- I checked in at 7 am (we stayed up in Ki's future apartment - temporary future... while he does his work in Corvallis) here at Providence Portland.
- We (Ki, I and the staff) had all kinds of discussions with various nurses, cna's, oncologists and radiologists about the benefits of having a central line (for putting and pulling fluids this week) installed using 1 of 2 methods:
- Internal Jugular (easier to install, bad for movement as it sits in the side of the neck - and this is what they have usually done up here, so most preferred this method.
- Sub Clavian (almost as easy to install, but you have to ensure it doesn't puncture the lung... ) which the radiologist who installed the central line said was super easy and not an issue as long as you follow the collar bone super closely... the big benefit is that you don't hit a large set of 3 tubes every time you move your head to the right.
- We went with the Sub Clavian, and holy @#$% that stuff hurts... both hurt equally as pushing into a main vein just kind of hurts.
- They had 5 patients check in this morning for IL2 treatment (mixed for Renal and Melanoma treatments), and quite a large number of other cancers needing chemo and radiation.
- We met with Dr Curti today and he started the ball rolling with a lot of questions and answers, and was very sharp. So for this round I'll be with him rather than Dr Lufkin.
- Apparently this is 1 of the 3 largest IL2 groups in the country (the other 2 are located in the NorthEast). I decided I should ask Dr Curti about this as I wanted to get an idea to share with everyone (so I couldn't be in better hands).
- So infusions started at 3 PM and will continue every 11 PM and 7 AM until hopefully I've been able to take 14 treatments. Interestingly enough everyone here indicated not taking all 14 infusions isn't a bad thing, as they stop when the side effects become more than is safe, and it's more important that your body responds to the White Blood Cell boost more than it taking a while with minimal response (I'm still hoping for the full 14 rounds... grrr, ugh!).
So the fun part of the title indicates a lovely process they require from their IL2 patients... they have to monitor anything you take in, and... anything you put out... so they have this lovely little toiled contraption which sits underneath the seat and ... well it's called a hat for a reason... yay for trying to not pass out while you hold your junk so it doesn't touch the stuff in the hat....
It really seemed as if I would have NO side effects initially after almost 2 hours had passed. I'm kicking back in the bed with my legs crossed and reading... which I gather Dr Curti took to indicate I was feeling a bit cocky. So he let me know even if I don't run into any side effects right away that I was for sure going to have some in a few days. Well he needn't have jinxed me... shortly after I started to feel nauseous and dizzy... so I got a pill and then my body started to shake in all kinds of odd places, so I asked for warm blankets which helped get that action under control. So other than a mild headache and slight body aches I'm better after playing "Sister Mary Warm-Blanket" (so named by the nurse who wrapped me up - see the photo).
Okay so super duper long entry on my first official day in the cancer ward and I've started playing Angry Birds... and I have a rad wardrobe malfunction built into my hospital gown so they can get to the tubes sticking out of my collar bone.
We watched the wonderful Soup Nazi episode of Seinfeld, and I ate a 1/3rd of my dinner. So now I'm really excited to see what happens between 1 and 2 am (they come wake me up every 2 hours on the even hour to check vitals... go sleep!).
I'll likely have a really gross peeling of skin after I get home... isn't that fun!
Take care of each other and I'll try to keep these entertaining and / or informative.
Hang tough, dMan. On a totally different note the sister mary blanket thing was really funny. Do you need any MST3K movies to keep you laughin'? Cause this sister (no pun intended) will hook YOU UP. :)
ReplyDeletelove you.
Doss, I did not know you were posting to your blog until I checked this AM! I don't know why I have not been getting notices. I will check daily from here on out. I think about you ever day and ask Cameron if he knows how you are doing. Now I can find out myself.
ReplyDeleteBTW, I have had a "hat" a couple times in my life. Aren't they awesome. I never thought about the challenge of holding your junk out of the way! Guess the one time I can see being a girl paid off.
I am sending you healing energy every day. You are a champ!!!!
We love you!