose but started again around 5.30pm and subsided again after a 2nd dose. His fever climbed from 37.9 (noon) to 40.3 Celsius (evening). After the shivers he felt like his whole body was burning. Poor dear, he is finally asleep now. Temperature now at 38.7. Nurses say nothing to be given besides paracetamol and drips. He just have to drink more fluids and apply Coolfever until his temperature comes down. Hope this fever will pass quickly.
------------------------
Today's blood count (before platelet transfusion)
White blood cell (WBC): 0.2
Platelets: 37
Hemoglobin (HGB): 7.8
Normal Counts
WBC: 4.25 - 10.25
P: 150 - 400
HGB: 13 - 18
Doctor's have mentioned it before, but today's transfusion is the first time he's experiencing a reaction. After the transfusion his temperature started shooting up after noon. He was shivering and it subsided after his 1pm paracetamol dose but started again around 5.30pm and subsided again after a 2nd dose. His fever climbed from 37.9 (noon) to 40.3 Celsius (evening). After the shivers he felt like his whole body was burning. Poor dear, he is finally asleep now. Temperature now at 38.7. Nurses say nothing to be given besides paracetamol and drips. He just have to drink more fluids and apply Coolfever until his temperature comes down. Hope this fever will pass quickly.
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Today's blood count (before platelet transfusion)
White blood cell (WBC): 0.2
Platelets: 37
Hemoglobin (HGB): 7.8
Normal Counts
WBC: 4.25 - 10.25
P: 150 - 400
HGB: 13 - 18
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