Day 32 -- Remission!

On Day 32 of Nadine's chemo, Nadine was pronounced in remission! And the next "phase" of chemotherapy began.

Her preliminary bone marrow biopsy showed no cancer evidence, and her blood counts were normal!! What a celebration. The "minimal residual disease", another important test, isn't expected to come back for about 2 to 3 weeks, but the initials findings are wonderful.

I watched the bone marrow biopsy and the spinal tap and injection of methotrexine, a chemo agent, into her spinal fluid; a PICC (a catheter through her arm to a central vein) was inserted -- this should stay until her blood counts rise after the second round of chemo, after which hopefully the porta-cath will be inserted.

Then she was re-admitted to the hospital floor, the IV pole was re-instated, and she got fluids. The wound care lady inspected the "hole" from the port removal and pronounced it healing well.

She got Vincristine (a chemo agent), and a few hours later, she had the doxorubicin (another chemo med.); later on she had mercaptopurine, which works on DNA. At about 10:30 PM she was started on the 24-hour drip of methetrexate, a powerful chemo agent -- this is expected to be the largest dose of it of her whole chemo experience. After this is done it should be flushed out of her system, and when the levels go down sufficiently, she'll be released from the hospital if all goes well. This could be as soon as Friday although it may drag on further.

Sadly, she went through part of the day feeling pretty miserable, although perhaps better than I expected. It was sad to see her having body pain again. I know she'll probably be feeling sick before she feels well.

Mary Joan Deutchbein came and gave her a wonderful massage.

Erek also was with her, as was I. Erek and I took a long, long walk in the hot sun along the Erie Canal. Even on days like this, I realize that I need to stay in shape. Tonight we visited together, and soon I expect to be in bed.

That's it for now.