The first chemo treatment seemed to pass ok. Tim started experiencing some diahhrea on Wednesday. Since he had to go in that day to have his "take home" bag removed, he thought he would ask about it then. He explained that he was taking Imodium and it wasn't really plugging him up - so they indicated they would "call-in" something stronger.
We left - I had some shopping to do - and we got home about 4. After unloading the car and resting a bit - I decided I should go into the pharmacy to pick up his "corks". I got there about 10 minutes till 5 and there was a long line at the drug counter, so I walked around the store a bit.
I went back to the pharmacy counter about 5 after 5.......can you see this one coming....? They had not received anything from the doctor's office.....and of course the office was closed....it was after 5! I called the office - and of course got the answering system - they took my info and said if I hadn't heard from the doctor in 20 minutes to call them back. I grabbed a chair and sat for 30 minutes. I gave up and decided that when I got home, Tim could just take a handful of Imodium and probably be ok till the next day when we could try again. I had ridden my scooter to the store.....and on the way home, I could hear my phone ringing in my pocket! It was the doctor (on call) finally calling back. I sat on the side of the road - trying to explain the situation....to which he finally exclaimed that a perscription had already been called in earlier that day.......Great! but the pharmacy didn't get it. So, he pushed it again (they all use computers to order drugs rather than calling) and said to go back and if they didn't have it to call him back........(how do you call a doctor on call back?) OK, so I ride back to the pharmacy - go in and ask.....and NOTHING! I called the number back the doctor had used....nothing! I left a message......nothing! I eventually sent a text message.....nothing! After another 30 or so minutes I decided to call the answering service back. They put me on hold......for another 20 minutes.....and finally the doctor answered! I told him to "hang on a sec" and handed the phone to the pharmacist! Phew! After 2 hours, I finally had a nice little bottle of the tiniest pills you have ever seen. I got home and they plugged Tim up!!!!
Starting on Thursday morning, Tim sent me a message that his tummy was upset. Now, I was on the ball for this one! I had him call into the doctor and ask for the nausea pill to be called into the pharmacy. Then, about an hour later I had Tim call the pharmacy to see if they had received the "new" request. Boy, this was working great!! Anyway, the pharmacy got it, I picked it up, Tim took it - and we all felt much better!
The next chemo treatment is set for Wednesday, Sept 3......we'll see how "slick" that one goes!!!
Friday, August 29, 2008
First Chemo - Monday Aug 18
I took Tim to the cancer center on Monday morning, Aug 18. Normally, when he checks in he goes through the lab to give some blood. Hmmm, I guess he gives blood and gets chemicals.....not sure that is a good trade-off. Since he had done blood work earlier - we just went straight to the chemo area.
They started him off with a few drips (IV bag) that help prevent nausea. His total drug session was to last around 5 hours so I left and went to work until he called that he was finished.
He is getting what is called FULFOX5 with Avestin. Each of the letters stand for a chemo drug.
The Avestin is to open up his blood cells so they will be more receptive to getting the chemo. The drug that starts with the "O" is the one that gives him the problem with anything cold. When I left he was having juice with ice. During the day the ice was taken away and when I picked him up he was drinking room temperature liquids.
He said the day passed ok. He watched as other chemo receivers came in and out getting their varied doses of the poison. One gentleman that was there when we got there comes in every 2 or 3 days and gets a 30 minute drip. Another one that came in is on a continual drip and came in for a refill. Tim met another "guy" that had stopped in to say HI to the staff. He was a big, knarly, tattooed "biker" guy. We can all picture him! Anyway, he looked at Tim after the staff filled him in on what Tim was getting, and said "Oh, been there, received everything you're getting, and now I'm fine!" Now, I wonder if Tim will turn out to be a "big, knarly, tattooed biker?" Yeah, I kind of doubt it, too! But the guy made Tim feel better about his treatments.
On the way home, Tim had his lukewarm water to drink. I stopped by McDonald's for some of their wonderful sweet iced tea. As we were driving along and chatting, Tim reached down and grabbed his drink and took a swig.....at least he thought he grabbed his own..... the next thing I knew is that he was spewing a mouthful. I thought he was upchucking! He had grabbed my iced tea and taken a drink without thinking it wasn't his. The moment the "cold" hit his tongue - he felt an immediate "burn" and he spit for all he was worth! They had cautioned against cold and said he didn't want to get it in his throat - it would burn and he wouldn't be able to swallow, etc. He said it burned like the hottest of peppers you bite into. He didn't want to risk any going down this throat - so he instinctly spit. He was fine - and learned why they cautioned him so much against anything cold. This cold sensation lasted till about Saturday.....
He brought an infusion pump home - and went back on Wednesday to have it taken off.
He goes back every two weeks for Chemo. Since Labor day comes on the next time....his next treatment will be on Wednesday, Sept 3..........
They started him off with a few drips (IV bag) that help prevent nausea. His total drug session was to last around 5 hours so I left and went to work until he called that he was finished.
He is getting what is called FULFOX5 with Avestin. Each of the letters stand for a chemo drug.
The Avestin is to open up his blood cells so they will be more receptive to getting the chemo. The drug that starts with the "O" is the one that gives him the problem with anything cold. When I left he was having juice with ice. During the day the ice was taken away and when I picked him up he was drinking room temperature liquids.
He said the day passed ok. He watched as other chemo receivers came in and out getting their varied doses of the poison. One gentleman that was there when we got there comes in every 2 or 3 days and gets a 30 minute drip. Another one that came in is on a continual drip and came in for a refill. Tim met another "guy" that had stopped in to say HI to the staff. He was a big, knarly, tattooed "biker" guy. We can all picture him! Anyway, he looked at Tim after the staff filled him in on what Tim was getting, and said "Oh, been there, received everything you're getting, and now I'm fine!" Now, I wonder if Tim will turn out to be a "big, knarly, tattooed biker?" Yeah, I kind of doubt it, too! But the guy made Tim feel better about his treatments.
On the way home, Tim had his lukewarm water to drink. I stopped by McDonald's for some of their wonderful sweet iced tea. As we were driving along and chatting, Tim reached down and grabbed his drink and took a swig.....at least he thought he grabbed his own..... the next thing I knew is that he was spewing a mouthful. I thought he was upchucking! He had grabbed my iced tea and taken a drink without thinking it wasn't his. The moment the "cold" hit his tongue - he felt an immediate "burn" and he spit for all he was worth! They had cautioned against cold and said he didn't want to get it in his throat - it would burn and he wouldn't be able to swallow, etc. He said it burned like the hottest of peppers you bite into. He didn't want to risk any going down this throat - so he instinctly spit. He was fine - and learned why they cautioned him so much against anything cold. This cold sensation lasted till about Saturday.....
He brought an infusion pump home - and went back on Wednesday to have it taken off.
He goes back every two weeks for Chemo. Since Labor day comes on the next time....his next treatment will be on Wednesday, Sept 3..........
Chemo
I didn't think I would write anymore - but then decided that perhaps this was a good way to keep track - and therapy for me!
Tim had a port put in to make it easier to receive the drugs on Aug. 11.
We went to chemo training on Friday, Aug. 15. WOW! I never really thought about chemo - except when you hear about it - you watch to see if the person you know is bald! This is scary stuff - the more the nurse talked the more I thought that if it were me -I would leave, find a cave and never go back! She has to go through all the possible side effects - but she really doesn't say they are only possibilities....she just starts in with "you will get" "you will feel" "you will experience"...... I don't know how Tim felt through all the "teaching" but I started feeling very queasy. His biggest adversions will be to cold. Once treatment starts he can't have anything cold! AND.....he will probably keep all his white, wooly hair! (I was secretly hoping it would fall out and come back in nice and dark). I figure if this chemical stuff is going to alter his body - I would at least see some some young handsome stud when it was over. Realistically, I think you are lucky if you don't end up all withered!
Tim had a port put in to make it easier to receive the drugs on Aug. 11.
We went to chemo training on Friday, Aug. 15. WOW! I never really thought about chemo - except when you hear about it - you watch to see if the person you know is bald! This is scary stuff - the more the nurse talked the more I thought that if it were me -I would leave, find a cave and never go back! She has to go through all the possible side effects - but she really doesn't say they are only possibilities....she just starts in with "you will get" "you will feel" "you will experience"...... I don't know how Tim felt through all the "teaching" but I started feeling very queasy. His biggest adversions will be to cold. Once treatment starts he can't have anything cold! AND.....he will probably keep all his white, wooly hair! (I was secretly hoping it would fall out and come back in nice and dark). I figure if this chemical stuff is going to alter his body - I would at least see some some young handsome stud when it was over. Realistically, I think you are lucky if you don't end up all withered!
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