Sorry I'm just now getting around to updating; I've had a sinus infection that kept me down the first part of the week and have been playing catch up ever since.
Ron's appointment with the hematologist/oncologist brought no surprises. Dr. M started him on daily Lovenox (anticoagulant/blood thinner) through his PICC line. It's a little scary since no one (at least they know of) has ever had Lovenox administered this way; so he's starting on a very low dose and has had two blood draws already this week to establish a baseline and to monitor specific (antifactor 10a) level. Because the doctor is also an oncologist they have their own pharmacy, lab, infusion clinic (for chemo) and yet, they've never had this scenario. My sweet husband, always the guinea pig. It's a challenge to be learning these things along with the specialist doctor. The pharmacist even had to research the best way to administer the Lovenox and teach me how to do it.
The major concern is bleeding. The two times they tried Ron on Lovenox (when they had to be injected into his belly), he always had bleeds (hematomas). In these cases, they were visible. Now that the Lovenox is administered through his PICC there are no obvious sites to watch; which means if he were to have bleeding, it would be internally. We're hoping that the previous bleeds, when receiving the injections, were due to the multiple sticks under the skin not because of the Lovenox in and of itself.
The Lovenox therapy is a preventative measure to guard against future blood clots. This does not bust up the existing blood clots; they should resolve over time (usually +/-6 months). When asked why he develops blood clots we were told once you have a blood clot; for some reason, your body tends to develop more.
Dr M also said he doesn't believe that the blood clots are what's causing the edema, but are just a small part of the puzzle.
We're still adjusting to the low potassium diet thing; which has been difficult, mainly because I haven't felt well so haven't taken the time to sit down and figure out recipes to go with these new restrictions therefore, I haven't been cooking much. My major project for this week is to come up with a plan of action. Not that he eats that much, but the things he typically did eat, are (mostly) no longer an option. No big deal, just a matter of adjustment.
So, there ya have it...our week in a nutshell!
Christie
"Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world." John 16:33 New Living Translation
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified...for the LORD your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6
Great song below
Everything Falls by Fee
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvjJ9TYA8cE&feature=related
You said You'd never leave or forsake me
When You said, this life is gonna shake me
And You said the world is gonna bring trouble on my soul
This I know
When everything falls apart your arms hold me together
When everything falls apart you're the only hope for this heart
When everything falls apart and my strength is gone
I find you mighty and strong, You keep holding on
You keep holding on
When I see the darkness all around me
When I see that tragedy has found me
I still believe your faithful arms will never let me go
And still I know
When everything falls apart your arms hold me together
When everything falls apart you're the only hope for this heart
When everything falls apart and my strength is gone
I find you mighty and strong, You keep holding on
You keep holding on
Sorrow will last for the night
But hope is rising with the sun, it's rising with the sun
There will be storms in this life
But I know You will overcome, you have overcome
When everything falls apart your arms hold me together
When everything falls apart you're the only hope for this heart
When everything falls apart and my strength is gone
I find you mighty and strong, You keep holding on
You keep holding on
No comments:
Post a Comment