Today was Marye's first chemotherapy treatment. I didn't post yesterday about her port, but it went in very smoothly and Marye was up and about almost right away. So the port is in-- it's a little sore, but the stitches will dissolve and she's been taking some Advil and prescription pain pills. This morning, we made our way into Louisville and got to the cancer center around ten minutes early. Then we sat in the waiting room for about 45 minutes. When we finally got into the chemo lounge, they sat her down, and put in the order to the pharmacy for her Abraxane. Over an hour later, we were still waiting for it to come back. It seems they can't order it until she's in the chair, and this is a busy cancer center. Her treatment office in Charleston back in 2005 was a lot slower and more quiet. Also, there was a large window that looked out onto a pond with a fountain. Being South Carolina, there were plenty of herons and other birds to look at. The lounge at Brown Cancer Center looks out onto the parking garage across the street, filled with the smokers who have to leave the medical buildings to get their fix. Ironic. I wonder if they realize they're being watched by the cancer patients all taking chemotherapy.
Anyway, once the meds came, it was a quick infusion (30 minutes) and we were done. The port worked beautifully. The Abraxane is known for fewer side effects than what she's taken in the past, and so far she's doing well. She took a precautionary Phenergan, but she doesn't have any nausea yet. Fingers crossed. We also have Compazine as a stronger anti-emetic, and she'll probably stay on the meds just to be safe. Otherwise, it's all quiet. Her next treatment is in three weeks, and we don't have appointments until then, so I won't have much to update. I will post every other day or so as we watch her reaction from the chemo. Hopefully it'll be boring. No more hospitals for a while.
The only other thing we have to do now is get back with Dr. Vitale as her stent(s) will need replacing before too long. Maybe we'll try to do that before her next chemo. I'll let you all know.
-Chris
