24 Hour Meth Binge

The Herrington team on the CHOP walk

Harry returned to Room 423 on Friday.  First on the schedule: a lumbar puncture.  Last month, we watched "This is Spinal Tap," and Harry was disappointed that the movie wasn't a mockumentary of what goes on in the procedure room.  Returning to Harry's tap, he has really hates the procedure. Not so much because of the pain, but because of the anesthesia.  He feels sick for hours afterwards.  So this time, he decided to forego the anesthesia.  Something only for Clint Eastwood, Harrison Ford and 1940's Cowboys (movie cowboys, that is, John Wayne - not of the Dallas variety.  This is a "pro-Eagles" but "accepting of the Giants to avoid a divorce" blog.)  But Harry did it.  It was a major psychological victory.  He took charge and overcame the pain.


Normal                   Harry 6/18    7/21   7/23    8/1      8/11   8/18    8/29     9/11   9/26
Hemoglobin  12-16      14.1           8.7     7.4     7.3       10.6     8.9      6.9       9.8    11.7
Platelets 150-350        235             89       65      370      309     169     40         362    369
WBC  5000-10000     8750           2006   100    640      3390   1930    1850    2580  6940
ANC. Above 1500.                      1150    270       50     1620    880     1210     1148  4990

The twenty-four hour methotrexate drip started at 5 pm on Friday and was completed by Saturday night.  The methotrexate is administered over 24 hours at high doses and then Harry needs to be in the hospital to be massively hydrated and clear back to normal.  The toxicity of "being on Meth" as Harry puts it, presents problems for the liver and kidneys, and has other fun side effects, like painful mouth sores, so it is monitored carefully inpatient.

Shabbat Shuva dinner was provided by Pamela Auerbach with a Persian feast.  Shabbat visitors included JPDS buds Jacob & Harris who moved a basketball court into Harry's room for a game.  But Harry had to watch from the benches (or on Shabbat - the benchers).  A new development, knee pain, developed prior to this hospitalization: X-rays show no tumors or inflammation from AS, but the reoccurring pain has limited Harry's mobility.  It was also great to see Diana Beinart, down from NY, whom we miss dearly and wish she'd move back.  Even if it means rejoining the Obama administration!

Sunday brunch was hosted in room 423 with August, Ben & Casey stopping in for bagels.

OK, Harry STOP playing doctor

Jordan, Miles, Sam & Zach met up for later for 'studying'.  

Meanwhile Ned & the Schafer-Herrington crew were up in Philly for the annual CHoP Run/Walk - their largest cancer research fundraiser.  Thanks for walking for Harry!!!!