Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Day Twenty-Three
Hello out there. Well... mom woke up with a fever, stabbing back pain and overall achiness. Thankfully, after that 500 ML aspirin, her fever broke and felt a bit better. It was an easy day at the clinic as mom just received stem cells and protein. Unfortunately, we were notified that the radiation machine had some kind of problem and that her's and Dawn's appointments today were cancelled. It's possible it will be working again tomorrow or Friday. So, mom and I took a taxi straight to the movie theatre and watched Avatar (in English with Korean subtitles). Good movie. Now we're going to lay low for the rest of the evening. Mom won't lay down. She thinks she'll fall asleep if she does (I know... a good idea) but she doesn't want to risk a sleepness night so she'll wait awhile longer. It's a good night for Tylenol PM.
Day Twenty-Two
At the clinic, mom received a CK shot (to boost immunity), a vaccine shot, a shot to stimulate white blood cells (as radiation can deplete them) and a protein drip. I had my blood harvested. Afterwards, Mr. Mok took Jackie, Bryan, Mom and I to the Korea Cancer Center. Jackie's fever broke last night so she was able to continue Cyberknife today. Mom's 2nd IGRT treatment went as planned. So far, no side effects from yesterday's Cisplatin chemo but that can take a few days... fingers crossed. That's really it for today. We were back to the hotel by 5:15pm.
Here's a picture from inside of the KCCH (Korea Cancer Center Hospital). You need to take a number in order to pay for your visit/treatment.
Here's a picture from inside of the KCCH (Korea Cancer Center Hospital). You need to take a number in order to pay for your visit/treatment.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Day Twenty-One
It's been a 13-hour day.
It was off to the clinic an hour early this morning, so had to take a taxi. Luckily, we stopped the driver from taking us on a freeway in the opposite direction. We made it with just a few minutes of lost time.
Mom received an anti-naseau pill, along with two more (one for tonight and one for tomorrow morning). She was supposed to have two arms hooked up to an IV for the hydration fluids (2 - 500 ML bags N/S normal saline) but the right arm vein refused to participate so they had to use the vein in her hand (I hate those). Then, one arm was switched to stem cells... then Mannitol (says it "opens way for chemo") and another bag for hydration (1 - 500 ML bag H/D Hartmann's dex), an antihistamine, then the chemo (Cisplatin - 70 MG - half dose, 35 MG), and finally what is called "p53 gene therapy" via drip. This can cause a fever so they gave mom 500 MG of Bayer Aspirn in case one develops.
Mom, Jackie and Dawn all had to go to the Korea Cancer Center today (Jackie 2nd out of 3 Cyberknife treatments, Dawn CT scan and cradle-fitting for Wednesday's first of 12 IGRT treatments and mom's first day of 15 IGRT treatments).
Unfortunately, after we got there - Jackie delevoped chills and a fever (she also had the p53 gene therapy this morning). Cyberknife had to be canceled for her today and she had to go to St. Mary's Hospital in Doksan (same hospital that Erika is staying). So far, no fever for mom. Just a lovely 5 hours at the Cancer Center alone. Thank you Dawn and Dave for staying with us.
The day was long. It was also especially full of various treatments... stem cells, chemo, radiation and gene therapy. It's a lot for one person in one day. But the whole point is to concentrate on getting well. All there is to do all day long is to work at getting well. You look out of the window and say "yup, still in Korea" and go back to becoming well. It's a job. And like any job, do it to the best of your ability... and then give some more.
It was off to the clinic an hour early this morning, so had to take a taxi. Luckily, we stopped the driver from taking us on a freeway in the opposite direction. We made it with just a few minutes of lost time.
Mom received an anti-naseau pill, along with two more (one for tonight and one for tomorrow morning). She was supposed to have two arms hooked up to an IV for the hydration fluids (2 - 500 ML bags N/S normal saline) but the right arm vein refused to participate so they had to use the vein in her hand (I hate those). Then, one arm was switched to stem cells... then Mannitol (says it "opens way for chemo") and another bag for hydration (1 - 500 ML bag H/D Hartmann's dex), an antihistamine, then the chemo (Cisplatin - 70 MG - half dose, 35 MG), and finally what is called "p53 gene therapy" via drip. This can cause a fever so they gave mom 500 MG of Bayer Aspirn in case one develops.
Mom, Jackie and Dawn all had to go to the Korea Cancer Center today (Jackie 2nd out of 3 Cyberknife treatments, Dawn CT scan and cradle-fitting for Wednesday's first of 12 IGRT treatments and mom's first day of 15 IGRT treatments).
Unfortunately, after we got there - Jackie delevoped chills and a fever (she also had the p53 gene therapy this morning). Cyberknife had to be canceled for her today and she had to go to St. Mary's Hospital in Doksan (same hospital that Erika is staying). So far, no fever for mom. Just a lovely 5 hours at the Cancer Center alone. Thank you Dawn and Dave for staying with us.
The day was long. It was also especially full of various treatments... stem cells, chemo, radiation and gene therapy. It's a lot for one person in one day. But the whole point is to concentrate on getting well. All there is to do all day long is to work at getting well. You look out of the window and say "yup, still in Korea" and go back to becoming well. It's a job. And like any job, do it to the best of your ability... and then give some more.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Day Twenty
It's a "stay inside and chill" day. Lord knows mom needs it. I'm going to keep putting bottles of water in front of her all day as her veins are starting to misbehave.
I got my stomach shot (stimulates white blood cells) this morning from Jackie. Will get another one tomorrow so my blood can be harvested again on Tuesday. I put on Jackie's pain patch for her. Everyone really pitches in and helps each other around here.
Hope you enjoy your Satuday. We'll enjoy our Sunday. :-)
I got my stomach shot (stimulates white blood cells) this morning from Jackie. Will get another one tomorrow so my blood can be harvested again on Tuesday. I put on Jackie's pain patch for her. Everyone really pitches in and helps each other around here.
Hope you enjoy your Satuday. We'll enjoy our Sunday. :-)
Day Nineteen
Saturday, 1/9/10, 7:45pm...
Mom to clinic at 8:30am for gene vaccine shot.
Scoff at being told I get another stomach shot tomorrow.
Flag down taxi like crazy American to hotel.
Walk up hill to pick up laundry. Keep scarf from freezing to face.
Skype with beautiful family.
Take fruit to Erika in hospital. Get trampled entering elevator.
Erika in physical therapy. Leave fruit with daughter.
Have lunch at Paris Baguette, which does not sell baguettes.
Get on 2:00pm hotel shuttle to planned spot, Myeong Dong.
Takes us instead one hour away to Dongdae Mun.
We're happy the weather report said today would be 30 degrees and sunny!
Fog settles in, temperature plummets and starts to snow. A frown is a smile upside down.
Shop in Dongdae Mun's "Good Morning City", which is huge!
Flag down taxi like crazy American to hotel.
Pray the taxi driver finds his way to hotel.
Taxi arrives and lets us out across street from hotel for dinner at Outback Steakhouse with Debbie.
Travel across bridge to hotel. Keep scarf from freezing to face.
Arrive safe and sound.
Astonished by mom once again.
Mom to clinic at 8:30am for gene vaccine shot.
Scoff at being told I get another stomach shot tomorrow.
Flag down taxi like crazy American to hotel.
Walk up hill to pick up laundry. Keep scarf from freezing to face.
Skype with beautiful family.
Take fruit to Erika in hospital. Get trampled entering elevator.
Erika in physical therapy. Leave fruit with daughter.
Have lunch at Paris Baguette, which does not sell baguettes.
Get on 2:00pm hotel shuttle to planned spot, Myeong Dong.
Takes us instead one hour away to Dongdae Mun.
We're happy the weather report said today would be 30 degrees and sunny!
Fog settles in, temperature plummets and starts to snow. A frown is a smile upside down.
Shop in Dongdae Mun's "Good Morning City", which is huge!
Flag down taxi like crazy American to hotel.
Pray the taxi driver finds his way to hotel.
Taxi arrives and lets us out across street from hotel for dinner at Outback Steakhouse with Debbie.
Travel across bridge to hotel. Keep scarf from freezing to face.
Arrive safe and sound.
Astonished by mom once again.
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