Still in the NMRH

The couple day stay in the hospital has stretched a bit. Last Thursday Mom was given a tentative discharge date of Sunday, January 20. Suzy and I arrived at the hospital early Sunday because the doctor promised Mom she was first on his list Sunday. We found out as the day stretched on without a visit from Dr. Knitter that the emergency department had been busy all day, no doubt partially due to the severe weather and the subsequent accidents. Suzy watched traffic skid along on 131 from Mom's hospital window while we waited.
At about 3:30 p.m. Dr. Knitter made it up to the third floor to see Mom. Her white blood cell count had been on a downward trend, beginning at 34,000 and making it to 20,000 on Saturday. But Sunday morning's test showed a rise in the count. So he put her on an additional oral antibiotic and kept her for another night. If the count is down today she will come home. If not, she'll go back on the IV antibiotic and stay a couple more days.
Mom's pain level is much better. Every once in a while she gets a twinge of pain, but nothing like the pain she experienced before we took her to the hospital on the 13th.
Dr. Galloway, Mom's oncologist, visited her on Saturday afternoon. Mom's hemoglobin has been low after chemo, and it took a deep dip in the hospital last week, down to between 6 and 7 (it should be around 12). This dip is caused by the way her body is responding to Alimpta, the new chemo she began receiving last fall. We discussed giving Mom shots to boost her red blood cell development, but Dr. Galloway recommends discontinuing the Alimpta and beginning Mom on an oral chemo called Tarceva. There are side effects with Tarceva, as with all chemo products, but the Alimpta side effects Mom is experiencing are not worth the benefits. If Mom is doing well on her next chemo appointment, January 29, she'll begin the Tarceva then.
Mom's appetite has been good. Although she doesn't have much interest in ordering her food, she eats it all when it arrives. Her color is good. Her energy level could be better, but fighting an infection and the compelling urge to stay in bed are obstacles - not insurmountable, but resistent to the exercise she needs to remain active. Suzy is faithful to push her when she needs it.
I took a couple pictures on Saturday, but I won't be able to post them until I'm back in Grand Rapids.
Thanks for your continued prayers.