May 22-26 & 27
I didn’t post anything from the 22nd through the 26th because there was nothing unusual to share. It was a time of rest for Doug as the team waited for his white count to drop. On Memorial Day we did drive to a farmers market. Whoopee!
Today, May 27, is a day we’ve been both excited about and dreading. We've been excited because today is the beginning of the end of this particular chapter in our lives; dreading because the words heavy dose of chemotherapy (as compared to a standard dose) made our imaginations go back over all the after math of every other IV chemo Doug has endured previously. Neither of us slept well last night.
The chemo nurse caring for Doug today is one of our favorites. We were in a private room with a window looking out on what turned out to be a stormy day. A large bag of general fluids and anti-nausea meds were started at 9 a.m. At 11:30 the nurse brought in the chemo bag, hooked the small bag onto the pole, and connected it into Doug’s line. That bag’s drip was done in 30 minutes. He felt nothing different while it was going in. Two hours later he threw up once, he received an additional injection of anti-nausea medicine in his line and we waited until the large bag’s last drip finished. He walked out of the clinic with me at 3:00 p.m.
I was surprised that after he rested for about an hour he said he was hungry. We are doing small, frequent snacks. With little strength and vitality he is spending his time in bed but so far no complications.
We have been warned that today would be an AOK day. As his blood counts drop during the next 7-10 days he will feel less well. As his counts recover he'll build back up. We go to the clinic every day now so it is their plan to treat Doug as an outpatient. I am his private duty night nurse!
There is a chance he’ll have to spend a few days in the hospital when his counts are the lowest. After the clinic is closed I have a phone number to call anytime I have a concern. The doctor on call will tell me what I need to do. If it is best that he be admitted to the hospital, this time I will be able to take him directly to the hospital without going through the emergency room. That is huge for both of us!
Tomorrow we check into the clinic for labs and fluids. Thursday is the day Doug's stem cells will be returned.
Doug said today that he can see the checkered flag of remission in the distance. Thanks to all of you who have stayed in the bleachers to cheer for him throughout this race.
~Carole
