 |
| Phoebe passing time in hospital before isolation began |
Today was the last day of cycle #1 of Phoebe's chemo. She had a mixed week with several very good days and a couple bad days. Today she had pain in her joints from the final dose of chemo they gave her and from the build up of GCSF (Granulocyte-Colony Stimulating Factor) injections she has had over the last 3 days. GCSF makes her body's bone marrow produce more white blood cells and boosts her immune system.
Her platelet count is now dropping and dipped below 50 yesterday (yours and mine would be between 200-400!). This means her immune system is now weak and will probably get weaker throughout this week before it begins to climb again. As a matter of precaution she is now on antibiotics to help fight off any potential illnesses which will begin to attack her now that her body's defense system is down.
Please continue to pray for her and us. Thank you to all of those who have so generously been providing us with meals.
Specific things to pray for:
- Phoebe not to get any secondary illnesses. Not only would this set back when she can have her next dose of chemo it could potentially be life threatening.
- Rachel and I to have continued wisdom in parenting her and Reubs.
- For Phoebe to have minimal side effects from chemotherapy, both short and long term.
- For Phoebe's appetite and taste buds to settle down to normal again. This is highly unlikely while being treated but eating/drinking are often a battle, even when given through her nasal feeding tube she still vomits them up. Drs are working to combat this but she needs calories and nutrients to help her get better!
- For Phoebe and us to not go stir crazy in her room!
Big hugs to you all! We miss life's normality and wish we could see more of our friends and family!
