Treatment #5 11-5-08

Rachel took her 5th of 8 treatments on Wednesday. She handled it well and has rested much of Thursday.  She went through 2 tests prior to this treatment...since she is at the midway point of this round of chemo. The tests are for checking heart pumping and lung capacities. One of the drugs she is taking can negatively affect heart pumping for the long term, but her capacity level is well above the danger point (low danger point is 50/Rachel is at 65-70). Her lung capacity can also be affected long term since another of the drugs can create "fibrosis" in the lungs and cause breathing problems later in life. This number is still above the danger low level... but her number does cause the doctor to monitor it closely. She only has one more treatment with this particular drug and he will discontinue after her 6th treatment...and he feels there will be no long term damage to her lungs.  

This is the dilemma with cancer killing drugs.... you have to cure the body and rid it of the disease, but these are powerful drugs and some can cause long term damage to the body if not properly administrated.

Rachel's white blood count remains high after last weeks booster (neuprogen) shot... the doctor will continue to give that every 16 days...

We're getting closer to the end of this round.... Her hair has thinned quite a bit, so she shaved her head this week!  She put on one of the wigs we got her and she looks great!! Just like her hair is normally and her spirits picked up quite a bit as a result.  She said getting ready after a shower is so much easier than messing with her real hair!!  She has not lost any eyebrows or lashes.... She was supposed to lose her hair in week 2 and she still had some... we're hoping she won't lose any more.

She is starting back to work in the coffee shop.... and continues to be an inspiration to all of us!

Thanks for your prayers.... they're working !!!