Feels Like Starting Over

Pop Quiz:

Sleeping in our own bed the past two nights has been:

A) Amazing, we never want to leave

B) We think it's amazing, but we haven't been able to get much sleep.

C) Past two nights? Try, every chance we get. Naps are encouraged around here.

D) All of the above

Good job- it's D.

Well, it really doesn't matter, because we are home, and eventually we'll get to sleep, I'm sure. (I'm hopeful?)

Mike has developed a pretty annoying (for him) cough. He could never annoy me... (HA). The first night home didn't produce much sleep because Reid wanted to sleep right on top of me. I secretly loved it. The second night, Mike's cough was so bad it kept us both awake most of the night. This prompted a wonderful nap this afternoon so now I'm looking for volunteers to stay up all night long with me!

So yesterday morning we drove down to the KU Cancer Center South which is where Dr. Mundis practices. It took about an hour and 20 minutes. I am sorry for all the times I complained that I'd rather drive to Mayo than ride in the shuttle because that 10 minute ride would turn into 15 minutes, or, oh my gosh, heaven forbid, 20 minutes!! So my first impression of this new plan is that I wasn't a fan of the drive, even if it was all interstate. Oh well. We met with Dr. Mundis, and he was very likable. I never realized how much I don't like change, though. I'm struggling a little bit over this. I was under the impression, originally, that he was with KU Med and that was where we would get treatment. It turns out that Dr. Mundis practices at St. Joseph Medical Center, in KC, not KU Med.  I had heard so many good things about KU Med's Oncology. So I guess that's where I'm feeling a little nervous now. He did give us the option, but he said that if we went to KU Med that he wouldn't be seeing Mike there. It was ultimately up to us, and Mike felt comfortable going to St. Joe's. The other perk is that it is right off of 435 and State Line Rd, so it's easier to get to. I'm sure everything will be fine though.

We also discussed if Mike wants to do his Chemo as and outpatient or inpatient. If he wanted to do it as an outpatient, they would hook his chemo bag up to him and put it in a bag/backpack for him to take everywhere with him. We would have to go back down there everyday to have them change out the bag though, because there are 4, 24hour bags. We opted to do the chemo as an Inpatient for a few different reasons. 1. It's a long drive to make everyday just to switch a bag and do bloodwork. 2. If something goes wrong, we're over an hour away from the hospital. 3. Mike was pretty nervous about the idea of the kids being around the chemo. 4. He tells the doctors that the cancer isn't going to kill him, my driving will 5. He really likes hospital food.

One of these statements isn't true, and one of them is just RIDICULOUS. I'm a great driver. haha.

We should be able to get his bloodwork and PICC Line site care done, in between hospital stays, at the Atchison Hospital, so that will save some driving, too.

Meeting with this doctor, re-telling all of his history, creating a new game plan... all of this feel like starting over, to me. I had gotten pretty comfy up in Rochester as far as the healthcare part of this goes. I liked that all of his charts were there for everyone up there. I didn't have to ever wait for a call to find out what the next step was, you didn't leave until they had made that phone call, or gotten your prescription called in. They were always SO on top of everything. I understand that most places aren't like that, but once you've been treated so good, it's hard to go somewhere else.

I'm sure that in a month I'll feel comfortable with this new plan. I'll feel like I know how they do everything. Until then, I guess I'll just keep holding down the fort at home. And take some naps.

The kids went to my mom's for the weekend.  Hopefully a couple quiet days around here will help Mike bounce back a little quicker. Next week should be a pretty good week for him before he starts the 2nd round of chemo on the 23rd. He said he isn't ready to think about the 2nd round yet. I get it. The goal right now is to get him focused on having a good weekend and good week ahead. That should be easy because our puppy is back home and Mike really loves him. (Not!) :)

Thanks for thinking of us as we get settled back in at home. We are so glad to be back. I've missed doing dishes. -sarcasm

XOXO

Robin