Day Twenty-Four

Mom woke up fever-free and feeling alright. Looks like the Tylenol PM worked well. At the clinic, mom had a vaccine shot and a protein drip. Here is a photo at the clinic today of just about everyone (lt to rt:  Mom, Nurse Moon, Debbie, Jeff, Mi-Yan, Dawn, Jackie, Tom, Yu-Jin.  back row. Dos, Dave, Bryan). We're missing Joe, his wife Erika, Mr. Won and the elusive Dr. Moon.

The Moon Crew Dec09/Jan10.


Well, we got all the way down to KCCH this afternoon only to find out that the radiation machine was still not working. A waste of a 70,000 won taxi trip and 2.5 hours. Oh well. It's better than getting radiated by an ill-tempered piece of equipment.

The health system seems so strange here. There is health insurance but you have to have a family member wheel you around on your gurney... and stay with you in your room because they won't admit you without help. If you want to shower, you have to bring your own soap and towels. If you want to walk around in the hospital lobby... no problem, just be sure you don't let strangers step on your IV tube. I watched a woman pushing someone in a wheelchair right over the foot of someone with a medical boot on that foot. He yelled and yelled at that woman. This was inside of an elevator. And when you are brought pills by the nurse, they won't bring you water or anything to swallow them with. So, be sure you bring your own water.

In the States, hospitals charge a fortune so we expect more. We expect more so the hospitals charge a fortune. It's a never-ending cycle. As far as I'm concerned, no one has this health care business right. No one.

I can hardly believe I'm leaving in just two days.  When mom's pal takes over, she'll email me from time-to-time, which I will post updates here.  And, of course, any news on how this treatment is working.
 
TTFN!

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.              

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.

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.   :-)