Fluid~what a difference a liter makes!

I know it has been too long since I have blogged (4 days is too long!). Things are better for Shayla at this point.

Monday we saw Dr. Stauts (prosthodontist) and he did a lot of adjusting on her obterator. It really does look like a retainer. He told Shayla that it shouldn't hurt or bother her at all, and to remove it and call should that happen. Right about 5pm she felt her gums were being rubbed, so I had to call and leave a message to get in again. Shayla and Jase went back yesterday to make more adjustments, and now it is all better. No more rubbing. The obterator helps Shayla sound like herself, eat and swallow better, and even drink from a glass or bottle without a straw!

We got her started on home-administered IV fluids (1 liter per day) which started yesterday and she got her second liter late this afternoon. She is more relaxed, yes-relaxed is a good way to describe it. Shayla seems to be more at ease today than she has been for a couple of weeks. I can now hang a bag of fluid, complete with flushing her port line with saline before and after, as well as injecting the Heparin lock to finish up the job. It should be easy to get a nursing degree once this is over!

We see Dr. Chang tomorrow for a regular check up, and the office already knows of Shayla's desire and determination to participate in the youth trek next week, so hopefully there will not need to be a lot of convincing on my part. Dr. Chang has always been supportive of the idea depending on where Shayla would be in her treatment and how she is feeling. I told the nurses this is imperative for Shayla's mental health that she be able to participate. Chemo can wait a few days, right?!

A NEW CHEST CT AND BONE SCAN DONE
Don't be concerned. These were 'routine' scans done to get a baseline to compare to now that the tumor is gone. The remaining checks (post chemo) will be compared to these new scans to watch for anything suspicious. THE GREAT NEWS IS THAT THE CT CAME BACK WITH NO SIGN OF METASTASIS! We expect the bone scan to be the same-nothing but bone!

Up Next:
Tomorrow will be a busy day. After her lab check and visit with Dr. Chang we will go to Morris Physical Therapy for work on her jaw mobility. Since the surgery, her range of motion (ability to open wide) has been limited. It is returning, but some therapy will help her learn some tricks to do at home. This will also help her get her obterator in and out easier.

Friday we will see Dr. Whitfield again (ophthalmologist) to do a Visual Field test...some test where Shayla will have to follow or point to dots on a computer screen for 15 minutes. Such fun!

Saturday---I'm sleeping in!