Another long day at the hospital. Started around 10:00 with a "Skills Lab" where you might think they test how mad UR skillz are or something but it was mostly just getting and giving a bunch of info with the nurse. Then there was the inevitable blood draw (but! this time I had my brand new Power Port!) and then the loooong wait for the doctor appt at 1:00 and chemo scheduled for 2. Somewhere around 3:30 we got the chemo show on the freaking road. My concerns about what it was going to be like were completely eased once they walked me through it and assured me that any nausea would be minor considering the meds they were going to give me. The achiness and weakness was what I was really supposed to worry about. Always good to know you've been worried about the wrong thing!
So the chemo thing take s a while because they start the IV with some prep and then there's one round of chemo drugs followed by an hour of hydration followed by the next round of chemo and then more hydration. I was kind of tired from not getting much sleep lately and dozed most of the way through the treatment but I did wake long enough for some snacks from the "Nourishment Center" (Hello, stale saltines and juice boxes in three flavors). Watched a few minutes of bad daytime TV (and yes, I know, what is good daytime TV?) and then rolled over and went back to sleep.
Didn't leave there until about 7:00. Got home and was feeling pretty good, a little sleepy but happily not nauseated. Until...out of nowhere the wave just washed over me and luckily I was already close to the bathroom. Dry heaves (again) and then it happened (goodbye stale saltines and three kinds of juice from a box). And then I felt fine! We ordered pizza for dinner, I had 1/4 my usual portion and sat down to whip out a blog post.
Thanks again for all the comments, cards and emails (not to mention the AMAZING hand knit socks) and of course, for keeping the faith with the martinis.
David
You are amazing!! I am duly impressed that after all that today you were able to bang out a blog post...especially after tossing your saltines. I would be on the floor whimpering, in a cold sweat.
ReplyDeleteNext time, take your own snacks. I bet other people do. Not something you really like tho...you don't want to associate it with barfing!
I hope your side effects are minimal and they pass quickly. Gee, that kinda sounds like a bad Hallmark chemo card. Do they have such a thing? Remember we're always here to help: make food, feed dogs, sit on the couch and watch bad TV with you, get Dave out of the house..whatever you want.
Take care and hope to see you soon-
Love Jenny and Stan
I have some stale saltines and old juice boxes to donate the sorry ass excuse for a Nourishment Center. I hope the feeling fine continued. Lots of love.
ReplyDeleteQuestion, is the "Power Port" a super power or super ability? ;) Glad yesterday went well, with the exception of meeting stale saltines a couple of times. Lots of love being sent! xoxo.
ReplyDeletewow - could the name "skills lab" be any more inaccurately named? It sounds like they should just call it "long ass interview before the real "fun" begins!". i'm with Jenny - i can't believe you posted last night - i am confident i would have been curled up in a ball. Of course, my addiction the the BB does allow for more convenient public self-wallowing opportunities! You really are my inspiration these days and consistantly provide me with much needed perspective on what's important in life! It was so wonderful seeing you on Sunday. I've missed seeing your face on a regular basis! I'm hoping we can make it a regular date - i'm really, really good at watching bad tv and totally volunteer to be your partner in crime for that! Hey, i've got a small carry cooler (soft-sided) if you do want to bring your own "nourishment center" for you and Dave. I'm confident saltines and juice boxes will get old. Maybe some tea and non-saltine crackers? And, snacks for Dave too - he's got to eat something other than hospital food too!
ReplyDeleteRemember - whatever you need or want - you've got it! game partner who ensures you get to win (since i suck at games!), cook, house cleaner(!), dog walker, garden weed puller-upper, lawn mower, Farmer's Market veggie/fruit picker-upper, you name it - done! I hope today is a good day with limited to no dry heaves or anything else crappy. Love you bunches!!! Melis
David's, I am so sorry and angry to hear your news. You have been in my thoughts daily as I try to imagine what you are going through and dealing with. I am inspired by your blog, your candor and the apparent way you have come to grips with the situation.
ReplyDeleteI am sending positive energy your way and drinking Gilbey’s gin over ice with two blue cheese olives as an act of solidarity.
Man, I got the dry heaves a lot. Sucks, doesn't it? My experience with nausea was that it wouldn't kick in right away, but it got bad a couple of days after chemo, then fade again after a few more days. The thing that set me off was odors of any sort. I found that avoiding highly aromatic foods helped, so I ate a lot of cold items since hot foods tend to have stronger smells. Maybe that would help you.
ReplyDeleteAre you taking any anti-nausea drugs? My doctor initially prescribed Torecan, but I couldn't tolerate it, so he switched me to Ativan. The Ativan made me spacey and tired, which I didn't like so much, but it kept the nausea down.
Keep fighting and please let me know if I can do anything to make your days better. I can be available during the day on weekdays when others are at work, even if all you want is a little company or you want to watch a cheesy horror flick.
Hi David,
ReplyDeleteShame on me for not checking into why the trio of Flex’s’ in the first row of the parking lot have been absent for the last couple of weeks. I was just sent your blog link yesterday and was stunned and saddened to hear of your diagnosis. Reading your posts, I’m amazed at your strength and glad you have a strong support system to lean on.
I wish you well on your upcoming treatments and toast my next martini to you!My thoughts and prayers go out to both of you (daily).
Beth
Now that you have a 'Power Port', I think we should call you iDavid.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for keeping us posted - I feel so far away (well, probably because I am) and your updates really bridge the gap. I'm in awe at your bravery and positive attitude - truly inspirational and definitely helps me keep things in my life in perspective. I'm also feeling so grateful for what I have (including my long friendship with you!). Hang in there and stay strong (to Dave too!).
Love, Darla
p.s. since being a mom to a 2 year-old means I don't dine out as much as I'd like to, I just bought my own damn bottle of the Sapphire. I have to say, Hendrick's is actually my favorite gin in the whole wide world, but I'm willing to suck it up for you and drink the Sapphire. I need to score some bleu cheese olives, though, to make it official. ;)
Cheers to iDavid and Darla for coining a great new nickname. :-)
ReplyDelete