Friday 27 February 2015
mmm, we might be a little late back to hospital today!!
Lauren was so thrilled about seeing her AC Arts friends today at lunch, I'm thinking of being late (on purpose, for a change) so she can spend more time out. Was like seeing a bird discover its wings for the first time this morning when she left the hospital
Pre-treatment testing finished
Lauren has had numerous tests this last week. She's still 'healthy' and active. Just stuck in a hospital whilst they do these tests. Today she's coming out at 12:00pm to have lunch with her AC Arts colleagues - she was in her third and final year of the course this year. She's looking forward to getting out and spending time with them
Chemotherapy commences on Monday for her. Basically to get her into remission. Lauren is managing her own treatment this time and holding all the discussions with the medicos - who are all totally professional. We were a bit concerned coming from Women's & Children's Hospital since last treatment to Royal Adelaide. Have to say it's different as you'd expect, but just as caring with equally dedicated staff. In fact, haven't seen a hospital yet without dedicated, professional staff. If any government thinks it's fair to eliminate penalty rates for nurses they're in for a rude shock as I for one will stand up for the nurses. What they do and how hard they work in under-recognised in our (& many other) society.
Then at some stage, will mean another bone marrow transplant. Have no idea when yet. I guess they'd be searching the donor list globally again to find a suitable donor. There is s new drug out which targets a certain rogue cancer cells which carry a certain protein. I can't remember the name - Lauren's the expert this time!! Anyway it's been found she has that protein in her cancer cells but being a random selection for the trial of this drug, she hasn't got onto this program. It would still mean a bone marrow transplant, but because the drug can target just the rogue cells with the particular protein, it means not all her cells are killed off and therefore she wouldn't have lost her hair etc. Anyway not to be and Lauren is comfortable with the treatment regime.
She might be coming home over this weekend as she is able to get out and about. We'll find out later today if this is the case. (If spelling errors etc, I'll correct them later, have to run!!). Once treatment starts she'll be in for at least 4 -6 weeks - I'm assuming that's ignoring the transplant time frame. Will find out more next week.
Michael
Chemotherapy commences on Monday for her. Basically to get her into remission. Lauren is managing her own treatment this time and holding all the discussions with the medicos - who are all totally professional. We were a bit concerned coming from Women's & Children's Hospital since last treatment to Royal Adelaide. Have to say it's different as you'd expect, but just as caring with equally dedicated staff. In fact, haven't seen a hospital yet without dedicated, professional staff. If any government thinks it's fair to eliminate penalty rates for nurses they're in for a rude shock as I for one will stand up for the nurses. What they do and how hard they work in under-recognised in our (& many other) society.
Then at some stage, will mean another bone marrow transplant. Have no idea when yet. I guess they'd be searching the donor list globally again to find a suitable donor. There is s new drug out which targets a certain rogue cancer cells which carry a certain protein. I can't remember the name - Lauren's the expert this time!! Anyway it's been found she has that protein in her cancer cells but being a random selection for the trial of this drug, she hasn't got onto this program. It would still mean a bone marrow transplant, but because the drug can target just the rogue cells with the particular protein, it means not all her cells are killed off and therefore she wouldn't have lost her hair etc. Anyway not to be and Lauren is comfortable with the treatment regime.
She might be coming home over this weekend as she is able to get out and about. We'll find out later today if this is the case. (If spelling errors etc, I'll correct them later, have to run!!). Once treatment starts she'll be in for at least 4 -6 weeks - I'm assuming that's ignoring the transplant time frame. Will find out more next week.
Michael
Wednesday 25 February 2015
Quick update
Lauren has been having tests this week. No treatment started yet. Bone marrow biopsy yesterday. Results not in yet. She's getting a PIC line in right now - this will allow the medicos to 1) obtain bloods for checks going forward 2) Allow the insertion of drugs easily once her treatment is decided on and starts. Lauren is in charge of her treatment choice this time. At 20, she's an adult and determines what they do and how. Very proud how she's managing it all. I'm biased, but she impresses me like no other. Will update when more known.
Monday 23 February 2015
Bugga!! Laurens relapsed!!
I never thought I'd ever be publishing a post about Lauren ever being treated for cancer again. Unfortunately I'm wrong on this front. Saturday morning just gone, Lauren had a wild nose bleed which she eventually stopped. However in her panic she rang me and then her Grandmother. Lucky her Grandmother rang me and strongly suggested I go home and see to her. Anyway, took her to the Medical Centre and it was only whilst there I noticed how pale she looked. (In hindsight, I was trying to work out why I hadn't noticed that paleness previously, but whilst we live together, we've been like ships passing in the night. She's been getting home late from Acting classes & her dancing and I'm already asleep, and by the time she's up I'm gone in the morning). I remember once thinking she looked a little pale, but she's so active, you don't think anything is wrong......like the first time in 2002, maybe she's overdoing things and just needs to rest up. Something she seems to resist! 
Anyway blood results came back abnormal within a few hours. Later the Doctor rang me back and advised I should get her to hospital that night. So Saturday night we're in Royal Adelaide Hospital for the first time. Numerous tests run past midnight and then Sunday morning (early hours) we were transferred into the Haematology ward (incl blood cancers). I think when that happened she got an inclination it might be her Leukaemia back. Sunday morning they were able to confirm, she's relapsed!! Fu%K Blast cells!!!
So here we go again, round 3. I don't know how she does it, but she deals with it in her time so well. I can only marvel at her strength. I wish I had just 5% of it!!
As usual, I'm already getting calls and requests for updates. I just can't update everyone individually. One, it takes too long per call and I'm already getting tired explaining what's happened and where to from here. So the old blog from the transplant on 2008 is back in operation for those who want to follow it themselves.
Thanks,
Michael
Anyway blood results came back abnormal within a few hours. Later the Doctor rang me back and advised I should get her to hospital that night. So Saturday night we're in Royal Adelaide Hospital for the first time. Numerous tests run past midnight and then Sunday morning (early hours) we were transferred into the Haematology ward (incl blood cancers). I think when that happened she got an inclination it might be her Leukaemia back. Sunday morning they were able to confirm, she's relapsed!! Fu%K Blast cells!!!
So here we go again, round 3. I don't know how she does it, but she deals with it in her time so well. I can only marvel at her strength. I wish I had just 5% of it!!
As usual, I'm already getting calls and requests for updates. I just can't update everyone individually. One, it takes too long per call and I'm already getting tired explaining what's happened and where to from here. So the old blog from the transplant on 2008 is back in operation for those who want to follow it themselves.
Thanks,
Michael
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