This week's update

It seems to be my norm these days to only get around to blogging once a week. So here is my weekly catch-up:

Chemo - session 4:

     It was time for celebration before my next infusion. It was veterans day and time for some of us veterans in the family to make our way to our annual Veteran's Day night out to get our free dinner at

Airman Leadership School, 1993

Applebee's. This year it was myself, my uncle Jimmy, our friend Joe, my mom, my hubby, and my aunt Sylvia. We got in right away and had a wonderful dinner. I stayed away from the beef because it upsets the stomach when getting chemo infusions. I had a chicken dish. We had a great time. Thank you to all those who have served.
     Thursday came around pretty quickly last week. I seem to be keeping up with a trend of having the best of intentions of getting to sleep early on Wednesday nights in order to be prepared with plenty of sleep for Thursdays. I knew that I was either going to have a very long day with having my infusions all day, or I was going to show up and the doctor would be there waiting for me only to give me the news that I wasn't going to give me my last infusion.
     I got there on time and pulled my ticket for my blood work. Number 10! Dang! I was hoping it would go by quickly though. Then I checked in at the chemotherapy clinic. Despite having a higher number for my bloodwork, it went pretty quickly since there were 2 techs drawing blood. I got through the morning process and was on pins and needles until my name was called. I went back and sat in my

usual chair and waited. I had breakfast and waited and waited. My table sat with all the prep stuff on it and I waited more. I kept staring at the blanket and thinking "I could be sleeping by now." and "I wish they could go throw that in the microwave and drape it over me like they do in the ER!"

     9:30 a.m. rolled along and I was still sitting there staring at my table. Everyone else was getting their infusions and I was staring at them. The nurse kept coming over and telling me that they had not heard from the doctor and it should be any time. She was on vacation the last 3 days and she would be in soon. Mavis said that she usually rolls in at 9:30 a.m. and that it would be any time. Then eventually 11:30 came by and still no word. I was getting very angry at that time. What irresponsible doctor leaves their patient hanging like this. I eventually find out that the doctor is on her way and had some troubles that were delaying her but the reason I did not get started was because she wanted to talk to me as soon as she got there. Uh Oh! I guess I will be coming home early. I guess I will be switching treatments and I knew that meant on one thing...the dreaded IVIG infusions.

     I dreaded my doctor telling me I had to switch to IVIG. I have heard so many different stories about the IVIG treatments and its horrible side affects. I guess I would find out soon when Dr. Mosley got in. While waiting, I struct up a conversation with the guy in the chair next to me. He was getting IVIG for some rare neurological disease that I do not remember what the name of it was. He said he had no side affects and had bee coming in monthly for his infusions for 6 years. I was glad to find one person who was pleased with the treatment. I chatted with him for quite some time. Right toward the end of the conversation, Mavis comes up to me to let me know that she does not see at this time that I would be getting my infusions because it was getting close to noon and if we started my infusions now, it would be midnight before I got done. Here come the tears. Frustrated.

FINALLY!

     In walks Dr. Mosely just before noon! It's about time! She immediately apologized for her tardiness and started telling be about the infusion and the plan for the day and was asking how I felt. I told her that I was feeling like I would not reject the chemo again because I felt that had I had last week's chemo sooner that 3 hours after starting the pre-meds, I would not have rejected it. She agreed, but said that today we would only do a half dose of 320 Mg and I would come back next week (which is actually tomorrow) for the remainder. Ah! Just was I was waiting to hear.

Mavis immediately started my IV line and got my pre-meds flowing. She used the vein just about the one she used last week. I was impressed! She wasn't a vein meanie this time and I was without pain as she prepared me. soon after, the usual drowsiness rolled around and I started my chemo drip. My

Hubby, right there with me as I lay there a little loopy!

Mavis, My nurse

patient husband chatted on the phone with his friend and edited some pictures on his laptop. He is ALWAYS there for me. No Matter What!!! Even when I am loopy and demanding, there he is with a smile on his face! As time went by, I was having the usual throat scratchiness that I get when I started to reject and Mavis did her usual "stop the drip and call the doctor" routine. I get more pre-meds and she gets me flowing again. She is a funny nurse. I

Watching Funny videos while getting my infusion

My infusion setup

wouldn't have it any other way! She talks to herself so she is on her toes with what she needs to do and often comes over to chat stories with me about her daily dealings as a nurse. I think if I had any other nurse, I wouldn't have my days got the way they do. She is fun. I asked her once if I could get a picture with her and she said that it was against policy and she would have had to sign a release, but I snuck one anyway. I just snapped a small one when she wasn't looking. Gotta love smart phones. ;)

Eventually, the day finished up and I was done at 5:30. I felt ok, but felt that if I had any more of the chemo, I would have exploded. Mavis told me that ANY kind of sign of rejection or illness would require a trip to the ER! I was most vulnerable now for a while. Mike took me home and I rested the rest of the evening.


Am I sick? First trip to ER

Well, she warned me! Any hint of illness and I had to go in. I helped a friend on Friday morning and for the most part felt pretty good. I woke up in the morning with a stuffy nose, but felt pretty good. As they day went by, I started to feel like  had a sore throat and like I was getting sick. Just after lunch time, I started to not feel good and felt a tad bit flu-ish. My throat felt like I was coming down with something. I made the dreaded phone call to the nurse and she said to head to the ER immediately.

On my Friday night, I didn't want to spend it in the ER, but Mike and I took the trek downtown. They took me in and gave me a private room of my own so that I did not get exposed to any germs because of my weak immune system. They checked me over and felt that I was a little bit dehydrated and
should get an IV while being checked over. They had it wide open for my drip. I videotaped it because to was quite interesting how that much fluid could be flowing that fast into me. Eventually, they decided that I had a little post nasal drip and I was just fine. I went home feeling OK and took some pseudophed for my nose. It made me a little sleepy, so I went to bed.

More signs the treatment may be working

I laid around a lot throughout the weekend. I had periods of fatigue and more periods of super-sized energy. Yes, I found myself popping out of bed quicker and getting off the couch faster. This week, I was able to show my husband that I was able to do a couple squats without trouble. I am not sure if this means the chemotherapy is working, but it give me a little bit of hope and I need that the most.

So not, I prepare for my last infusion for this round and am told that it could be as long as a year before I will need it again...if I respond this time. If I do not, then I have to endure other treatment options. Time will tell.
   
More blogging

I am still working on a blog about educating family and friends. I want to make sure that I have everything I need without offending anyone.  almost have it all together. stay tuned.