Blowing Chunks

Day +5

When I wasn't studying or going to choir practice during my illustrious collegiate career at the University of Idaho, I learned an expression called "blowing chunks". Pam is hanging in there, but early this morning, she blew chunks, so she has been on a low dose of Atavan for nausea.

She is beginning to develop a sore on the side of her tongue.  I bought her some dental wax which she uses to cover a rough spot on her tooth causing the sore.  She is taking a low dose of oxycodone for the pain.  She is rinsing her mouth and gargling with plain saline regularly. As I mentioned in an earlier post, sores in the mouth, esophagus, and gut are an expected part of the side effects of chemo and radiation.  Her appetite is gone, so she is drinking Boost+ for nutrition, and she also tolerates luke warm Chicken Noodle Soup. She is doing a great job using her incentive spirometer and drinking a lot of water.

She is exhausted from the side effects of the treatment, so she had a hard time even getting enough energy to take a shower this afternoon.

But, great news:  So far, her temperature is normal and her lungs are clear.  She is watching The Simpsons on TV right now, and is laughing up a storm.

Isolation

She got a little more clarification on her isolation status.  Getting the flu while starting treatment is an unusual situation, so they have to "think outside the box".  Since her immunity is going to be so low for so long, they will probably have to continue the Tamiflu for longer than normal. The oncology team is working closely with the infectious disease doctors to figure out a plan.

Visitors

Brother Mike, Pam, and Dad Don

Brother Mike and Father Don came up to Pam's Penthouse for a visit.  Good to see them!

We had a great Skype Session with Jason, Alyssa, and Austin.

One of Pam's "Kids", Keith, is coming for a visit tomorrow.

Video Links

Pam's sister in law, Cynthia, sent her a link to this video.  We find it entertaining, because it includes a lot of the same scenes you see here at the hospital or in an outpatient infusion center:  Stronger Cancer Video

The oncology nurses here at OHSU think this video is hilarious:  S***t Cancer Patients Say The young man in the video's name is Woody Roseland and he went through hell and back again with osteosarcoma.  He recently gave a talk at TEDx Mile High called You Are Here ... very, very impressive.

Day +5 since transplant, +21 since maple bars.