Day 14, Chemo Round 5 :: Open Those Eyes!

Sunglasses Galore!
Once a fashion statement,
now a medical necessity
to keep out some of the extra
light entering Jade's eyes. 

So, false alarm.  It wasn't chemical conjunctivitis... it's corneal abrasions on the surfaces of both eyes.  That's why Jade has been keeping her eyes shut for four days now.  The scratches themselves hurt, but they also let too much light enter the eye, which can also be uncomfortable. An opthamologist examined Jade this weekend (after dropping an anesthetic and dye into her eyes) and discovered the scrapes.  The eye drops were discontinued (no more applications every two hours) and replaced with an antibiotic ointment that's applied to the inner eyelids three times a day with pain medication as needed.  Typically, they would patch the eyes, but since Jade has been keeping them sealed herself and we keep the lights dim in her room or sunglasses on her, no patch is needed.


The scrapes usually resolve within 3-7 days, so we're hopeful that the abrasions and photophobia will all be behind us before the end of the week. Jade still isn't opening her eyes, but she's in much better spirits and, after sleeping away most of the weekend, was up to some of her old tricks today. In fact, her stubbornness and refusal to hold my hand whilst we walked the halls won out a few times today, ultimately resulting in her walking into a couple of walls. Not to worry though, no harm was done.  Visits from the art therapist, music therapist, Ms. Jill (with yummy veggie lasagna and zucchini bread),and Grandma helped lift her spirits (and appetite) even more!  

Today's Counts:
White Blood Cells: 0.16
Hemoglobin: 8.8
Platelets: 102
ANC: 50

Thanks for keeping Jade in your thoughts and prayers.