Tuesday, March 26 - My mom has begun to struggle as a result of the side effects of the chemo therapy drugs. She has been extremely light headed and nauseous. She has not been able to eat enough or drink enough to keep up the strength to do her daily chores. Mom's regular scheduled appointment was this Tuesday. She had her blood levels checked, which is the routine on the weeks that she doesn't have the chemotherapy. This week her white blood count was so low that Dr. Gupta said it was at a dangerous level. My Mom's dizziness and nauseous feeling is a result of this level being so extremely low.
Mom was given a shot that is said to help raise the white blood counts and immediately put on antibiotics to prevent infection. She has to have a second shot On Wednesday and a third shot on Thursday, both of which she will be able to get at the hospital in Bethany. Friday she will have another blood test to monitor all levels and possibly an additional shot depending on the blood test results. The goal is to get her blood levels to a range so that she can get her normally scheduled chemotherapy next Tuesday.
Dr. Gupta said that these final nine weeks of therapy were completely necessary before the double mastectomy and radiation. I fear that the chemotherapy is going to completely wear her down to a point where she will just give up. For the first time, Mom is getting very negative about the cancer and the treatment that will save her life. Her outlook has totally changed. She is extremely down-hearted. Mom is beginning to say things like, "This will probably be the last time I will get to go to a graduation", and "I probably won't be around for that." It is so disheartening to hear this. I believe that a patient's mental state and positive attitude really contribute to the outcome of their treatment and so hearing the negativity is especially troubling.
My Mom could really use your prayers, and your smiles of concern right now. I believe that God doesn't give us more than we can handle. And I have faith that God will provide, but I am beginning to wonder just how much one person has to bare in their lifetime, and why....?
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