Erika's Treatment Update -- Week 1
Hi everyone!
Thank you for all the emails asking how I've been doing and what my treatments are for the upcoming weeks. Here's my update...
I had my bone marrow biopsy done last Thursday. My attending BMT doctor did the procedure rather than a fellow/resident so it actually wasn't as bad as my previous ones. Regardless it was still painful and I'm still sore. I should get the results next week.
I started chemo this morning and I'm still feeling okay this afternoon (mostly some nausea & fatigue). The treatment consists of three drugs (all of which I've had before) - VP16, Cytoxan, and Prednisone. I go to treatment three days in a row (today, tomorrow, and Wednesday), then I go back to get my counts checked on Monday and depending on the results they might or might not give me another dose next Tuesday. They're mostly concerned about my platelets since they have yet to recover from my transplant and all these drugs will lower them even more. The main side effects of this treatment are nausea, vomiting, and hair loss. After this round of treatment the plan is to check my counts again and do a CT/PET scan to see the prognosis and then decide whether they will proceed with a second round. If my counts drop too much they won't continue and simply move to transplant. We should know by next week whether my sister or dad will be the donor.
That's all the news I have for now. I'll send out another update as soon as I know more information. I'm off to Stanford again in a few minutes for more blood tests to complete the typing with my dad & sister.
Love always,
Erika
Thank you for all the emails asking how I've been doing and what my treatments are for the upcoming weeks. Here's my update...
I had my bone marrow biopsy done last Thursday. My attending BMT doctor did the procedure rather than a fellow/resident so it actually wasn't as bad as my previous ones. Regardless it was still painful and I'm still sore. I should get the results next week.
I started chemo this morning and I'm still feeling okay this afternoon (mostly some nausea & fatigue). The treatment consists of three drugs (all of which I've had before) - VP16, Cytoxan, and Prednisone. I go to treatment three days in a row (today, tomorrow, and Wednesday), then I go back to get my counts checked on Monday and depending on the results they might or might not give me another dose next Tuesday. They're mostly concerned about my platelets since they have yet to recover from my transplant and all these drugs will lower them even more. The main side effects of this treatment are nausea, vomiting, and hair loss. After this round of treatment the plan is to check my counts again and do a CT/PET scan to see the prognosis and then decide whether they will proceed with a second round. If my counts drop too much they won't continue and simply move to transplant. We should know by next week whether my sister or dad will be the donor.
That's all the news I have for now. I'll send out another update as soon as I know more information. I'm off to Stanford again in a few minutes for more blood tests to complete the typing with my dad & sister.
Love always,
Erika
posted by Randy @ 8:03 AM
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