In the Bones?

After such a good day yesterday, this one seemed to be off to a good start and quickly took a wrong turn.

First appointment of the day was with the oncologist. Of course we were concerned with Harriett's nutrition and her lack of weight gain. Doctor made a few more suggestions and prescribed another medicine that would increase her appetite. I asked about the results of the stool lab and she went to get those and reported that everything was normal. About that time she noticed that Harriett's labs were done yesterday. She didn't say anything more than that as she reviewed them on her computer, but I knew something wasn't good.

Turns out Harriett's platelets were down. That means that something is wrong inside her bones. It might mean that there are breast cancer cells in the bone marrow or it could be a disease that older women get that causes the marrow to produce less platelets. Harriett will have to have some marrow drawn to find out what is going on. Which involves a large needle being inserted low in her back into the bone. Harriett hates needles. Not to mention that bone marrow cancer is just one more thing going bad.

Today was the first day Harriett was going to have a chemo drug. That now has been postponed because it's too harsh on the blood and the blood is not up to parr right now. Besides that, it could change the result of the marrow test. In the mean time Harriett had to have two more units of blood today (at a time rate of 2 hours per unit) along with the herceptin.

It was an extremely rough day for Harriett with the new issues. She felt very nauseated during part the second unit of blood. Although they had put a strong anti-nausea in her at the beginning of the therapy, the nurse encouraged her to take another pill she had with her. That quickly sent the nausea away, yeah!! However, when we were ready to leave the diarrhea snuck up on her and caught her off guard. Fortunately, the restroom was very close by and most of the patients had left already. Her nurse came up with a pair of HUGE scrub bottoms, some towels and a plastic laundry bag. Poor Harriett was so embarrassed.

Mark got a hold of someone to sit with Mom tomorrow during Krissy's graduation - I am so relieved. I had about resigned myself to taking Mom to the grad with us, but that would have been awful. This is so much better.