On November 22nd we met with an Oncology Radiology team to discuss Marty’s care and whether or not he should have Whole Brain Radiation Therapy (WBRT). We were very relieved to find out that they would not recommend this at this time. Marty is actually not healthy enough to withstand radiation therapy and he is responding very well to the chemotherapy. So the Oncology Radiology team referred us back to the Hematology Oncology Team. On November 27th the Hematology Team let us know that Marty will undergo a 5th and 6th round of chemo and then they will do another brain MRI after the 6th round of chemo.
Because of the toxicity of the chemotherapy Marty has to leave the Rehab Ward and return to C4 until the chemo has cleared his body to an acceptable level. He was placed on the list to be transferred back to C4 for the next available bed and on Wednesday Nov 28th in the evening Marty started his 5th round of chemo. We had been told that the body can react to every chemo treatment differently and we have noticed this, although the chemo drugs are the same every round Marty responds differently. This time Marty retained more fluids than normal and it took a bit longer for the drugs to clear his body to an acceptable level so that he could return to rehab. He was able to go back to rehab on Wednesday Dec 5. Marty stayed in Rehab until Saturday morning when he was given a pass to go home after being given 2 units of blood and one unit of platelets. Marty did have to return back to the hospital a little early because Erica noticed that although he said he felt fine he was running a very high fever. Fever is the first sign of infection and infection is expected when the body is neutropenic (low or no level of white blood cells). The team immediately and proactively started him on a broad base antibiotics, did blood and urine cultures and ordered a chest x-ray. They quickly figured out that the site of the PEG tube was the source of infection, as it was oozing and very red around the tube and warm to the touch. Marty was once again put on the list to be transferred back to C4.
As he has not used the PEG tube in over a month the doctors have decided to take the tube out and that was done this passed Wednesday. We give thanks to our Heavenly Father that the antibiotics are doing their work well and the infection is clearing. The site of the PEG tube is healing well and Marty has been fever free for 48 hours. As family we now realize how lousy he must have been feeling especially if we compare it to how much he has perked up. He seems to have more energy and is more willing to get out of bed and go for a little stroll down the halls or sit in the lounge and watch some t.v. He will most likely return to rehab after the 6th round of chemo which will the Lord willing happen the middle of this coming week.
We give thanks to our Heavenly Father for his safe keeping over Marty; that he has in general tolerated the chemo treatments well, that liver and kidney functions remain normal, and that he continues to gain strength, and maintain a good appetite. Marty does enjoy having visitors in the evening, feel free to contact him at metoet at gmail dot com to let him know you would be interested in stopping by for an hour or so.As a family we thank our Heavenly Father for His care over all of us and we thank you all for your help and care in many and various ways and especially for your continued prayers.
