Background

Thursday, August 26, 2010

YIKES--the first day of CHEMO!

All right, guys--here is the deal. I have very funny kids who write fun things on this blog. I am not funny like they are--but I check my entries, and very few people comment on my entries.I know they are pretty boring, but I am feeling slightly overlooked!! So please every once in a while, at least acknowledge that I wrote something. I am sure my tumor would shrink more if it felt like I was being noticed! Just a little something to prick your consciences, and make me feel like someone is reading my entries too. Just a little note for those of you who do comment--you are the best!! :) Support your local blog writers!

Well, today was the BIG day. I started chemo. I was a little worried because for the first time last night I was woken up by my chest pains. We wondered what that meant (and always go with the worst-case scenario!) However, the physician's assistant who works with our main doctor (and is about our favorite person that we work with) wasn't worried, and was very reassuring. She also gave me some stronger narcotics to deal with the pain. I will take them tonight, but I have felt practically no pain since she gave me some Tylenol this morning. WE were there in the hospital till almost 2:30 (starting at 8:30 this morning), but it went all right. First they gave me two different painkillers and anti-nausea medicine. One of the medicines they gave me was benadryl. The chemo lady, Sue, told me that I might get a little loopy or I might get a little nauseous from it...or I could just give in to it, and go to sleep. I took option #3 and was out for quite a while. Katie came partway through the treatment, and I told her that I knew I was going to sleep so she might as well just go home. Spence was there for a good part of the treatment also. They have been so understanding at work, and tell him that he can be with me at any time. His favorite part of the whole morning was when I was first brought into the doctor's office by a nurse who was going to take my blood. ANd she asked me which arm I could give blood out of. She looked at my left arm (where the PICC is) and said, "Oh, I guess I should use your right arm." And I totally went along with her. It was only when Spence pointed out that the reason I had the PICC line was so that I could give blood without being poked. Aren't we smart? I was only in the hospital overnight last week to make that possible. Thank heavens we have Spence to help us see the right way--otherwise, we would be lost!
I slept this afternoon for about an hour, but then have been pretty energetic since then. The effects may hit me tomorrow or Saturday, but I really can't complain about how the day went. ALso, BIG NEWS--I don't have to give up aloe vera juice. Katie found some that is flavored, and it is much more tolerable. I may be able to drink this stuff after all.

Today was a much more important day than the first day of our therapy--it was the one-year-old birthday of our one and only fabulous grandson, Logan! What an eventful year this has been for all of us. Take care. I love you, Louise

13 comments:

  1. YEA for flavored Aloe Vera. This is the best news (after Logan's birthday) of the day. !!!!YIPPEE... So, i was hanging out with my 80 ish friend, Bea today and she told me the most hilarious story about a boy she was reading to at the shelter. He kept staring at her and finally asked her, "are you dead?" Kid you not. How do 4 year olds come up with this stuff. She explained the wrinkles were normal and that no, she was alive and present! So, count yourself lucky that no one's asked you that question today! Love you!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Great post, Louise!!! 1 down and a few more to go...I'm so GLAD you are a great sleeper - it will really help you over the next few weeks - and will help your body to fight this disease. I'm also glad they pumped you full of anti nausea medication...I was wondering about that. It is great that Spence is there with you too...he always has been.

    Happy Birthday to Logan....I can't believe he is already 1 year old....Do you have the day off tomorrow? Or is there another radiation treatment?

    Take care....love, Janet

    ReplyDelete
  3. Louise.. I'm so glad the first day of chemo went well. I spent the WHOLE day thinking about you. Am at the French Championships with Gabs who has done really really well. And Happy Birthday to Logan and GREAT news about the aloe vera. Sounded disgusting!!
    Love, Sue

    ReplyDelete
  4. YEA! In just an hour or so you’ll be through your 1st week of treatment. Hope the anti-nausea medicine does its job and that you’ll have a good couple of days off. I’m so glad that Katie found a better-tasting flavor of aloe vera juice. We all want you to be able to enjoy eating cookie dough (as well as other nutritious foods) again as soon as possible. Happy birthday to Logan. Love, Suzy

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hey, Webe, I don't know how I missed your post yesterday! I check your blog several times a day!! Two points for Spence for remembering what the PICC was for, but you win the round for putting up with the treatment!! And yeah for Benadryl!! Doctors even recommend it for kids, (actually, for kids to take, but for their mothers' sanity) on long airplane flights! ;) Maybe you will be just the clinical proof they've needed to add "use during chemo" to the label!!! So glad you have made it through this first week of treatments with relative ease!! You are such a trooper!! Enjoy your weekend without treatments!! Love you loads, Deb

    ReplyDelete
  6. I'm so glad chemo went well!! Hopefully next week will be just as smooth. Also, maybe I'm a little protective, but how did that nurse not know that the PICC line was put in for that purpose? Seems like something she should have known.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Louise, I am in town for Creative Escape. I was talking to Marti about how much I wanted to see you while I am here. She said that you might be coming by. I tried to call you earlier but there wasn't an answer. I check your blog every day and so appreciate you keeping us all informed. You are in my family's thoughts and prayers. We love you. I hope we can connect...

    ReplyDelete
  8. OK Louise, first things first, you are SO funny!!!! You really are. I think what you write is very fun to read. You have such a cute personality. So don't you worry about that. The story about the nurse and taking blood was funny. (I bet she was so embarrassed about it.) Good thing Spence is so smart, huh! Hope you like the flavored juice and that you stay strong and keep the faith! Love you.
    Paige

    ReplyDelete
  9. It makes me a bit nervous that the nurse didn't know which arm to stick!!! It's just like Spence (and David) to figure it out. And it is just like you (and me)to go along with whatever! No, really I'm sure you would have figured it out before they stuck you! We love you and continue prayers for you multiple times daily!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Louise,
    I am happy to comment on your post! I'm glad to hear you made it through your first chemo successfully! I know you will do great. You are strong and amazing!!! Love, Annie

    ReplyDelete
  11. We were saddened to hear of the challenge which has come into your life but know that you and Spence have lived your lives to be more than deserving of every kindness that will be shown to you and every blessing that will be bestowed upon you. And, believe it or not, blessings will come into your life from this adversity that you otherwise would never have known. We send our love!

    Linda and Doyle Judd

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hey Friend,
    Now you'll be spending sooo much time reading your blog comments that you won't have the chance to think about your side effects...let's hope! You are amazing...you are so loved...so many people feel free to tease you royally...don't you feel privileged! (How come there isn't spell check on this program!)
    Love you, Sharie

    ReplyDelete
  13. Thinking about you and praying for your health and family. Love you
    Brandon

    ReplyDelete