Due to Maggie's counts being decimated twice by this combination of drugs (once in December), she has gotten her chemo doses cut in half. These drugs are intended to give her continual chemo coverage over time, they aren't supposed to take her down to a vulnerable level of immunity. So the standard move is to reduce the dose and work back up to the full dose again eventually. We're okay with this news, as it seems that there is no need to put her at too much risk when Maggie is doing well otherwise. Of course there's always the give and take of stronger treatment (and a more aggressive fight of potential cancer cells) vs. "gentler" treatment that doesn't put Maggie at risk for serious infections. Fortunately, childhood cancers and their treatments are very well researched and the protocol that Maggie is on is the best out there: it provides a nice mix of intense chemo and lighter "maintenance" chemo. It's all mapped out for us and we're excited to be moving along as we are.
The other news is that we are likely going to have our next inpatient stay in a week for heavy doses of VP-16 and Cytoxan. We thought our setback this past week would push things back on our schedule, but that's not the case. We haven't stayed the night in the hospital since November, so we're pretty used to being home. Hopefully it won't be too tough for Maggie. From July to November we spent roughly 75 nights in the hospital as a family, and yet now we'll have to get acclimated again. Who would have thought we'd have so much time at home over the past few months? Once this one is done we'll be down to just ONE more scheduled inpatient stay, though there is always potential for extra stays due to fevers or complications. We'll hope to avoid those. In some ways, it will be nice to see the staff at the hospital again--they were very important people to us during the whirlwind of a most troubling time, the most difficult of our lives. They have been good to us. Maggie will get to get loved on by her nurses again.
It's a tough balance for us as we look ahead and yet try to stay present-focused. But we're happy today with how Maggie's doing. We continue to fall in love with her more each day.
We hope you all are well and are enjoying your families and loved ones.
1 comment:
Thanks for that detailed report. I know there will be many bumps in the road ahead. But it does seem that you are all doing amazingly well in accustoming yourselves to this life. Dealing with the daily issues but also comfortable with the evident progress you are making.
I look forward to visiting you all in several months!
Love and prayers always.
Great Aunt Phyllis
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