karenulijohn

During the night, while I was lying awake, I kept thinking about our planned visit in San Mateo beginning today.  I worried about Harvey’s low white blood count and the admonition from the nurses to be careful being around too many people who might have colds or flu because Harvey is very susceptible to illness.  I remembered that our granddaughter, Claire is a counselor at a Galileo Day Camp, working with four year olds.  These little ankle biters can often carry very virulent germs, and I was afraid Claire could transmit something unknowingly.  Add to that, staying overnight in a hotel room, particularly after watching the Rossen Report revealing what a well known bacteria expert found when investigating five large hotel chains, was taking a big chance.  It wasn’t pretty!

I needn’t have worried because this morning, Harvey manifested the exact same symptoms that he had last Sunday.  We were a little puzzled because we had attributed them to the Neupogen injections.  In fact, when we referred to the Cancer Treatment Manual, the number three most common side effect of Taxol is weakness and flu like symptoms along with extreme fatigue, the onset of which occurs some three to four days after the infusion.  Bingo!  After checking with the on call doctor, Harvey took a couple of Tylenol which relieved the aching in his joints.  He was able to eat a little bit, which actually made him feel better too, but he really does not have much of an appetite.  I am hoping to tempt him a little later with a big slice of Lemon Cake and ice cream.

Kudos to the Hilton Garden Inn in San Mateo for forgiving the late cancellation fee.  I explained our situation in an email to the Front Desk Manager, and a very nice young lady, Rachel, called me to let me know that the charge had been reversed.  I had explained that we always stayed with them when we visited our grandchildren, and I hoped that they would be able to give us some relief.  A big “Thank You” to Mr. Gutierrez.

It goes without saying, really, that we were heartbroken at not being able to see our “kids,” but we know we did the right thing to cancel.  Dawn said that she would work out a way to come to Lincoln to visit with us a few times until Harvey’s treatment is completed, and he is feeling better.  We are hoping for a better day tomorrow.