At Home

Cumulative effects of chemo got me.

Got sick.

Was given adavan and released. Passed out at home. No more sickness.

 Just feel hung over.

So it's soup and more sleep.

Tomorrow is another day.

Could Be Worse

Day 1 in the hospital and my neighbor had a screaming match with her boyfriend over the phone. The psychologist was called in and diffused the situation. Last night at 3 am she freaked again. This time she didn't want her meds and pulled her IV out. Of course this was accompanied by the signature screaming and high drama.  She  and caused such a ruckus that security has to be called. Eventually she was sedated and I got to sleep.

Sleep is completely elusive in the hospital on a good day. There is a schedule of checks and meds and chemo that run around the clock. My sleep opportunity is from about midnight to 3 am, and then 3:30 to 5:30. After that it is at 1.5 hour increments.  I can't wait to be home. I am told Dexxi misses me. Annie loves Kent, so she is fine.

The doc says I am on track to get out tomorrow. Which is good. No nap today even though I was uninterrupted and lying flat for 2 hours. I blame the caffeine and steroid cocktail. I feel like I am running fast and will crash at home for sure.

Dave and Melissa came for a visit before Italian dinner with the Italy bunch.  Such a nice break in my monotonous day.  There was a visitor outside my window. Looks like a falcon.  But by the time I got up, IV pole unplugged, and to the window, he was gone.

Yah... great view.

One more sleep and I will be home.

Ok... Maybe not much sleep. The neighbor is making tons of noise again...

7 of 8

Today was another Lumbar Puncture with chemo. It went well. My view. It's the ceiling.

The funny part is while I am recovering in my room, flat on my back for a minimum of 2-4 hours, a physical therapist came to visit. Now, you have to know that I am a walker. I am seen in the hallways walking fast, walking often. Everyone knows this. Everyone except the physical therapy department. They brought me a walker. Although I said I didn't need to use it, she said I had to keep it close and in my room. My microtel room.  I sent her and her walker away by telling her I am on bed rest today. (Not a lie exactly, but maybe a bit of overkill.) Seriously, if you are not going to listen to me, we are going to have problems. I am mostly a good patient, but I will not be steam rolled.

Ok, then I was seen by the doctor. I need to be timing these. I think he was here 45 seconds. That means there is nothing to discuss; a very good sign. I did find out he is flying Delta to Dubai, Saudi Arabia the end of the month. Maybe John will fly him there. Hey JB: watch for him!

Dave dropped by for a visit. It was nice having company, and the staff kept the distractions to a minimum.

Everything is going well so far. No adverse side effects.  My methotrexate chemo is done and I am taking something to start flushing it out of my system.  I cannot be discharged until it is clear, and it should be Sunday.  

Next chemo is Cytarabine every 12 hours which takes 2 hours to infuse.  In addition I am on prednisone every 12 hours at 3 am and 3 pm. I am also on my second dose of Lasix. That means a potty break every 30 minutes for about 3 hours. The up side is no puffy feet. 

The worst thing is eye drops 4 times a day. I never liked my eyes bring messed with. I feel like Rachael on Friends every time I see my nurse grab the bottle.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=S48UgJ4xe7M

All in all, it's been a pretty nice day.

I can't wait to get home and throw the frisbee for Dex. But not like this. Throw away from obstacles. 

4 days In Hospital

Attitude adjustment! It's not that I am happy to be here, but I am in a much better mood. It's hard not to be happy when you are treated like a rock star.

Dave was kind enough to drop me off this morning. We were greeted in the airlock by Stephan, the cleaner, who has a giant, fun personality.  From there it just got better.  Well... Bringing a batch of Gooey Butter Cookies didn't hurt... Rock Star!

I got a microtel small room, no couch. Weird. Good thing Kent wasn't thinking of staying over.

Today I checked in, got settled and waited for the barrage of guests. There are so many different things that need to be done: paperwork, blood draw for labs, weigh in + vitals, etc. I will need 2 units of blood. At 1pm, I got a ride to Radiology and had a chest X-ray. I got a potassium bag and steroid injection. Then 4 pm or so got the chemotherapy of methotrexate bolus. At 6:45 pm I got a 24hr drip of the same.  In addition, I have been getting a steady drip of fluids. 

Ahhh.... Fluids. At home it is up to me to maintain my hydration. It is a full time job to remember to drink. I don't count any other fluids, but my water intake is a minimum of 3 liters. Here I will attempt to drink 2 ltrs, but probably don't need that much. Water makes kidneys happy.

Night one of three. I hope only 3 nights.

Good night, Bug.

Now how do I pin her?

Grumpy Cat

Here it is. The day before being admitted. I had to get up early. Grumpy. 

Traffic on the way made is late. Grumpy.

I didn't have my normal nurse, but was seen quickly anyway. Labs came back and the pharmacist gave me my schedule for chemo. We were done by 0930. And the had to wait an hour and 20 min for the mid level to see me. Why? Don't know. It was a howdy do and that's it. Grumpy.

Now I'm home with my BFF pump. Grumpy.

It's a bag of fluid that will start pumping at 4am. Grumpy. 

Until then it remains heavy and I keep getting the line snagged on a door knob or in a drawer. Grumpy.

But things are looking up.  We have dinner pland with Curt and Darlene. A nice home cooked meal. Can't be grumpy with that.

I also got the call that Mom and Dad are on their way.  At 3 pm they were in Dalton, GA.  And that was the first I knew of the visit. Surprise! Tomorrow they will donate platelets (thank you!) and will probably return home.

So, except for the Grumpies, it was a good day.

Last Day Off

Today is mine to do whatever I want. So I started with a big milk+bananna+chocolate instant breakfast+peanut butter smoothie, a walk in the yard, then a workout and shower.

We brought lunch to Don and Linda mostly for an excuse to visit. Don fell from a tree in July and broke his dominant arm in two places. His wrist had a compound fracture which ground into the dirt. This caused a series of infections, 9 surgeries, and a 30+ day hospital stay. I know he is glad to be home! Although the surgeries are not over, he is at least home and healing. There's no place like home.

Ok... Not the best photo of Dexter and Annie, but what do you expect on a hot day and no treats?

Speaking of treats, tomorrow will be my baking day. (After a clinic appt in the morning.) I want to bring the hospital staff treats. Gooey. Butter. Cookies. Yum.

But today was mine. And I didn't get a thing done!

Leukemia Awareness Month

September is National Leukemia and Lymphoma Awareness Month

Darlene and I were treated to a gorgeous sunrise on the way to clinic.

Without an appointment, Darlene stopped by the Blood Group.  The 7:45 patient didn't show, so she slipped in for her 4th donation and gave 2 bags of platelets. (Notice who is wearing orange in support!). Thanks, Lil' Buddy!

See the guy in the background of Darlene's photo? It was his 200th donation. He doesn't even donate on behalf of a patient. Wow. You know me, I had to go over and disturb him to thank him.

According to the mid-level, I have clinic 8am Wednesday, and expect to check into the hospital on Thursday for round 4 of chemo (cycle 2B). I still don't have a transplant schedule. Urgh. But it was a holiday and my regular mid level was not working.

In preparation for Thursday's chemo, I will bring home a sodium bicarbonate fluid bag with a pump and be hooked up for 24 hours before they infuse the chemo. Yay... My BFF will be back.  The fluids are to protect my organs during the chemo. (And give me fat feet.)

Happy Labor Day!  This is me "shopping" at Tanger! I think I need bigger sunglasses. <<sarcasm!

When I got home, Mary and Ross stopped by and brought me home made steak fajitas. So yummy! It was also such good timing since Kent had just left for a first flight celebration lunch. One of these days I will be able to go out to eat again.

Until then, I will be happy at home.