Update August 29

The doctor does not think that Carolin will be in the hospital over the Christmas holidays. It just seems that way.

- they haven't been agressive against the diarrehea because they were worried about the hole in her bowel. That treatment would have made things there worse. So far Carolin still doesn't show any symptoms that would make them want to operate.
- the weakness is now thought to be from the steroids, not the xeloda as originially reported. I had thought it was because she's only now starting to eat after 10 days. They've cut the steroid dose in half again.
- they're going to give her insides a rest from xeloda (her last type of chemo). Instead they are going to try an older, better tolerated chemo to keep things in check until her insides heal up. In a few months they will go back to a reduced dose of xeloda because it does seem to work for her liver.
- her hands are going to peel. (they don't look too good as it is). Feet are OK.
- she's taking 5 pills to replace all the potassium she's lost. More pills.

She's quite weak and needs help walking and getting up from chairs. The runs to the bathroom are getting less rushed but are still more regular than she would like. Today she's unhooked from all the intravenouses to prove she can go without them. We're hoping to get her out of the hospital tomorrow.

Sandy