Things that make you go "Hmmmmm"

As you know, my potassium was considered too low last week, so I was put on pills for 7 days to increase the level. Well, yesterday, my potassium was too high, so I was given another medication to take to lower the level. That's just crazy. Standard procedure at Sloan for certain chemos is a Nulasta shot the following day to boost your white cell counts. Well, my white cell counts, which had been in the range of 4 to 5 tested on June 15 at 13! Despite that number, I was told to have the Nulasta shot, and yesterday Dr. K wondered what was going on with my white cell counts. Too high, she said. Well, do ya think? They are now 34! I think I will need to review those numbers in the future before I agree to another one of those "standard" shots. These things, and so many others, really make me scratch my head and wonder who exactly is crazy...

On a good note, Dr. K believes that Ifosfamide is working for me (remember this is the same doctor who laughed when I told her I thought the clinical trial was working for me). She is pleased with the reduced swelling in my arms, upper chest and neck -- not gone but greatly reduced -- and reassured me that the swelling in my face will go down as the steriod works its way out of my system. So no radiation consult for the chest tumor at this time, which is a good thing. I'd like to give Ifosfamide a few rounds to see what it can do first.

Speaking of which, I'm trying to arrange to do my next few treatments at the NJ facility (beginning with round 2 on July 12), which means I'll be able to sleep in my own bed at night and not have to travel into the city. The accomodations aren't quite as nice as Sloan, but Ed can drop me off at 9 and pick me up at 5 and not waste an entire day. And I can sleep until 7. Yay! I'm waiting to hear if the insurance company has approved it. Will let you know when I know.

On a final note before we begin the July 4 weekend: Happy 59th birthday to Ed!!!! Yes folks, as of today he has managed to survive not only life in general for 59 years but putting up with me for the last 28. Shouldn't he get some sort of cash prize?

Have a wonderful holiday weekend and enjoy those barbeques!