Lisa's blood tests taken yesterday just before we met with the oncologist showed that is generally "tolerating" the chemo well, including kidney function which is a concern with this chemo combination, despite the side effects she has been experiencing.  The only significantly out-of-whack component in the blood test results was Lisa's magnesium level, which wasn't just low, but "physician-alert low" according to the report (the first time we've seen that notation on any blood test component in Lisa's previous reports).  Many chemo drugs, especially platinum-based ones, are known to deplete various minerals within the body and blood, including magnesium.  Low magnesium can result in muscle weakness and an irregular heartbeat.  With past chemo treatments, Lisa has been able to bring up her magnesium by increasing certain foods, particularly bananas, brown rice, and dark chocolate(!), but this is so low that she'll also have to take some prescribed magnesium pills.

With Lisa starting to feel better each day after Saturday's "post-chemo crash" and the fact that her pain level in her chest is lower (it's actually usually now more of a "discomfort" than "pain"), the doctor said he is "somewhat optimistic, but we'll have to wait and see how it goes from here."