2-18-10 9:40pm

Today we flew home from L.A. via Phoenix. Liz took her clinical trial meds at 8am then vomited 40 min later when I helped her get dressed. I estimate about half or a bit more of the meds stayed down. Other than that she didn't vomit, but only tried sips of clear liquids, including sprite, some snapple juices and water. She just started taking the study drugs for this evening. Her morphine has helped with pain but makes her very sleepy and causes difficulty focusing eyes or thoughts at times. She also noticed sensitivity to light and sounds. Today she also had 5mg oxycodone a few times for pain with traveling on roads and in planes. She seems very glad to be home.

I am very encouraged that she could keep liquids down today, even a minimal amount. We are hoping the study drugs will stay down more easily tonight and from now on. I sleep with her in my bed so I can respond quickly if she needs meds or liquids or just comforting.

Brad, et al: As I understood Dr Ribas' info about PTN (IV nutrition): Liz is unable to eat food right now because of the cancer metastasis. Her liver and spleen are under attack and stressed by the cancer in them, so they are less able to help break down food. Forcing IV nutrients into her will just overload them more and cause more stress on digestive process organs. He said we need to treat the cause of the inability to eat, which is the cancer, using the study drugs, rather than trying to get food down that will just overwork those organs. As long as she keeps hydrated and can keep most of the drugs down she will improve and become able to eat. (There was more to it than that, but that was the gist of it.) We will keep a very close eye on her, as Brad said to Dr Grossmann.

2-19-10, 10am

She kept all the meds down last night. I got her in bed by 1030 and settled by 11. She stayed propped up on pillows as that has helped her sleep better these past several days. She woke at 2 am and we adjusted heat and support. Woke again about 6 to tell me I was talking in my sleep. :) Up to bathroom at 8:30 and did swish and spit med for thrush. Then started taking study drugs (slowly, a few minutes apart) at 9. No problems yet with nausea as she has kept still too.

11:30 am

Her pills have stayed down, and Liz has started to drink juice. She revels in sweet flavors after only water for so long. There is joy in the simple pleasures. :)

Tracy