June 17, 9:43 PM

With the Laker - Celtic game over, I can get back to doing things. By the way, the Celtic loss was only moderately traumatic for Pat in spite of her continued rooting for them. I on the other hand, rooting for the team getting the most coverage in the local press, had long since switched allegiance to the Lakers, smiled. My condolences to our Boston friends.

Back to the saga. On Tuesday Pat woke with her feet swollen and a moon shaped face. It was time to head back to UCI for the 2nd unit of blood and the white blood cell booster. In response to our concern we were visited by a nurse practitioner who, after consultation with Dr. Lilly added a diuretic to blood drip. Lest you be concerned, Pat felt well enough to go out for dinner with friends. I suspect that eating with someone besides me is good for her spirits. Pat awoke on Wednesday with essentially unchanged swelling. She was anticipating calling the doctor, but he beat her to the phone. On hearing of the continuing swelling, he scheduled Pat for an echocardiogram and a visit with him on Thursday. That was intended to ensure that the swelling was not the result of congestive heart failure, even though Pat had no other relevant symptoms. Resting all day, Pat summoned enough energy to go to a lecture on the new health care bill at a friend’s house. Yes, food was involved as well. We did not stay long after the presentation, as she was tired. On Thursday, after some discussion, Pat drove to UCI by herself. Everything proved normal and she was sent home with an Rx for some more diuretic. Pat rested in the afternoon and the swelling seemed to decrease a little. We’re now headed into the post chemo days when fatigue and discomfort tend to peak.

June 14, 2010 2:41 PM

Pat has just awoken refreshed from her first nap of the afternoon. She was really out of it. I’ve delayed updating the blog, mostly because nothing dramatic has happened and by now you pretty much know the drill. As was expected, little things like the tingling on the tip of her tongue faded away as the week progressed. By and large Pat has learned to husband her resources - bursts of energy to accomplish “I gottas” , and naps preceding social engagements. Yesterday morning Pat did a slow one lapper around Lake Santa Margarita before our usual Sunday group breakfast. Back home, a quick check of the plants and then a rest before we picked up the Gross’s and headed off to a concert. It featured Andre Watts performing the Grieg Piano Concerto. At the risk of sounding like a teenager - “we were blown away”. Watts played so beautifully. The fluid ease of his attack wonderfully complemented the beauty of the music. Afterward it was a short drive to the Capital Seafood Restaurant in Irvine. Although one of a chain, it offers excellent Chinese seafood. It is in the Diamond Shopping Plaza in a very Asian neighborhood. Interestingly, the developer of the center insisted that contracts include the stipulation that all signs be in English.

A summary of this morning’s visit with the doctor that preceded the start of her chemo will fill out the picture. Her blood test showed a very low hemoglobin so that the doctor has ordered a transfusion of 2 units of blood. One of these will be tacked on to today’s visit and the second will be administered tomorrow when she comes for her white cell stimulant. There was some swelling in her legs due to the suspension of one of the meds used to lower her blood pressure. It had a diuretic effect as well. That combined with the increased fluid intake that the doctor had recommended probably accounts for the swelling that should readily be resolved. Most significantly, Dr. Lilly has come to the conclusion that, at least for the present, we are on a three week cycle.

The transfusion having been finished, we are now home, and have finished dinner as well. We are looking forward to the 2 units of blood picking up Pat’s energy so that we won’t have to cancel the plans we have made for the coming weeks. Stay tuned for the further “PERILS OF PATSY”. 22:13:27