Sun, 7.20 - Lung Issues and Modified Rating System

Today got me to thinking. I've been posting it was a 'good', 'decent', or other adjective day. Well on my flight I realized that there are really 3 key measurements of the day. They are emotional / spirits, physical, and Doctor / Medical. Often times the doctor will say she's doing great, but believe me - she doesn't feel great. So that's how I'm going to try and characterize each day going forward.

- Emotional: Good. Little weepiness and being upset / needing carrying from others. We didn't have a cry until I was leaving today.

- Physical: Below Average. Today was the first day where she really didn't feel like she had a lot of energy....more on that later in true Mom / Cathi form.

- Medical: Good. See the next section.

WBC: 0.9 As noted below, we expect that to trend up a bit.

Hemoglobin: 7.4. The blood graph can be seen here from 7.8 through 8.10 (random date I put out there as we're unsure how long they'll be measuring it daily).

Dr Ganguly noted that the Leukemia had likely been with Mom for 2-3 weeks before she was admitted. Because the Leukemia increased the production of white blood cells as result of the cancer, the cells did not work as normally should. That's how she brought the lung infections in with her. Her immune system was just depleted.

From culture tests on the speutum, two lung infections have been identified. They are adjusting the antibiotics for the two infections. They are also concerned about mold and are giving medications to prevent any reactions or infections from mold. Her lung infections are critical and can create complications that can be life threatening. Mom did ask him if he'd cured it to which responded, 'THOUSANDS of times.' They will likely do a chest cat scan next week in order to get a better look at the infections in her lungs. In addition they may put a camera into her lungs to look around, suck out some infections, and look for more.

He is requesting extra caution. No Guests are to enter the room before checking at the Nurses' station. No sniffly noses in the room even for allergies. No one is to visit Mom who has been in close quarters with anyone who is sick or the potential of having been in a high germ environment. The mold is a concern and paper garments and masks may be required by the nurses for visitors. She is now required to wear a mask any time she is out of the room (which really began on Friday). Mom will work with the nurses station to make sure guests are informed of proper precautions. The contact with family and Peggy before visiting has been very much appreciated and needs to continue.

For those that do see her, I've instituted 'air hugs' and 'blowing and receiving kisses.' It's great to blow her a kiss and have her catch it, apply it to her lips, then blow on in return for you to catch and apply. The air hug is also an affectionate move that we all know Mom loves. She's quite a hugger!

Her recovery is very much supported by cheerful visits from those boding bad British jokes (sorry Janet!) and words of encouragement. She often times saves the letters and the blog for times when she needs that 'pick me up.' While the well wishers are many, concern of importing infections requires the guest list to be managed.

A follow-up bone marrow biopsy is scheduled at day 14. Based on these findings more chemo may be required. Now that the chemo is complete, bone marrow growth could be occurring - giving marrow to replenish white blood cells and aide in fighting off infections. A normal person would recover in roughly three weeks. With her Q5 Minus, it will take 3-5 weeks before recovering from the cells killed by the chemo. The good news is that she could go home after chemo recovery. Then the wait for 1-3 months before going back for a marrow transplant. And then back to her normal life, hopefully better than before. We can rebuild her...Better than before, better, stronger, faster than ever before. Is the world prepared for a faster Mom / Captain Cathi?!

She also rode the bike today for 2 miles. That's what I meant earlier when I said 'stay tuned below' when the Physical rating was down. It spoke to her dilligence in this that she did the longest bike ride of the 3 days I was there on her worst day. She didn't quite get the 5 times on her breathing toy, but she got it twice and was extremely close a third time. It wasn't without effort though. She probably did it 10 times in the effort.