Cycle 2 Treatment Complete… with another trip to the ER

5/31/15 – I received my chemo treatments for cycle 2 on May 26 – 28. For some reason at the end of my last day of chemo, and a couple of days that follow, I get the feeling of being bloated. This leads to a loss of appetite and feeling nauseous.

On May 29^th I worked from home. Although I felt good throughout the day, I was pretty exhausted at the end of the day and continued to feel bloated and have a loss of appetite.

On Saturday morning, May 30^th I had to be back at the cancer center for my Neulasta shot. After I received my shot my wife and I figured we were so close to her sister’s house that we would pick up coffee and donuts and stop by for a visit. Unfortunately this plan didn’t go so well. While we were standing outside saying hello I felt weak and I passed out. Before I knew what was happening an ambulance showed up and I was on my way back to the hospital. After a few hours of receiving fluids and being checked out in the Emergency Room I was released. It seems that this latest passing out episode was due to dehydration. I need to do a better job at keeping my nourishment up. No matter how the chemo makes me feel I need to drink plenty of water and make sure I keep up my strength.

There is no doubt that I have a knack to keep things interesting. 

But whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

John 4:14

More to come…

http://mantlecell.blogspot.com/

A bump in the road turns into The Best Surprise Ever

5/17/15 - On Tuesday, May 12^th, my wife Sue and I were relaxing watching TV after a day at the Cancer Center. I have mentioned in the past that I have been dealing with a bad cough, well Tuesday night was no different… or so I thought. During one coughing fit I actually passed out. All I can remember was Sue standing over me saying “Rich, are you alright, Rich, are you alright?” I slowly regained consciousness but was left with a feeling of being exhausted.

On the following evening my wife and I were again relaxing watching TV when I felt a little warm. We took my temperature and it was 100.6. When my temperature hits 100.5 is when I typically call into the cancer center to see what they would like to do. I suggested to my wife that we wait a few minutes and take my temperature again. In the time we were waiting I had another coughing fit and I passed out again. Regaining consciousness was similar to what happened the night before. We took my temperature again and it was 100.4. We did it one more time and it was 98.6. Even though my temp was OK we decided call the Hospital. This ended up being a good idea. The on call doctor wanted to see me ASAP being he was very concerned with me passing out. (to be continued)

This was the beginning of a few crazy days where I learned that I have a few aliments, that when they are brought together can create something called “Cough Syncope”. This is a well-known entity which results in loss of consciousness during episodes of cough due to the loss of air/blood flow to the brain.

The aliments that I was found to have are:

Parainfluenza (not to be confused with the Flu) - Typically, it is one of those things that does not impact most people. In my case, being I have a suppressed immune system due to my recent chemo and SCT, it can be a big issue for me. Parainfluenza is the leading cause of croup in children. Croup is a swelling near the vocal chords and in other parts of the upper respiratory system. I guess my immature immune system is making its presence known

Pneumonia – A CT scan showed that I have signs of pneumonia

Mantle Cell Lymphoma – Yes, my MCL is in my chest and abdomen areas with some of the tumors resting on top and creating pressure to arteries and vessels of my respiratory system.

When these are all present it can bring on Cough Syncope

(Continued) We arrived at the hospital emergency room around 11:30PM on the evening of May 12^th. I was put through a series of tests and saw a couple of doctors. While in the ER I had another coughing fit and passed out again. Being I was hooked up to all kinds on monitors there was a clear drop in my blood pressure with this coughing/passing out episode. This was enough information for me to be admitted.

When I got to my room, it was now Wednesday morning. It didn't take long for me to experience another coughing/passing out episode. My roommate called the nurse while Sue shook me back into consciousness. Over this time I had another 2 episodes. The hospital decided to assign me a 24/7 sitter, someone who would constantly watch me. As my episodes continued the medical team evaluating me grew in size. It included oncology, pulmonary, infectious disease, neurology and cardiology.  

As Thursday evening approached, I had another 4 episodes followed by another few more episodes during the early hours of Friday with the last episode occurring 5AM.  From that point on it seemed that the medications started to do their jobs.

With all this going on, we were planning to have a Bridal Shower at our home for my daughter Jill on this Saturday, May 16^th. I really didn’t want my situation to impact this fun event.

Friday passed without any incidence. The doctors stopped by and said he wanted to continue to observe me for another day or so. The good news was that it seems that the episodes have stopped. I did still have a bad cough but I was not passing out.

My wife stayed with me a few hours while my younger daughter Alli did all she could do the set up for her sister’s Bridal Shower. My wife left to go home around 3PM. This made me feel good, knowing that my Daughter Jill’s Bridal Shower was going to happen. Sure I wouldn't be there but Showers are for women anyway.

After being monitored all day on Friday and Saturday morning arrived, the team of doctors working on my case decided that I could be released. The feeling was that the medications were working. Also, once the Parainfluenza and Pneumonia to run their courses I could begin to be pulled off the medications. Lastly, as I continue to receive my chemotherapy treatments the tumors in my chest will reduce in size (and hopefully go away). I have a follow up appointment at the Cancer Center on Tuesday, May 19^th.

I was excited to be able to go home. My good friend Larry offered to come and pick me up. I was able to make it home in time to get showered and shaved and presentable in time for my daughter Jill’s Bridal Shower. The day went on to be a great day. Everyone had a wonderful time. As the day wound down my daughter Jill told me that “It was the best surprise ever that you were there”.

The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.

Proverbs 16:9

More to come…

http://mantlecell.blogspot.com/

Counts Rebound

5/12/15 – There is a reason why chemo treatments are referred to as cycles…. It is because you literally experience a cycle. First you get the chemo… then your counts drop… then you counts rebound… then you are ready to begin your next chemo cycle.  

Today at my checkup my counts completely rebounded… as everyone expected they would.

•          My platelet count went from 6 to 60.

•          My white blood cell count went from 0.6 to 8.3.

•          My neutrophil count went from 0 to 4.9.

This is certainly great progress for me. Now I feel that I am ready for my 2^nd cycle which is scheduled to start on Tuesday, May 26^th I start my 2^nd cycle.

More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope

Romans 5:3-4

More to come…

http://mantlecell.blogspot.com/

Follow-up Appointment for 1st Treatment

5/7/15 – Today I had my first follow-up checkup since my treatments last week. I have been feeling a little tired and I have had a nagging cough. While driving to the appointment I made a prediction to my wife that my platelets would be a little low. Well, sure enough my counts were pretty low across the board.

• My platelet count was 6. The normal range for platelets is between 130 and 400
• My white blood cell count was 0.6. The normal range for white blood cell is between 4.0 and 10.8
• My neutrophil count was 0. The normal range for neutrophil is between 2.5 and 7.0

Based on these counts and my nagging cough Dr. Goy had me get a chest CT and receive an infusion of platelets. Dr, Goy put a rush on the CT results and he was able to find that the scans showed nothing that he was concerned with. He did ask me to return on Tuesday, May 12^th to recheck my counts and get another infusion if necessary.

On a happy note, my trip to my Goddaughter’s wedding went well with no issues. I was so glad I could be there for her and her family.

So this is just the beginning of what will be a long road. Having low counts is just part of the process. It is certainly not something that should get me down, discourage me or get overly worried about. Within the next couple of weeks all will be normal again and I will be getting ready for my second cycle. I have always said that to survive the long haul it is best to not get too high, or to get to low. At the same time it is important to keep positive and never give up. It is my attitude, healthy mind, inner peace and faith in God that will get me to a successful outcome.

The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.

Psalm 29:11

More to come…

http://mantlecell.blogspot.com/