Cancer has taught me one very important lesson. Take one day at a time. Joe came home Thursday afternoon after a week in the hospital. By that time Joe's hair had started to fall out. He liked pulling it out (not cool). On Saturday night, while watching the Bruins crush the Canadians, Joe took off his LIVESTRONG hat to scratch is head. WOW... had his hair fallen out. It was so splotchy, I had to run to get my camera so he could see it. All I could do was laugh... what else is there to do right. A couple of hours later, Steve the barber came over to finally shave it all off. It was really difficult for me to watch him go through that. I do not know if it is a sensitive subject for me because of my mom, but it made my stomach drop. I held back the tears for the time being but eventually broke down.
On Sunday, Bill put together a BBQ at my house and all of Joe's friends came. It was amazing to see him function like he had not been in the hospital all week. It was another time when Joe could forget he was sick and be a normal person. He even drank some beer! Thank you to everyone who showed up. It was great seeing all of you. You don't know how much it meant to take a break from cancer for a little bit. Of course everyone I invited came hungover and could barely function! Hahah TYPICAL!
Monday was the official start of cycle two. It was also marathon Monday, and it sure felt like a marathon . Joe and I arrived at Dana Farber at 8:30 and did not leave until 5. Monday was packed with appointments. First, he had to get blood drawn. Second, he had to perform the Pulmonary Function Test (located in the Lance Armstrong Survival Clinic) to see how the Bleomycin was affecting his lungs. After the PFT, Dave, Jeanne, and Danny met us for the oncology appointment. Joe's blood counts were back to normal. However, because his counts dipped so low he would be receiving a neulasta shot, which would boost his blood counts for this next cycle. Hopefully, this shot keeps Joe out of the hospital! The oncologist also told us that the Bleomycin had started to affect Joe's lungs but not enough to stop giving him the drug. However, they would be watching that more carefully. After, meeting with the oncologists, we headed down to the infusion center for Joe's chemo. His nurse Suzanne was not surprised that Joe got omitted on Monday. She had warned him that he would make at least one trip to the hospital. Suz is always right!
This week has flown by already. Joe's infusions have been early in the morning so he has been done by 1 everyday. It makes the day go by much quicker. I can't believe tomorrow is Friday and the first week of cycle 2 is completed.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Monday, April 13, 2009
Chemo Day 7 - FUCK CANCER
FUCK CANCER. I saw that slogan today on the back of a woman's winter hat. At the time I giggled, now I have to completely agree. I repeat. FUCK CANCER.
I met Joe and his mom at the hospital at 11:15. Joe had went home for the weekend to spend Easter with his family. However, after doing well all week, he spiked a temperature late on Saturday night and started to develop a sore on the back of his throat. He monitored both over the next day and hung out on the couch at his house. I had not seen him all weekend but when I walked into the waiting room this morning my heart dropped. Up until this point you could not really tell he was a cancer patient. Today, I could tell. He was aggravated, his throat hurt him and he was starting to get the chills. So far we have been lucky with the wait time at Dana Farber. Of course today we had to wait. Had to wait to get blood taken, had to wait for the oncologist, had to wait to get his schedule for the next cycle of chemo, and had to wait to get a chair in the infusion center. Joe was not in the mood to wait today. We found out in the oncology meeting that Joe blood counts have dropped to an extremely low level. The medical term is neutropenia. After the oncology appointment we went down to the infusion center. Everyone was worried about his low blood count levels so the chemo was done quickly. We left the hospital and drove to my house. I was frusterated because I felt like Joe was not being honest with his doctors. Several times he said his throat hurt, and that he had chills to Jeanne and I. Yet, in the oncology meeting he stated that he felt fine ( I knew he wasn't fine!). Well little did he know that he was going to find out the hard way that he was not fine. We got home around 3 and Joe gargled salt water and took another medicine for his mouth sores. He went downstairs to take a nap. I went downstairs to make sure he was ok and found him shivering. I took his temperature 101.3. Panic. The doctors had told us the marker was 100.5, clearly past that. I ran upstairs and called the oncologist and he told us to come right back into Brigham and Women's. This is what they had warned us about. The worst case scenario was coming true. We got to the hospital in 12 minutes (thanks to crazy Edie). Did I mention we waited today? I had to wait in a fucking emergency room reception line! Luckily a nice woman let me cut her and I was able to register Joe quickly (the oncologist had called ahead). Joe got taken back with a mask on (that put me over the edge) to scene I would like to call "grey's anatomy". He was put into a glass room and Jeanne (who was on her way back to the Vineyard) and I had to put on masks to sit in the room with him. After receiving antibiotic IV Joe got omitted and transported to a private room for the night.
Things I have learned from today:
1. FUCK CANCER
2. Do not make any plans, things can change in a second.
I feel awful that Joe is alone at Brigham's but he asked Jeanne and I to leave. Back to the hospital tomorrow... and this was suppose to be an easy week.
I met Joe and his mom at the hospital at 11:15. Joe had went home for the weekend to spend Easter with his family. However, after doing well all week, he spiked a temperature late on Saturday night and started to develop a sore on the back of his throat. He monitored both over the next day and hung out on the couch at his house. I had not seen him all weekend but when I walked into the waiting room this morning my heart dropped. Up until this point you could not really tell he was a cancer patient. Today, I could tell. He was aggravated, his throat hurt him and he was starting to get the chills. So far we have been lucky with the wait time at Dana Farber. Of course today we had to wait. Had to wait to get blood taken, had to wait for the oncologist, had to wait to get his schedule for the next cycle of chemo, and had to wait to get a chair in the infusion center. Joe was not in the mood to wait today. We found out in the oncology meeting that Joe blood counts have dropped to an extremely low level. The medical term is neutropenia. After the oncology appointment we went down to the infusion center. Everyone was worried about his low blood count levels so the chemo was done quickly. We left the hospital and drove to my house. I was frusterated because I felt like Joe was not being honest with his doctors. Several times he said his throat hurt, and that he had chills to Jeanne and I. Yet, in the oncology meeting he stated that he felt fine ( I knew he wasn't fine!). Well little did he know that he was going to find out the hard way that he was not fine. We got home around 3 and Joe gargled salt water and took another medicine for his mouth sores. He went downstairs to take a nap. I went downstairs to make sure he was ok and found him shivering. I took his temperature 101.3. Panic. The doctors had told us the marker was 100.5, clearly past that. I ran upstairs and called the oncologist and he told us to come right back into Brigham and Women's. This is what they had warned us about. The worst case scenario was coming true. We got to the hospital in 12 minutes (thanks to crazy Edie). Did I mention we waited today? I had to wait in a fucking emergency room reception line! Luckily a nice woman let me cut her and I was able to register Joe quickly (the oncologist had called ahead). Joe got taken back with a mask on (that put me over the edge) to scene I would like to call "grey's anatomy". He was put into a glass room and Jeanne (who was on her way back to the Vineyard) and I had to put on masks to sit in the room with him. After receiving antibiotic IV Joe got omitted and transported to a private room for the night.
Things I have learned from today:
1. FUCK CANCER
2. Do not make any plans, things can change in a second.
I feel awful that Joe is alone at Brigham's but he asked Jeanne and I to leave. Back to the hospital tomorrow... and this was suppose to be an easy week.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Day 6 of Chemo
Today we arrived at the hospital for Joe's appointments with his oncologist. Jeanne (Joe's mom) and Jake Ferriera were at the hospital when we arrived. The oncologist gave us good and bad news. The good news is that no cancer was found in the brain and his blood levels were completely normal. The bad news, Joe can't go home until he gets clearance from the oncologist. This week he has a high rish of spiking fevers and catching infections. They call it the danger week. Due to all the chemo that he had over the past week his blood levels will eventually go down and he could possibly spike a high fever. With that being said he is doing amazing and they are hoping that this won't happen. However, because the oncologist has not spoken to the Vineyard hospital about what procedures they have in place, they are not comfortable with him going home yet. I feel bad because I think he was looking forward to going home and spending time with his family. He has expressed over this past week that he is frusterated cause he feels fine. He also just hates the unknowns. After the oncologist appointment we headed down to the infusion center for his chemo. Unlike, the previous week today was only a half hour (compared to the 5 hours last week). He just had to get one drug, drug B I call it. Kara, stopped by quickly again and caught up. It is nice to have visitors just makes the time go by quicker. After treatment, we headed off to lunch. We both ate too much and came home and crashed. We are done until next Monday! However, Joe kind of crashed tonight. He feels achy and felt that a fever was coming on. The oncologist told us to not be surprised if he spiked a fever but I think he is just scared of the unknown. I hate not knowing what he is feeling. He can be soooo stubborn. However, he is getting better with telling me what is going on in that big head of his. I will update you next week or if anything happens in the meantime.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Chemo- Day 4 and 5
We have the routine down. I do not know if that is a good or bad thing. Thursday was pretty uneventful. Joe went in and did his thing and we left. His Aunt Nancy stopped by and brought some old pictures, which was nice. Thursdays are busy days at Dana Farber, but luckily Joe got right in there and we got to leave pretty early. I went to the Bruins game last night with a bunch of the girls from Colby. It was amazing to get away from everything for a little bit. It was nice to see everyone and let loose (drank a little too much!). It was also awesome seeing Joe, Marino, Chreny and Benny, who also had tickets to the game. We went to the Harp after for a drink (at least I only had one drink) and then I ran off to try to catch the last commuter rail home. Of course I missed the train but hopped on the green line and made it home safely.
Today, I went to the gym before heading into the hospital. It was nice to work out and release some of the stress that has been building over the past week. The Chemo is starting to wear on Joe. Today he shaved his head. I think it was a way for him to take control; he will decide when his hair is gone, not the chemo. He has definitely been more fatigued and feeling a little sick in the morning. To be honest, I don't know exactly how he is feeling. He doens't really like talking about it. But from now on I am going to assume that he is tired and doesn't feel great. I keep asking him how he is feeling. I think it is starting to annoy him so I am going to stop. Steve drove him to the hospital. I met them there after the gym. Willie, Eric (Willie's brother) and Steve were all there when I arrived. It was so nice to have his boys there for him to laugh with. Welchie arrived soon after with a big stuffed animal english bulldog for Joe (it is hilarious). Every one of the nurses and volunteers loved it. The boys shot the shit and talked about the upcoming hockey weekend. It killed me knowing how much Joe wanted to be there. He said, "there is always next year," but I know he wants to be there shooting off roman candles and being with the guys. He is planning on going down for the game tomorrow with Ruley after his MRI. After the guys left, I got Joe lunch and he just rested. Again, I think it was awesome that he saw the guys but sucked knowing they were going off to have fun and play hockey and he had to be hooked up to his buddy, getting chemo. He would never say that but I could see it on his face. Bill showed up just in time! He walked out with Joe and I. Everyone brought him little gifts, which he is so appreciative of. I told my mom the nurses must love Joe and all of his cute friends coming in. You should have seen the group of guys the Nurses loveeeeeed it. Week one done. Only 16 more days of chemo to go!!!!! Thank you everyone who has sent texts, emails, and facebook messages. We really appreciate it and I will do my best to respond. Enjoy the weekend! I know I am going to!
Today, I went to the gym before heading into the hospital. It was nice to work out and release some of the stress that has been building over the past week. The Chemo is starting to wear on Joe. Today he shaved his head. I think it was a way for him to take control; he will decide when his hair is gone, not the chemo. He has definitely been more fatigued and feeling a little sick in the morning. To be honest, I don't know exactly how he is feeling. He doens't really like talking about it. But from now on I am going to assume that he is tired and doesn't feel great. I keep asking him how he is feeling. I think it is starting to annoy him so I am going to stop. Steve drove him to the hospital. I met them there after the gym. Willie, Eric (Willie's brother) and Steve were all there when I arrived. It was so nice to have his boys there for him to laugh with. Welchie arrived soon after with a big stuffed animal english bulldog for Joe (it is hilarious). Every one of the nurses and volunteers loved it. The boys shot the shit and talked about the upcoming hockey weekend. It killed me knowing how much Joe wanted to be there. He said, "there is always next year," but I know he wants to be there shooting off roman candles and being with the guys. He is planning on going down for the game tomorrow with Ruley after his MRI. After the guys left, I got Joe lunch and he just rested. Again, I think it was awesome that he saw the guys but sucked knowing they were going off to have fun and play hockey and he had to be hooked up to his buddy, getting chemo. He would never say that but I could see it on his face. Bill showed up just in time! He walked out with Joe and I. Everyone brought him little gifts, which he is so appreciative of. I told my mom the nurses must love Joe and all of his cute friends coming in. You should have seen the group of guys the Nurses loveeeeeed it. Week one done. Only 16 more days of chemo to go!!!!! Thank you everyone who has sent texts, emails, and facebook messages. We really appreciate it and I will do my best to respond. Enjoy the weekend! I know I am going to!
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Chemo - Day 3
Today was hump day. I broke down today because I couldn't find a parking ticket... literally melted down. I felt so stupid afterwards. Joe of course comforted me and then I got mad at myself for being so weak. Like I should be the one breaking down...for a missing parking ticket. Anywho the morning started off a little rough for me. I was scrambling to get things together (forgetting half of things I needed OF COURSE). We got to the hospital safely (three minutes late because of my stupid meltdown) but we got there. Today we sat in a different section of the infusion center than the past two days. Personally, I did not like the spot as much. The seat we had the last two days was right next to window, which was nice for Joe. Today, we did not have a window seat, however, halfway through Joe's treatment we had the whole section to ourselves. Joe was a little tired today. He actually acted human and slept a little bit. I was tired too and because we had our own room I sat in a chair the hospital uses to take blood and vitals. It reclines so I got comfortable. Today, overall was pretty uneventual. Went in, Joe did his thing, and we left. When Joe and I got back to Needham we took a nice walk. It was nice for both of us to get outside and walk around. Back at it tomorrow @ 11
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