Tuesday, November 8, 2011

November 8th

Tia's counts are still not coming up.  While they usually hit their nadir (decent scrabble word) 14 days after chemo (today), the fact that they are not moving is slightly troubling. Therefore she is starting an IV treatment of immonuglobulin G (IVIG)
 
IVIG is given as a plasma protein replacement therapy for immune deficient patients who have decreased or abolished  antibody production capabilities, i.e., Tia. The IVIG is administered to maintain adequate antibody levels to prevent infections; therefore it confers a passive immunity. The treatment can be given every 3–4 weeks.
 
This is a tricky transfusion as there could be a number of adverse reactions. The most frequent reactions are fever, chills, pruritus (severe itching - an excellent scrabble word), or urticaria (basically hives, but another good scrabble word). These can usually be managed by reducing the dosage and spreading the IV over a longer period of time.
 
We are hopeful that with the IVIG and the passage of time since the last chemo, that Tia's counts will come back up by the weekend and she can come home.  If that is the case, she will have next week "off" and then hopefully begin the second round of chemo the week of the 21st. If you are in town during the thanksgiving week and can visit and/or stay over, please let me know.
 
Thanks and we will keep you posted.
 
Jess, Tia and the girls
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6 comments:

  1. AnonymousNovember 8, 2011 at 11:34 PM

    hi tia,

    i think you need to shop more to get your blood pressure as well as jess's.
    we are praying and thinking of you. i think many people have yahoo accounts so hard to post comment. i am trying again right now.
    xoxoxo
    carrie and michael

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousNovember 8, 2011 at 11:36 PM

    i meant to say your blood pressure "up"
    jess, you must be playing a lot of scrabble.
    you can start entering tournaments.
    glad this worked finally using my aim account. it was
    challenging for a non techie like me.

    ReplyDelete
  3. RoyanaNovember 9, 2011 at 8:44 AM

    Hi, Tia -

    We're all thinking of you and sending our love. And frankly, the sooner your numbers come up, the sooner Jess can stop bragging about all the fancy words he knows!

    Love, Roy, Noel, David and Chuck

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousNovember 9, 2011 at 2:53 PM

    Tia-
    We are thinking of you and are hopeful that you will have great test results and be home from the hospital very soon.
    Keep your spirits up.
    Love,
    Rusty and Karen

    PS- Do not play Scrabble with Jess. Especially if he wants to play you for money.

    ReplyDelete
  5. BetsyNovember 9, 2011 at 5:01 PM

    Hi Tia,

    I wanted to call you last weekend but thought you might be too busy or tired in the ICU to talk about sofas! I like the blue too, now we have to pick a style.
    I am thinking about you and praying for more antibodies!
    xxoo,
    Betsy

    ReplyDelete
  6. Claudia - Kate and Sara's mommyNovember 9, 2011 at 11:27 PM

    hi Tia, We're praying for you and sending you positive thoughts, positive energy, and lots of LOVE! :)

    Kate is enjoying kindergarten so far and her class is getting ready for their thanksgiving play next week. Her line is "M is for Mayflower." She repeats it all the time like it is the most important thing in the world! :)

    I love funny and cheesy movies too- have you seen "Just Friends" with Ryan Reynolds? And "The Proposal" with Sandra Bullock? They are both HILARIOUS! I find myself in stitches watching them.

    We're thinking of you Tia! Love, Claudia Wang

    ReplyDelete

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