White Blood Cell Plan

Tuesday Doctor Plan:

We are so glad we came to Hoag! At 9am, Dr. Carroll, the Oncologist, and Dr. Nguyen, the Palliative Doctor (pain doctor) came basically at the same time. I called Dr. Nguyen yesterday morning when we couldn't sleep because of pain. ER called him last night and told him Brace was here. Dr. Carroll was the doctor that said we should come to the hospital.

Here's the treatment plan:

• Constant antibiotics in the IV
• Starting him on a a GCSF to build white blood cells through his IV.


Dr. Carroll is not concerned that his red blood cell count is low. He thinks that will resolve on its own He thinks when you put that much fluid in someone they pee everything out.
Dr. Carroll repeated that getting through treatment is going to be gnarly until we finish radiation.
Dr. Nguyen is increasing his pain patch and his Gabapentin to alleviate his pain. He says he can't really distinguish dreams from reality. As Princess Bride says, "Rest well and dream of large women."
They are marking a new mask at radiation after the CAT scan Monday (yesterday) so maybe they will decide to do less? One can only hope....
Dietician is bringing three meals of soft food so he can entertain his mouth with a bite of something each meal.
I brought my g-tube pump so while they are getting everything settled he doesn't have to starve. :)
I gave him meds the whole time in ER so he wouldn't be in pain. (that is against the rules) Now that we are admitted, they have everything settled.

Happy Note: Other than the most terrible cot that I slept on from 3am -7am, I am thrilled to be in the hospital right now. They are handling complicated issues that I don't want to be responsible for AND we got to be at our family party before this all went down. We are fine with being here at Christmas. Wishing you a Merry Christmas with you and yours.