Monday, April 09, 2007

Chemo Round Two

I'm writing from Ellis Fischel once again. We've been here since a little before 8 a.m. I'm about halfway done with today's dose of Decitabine, and then I'll start a bag of platelets. They were down to 8 today and as a result I'm covered with petechiae rash. I'm hoping they'll hold better this time. I read over the weekend that it's possible for the body to eventually build up a resistance to platelet infusions and quit responding. For that reason, they don't give any more than necessary.

Prayer requests right now are for mild side effects from chemo. I'm getting Zofran again as a premed, and using another anti-emetic at home. Last time nausea seemed to be the worst side effect, and for the most part I could manage it with the drugs. The other major side effect for me was a constant tense, jittery feeling. I'm currently undergoing hormone therapy to deal with some disease side effects, so it's a bit of an emotional rollercoaster. And of course, low counts. My ANC was up to 1200 today. I was very pleased with that. Still only about half of what a normal person would have on the low end. Also, I've developed an area of broken skin around the bandage on my Hickman catheter. The bandage is called tagaderm, and it's similar to a sticky-sided saran wrap. Sometimes I react to it, and I would appreciate prayer that it would heal quickly and not get infected, as it's only about 1" from the actual catheter site. If the site becomes infected they'll have to pull the line and I'll need outpatient surgery to place another one. I don't even want to think about the possibility. Healing is a slow process when counts are low -- in the meantime I'm keeping Neosporin on it to help ward off an infection.

I hope everyone had a blessed Resurrection Sunday. In light of everything in my life this year, I am especially thankful that Christ has risen, and death has been swallowed up in victory.

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

This has been a beautiful disaster.

I'm praying for you, Amy...

~ Danielle

Carrie said...

Amy, every time you post I am encouraged! Thank you for your continued fight for the faith! We are continuing to pray for you and your family! Love you!

Kim said...

Thank you for the update. I am praying fervently for you.


Kim

Jessica said...

Thanks for adding the specific prayer requests. As I was thinking about you and praying for you yesterday, I felt like God was telling me to post a day of prayer for you this Wednesday, so I am going to do just that and direct people to your site so they will know who they are praying for. Stay strong and know that there are lots of people out there praying for you!

Unknown said...

Happy Easter sweety! Yes, He has conquered sin and death. How victorious!

Anonymous said...

Amy,
We are praying for you every day. Thank you for the updated specific requests. I,too, hated the dreaded tegaderm patch. My skin is still discolored from it even 7 months after treatment now! I will definitely pray about that. Can you request a different patch? Finally, near the end of my treatment, I wisened up and asked for a patch that had just a little window in it that was not sticky and the outside border looked like a woven material. I had the nurse trim the border down as small as possible to avoid any unnecessary sticking. That seemed to work much better. Also if they could soak or use a little alcohol when removing the bandage, it seems to help.
We continue to pray for the Lord's complete healing in your life.
Love,
Gina

Anonymous said...

Happy Easter Amy and your family!
All the best in the upcoming days, keep well. Pam

Anonymous said...

Amy,
Your strength amazes me! Thank you for your witness of His perfect peace!

Anonymous said...

Still praying for you in Alabama!

Barb said...

Thank you for keeping us updated, Amy. And your previous post was really great. I can't imagine anyone would expect a personal response from you. You are so right to spend every moment with your family.

You continue to be in my prayers.

Anonymous said...

Amy,
Your specifics on prayer needs are so helpful...now I know exactly what to lift up for you, though I always cover all the bases!

Glad to hear that you are still receiving wonderful care from your team and that there are things to keep side effects somewhat manageable.

Hang in there and by all means, take every moment you can to embrace your family in every way!

Many blessings to you, Brandon and Gary!

Pamela said...

O LORD, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your
faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief.
-- Psalm 143:1


On wednesday night I'm going to throw you into our prayer circle.
Be there at 8:30 p.m. pdt!!!

Heather said...

Thank you so much for updating. I continue to pray for you Amy...God is so good. I know you are clinging to Him. - Heather

Rachel said...

Thanks for the update. I hope you don't have to have the Hickman catheter replaced. I'll continue to pray for you dear........

Anonymous said...

God bless you, Amy. You are in my constant thoughts!

Anonymous said...

Dear Amy, Brandon and Family All,

Indeed our prayer is and has been for healing by the Lord's intervention. May He also continue to give strength inward and outward to each of you.

The blessed resurrection is indeed the great source of hope for all in Christ Jesus, by His Grace.

Our Love to You All,

Don and Lilan

ann said...

Amy, I am praying for you daily and am glad to know your specific prayer needs at this time. I know that God is carrying you through this time and I pray that you feel his strength and his comfort!
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles." II Corinthians 1:3,4

Phyllis R. said...

Amy~

May you feel God's healing touch and the care, concern and love from all of us who are praying for you.

Phyllis

Lauren said...

Thank you for updating. You are always in my prayers.

Lauren

Anonymous said...

I'm praying for you and your family, Amy.

He is faithful...

Anonymous said...

Thanks for updating...praying for healing of the catheter wound.

I've just linked to you on my blog...for the thinking blogger award, you are so amazing. You've strengthened my faith, by showing me yours.

I hope this link with generate more prayers...you can never have enough!

Leanne

Anonymous said...

hi amy,
i found your blog through a comment on alivia h.'s blog...
i am a close friend of ian murphy as well (www.prayforian.com)
please know that i am praying for you,
beth

Sis. Julie said...

Still praying for you! Thank you for the continued updates.

Anonymous said...

Amy I am praying to Jesus for you daily. Thanks for the updates...I admire that you take the time to write. GLA (Alivia Haughery's grandmother)

Alivia's Momma said...

Amy...
I will be praying hard for your skin around your catheter. I know I am always concerned with Alivia's skin around her's. I get a little nervous each week on dressing change day. They once used do-a-derm (who knows if that is how you spell it) under the tegaderm to protect her skin and it gave a bit of a break. But I'm not making a suggestions. I know that suggestions get old. When Alivia's skin got really bad on her bottom the stoma people looked at it. Stoma is usually for people who have colostomys but they helped with her diaper rash and kept her from getting an infection. I will pray that you are pleasently suprised by perfectly healed skin. Take care.
*E