"Once you choose hope, anything's possible."

Monday, February 28, 2011

Tim's recent treatment and how he is feeling now!

Tim was admitted for chemo treatment at Torrance Memorial on Tuesday, February 22.  His treatment was delayed 13 hours but after it began everything went smoothly.  Tim was well hydrated through an IV for the entire duration of his hopsital stay.  Tim's treatment (Methotrexate) began at 9pm on Tuesday and was completed at 4am the following day.  Consequently, Tim received Leucovorin every six hours starting 24 hours after his chemo began, he received Dexamethasone and Allopurinol to prevent infection and swelling, and various other medications to help alleviate pain and nausea.  Routine tests followed: urine ph levels were checked every 4 hours during infusion of Methotrexate and every 12 hours for the duration of his hospital stay. Blood tests were done every 24 hours, and his vitals were checked every 12 hours.  The side effects Tim experienced were all the common ones: loss of energy, loss of apetite, nausea, vomitting, and hair loss.  Tim's doctors followed his progress daily and said that Tim's body was responding as expected. 
Several friends and family either called Tim on the phone or came for short visits to keep Tim's spirits up! Others sent cards, and many more kept us close through your thoughts and prayers!  The combination of all this support was greatly appreciated and helped tremendously.  Tim was released from the hospital on Sunday, February 27 and he was in great spirits!

Upon arrival we shaved the remainder of Tim's hair and he rested and enjoyed being home and seeing our girls again.  Since then, it has been all about Daddy for little Maegan! 

Tim has been eating little bits and drinking plenty.  Tim received a shot at Cancer Care today to help stimulate his bone marrow to build up his white blood cell count.  He will have follow-up blood tests and urine tests done in the next few days and will meet with his doctor on March 9th.

Tim is scheduled to receive his next chemo treatment at Cancer Care on March 15.  We will keep you posted!

Thank you to all for your prayers and support!

7 comments:

  1. Yay! Glad Tim's home....and it sounds like the hospital stay went as planned....BTW, that picture of he and Maegan is the BEST!!!! That's smile on Tim's face (and hers) says it all!!! As always, you're all in our prayers and thoughts daily! See you soon. Hugs! Carol

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  2. Wishing I could be there every day, just to hang out and watch the Dukes of Hazzard! Miss you little brother. Hopefully Don will be strong enough soon so that I can make a trip to LA.
    Love, Bethany

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  3. Sounds postive! Stay strong, Timmy! You and your beautiful family are in my daily prayers!
    Love,
    Chelsea

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  4. I admire you all. Andrea you are a VERY strong and dedicated person, you go through WHATEVER needs to be done to make things happen. Tim, even though I can only imagin how tough the treatments and all that come with it are, you always have a smile on your face..love you bro!
    Katie and Meaggie are super patient and supportive even though they are only kids. I can tell they understand what they need to do and what is happening very well, even little Meaggie!
    You all are always in my mind, heart and prayers!
    Ady.

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  5. I'm so happy Tim that everything went good. Tim remember bald guys rock!! Luv the Flores - BTW that pic is an awsome pic of u and ur lil one. :)

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  6. Glad to see that Time is home--blessings to all the Fowler Family from the Coolidges.

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  7. Hang in there Timmy. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Keep thinking Happy Thoughts.
    Pat Kilker

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