Pics in Hospital

Sam's watching CNN, our only TV channel. I use the computer in the back to e-mail.

Here's my bed. It's pretty comfortable with 4 pillows and tempurpedic mat!

During the day, I have a nice view of downtown Baltimore. You can see my IV pole next to me.

My IV that's been in since Sat. Chawann did a great job tracking that vein. My right arm gets poked at for blood draws and squeezed with the blood pressure cuff since my left arm is babied after the sentinel node biopsy.









Good news! My neutrophil count is 150! So the zero from yesterday was probably the fluke. Yay! I was switched to oral antibiotics today. The iv is just dripping saline, just in case the oral antibiotics don't work to prevent fever.

I got the postcards from Linda (all 5!) and the package from Bonnie today. Those aloe socks are so soft, I'm wearing them now! Thanks!

I met up with both my medical oncologist and radiation oncologist today. Dr. MedOnc came at 8:30 in the morning, after I e-mailed him at 8:30 last night. He was dressed all in black with something around this neck. He reminded me of a photographer, but he answered all my ques. Dr. MedOnc explained that I'm what's called "hot and low", fever with neutropenia. Studies have shown that Neulasta (G-CSF) will not be much help in getting my neutrophil counts up at this stage so we wait. He assured me that mostly likely I'll be OK for chemo next Wed. Neulasta when used next time will shorten the period of time my neutrophils will be low and also prevent the counts from reaching zero. I explained to him that I didn't know about my wisdom tooth being prone to infection.

My radiation treatment today was delayed from 9:30 am to 1:00 pm because there were some problems with the machine. It being Wed., I had my photos taken and x-rays, too. Only 4 more to go! Dr.RadOnc met me afterwards. I asked him about the effects of radiation on my neutrophils. He told me that white blood cells are mainly made in the hips and spine so the neutrophil production should not be affected by the small area that I'm being irradiated.

After my shower today, Mom was combing my hair, but I was hesitant because I've been seeing more hair around my bed, although not really more than usual. After combing, she seemed a bit sad, and I could hear her picking up my hair while combing. More hair came out in my hands later. Don't get me wrong! There's a lot more left and no spots, but it's the beginning of the temporary end. Not worried though, just deciding when to go to the image recovery store.

Here's the link to the place where I bought my wig:
http://www.imagerecovery.com/store/catalog_full.cfm?section=store&catID=16