Happy Dance--at least a small one!

We can do a little happy dance this week.  Matthew's platelet count went up to 74 --all on its own!

  This doesn't change the fact that chemo has been discontinued.  However, we were a bit concerned that the marrow may have been permanently damaged.  So, this is excellent news.

They also had a meeting with the surgeon that will do his resection.  The doctor basically said that he wouldn't do surgery if there was still cancer present.  So, the next step is appointments at M.D. Anderson.

These were already in the works, but it has taken a while to get them all straight.  Mom has gone back and forth with them on scheduling things in the right time frame (and right order) several times.  March 22nd Matthew will have his next round of scans at M.D.A.  These (Hopefully and with lots of prayers) should show that all the cancer is gone.  He will get the results from the scans with the M.D.A. oncologist on March 23rd.  He will have a follow-up with the liver surgeon on April 2nd (he has to have several meetings a year with the surgeon).

So, in short, the prayers --and time--are working so far.  Please keep them up  They are much appreciated.

More Trouble with Platelets

Matthew got some bad news today.  The doctor has discontinued his chemo treatments.  Even after all of the "boosters" he has gotten in the last few weeks, his platelet count has dropped from 55 last week to 49 this week.  The plan was for him to receive 4 more treatments.  As of this point, we don't know what exactly this means for the long term.  We don't know how effective the last several treatments have been.  It is possible that all of the cancer is dead.  There was actually very little of concern left after the last surgery.  We probably won't know more until the next round of doctor's visits and tests at MD Anderson --appts TBD.

The doctor said that Matthew could schedule his colon resection.  However, we are unsure about the timing of that because of the low platelet count.

We are also hoping and praying that rest, without treatments or medicines, will allow his body time to recover.

.....and so we wait some more.

The Little Platelets that Can?

  So the news this week wasn't good. Matthew went last week for a platelet count.  Following what has been the normal pattern, Matthew's platelets were low (59).  So, they put him on a steroid pack, which has also been the normal pattern.  However, this week, when he went back for another count, his platelets had actually dropped to 55.  This could possibly be because he has an infection from an ingrown toenail.  He is currently taking antibiotics for this infection.  They gave him a shot to help boost his platelets, and he is expected to receive another shot next week.  His platelets haven't given up yet, but they aren't making it up that hill.  Those little platelets could sure use all the cheers they can get.


I think I can, I think I can, I think I can, I think I can, I think I can...

Round 4

I am a few days behind.  Matthew did have chemo this week.  His counts were up this week.  White and Red were with within limits.  The platelets were 79, which is still low, (goal of 100) but they will do chemo in this range.

So, he has now finished 4 rounds (out of 8)..So, he is halfway done  .I think.  I might have pregnancy brain today, so please forgive any errors.

Still Struggling

Matthew went for chemo today (3 weeks later) and his blood counts didn't make the cut.  His platelet count was 49 (100 is goal), white blood counts were low, and red blood counts were marginal.  The doctor attributes this to the chemo and trauma to the body in general.  They put him back on steroids and told him to come back next week.

In general, he is doing Ok.  He is tired a lot, but does not feel any worse than he has.  He is able to do things around the house (today he was mowing the yard and painting some old flower pots).  I know he is anxious about the time this is taking though.  

Ok...this slide show is long (like 6 minutes), but it is of all the family pictures we took during our Family Photo shoot in December--you know there are lots of us, therefore, a lot of pictures. 

Haluska Family Pictures 2011

New Schedule

Mathew did get chemo today, but it did require some hoop jumping.  When he went to the office they decided to send him to the hospital to have his platelets tested.  This allowed for a more accurate count (remember the platelet clumping throws his counts off).  His platelets were still low, but since they were in the 70's, they went ahead with the chemo.  Based on the last two rounds, they also made a decision to change to a 3 week schedule.  They said that finishing the rounds was more important than the time period, and each time it has taken at least 3 weeks for his platelet count to come up to a reasonable level.  If he can stick to this schedule, he will finish his chemo mid-April!  Three down five more to go!

Holiday Recap

The holidays have come and gone.  Our family was fortunate enough to be able to be all together for Christmas.  We had Christmas all together here in Dallas.  There were 12 people here in the house.  I don't know how my grandmother did/does it.  (She had eleven children)  Matthew (along with Mom, Dad, Jeffrey-who flew in to Houston, and Isaac) came in Thursday afternoon.  Friday, Matthew and Jeffrey took Evan, Isaac, and Claire to play Putt Putt golf.  Saturday, Matthew spent some time with the kids making a gingerbread house.  The video is a view of the finished product. The video is courtesy of Emily.You can hear and see some of the Christmas morning chaos in the background.

Monday after Christmas we got together to take family pictures, which was a gift from the kids to our parents.  (Putting everybody together in color-coordinated outfits could be a blog post of its own).  After pictures, we came back for some left-overs, and then they took Emily to the airport and headed home.  They headed home on Monday because Matthew was scheduled for chemo on Tuesday morning.  Unfortunately, his platelet counts were in the 40's again, so he was not able to get his treatment.  They gave him another steroid pack, and he will go back again tomorrow.

In other news, when Mom and Dad are able to get back to New Jersey--which will most likely be the end of next summer, they will be putting their house on the market.  My Dad has accepted a job with a new company call Sterling Smartware Solutions.  A big part of the decision to take this job was based on the ability to work from where ever he chose to live.  So, when the house sells, my parents will be relocating back to the Brazoria County area.  He is currently continuing to work as a contractor for the previous company as well. 

I will do my best to try to update tomorrow.  If you are interested in Hebert family happenings, you can check out my family blog at   katehebertfamily.blogspot.com