HI, everybody.....After my incredibly positive posting for February, I am bummed to report that March wasn't so great after all. It felt like two steps forward and one step back.
I started Cycle 4 of the clinical trial and had to stop the second week of March (about 9 days in) due to a precipitous drop in platelets and red blood cells. I was incredibly tired and weak...spent one day from 2 pm in the afternoon until 8 AM the next day asleep! I ended up going in to BMC. We thought that I was going to have to have a blood transfusion but instead the medical team opted to give me a medication called "Procrit" which boosts red cells. I was supposed to wear a mask if I went out due to lowered immunity and I had to be careful what I ate (no salads, fresh fruit, rare meat, etc.) After about a week, I was feeling less tired and we actually went to some friends for supper. As I got to feeling better, we had some lunches with pals and socialized a bit more. Still, nothing like February. And I'm still not driving.......
We went back to BMC earlier this week for another shot of Procrit. The white and red blood cell counts improved and I got the word that I can start another round of the clinical trial starting tomorrrow. Good News!
Last night all the kids and grandkids came over and we had a riotous game of Mad LIbs and just hung out. Had an early dinner at Jalepenos Mexican restaurant in Walpole and had a blast. Sarah and Matt had a birthday cake for the March and April birthdays (Brooke, Carrie, and Steve). So we did the famous Weatherbee "Happy Birthday" song....it's "famous" because no one has a good singing voice in our family (sorry, kids!) so it always sounds dirge-like. Great food and a good time. It felt good to be out and about and ready for another round of chemo!
Even though we had a coating of snow on April 1st, it feels like spring is here. Our crocuses are up and are a pretty contrast against the Christmas lights that are still entwined in the front bushes. I think we can untangle those tomorrow and put them away. :)
Thank you to all my family and friends who came to do "Cilla Care" while Steve had to work in March. The meals from our church family continue twice a week and are incredibly helpful.
Wish me luck for April! I hope to do a full round of the Clinical Trial and have some good numbers to show for it by early May.
xxxxxxxxxxxx
Cilla
