Bad news Fridays
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The Steinhaus Family
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The Steinhaus Family
Fridays haven't been kind to us this year—bad CT results, bad news about trials, unexpected pain, all on Fridays. Today has been another tough one for Andrew. He has been so fatigued this afternoon that he can barely stand or walk. He's napped for hours and taken a stimulant, but it doesn't help. The fatigue isn't just hard on his body, but is affecting him mentally and impacts his quality of life.
The good news is that Saturdays are usually good, so I'm hopeful we can turn the corner in the morning.
Andrew was set to get chemo last Wednesday, but due to very low white blood cell and neutrophil counts (which are required to fight infection), he couldn't. The doctor prescribed a shot that stimulates bone marrow to boost those numbers. We went back on Friday to try again, and his WBC were up but somehow neutrophils were down again significantly—so no chemo then either. From last Wednesday to this Wednesday, he took a total of six shots. The side effects are fatigue and bone pain.
We went back to NYU on Wednesday and his WBC and neutrophils were through the roof, so he could get chemo. He was able to get all three chemo meds this week, though one of them was dose-reduced. The combination of getting chemo for the first time in two weeks and the shots has taken away all energy.
Andrew plans to discuss a new plan when we're back for another infusion next Wednesday. Maybe he can put a few more days between chemo doses or add a steroid for a short period in order to get an energy boost—even just enough to walk Vivian to and from school without worrying if he'll make it the two blocks to get there.
Another piece is good news is that his CA 19-9 cancer antigen lab has been trending downward. Last Friday, it hit a low of about 1,700 (down from a recent high of 47,000), suggesting the chemo is working. We'll find out in a couple more weeks what the CT shows. In the meantime, Andrew's rocking a new hairdo, which Vivian says is beautiful.
The good news is that Saturdays are usually good, so I'm hopeful we can turn the corner in the morning.
Andrew was set to get chemo last Wednesday, but due to very low white blood cell and neutrophil counts (which are required to fight infection), he couldn't. The doctor prescribed a shot that stimulates bone marrow to boost those numbers. We went back on Friday to try again, and his WBC were up but somehow neutrophils were down again significantly—so no chemo then either. From last Wednesday to this Wednesday, he took a total of six shots. The side effects are fatigue and bone pain.
We went back to NYU on Wednesday and his WBC and neutrophils were through the roof, so he could get chemo. He was able to get all three chemo meds this week, though one of them was dose-reduced. The combination of getting chemo for the first time in two weeks and the shots has taken away all energy.
Andrew plans to discuss a new plan when we're back for another infusion next Wednesday. Maybe he can put a few more days between chemo doses or add a steroid for a short period in order to get an energy boost—even just enough to walk Vivian to and from school without worrying if he'll make it the two blocks to get there.
Another piece is good news is that his CA 19-9 cancer antigen lab has been trending downward. Last Friday, it hit a low of about 1,700 (down from a recent high of 47,000), suggesting the chemo is working. We'll find out in a couple more weeks what the CT shows. In the meantime, Andrew's rocking a new hairdo, which Vivian says is beautiful.
Elyse Steinhaus
6 months ago
Comments
Teri Garner
I agree with Vivi your new look is beautiful. So in trend!!
I love you all
Deb Long
Donna Thompson
Mary McGill
Mary McGill
Chris Reynolds
Praying for abounding joy in this hard journey knowing you are loved, delighted in and held by your Heavenly Father God and so many here. Praying with you that Saturday is a much better day than Friday. Shalom dear brother.
Francesco Deluca
Chris Reynolds
Ten years ago I prayed Fredi into our 55+ complex when I moved here. 55+ is a bit of a misnomer. The median age is roughly 80, and then I was 64. So I asked the Lord to send me a friend close to my age, and if she were a New York Jew, that would be best! Within a couple of weeks Fredi moved in, and we became fast friends. I've celebrated all the Jewish holidays with her, her sister and husband since.
She always makes sure people know she's Jewish to avoid the jokes. Likewise, I always let people know right off that Jesus is the love of my life. We're New Yorkers! Why waste time! Every holiday I share how Jesus is revealed in the feasts.
My love for God's chosen began in 1956 when we moved to Riverdale, NY. As far as I know everyone was either Catholic or Jewish. We were Catholic. That fall in the grocery check out line I was changed for life by the distinguished gentleman in front of us. A word was never exchanged. I only saw his grey flannel coatsleeve rise to reveal tatooed numbers as he paid for his groceries. I asked my mother why. When we got home she showed me a Time Life book with photos from the concentration camps. I was terribly sad and prayed that if anything like that ever happened again, God would allow me to help. I have had hundreds of colleagues, friends and God bless them airline passengers seated by me on my business trips through the years that were Jewish. Because of God has put His love for them in my heart, I take each opportunity to share the glorious mystery of Jesus hidden in the Hebrew Scriptures. So ever since Dionne told me about her wonderful and dearly loved son-in-law years ago, you've been in my heart and prayers. I praise God for the privilege. You are a blessing! I hope you realize how much you are being wonderfully used by our Lord! May all the fullness of YHWH's Shalom be yours and your family's always!
Debbie Smith
Teri Garner
James 1:6 But when you ask, you must believe and have no doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
I have NO doubt. Jesus is capable and willing.
Mary Alice Cashin