The Second Part

CONTINUED

As soon as I finished my phone calls, Kel felt it had been long enough for us to go check on my prescriptions. I was actually picking up the chemo medication I would be taking. Kel was right and the meds were ready. We took them straight to the Phase Unit and waited for the next step.

I was taken to my room. I had the privilege of getting a room all to my self. Kellie got a nice recliner chair (well sorta of nice - the back was crooked which made me laugh). The nurse told me to get comfortable so she could access my port. We found out that the blood taken earlier (out of my arm) was not correct. They had used ALL the tubes that were supposed to be taken for the whole day...not just for 5 minutes. Maybe if they bleed you out the cancer will follow?

Every nurse that looks at the port isn't sure it should be used. I tell them it doesn't hurt as bad as it looks. As soon as the needle was placed in the port, I was given instructions on taking my chemo pills. I'm to take 3 pills a day (they are not to be touched) for 7 days on, then 7 days off, 7 days on, and 7 days off to complete the 28 day cycle.

I took my pills, and then the blood draws began. The first two hours it was every 1/2 hour, then an hour in-between for two hours, and then two hours apart for four hours - hopefully this adds up to 8 hours. The first two hours are a drag because you really can't do anything. Kellie and I explored a little once we had an hour. Once we hit two hours we were out of there. We got a coffee and walked around the facility. We didn't go outside because it was still raining.

I teased Kel because she took a nap. I fibbed and told her she drooled, but I didn't exaggerate about her snoring (I can share this because she doesn't read the blog, or so she says...I guess this is one way to find out...ha,ha). As she slept nI sat and blogged, and blogged. Unfortunately 3/4th of it vanished so I'm rewriting it. I can promise you its very different primarily because I can't remember what I wrote the first time.

The first day of chemo was just long! Jim had scheduled his day in the cities near City of Hope, so as soon as he was done he headed to the hospital. Originally he thought he could give Kellie a break, but she had no desire to sit in traffic so she just stayed with us (I think she thought she would miss something - ha ha). I felt bad. Instead of two being being completely bored now we had three. As soon as the last blood drawn was taken we were packed up in a flash and out of there. It was obvious I was one of the last patients to leave (even the Valet parking was packed up). Jim was leaving straight from the hospital to head for home and I would stay at Kel's another night. As soon as we were in the car, I stuffed my head into a pillow and just cried. I had held it together all day, and I was finally able to let it out. It just doesn't seem possible that the cancer has spread through my bones so quickly. All of it doesn't seem real.

We went to my Aunt Katie's to pick up Kel's boys. Her parents only live a few blocks away and they are a great help to Kel. My Aunt had even made us dinner that we only had to heat up. Within an hour we were on our way to Kel's. Once we got home I quickly prepared for my next day of chemo. I got all my pillows positioned and settled down into the cloud (her mattress is so comfortable). I heard the clock tic about 10 times and then I was out.

I woke up around 3:00 am with terrible stomach pains. I was so glad the bathroom was close. I didn't feel too well when I went to bed and just hoped I could sleep it off - that wasn't gonna be the case. I handled the nausea part really well. But the stomach cramping was harder. When Kel woke up I asked if she had any Imodium. She didn't. What kind of a nurse doesn't have Imodium? I knew she called her mom who said she had some which I was grateful. What I didn't know was my Uncle Lee went out right at the moment and bought me some at the store and brought it over. He is a sweet man - even though he doesn't want anyone to know that.

My Aunt Kate and Uncle Lee were taking me to City of Hope for my next day of chemo. They were dropping me off because my Aunt Kate had an appointment at USC. It killed her to leave me alone until Kellie would get done with work and meet me at COH. I was a little nervous because I knew they were going to insert an IV in my right arm to administer the chemo. It never occurred to me that they couldn't use the port for the chemo and for drawing the blood. If you've been following the blog you know that my veins are gone. I wanted Kel to be there when they did this. Our timing didn't work and she missed it by about 10 minutes. When I called to tell her they were ready for the IV she said she was in the parking lot. They ended up putting the IV in my hand. It hurt so bad. I'm fortunate enough that this IV only lasted a little over 2 hours. Half was for pre-meds and the other for the chemo.

Once the chemo started, they had me take my chemo pills, and then the 8 hour blood draws began. This time when I got to my longer breaks we took a walk outside in the fresh air. It was a beautiful day. We even went and checked out the koi ponds. The gardens will be beautiful once spring comes. In the afternoon we watched a movie...well sort of. Half way through it I went to hit pause but hit menu which caused it to start all over again. We decided to start another movie (well one of us did). I'm not allowed to handle the remote again. Smile.

Day two of chemo was completed. We had to stop at a drugstore and get a few recommendations from the wound nurse. They are treating my wound completely differently. So far so good. We will see how the wound does with the chemo.

On Wednesday my Aunt Katie took me to get my blood draw at COH. It takes longer to get there and back than it takes for the procedure. I had an extra special treat that my cousin Brett was in town from his home in Alaska (on his was to Tahiti - it was hard to get excited for him, but we just had to). Instead of heading home Wednesday I rested up at my aunts, then went and watched the boys try out for baseball. Jim, Matt and Katie came up and then we all went to a Mexican restaurant together. Everyone should do something fun in the middle of the week (especially if you are going through chemo). I love spending time with family - it's just one of my favorite things to do, spending time with friends is my second.

On Thursday, Karen took me for my blood draw at COH. We decided to get something to eat afterwards. We realized that if my counts begin to drop I won't be able to eat out much longer.

Friday, Matthew took me out to COH and braved the strong winds. I always thoroughly enjoy his company. He has become an amazing young man and I am so proud.

I was told to go home and rest...well I did one thing as instructed, and rest wasn't one of them. Jim's parents 50th Anniversary celebration was finally here. We took pictures, laughed, ate, and shared stories. That was just Saturday night. Sunday there was an open house with more friends. On Sunday I found a comfortable place to sit and keep my arm up. I made it clear I might close my eyes and rest.

Today, I tried to just rest and then packed up for Kel's. Our friend Sheryl even treated us by making us dinner.

So...I'm laying were I would have wanted to have first started off...in Kellie's guest bed - not in the hospital bed. That's for tomorrow.

Tomorrow is a new day of treatment. I thank you for your continued prayers and support. Our whole family does.

Goodnight...until the next addition.