Well, unfortunately my platelet count was 82,000, so they sent us home early again … bummer. We are scheduled to go back on Monday. I expect to get chemo under one of two circumstances. In one case, my platelet count will be over 100,000 (I suspect it will be) and they will treat me as they would have today. In the other case, if my count is still under 100,000, they may excuse me from the study (I’m on a clinical trial), but still treat me. I would then be on the Bacon study. The advantage to the Bacon study is that they are not restricted to set protocols (so, for example, they could treat me with a platelet count of 95,000 on the Bacon study, but not on the clinical trial). They explained that everyone responds differently, and that not everyone needs chemo on a schedule dictated by the clinical trial (3 weeks on, one week off). I might do well with receiving chemo every other week. I don’t know what other implications there may be if we move to the Bacon study, but my understanding now is that they would continue to treat me, but just with a schedule dictated by my body. We’ll know more on Monday.
The ballet was rained out last night. We had quite a storm here. We have the option to get our money back or pick another night; we are going to pick another night, after coordinating with Liz’s parents. We are still looking forward to the performance … it is just that we get to look forward a bit longer …
I gained just over two more pounds this week! If you round up .4 of a pound, it means I have gained 15 of the 20 pounds that I lost when this all started. Not bad!!
We enjoyed breakfast today with our friends Fumie and Wayne. They joined us at a restaurant across the street from Piper. It made the otherwise disappointing trip to Piper worthwhile. Good breakfast and great conversation!
Yesterday I had a great visit from one of my fraternity brothers (actually, my pledge father) and his wife. It was great to see Steve again … it has been since college, which was a long time ago … It was also great to meet his wife Kay. They are in town for a golf outing, and took the time to stop by right after landing in Phoenix from Cincinnati. I really appreciated getting to see them both; it made my day.
Although we were disappointed that I did not receive chemo today, we must look on the positive side: I feel great, have lots of energy, very little pain, and absolutely no nausea. We are still winning this fight. I’m just anxious to get back in the ring … on Monday!