peebygeeby Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 Hi everybody, Just thought I'd check in and give you the latest. After a week of hospitalization for a blood clot in his lung, Hank was released today. He now has to be on Coumadin to prevent this from happening again. The doctor has also ordered oxygen, which he does not seem to need as long as he's not exerting himself in any way. The doctor does feel that after a while the oxygen hopefully will no longer be necessary. Hank is scheduled for his third chemo session on May 2nd. At this point, after comparing first CAT scans with the ones taken this week at the hospital, the doctor says that there is approximately 20% shrinkage in the tumor. The doctor thinks this is encouraging because he has only had 2 treatments at this point, and also because there was only a 30% chance that the tumor would respond to the treatment at all. So, I would say that things are looking up, and we continue to be hopeful about continued success. All the best, Gail Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muriel Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 That's good news! Thanks for letting us know Hank is out of the hospital. Muriel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shineladysue Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 Such a promising report on Hank. Happy for you both. Will be looking for even better reports to come. Sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
recce101 Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 Thanks for the update, Gail. Glad to see things are looking better now. Shrinkage already, that's great! Aloha, Ned Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SandraL Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 Hi Gail. That's great news and very encouraging progress. Good luck with the next chemo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ry Posted April 25, 2008 Share Posted April 25, 2008 There's no place like home. I'm glad he's sprung. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tnmynatt Posted April 25, 2008 Share Posted April 25, 2008 So happy for you and Hank. Things sound very encouraging. Take care. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaroleHammett Posted April 25, 2008 Share Posted April 25, 2008 Hi, Gail. Great news! Congrats to you and Hank. I, too, had a blood clot (pulmonary embolism) in my left (good) lower lobe in late March of 2007, and was placed on Lovenox (an injection that's an alternative to Coumadin) and oxygen. I am still on Lovenox, but my oxygen needs--which at one point were up to 5 liters (due to combo of pulmonary embolism and radiation pneumonitis)--are now down to one liter when active and zero liters when sleeping, sitting, walking around house, etc. I purchased my own oxymeter in order to measure my blood oxygen levels so that I could keep my supplemental needs to a minimum. The medical supply house oxymeter prices are outrageous (of course), but REI, which is a sporting goods coop, sells oxymeters for mountain climbers that run about $160.00 and a company called Devon sells them online for even less (you should be able find them by using Google). You may not feel the need to do this, but I found it very helpful--particularly last summer when I was traveling back and forth between Colorado (alt. 5800) and California (alt. 0) with my needs changing rapidly in between. Hope this helps, Carole Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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