Today was supposed to be the first of 10 days of radiation therapy (RT). Erika, the research coordinator for the radiation trial, called me this afternoon to confirm everything and ask how Andrew had been feeling. I mentioned that he is bruising very easily, and I’d been worried. She said she’d chat with the medical team, then texted me a few minutes later asking us to come early to NYU for labs. While not typically required to start RT, they wanted to check his platelet count because radiation can damage bone marrow in the same way chemo can.

We got to NYU around 3pm to do labs and then headed to radiation oncology to wait for treatment to start. They were running behind and didn’t call him back until 5pm. I texted Erika to ask whether they could see his platelets results yet because I didn’t want them to start treatment without that info. She said she’d talk to the team and get an update. Soon after, the labs came back and his platelets were very low. Despite Andrew having already been back in the radiation room for 40 minutes, Erika was able to quickly confirm they had not in fact started radiation yet. That was a big relief. 

We spoke with a doctor who said they’re consulting with hematology about what to do next. It’s most likely that they’ll give some bone marrow stimulating medication and try to get him back on track early next week. Once again, there’s a big doctor group chat with lots of people weighing in. 

His cardiologist, MVP from previous hospitalizations, is on the case and will try to see him in person tomorrow. I also want Andrew to get an ultrasound on his left leg due to pain he’s had on and off since Saturday. Low platelets can make your blood too thin and clot at the same time, and we need to see if the pain is indicative of a new clot.

Andrew is taking this in stride. He was excited to be recognized today by two patient transport workers who remember him from his last hospitalization. 

My nerves are shot. The attached picture is my self portrait.