Doing well. Vamos Andy! Vamos Andy! We’re on day -5. Five more days until Andy receives Sofia’s cells. Andy’s weight today 17.2 kg. Still constipated, we switched to a new medication, I hope this one helps. Yesterday I asked Andy why did he think he was not going to the bathroom and he told me, “Papa, mi caca se fue a la luna”. Today was Andy’s rest day, he didn’t get any chemo. He’s still on the CMV treatment, and gets all the other medications through his stomach. His ANC today was a little higher than yesterday to 2050. His white blood count is 4.07. We expect his low blood counts in about a week. We played some baseball in the room, although it gets a little complicated because he can’t touch objects that fall in the floor before they’re cleaned. He also played with seringes and water, played XBox, and with the computer. Grandma Marilu spent the day with Andy. Grandma Lupita spent the day with Sofia at home. SofÃa has her preop appointment tomorrow at 11:30 AM. This weekend was the Head of the Charles Regatta, more info here. Game 2 of the The World Series, at Fenway Park, a few blocks away from the hospital. Go Red Sox!
So what is chemotherapy?
Its meant to kill stem cells in the bone marrow, but it also destroys some normal cells, particularly those which grow and divide fast like blood cells, cells from the gastrointestinal tract and hair cells. That is why the most common side effects are low blood counts, eating and digestion problems and hair loss.
The low blood counts are expected 1 to 2 weeks after receiving the chemo treatment.