Hi folks, it's been nearly a week since I've posted, so I figured I'd give you all an update. Well, since the last post, the steroids Marye had from her last chemo had worn off. They wore off after about 1 1/2 days, actually, so her fatigue issues continue. Also, I gave her a Neulasta shot after the chemo to keep her white blood cell count up. So, while it looks like she's not susceptible to infection, the marrow in her long bones are definately working overtime. It's like the growing pains you feel during puberty when your bones just ache. Nothing a little oxycodone can't overcome, but that just adds to her fatigue. At her request, I did a search to see if there was anything to be learned about chemo and fatigue, but there was just a lot of stuff about eating well and conserving energy. Not bad advice, but nothing that we haven't been doing already. So it just looks like this is something that she's going to have to deal with for the time being.
Ok, on Tuesday we went and took a tour of Gilda's Club in Louisville. The club was created in honor of Gilda Radner by her husband, Gene Wilder, and Gilda's therapist, and has over 20 houses around the country. Gilda died of ovarian cancer in 1989 (I think) and the club exists to give a support network and place to hang out for cancer patients and family members/friends. I have to say that I was very impressed. Marye, of course, is looking like a proper cancer patient (with the bald head/bandana) so she got lots of friendly attention at Gilda's. But everyone we ran into was extremely friendly and welcoming to me, as well. The club, itself, is beautiful. It looks very residential, with a lot of living rooms; the furniture and artwork are all donated by various groups/companies. They have a huge kitchen that would be suitable for any Food Channel show, with 5 ovens and a big gas stove top in a big island. They also have lots of support groups, wellness activities (yoga, etc.), art activities, and a big dinner every Tuesday night. I'm hoping to get Marye to the knitting group on Thursday night, and I might check out the "family/caretaker" group. Anyway, it seems like a very nice organization and if you get the chance to visit one, I strongly recommend it. Also, they operate solely from donations from the community, so if you're looking for a good cause, I would say that this qualifies. More to follow as we get more involved.
Ok, that's about it for now. Marye has her nadir blood work this Friday, then she's off for two weeks until her next chemo on Nov. 3. So the blog should be fairly quiet until then. I'll post the results of her blood work this week; but, otherwise, it's all fatigue, fatigue, fatigue. <sigh>
-Chris
