A Week

A week ago today Rassie started the Gleevec. So far, no major side effects. It is causing a few mouth sores but the doctor prescribed a mouth wash that is helping with those. Rassie's Fellow, Dr. O had her baby this past week. Congrats to her! Rassie went in for labs on Wednesday. His WBC* is back up to 28k. They seem to think it is his body adjusting to the Gleevec and will be under control soon. They will continue to monitor his counts on a weekly basis. Once they feel comfortable they will move labs to every 2 weeks. Rassie's next oncology appointment is not until January 25th because of Dr. O having her baby 3 weeks early and the staff was unprepared. But K, the case worker is working on getting an appointment sooner than that. Most likely Rassie will continue to be seen by Dr. W. He is the staff doctor over Dr. O.

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Rassie had a follow up with ETS on Wednesday morning due to the absesses he received from the damaged tissue. I have been cleaning and dressing them daily. They look great and no longer need anything but a daily cleaning (so bathtime) and a bandage if Rassie feels necessary.

Today, Friday morning, Rassie had a follow-up with his primary doctor. Anytime there is a hospital stay you're supposed to follow-up with you're primary. He let her know everything that is going on here and all of his concerns. Because of the newer numbness in his left leg, the burning feeling he gets in his right shoulder and his left arm going in and out on him, she is having more MRI's and CT scans schedules. Rassie's injury happened so fast. He says he remembers getting hit twice with a cable but everyone's focus has been on the lower hit because that is where the swelling and hematoma are. Not to mention he only had loss of feeling in the lower part of his body. Since later symptoms are starting to appear Dr. R wants new tests so they can look at the upper body. Hopefully that will shed some light on things.

Physical therapy came twice this week. We missed today because Rassie was at an appointment and that was the only time PT could come so she had to reschedule for next week. I would like to say Rassie is making progress but it's a slow process. The upper right leg is getting stronger and moving it is becoming less painful. The lower half of the leg really hasn't made any improvement. The left leg is still completely numb. I do have hope because of the movement while sleeping though. Something is going on! We helped Rassie to stand at the kitchen sink this week. Last week he had a fall with the walker. His legs buckled and there was no where to go but down. The kitchen sink seemed safer this week that way we could help lock his knees and keep them from buckling. Tuesday went well but Wednesday was a new story. We're not sure if his ankle turned or what happened but somehow his foot slid back under his chair and once again he went down. Don't worry, he didn't just crash. The PT assistant and I are always helping during these workouts. The PT assistant decided no more standing for the time being. We see Dr. F, the rehabilitation doctor again on the 9th and we are still waiting on a scheduled nuerology appointment.

Sorry this was such a long update. Just wanted to try and get everything in. I hope all are doing well.

God Bless