Yesterday ended up being another day of waiting for test results that delayed the start of chemotherapy. They are trying very hard to include dad in a study that involves an oral chemo drug not yet part of the normal drug protocol for AML. (The chemo schedule on the right is based on being in the trial.) His liver function has been too high to allow him to take part in the study, but they were able to improve the numbers yesterday so they delayed totally rejecting him from the trial and decided to wait until today. They planned to take more tests this morning and, based on his liver function, make the final decision that he will a) be a part of the trial or b) start "regular" AML chemo. Either way, they said he would start chemo today. I think we're all anxious for that to start.
Part of the bone marrow biopsy results came back, but they are still waiting for more typing and testing. But, the diagnosis of AML was confirmed - in the back of my mind I hoped it would be negative and they had all made some sort of mistake... There are several subtypes of AML that don't have an immediate impact on his treatment plan, but are helpful and important to know going forward. We hope to get the final biopsy results today.
To prepare for chemo to begin, dad had a Groshong catheter placed yesterday. A few hours after the surgery to place it, they took an X-Ray to check its placement and noticed dad has pneumonia. The Nurse Practitioner didn't seem too alarmed by the pneumonia and said that, if anything, it's helpful because they know what has been causing dad's fever. They switched his antibiotics to something to specifically fight the pneumonia, but other than that it really has no effect on starting chemo or anything else.
If all goes according to plan, dad will start chemo one way or another today, so please keep him in your thoughts.
No comments:
Post a Comment