preliminary tests and first cycle

Thursday, May 5th - Since chemotherapy can cause hearing loss and affect kidney functions, Carson had to start off by doing a Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) test, which is a blood test that checks how well his kidneys are working. For this GFR, they drew blood every hour for 4 hours. He also had to do an audiology test, and his hearing is currently normal, which is great news.

Friday, May 6th - (Day 1 of chemo) Carson had his Broviac installed. A Broviac central venous line (CVL) is a special intravenous (IV) line inserted under the skin on the chest wall and into a large vein that leads to the heart.

After the surgery, he was admitted to 4 North to start chemo. I included his chemo plan for those of you who are interested in knowing more. Day 1 was surprisingly great, with no issues at all.  He was drinking and eating fine with no chemo side effects yet...

 

Saturday, May 7th - (Day 2) He is feeling pretty good, but he has totally lost his appetite already and doesn't want to drink or take his meds. 

May 8th - (Day 3) Things get worse. He was still very nauseous and kept vommitting and also had diarrhea off and on all day long. He's still not eating or drinking. He's tired but still has enough energy to play Legos and Nintendo Switch.

May 9th - (Day 4) After receiving an injection in his arm to boost his white blood cells, we were now able to go home. He's still not eating or drinking very much but heading home anyways because this is common to feel like this.

May 10th - He's not feeling well today. The oncologist explained that it was a normal way to feel 2-3 days after the last day of chemo. He's been sleeping or resting most of the day. He's finally drinking a bit now, but he's still unfortunately not eating anything because he's afraid of vomiting. Baby steps, he'll come around soon.