End of Week 4 - Half way there!!

Wow last week was very tough and so was the beginning of this week!!!  The strength within us is unbelievable!!!

Annie was a huge lift for us both over the weekend, for me in particular... I can't thank you enough darling friend xxx 

Start of week four at the RAD unit... here's the three Amigo's... :-) 

Annie, Dave, Me

Well we now know why its been a tough week for Dave!!  When we checked Dave in for chemo on Monday, as per normal they take blood to check his levels.  Well they were really low, so low that he wasn't allowed to go through this round of chemo :-( which in a way is a bugger as we were mentally prepared, but good on the other hand that Dave has another week to get stronger.  So home again we go!


The following bloods highlighted as being low (with normal range in brackets) are :

RBC : 4.10 (4.50 - 6.50)
WCC : 1.8 (4.0 - 11.0)
Neutrophils : 0.8 (2.0 - 8.0) 
Lymphocytes : 0.5 (1.0 - 4.0) 


RBC = red blood cells

WCC = White Cell Count (WCC) is usually performed as part of a Full Blood Count, but may be performed alone. It is used to try to detect infection or inflammation, because the number of white blood cells in the bloodstream will often be elevated when there is a serious infection somewhere in the body.

Neutrophils = (white blood cells)

Lymphocytes = (a form of small leucocyte (white blood cell) with a single round nucleus, occurring especially in the lymphatic system.)

The strangest thing is that they didn't give Dave anything to help his bloods improve, just to go home, rest up, sleep lots and keep the fluids up and eat.  So this is what has happened.  We were also strictly told that if Dave gets a temp over 38 that we were to rush him to hospital!! Thankfully that hasn't happened!! And to stay away from anyone with colds, infections and especially children with bugs! 

Tuesday was also touch and go whether they would administer the Radiotherapy treatment due to his low blood count.  But after taking his general obs(ervations), i.e., blood pressure, temp and heart rate they said he was ok to proceed.  If he had a high temp then they wouldn't.  

It wasn't until Wednesday afternoon that he started to feel a bit better and by the end of this week he is feeling much more alert and a bit stronger. Though still suffering with waves of ongoing nausea!! Dave's even managed to start eating small portions of soft foods again which is a bonus!! 

Thanks Craig for sending us a new thermometer :-) You're the best!! 

Dave's hair has also been falling out at the back and around his neck, chin and jaw line.  At least around the jaw line he won't have to shave anymore as this won't grow back, but the hair on the back of his head will fortunately!!

The specialist appointment on Thursday was encouraging in that Dave's skin around his neck is still looking healthy and not sore.  Each day, twice a day Dave's applying Sorbelene moisturiser, fragrance free - restoring with vitamin E and a biogenic Aloe Verga Gel with vitamin E.  

The thrush in Dave's mouth has cleared up now too after utilising the pharmacycare Nystatin oral drops (vanilla flavour)... not that Dave can taste the vanilla!!! 

Thursday was very exciting as our Son arrived from NZ :-)  Cam's going to be with us for a couple of weeks.... oooh what jobs can I line up!!! :-)  This is a great lift for Dave and me.

Its been a very quiet week. Apart from driving to and from the hospital for RAD treatment and picking up Cam.

I managed to get out for a walk three times this week in the evening with Sherry... thanks for the texts and getting me out Sherry, much appreciated xx Also took Tash with us too :-) Tash is our neighbours dog... she is a very loveable Dalmatian, but forgot to take a pic of her... next time!  Thanks Kim for letting me take her out xxx

Dave even managed a walk on Thursday night with Cam, Sherry and I. Actually it was the biggest walk Dave has done in four weeks!! Well done babe!

Each Friday the Radiation Therapists conduct a CT scan of Dave to compare and measure.  It was great that Cam could come along with us today too, so he could see what was what.  The Rads were also really great in explaining everything to Cam which was awesome.  I also managed to capture a couple of images of Dave's CT too off the PC screen!!

The weekend will be very quiet and relaxing for us all.  Though I might see if Cam will help me remove some scraggy bushes in the garden.  And perhaps a massage too!

Fingers crossed that Dave's blood levels come right and he can have his chemo administered on Monday!  One question we thought we would ask the Medical Oncologist is whether Dave can have his chemo weekly going forward instead of every three weeks.  As this might be better for Dave's body to adjust too.  Can but ask.

After I gave Dave his book the other day... 'You are My "Once in a Lifetime" I will always love you' by Marci.  Dave highlighted the following verse back to me...

You Are Always There For Me... and I am Grateful

When I think of us, I realise that our relationship is one of the things

I cherish the most in my life.  It is hard to put into words how grateful I am

for all the times you have come through for me... 

for all the times you have listened instead of telling me what to do... 

for all the times you have hugged away my troubles... 

for the laughs over nothing... 

for the many tears dried... Thank you for it all!

xxx

Till next week.  Take care of each other and a continuing thank you for all the wonderful messages of support xxx