One other tidbit this week: turns out we’d been given incorrect information about the Apomab drug trial ditching the placebo. This week (with some chagrin) oncology staff let us know Val’s Apomab trail is unchanged, and half the participants will still receive a placebo instead of the drug, although that Continue Reading
chemo
presidential pardon
Well, here’s a little piece of good news! As you will recall, two weeks ago, our heroine’s platelets were too low for round 3 of chemo, so she got a week off to recoup. When she was tested last week, her platelets were ready to party but her neutrophils (a Continue Reading
quick update: chemo postponed till next week
neutrophils still low yesterday, so no chemo yet. also no montana trip. maybe a couple days at the oregon coast instead, this weekend. (plan E.) they’ll be re-testing her neutrophils monday (8/11). if they’re up, val will start chemo again tuesday. if they’re still not up on their own, then Continue Reading
Oh! One other thing!
As a postscript to our most recent hurried conversation, Val added this tidbit from TerriSue: Apparently the Apomab people – that’s her trial drug – have decided to ditch the placebo part of the trial and give everybody the guaranteed real deal drug from here on out!
pop quiz
Pop quiz! One question! Ready? 1. Define neutrophil A) A type of water rat native to the Pacific Northwest B) Extract of quinoa; commonly used as an ingredient in protein bars C) An impediment to a predictable schedule D) A type of white blood cell Did you guess answers C) Continue Reading
Curiosity saves lives: an invitation
It has been a very peculiar week. A week that changes things. There are moments when i am feeling that old work ethic tug to sit down and really sort through it all. Try to understand the implications of each event in succession. But the truth is, i just don’t Continue Reading
scheduling around platelets
We were up at 5:30 today, out of the house by 6:30 to start the chemo-day across town at 7:00. And I’ll tell you what, ever since Val coughed up those tumor bits I’ve got a whole new attitude about chemo. Chemo is the bee’s knees. Chemo scorches the tumors Continue Reading
Tumult and Joy
I don’t understand this life right now. This morning I am walking and walking at 1000 acres with Cynthia and the dog. And then we get lost. Every trail is a riverbed and every culdesac is a homeless person’s tent. The beautiful cottonwoods are telegraphs from my youth in Montana. Continue Reading
Hairball #3
Val called me at work this morning to say she coughed up another piece of her tumor! Or anyway, she coughed up something unusual, of a slightly different texture than last time, about the size of a smallish pea. It’s now awaiting biopsy in a little jar filled with homemade Continue Reading
automatic… systematic… hydromatic… enzymatic
Val update: When I spoke with her yesterday Val reported the following: TerriSue (oncology nurse supreme) says Val’s white and red blood cell counts are down. This is a good thing, because it means the chemo is successfully affecting her body. So yay. (This also means we should all remember Continue Reading