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..........
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