Dan got his blood rechecked, a shot to boost his red blood cell production, met with the lapatinib study PI, and got an EKG. Then his visiting nurse came by. More pre-study tests tomorrow.

Dan had a slightly difficult morning but was comfortable by mid-day, and slept most of the afternoon & into early evening. Big day tomorrow.

the Sunday Raleigh paper had a front-page story on a woman suffering from a migraine who overdosed on a cancer patient friend’s fentanyl lollipop, and died. very sad all around.

Dan’s home and doing well with his portable PCA pump. Looking forward to a quiet, restful night.

We’re on the brink of leaving for home, finally, with Dan’s new personal PCA.

Dan had a good breakfast today and is dozing now. He’s done pretty well with his pain meds, but gets set back every time his pump gets empty - it seems to take 30-45 min before it’s refilled, and the pain starts to get ahead of him again then. Hopefully this won’t be a problem with his take-home supply.

Dan made it through most of today at his base dilaudid dose, but after a longer nap, he awoke in increasing pain. The doc promptly boosted his base and demand doses, and Dan’s pain is slowly easing up. Still on target for Dan to be able to come home Saturday.

A new drug that inhibits blood vessel growth to tumors has been approved for stomach and kidney cancer. Story says it might be applicable to lung cancer:

On his new base dilaudid dose of 8mg/hr, Dan’s pain level has stabilized at a steady 2-3 with occasional spikes to 5-6. He’s been much more comfortable today and has been able to sleep, using his button only for the spike pains. Steps are underway to get Dan a CADD pump to go home with tomorrow (Saturday) or Sunday. His weight has levelled off, and he’s slowly becoming less loopy.

Dan’s pain is coming back under control; he’s actually getting a bit loopy (’kazooed’) again for the first time during this hospital stay. New target for going home is Saturday morning.