Privilege

I have the privilege of being at the hospital with my mother-in-law today. Grandma has an appointment and Jerry needed to go home for a few hours. He stayed the night last night. She officially had the last of the first dose of chemotherapy yesterday. At this time there are no new cancer cells developing. She does not need any blood transfusions or platelets at this time, either. Those are both good news. She is, however, running a fever and that is of concern for the doctor. They will put her on a second antibiotic and hope the fever comes down. If it does not, they will call in a disease specialist to see if he can help. They have yet to come in and add the second antibiotic. I'm sure it will take some time to put in the order, get the medicine up here, and then have a nurse come put it in. They will do another biopsy on Friday just like the last one. They will cut off part of the hip bone and take some bone marrow. We will find out by Monday how well the chemotherapy worked. If it worked, the cancer cells should be killed off and retreating. She would be at that time, considered, in remission. She will spend another 2 1/2 weeks in the hospital for precaution and monitoring. Then, she will be allowed to go home for a period of time. They will, again readmit her to the hospital for a second treatment which will be given in 3 hour doses every 12 hours for 7 days. They will allow her to recoup and then decide when and how the 3rd treatment will occur. She will probably start losing her hair in the next few days and she will be very tired for the next week or so.

I am just sitting here typing on the computer while she rests. I haven't been able to do much for her. Two of her granddaughters colored some flowers and made her some paper flowers. She isn't allowed to have real flowers in the room because they might carry or grow germs. So, I pinned the pictures to her curtain. They are very colorful and gave her a smile this morning.

I haven't been able to come in and see her much. Eli isn't allowed in the room because he is so young and is still receiving his immunizations. Since they are a live virus it wouldn't be in her best interest to be around him while she has no immune system. That leaves me hanging out in the library or visiting room most of the time.

Well, Grandma just showed up. That means my time is up. Catch up with you later.