Jul 27, 2019 at 03:43 pm

Done with 5th Chemotherapy Cycle

Update posted by Nerissa Olson

After mama was done with the 6 laboratory tests, now including the bilirubin test last July 17, the oncologist gave us the go signal to proceed with the 5th chemo cycle for July 19. Since mama’s blood count was low, the doctor also instructed us to prepare 1 RBC unit for blood transfusion. Mama didn’t like doing another blood transfusion because it was a bit painful for her, however it was doctor’s orders that we needed to follow for her ongoing treatment.

We were the 1st to arrive in the ChemoTherapy Unit 3rd floor in Cagayan de Oro Medical III last Friday morning. The oncologist had time to check on mama’s left breast mass. According to the doctor, the mass was still attached to mama’s chest and not drying fast enough so she decided to increase the Doxetacel chemo drug from 80mg to 100mg, along with the usual Carboplatin chemo drug 450mg.

Both the increased dosage for the chemo drug and the blood pack was additional cost for this chemo cycle. Also, the new antibiotic medicines together with mama’s post-chemotherapy medicine that we bought later that day, was added expense.

While the friendly nurses prepared Mama for her chemo cycle, I walked over to the Mindanao Regional Blood Center to purchase the 1 unit of B+ blood pack. The blood transfusion was to be administered after the chemo drugs.

Thank you to Tita Rosie Uy for dropping by that day for your support as well as giving us food for lunch and a new wig for mama. We truly appreciate it.

Chemotherapy was done after lunch since it takes about 3-4 hours and it started around 9:30am. Blood transfusion took more time though since the IV line kept detaching itself 2-3 times so the nurses were constantly assisting us during this process. This was another 4 hours so we were the last ones to leave the chemo unit around 5.30pm.

Mama still had her appetite that night and on the next day. On the 2nd-3rd day after chemo, that’s when her palate changed again and she felt tired. Good thing, the immune booster was administered by the 5th day, on July 23, which helped mama regain her appetite and energy.

We continuously thank the people who have helped us so far. You are angels here on Earth. Please continue to pray for our Mama as she will have her 6th chemotherapy cycle this August 12. From there, the oncologist will determine if the best next step to take is Mastectomy or Radiation.

Attached are some pictures from her chemo and blood tranfusion day, pre and post pics as well. Mama is already wearing a wig as she lost quite a lot of her hair and decided to shave it all off.

We are still humbly asking our relatives, friends, colleagues, acquaintances, former and current students, fellow mothers, parents and teachers to help us come up with the funds we need for the next step after mama’s chemotherapy sessions. We will be grateful for your generosity in helping extend our mama’s sunshine in all of our lives. God bless.




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