Emotional Whirlwind

[Edit: A previous version of this post said that chemo is not working; this was misleading, and we’ve corrected it! We don’t know if the chemo is working yet because there are not comparative scans, but there have been so many complications affecting Dad’s good cells, which were already low before he started treatment, and Dad is not recovering as quickly as hoped between treatments.]

Today has been an emotional day.

Dad was discharged from the hospital yesterday so we were finally able to make our appointment to see Dr. C at HOPE Duarte! However, Dr. C shared some news that we were not hoping to hear. Dr. C recommended that Dad stop chemo for the time being due to the complications (jaundice and anemia) Dad has been experiencing from the chemo. His body, especially his bone marrow, is not tolerating the chemo at this time. We will revisit the possibility of restarting chemo with a different cocktail next week after another round of blood work in hopes it shows that Dad’s body is recovering. The potential new chemo cocktail is not as potent as the previous version (Folfirinox) but the side effects will hopefully be less intense. Due to high levels of bilirubin (I think) in Dad’s liver, he is not a candidate for any clinical trials, so this new chemo cocktail is currently the only treatment option.

In the meantime, we’re experimenting with different ways to get Dad more protein to help him gain some strength and reduce the swelling in his feet. I suggested protein shakes and volunteered to drink one with Dad so that we can keep each other accountable to finish them.

Praises:

• The last couple of years, Mom has been blessed with a persimmon fairy that leaves bags of persimmons on the front porch. This week, we have been blessed by a Skinny Pop and Pirates Booty fairy. If you sent us a box of original and cheddar Skinny Pop and/or a box of Pirates Booty, please let us know so we can thank you properly!
• Scheduling a visit from a home health care nurse was a breeze. The company actually reached out to us after the hospital doctor put in the order, and we did not have to do any additional research.
• Dad has transferred over to HOPE Duarte; the campus is huge but this location has a lot more resources for care.

Prayers:

• Hope and peace. Dad has been very down emotionally.
• Dad’s blood work comes back showing his body is recovering from chemo.
• Healing of my ear. I went back to urgent care for the third time (for those keeping track) after my ear started swelling around my new piercing, and the doctor diagnosed me with cauliflower ear. I’m on antibiotics again. (Hooray…)