This afternoon Dad went to Moffitt Cancer Center at International Plaza (MIP) for his series of appointments. MIP is much closer to their condo. We prefer this location for its proximity when Mom is driving. Prior to Dad’s cancer, Mom had essentially stopped driving, allowing Dad to drive her around town as she needed. These days Mom finds herself driving a fair amount in a city that is somewhat new and unfamiliar. Mom would rather be home driving in her small, beach resort town in the Florida panhandle. In Tampa, she avoids highways, interstates and nighttime driving.
Recall from a prior post that the the doctors use 7.0 as the target hemoglobin value to determine whether or not Dad needs a blood transfusion to increase his red blood cells. The good news today is that Dad’s hemoglobin level has increased to 8.4. Thus, no blood transfusion for Dad today! His platelet count was 31, which is nearly the same as last week’s 32. Dad’s white blood cell count is lower than desired. Dr. Sokol, malignant hemotology, has prescribed Neopogen shots, starting today, 1 per day through Thursday. The last round of Neopogen shots, a month ago, had no effect on raising Dad’s white blood cell count. Let’s see if Dad responds better this round.
While at MIP today, Dad met with the pharmacist, who explained Dad’s upcoming brentuximab vedotin treatment plan as prescribed by Dr. Sokol. Brentuximab vedotin will be used as a treatment for Dad’s large cell transformation and Sézary syndrome. Assuming Dad meets the blood count criteria on Friday, he will receive one 30 minute brentuximab vedotin infusion. Infusions would normally be given every 21 days. Yet, Dr. Ayala, transplant, does not want Dad to receive a second infusion until after the stem cell transplant.
Dad also kicked off the new year with his second radiation therapy today. His first round of radiation was this past summer and was mostly limited to total skin electron beam (TSEB) therapy. Dad was examined by Dr. Montejo, who was surprised at the fast growing tumor between Dad’s forehead and left ear. In fact, I don’t recall seeing this tumor on Friday. Mom is now bandaging a few areas on Dad’s head since some of the tumors have opened and are either weeping or scabbing. Dad is having trouble sleeping due to the large painful tumors on his head. It is difficult for him to find a comfortable position to rest his head on his pillow. Today’s radiation tackled four spots: (1) back of his head; (2) directly above his left ear; (3) right side of his head between his right cheek and right ear; (4) lower spine (internal tumor). Dad continues radiation tomorrow. His next checkpoint with Dr. Montejo is Thursday.
Dad’s new Moffitt blanket to keep him warm.
Mom and Dad ran into their favorite infusion nurse, Ann, today at MIP. She provided them with a Moffitt holiday gift, which included a new Moffitt blanket. It came in handy since Dad was cold all day today at MIP.
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