Pre-Chemo Blood Work and Starting the Next Round of Chemo

rbc 4.58
wbc 3.9
creatinine 1.2
BUN 15
platelets 118,000 We don't know why it was normal last week and not this week, but it's within the expected range for a man on chemotherapy.

Also, Terry says she will start reporting hemoglobin and a second lab value which measures a part of the red blood cells next month. Those lab tests have been done all along but she hasn't been following them before. Now that we are familiar with these tests, it's time to expand our knowledge.

The above blood sample was taken Sunday morning. It had to be fasting since it is also for his 6 month nephrology follow up appointment.

At 9:30 Tuesday morning, Dr. Hu called Terry to say not to panic due to the platelet number change this time from the normal 150,000 to today's 118,000. He's awfully thoughtful. He also said the numbers showed that it was ok to start chemo on schedule Tuesday night. Steve started his 300 mg Temodar last night after taking two Zofran anti-nausea pills, as usual. He continues to take Zofran daily even if he is not on chemo because he still gets stomach aches, like if he ate strong salsa and had heartburn, otherwise.

Yaaayyy, Another Good MRI!

Steve had his MRI this morning to look for signs of recurrent tumors. It was NEGATIVE! Whoopee!

It's been almost one year since we learned about the onset of this awful brain cancer. I know it has been a trial for Steve and his family and all of us who love him. I'm so pleased with how he is doing at the one year mark. He is feeling well, working productively and loving his family.

We will be at his home for Thanksgiving again this year. I think we have a lot to be thankful for. I know Steve and Terry are thankful for all the support from you, their friends.

Happy Thanksgiving in two weeks.

Recent Labs and Next MRI Scheduled

From blood taken 11-5-12:

wbc 4.9 (normal)
rbc 4.53
platelets 212,000 Yay, normal!
creatinine 1.0 !!!! Normal! We didn't expect that :)
bun 17.7 (normal)

rbc is microscopically, slightly low (4.6 is normal)

Steve is tolerating his chemo very well and is planning to start his eighth round next week. His original dose was 140mg of Temodar and the dose increased regularly to the current dose of 300mg.

His 4th MRI is scheduled on Friday 7:15 am followed by a Dr Hu appointment at 8:30 am. Please continue to cross your fingers and toes.