Leukemia - How is Jemma? - Day 239

The first time Jemma received the chemo drug cyclophosphamide it took her blood almost six weeks to recover enough to continue with her therapy. Before her blood completely crashed she received six doses of the Alexan chemo shots she required four out of seven days and was hospitalized for a fever. After that she felt pretty good, but her blood took a long time to rebuild itself. During the recovery period she received five blood transfusions.

The second time she received cyclophosphamide it took her three weeks to recover and she received one blood transfusion.

Jemma's therapy is still on hold. She received cyclophosphamide thirteen days ago and her blood values are currently very low.

Hemoglobin = 7.7
Thrombocytes (Platelets) = 29,000
Leukocytes = 600
Neutraphils = .2

We are supposed to return to the hospital on Wednesday for another blood check. In the mean time we are watching her for fevers, bloody noses and for other signs and symptoms that indicate the blood levels have fallen too low............ we are trying not to worry which is really difficult for me right now.

Before her blood crashed there was a big fasching show. Since my other daughter danced and her aunt is in town we went. Everyone wore costumes, ate, drank, sang, danced and watched the show. Jemma was sad that she couldn't go.

I was sad that she couldn't go too, but we had fun.

The chicken dance was definitely our favorite. Although we couldn't understand much of what the lady on the right said, she looked very entertaining. Fasching Dienstag, which is otherwise known as Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday is tomorrow. It brings an end to the fasching season with a huge parade. With the end of the season comes a break from dancing. I'm hoping Jemma will finish the majority of her therapy during the break and be able to join the group when they begin practicing again.