Game Week

It has been a week  of twist and turns.  I could not determine if we were playing the game of Twister or Monopoly! Vern Lu demonstrating Twister in the  above picture. Monday (3/5) we met with the oncologist Dr. Kossman, to find out the plan. Daryl had a head CT  and it was determined that the cancer is growing quite rapidly and he has three tumors. Two that we can see and  one in his esophagus area. As a result of this rapid growth of Mr. C, the new plan of action is chemotherapy.  Dr. Kossman believes since the cancer is growing fast, chemo is very aggressive with quick-growing cancers. He would like to start sooner than later, more than likely on Monday (today). We needed two things  in the Twister world  to happen 1.  Left foot on green insurance approval (always fun)  2. right hand  on red a port put in. A port is what they put in just beneath the clavicle into a larger vein. This allows direct access for the chemo to quickly get to the blood stream. Also due to the toxic nature of the chemo, it is best not to give thru a regular IV. This was scheduled for Wednesday morning (3/7) followed by a new feeding tube placement. Hey both in the same day! Winner !

Spin the wheel or roll the dice Wednesday:

While getting ready to go to the hospital Daryl fainted and fell three times.  For those of you who have been to Casa de Lu, you are aware of the 26 steps to our house.  The joint decision was made to call an ambulance. The fire department arrive quickly, assess Daryl and then the ambulance arrived. Daryl was conscience, but still unsteady. A tip when you arrive by ambulance at the ER you get to pass GO ( the waiting room) and get to be seen quickly! It was determined Daryl had some very abnormal lab work. His calcium (normally around 6 to 8 ) was 14, his potassium (normally 3.5 or 4.0) was 2.7. . . . so let the replacements begin! I will not go into detail but for those medical folks potassium IV at 100cc/hr equals burning equals new IV. Only took three suggestions of run with another fluid or can you say add Lidocaine!   This also got Daryl admitted, passing GO again but not collecting $200 dollars

After moving to one unit and they realize his level care was more intense than they thought and was  finally  transferred to the Oncology Unit. So after an ambulance call, ER stay, admit to 4East then transfer to 1West it was time for me to call  it a day after my 15 hours! I could  go home knowing Daryl was in good hands and getting some rest!

The next few days they have been working on getting his labs back in alignment, hydration and pain control.  Thursday they did put the port in, new feeding tube and MRI. We were very thankful to have all of these done! Friday they began his tube feeding and he is doing well and no leakage! His surrounding skin is already looking better already.

Today they determined his labs were stable enough to start chemo. He is completing his first round of chemo cocktails tonight. (three different drugs, hence cocktail) We will see tomorrow how he feels. The next few days are going to be touch and go to ensure he keeps hydrated from the effects of the chemo. The chemo will be given every three weeks, to allow his body to recover between treatments.   Hopefully the next treatment will be outpatient and he will be back home soon.

I think we are really playing the “Game of Life Cancer Version”. It has been a rough few days for the Lu’s.   We need your prayers this week for strength in the new path God has chosen for us!

Love always Daryl and Charlotte