Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Today we went for blood work and the results are as follows:
Red blood cells: 2.67 (low, normal 4.20-6.00
White blood cells: 9,100 (good, normal 4,500-10,000)
Platelets: 245,000 (good, normal 130,000-400,000
Hemoglobin: 9.8 (low, dropped from 10.3 last week, normal 12.1-17.2)

They are talking about a shot for his low hemoglobin, but we are waiting to hear from Mayo and their thoughts first since we go next week for chemo.

Fred also had a test done "alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme" test. His alkaline levels are really low and these results are being sent to Mayo also.

His triglycerides are also off the chart, so those are being watched also. Mayo should be getting a lot of test results and will have a great time next week trying to figure Fred out.

Thursday, August 21,2008

We spoke with Mayo Clinic today and Fred's blood work numbers are good. The reason for the elevation in his white blood cells from last week are due to the Neulasta injection he gets at the end of chemotherapy. It works two weeks later to protect him from infections.

We are always learning something new.

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Hello from a very wet Florida.

Fred did not have blood work done yesterday due to Tropical Storm Fay. We went today and the results are as follows:
White blood cell count: 9,200 (rising, but within normal range)
Red blood cell count: 2.91 (low) (normal 4.20-6.00)
Hemoglobin: 10.3 (low) (normal 12.1-17.2)
Platelets: 240,000 (good within normal range)

We haven't heard from Mayo Clinic yet on what they think of the numbers, but the nurse here said it was good. We will take good.

The weather here doesn't do much for Fred's energy level, but he is doing well.

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Fred is feeling better, however he is still a little groggy and tired at times.

We went to our local doctor's office today for his weekly blood work. His white blood cell count is great 5,500; his red blood cell count is low 2.97, but okay; his hemoglobin is 10.3 which is low, but still okay and his platelets were 201,000 which is great.

We will see what next weeks blood work brings. Keeping our fingers crossed for good numbers again.

Friday, August 8, 2008

Fred is done with his second round of chemotherapy. He is resting now.

Tomorrow he will get his Neulasta shot and we can head home.

Tuesday we go to the local doctor to have blood work done to see where his numbers stand after this treatment.

Shelby, here's a picture of Uncle Freddie...

Thursday, August 7, 2008

Fred is done with chemo for today. He is extremely tired and resting now.

I found out today why he is so out of it when he gets his treatment compared to others who get chemotherapy; since the drugs he gets are so strong the nurse gives him more pre-drugs and these are the ones that make him "out of it" and also causes short-term memory loss for the length of the treatment. So if you do talk to him on the phone, he won't remember. I have to watch him all the time cause he doesn't really know where he is at half the time or what he is doing.

I will keep you posted as usual.

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Fred is done for today with his second day of chemo. Today was 50 mg fludarabine and 500 mg cytoxan. We found out today that he has to have chemo on Friday also, so the schedule is Day 1: Rituxan; Days 2, 3 and 4: fludarabine and cytoxan; and Day 5: Neulasta injection.

Everything went well this morning. Fred is resting now. Chemotherapy really takes a lot out of him.

I will keep you posted.

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Fred got 750 mg of Rituxan today, which took about 5 1/2 hours. He did not have any reaction this time which is GREAT! He is very tired and resting now. So far he is doing fine.

Tomorrow and Thursday he will get the fludarabine and cytoxan only.

Keep your fingers crossed all goes well.

Monday, August 4, 2008

Chemotherapy is a "go" for tomorrow. Bloodwork was good; red blood cells 3.71 (low); platelets 167,000 (good); white blood cells 6,200 (great). Chemo is scheduled for 9:30 am tomorrow, Wednesday and Thursday. He will get 75% of the Rituxan (the drug that he had a reaction to last time) and the Fludarabine and Cytoxan. Friday Fred will get the Neulasta shot if all goes well.

Please pray that all goes well this week with his chemotherapy. I will keep you posted.