4-8-16, Smooth Sailing and Boredom R4,D4

All things considered, it's been a pretty good week here on the Oncology Floor at NKCH. It has been nice to know that Derek (Pharmacist) really took everything we were concerned about to heart and made changes for us. They had started his chemo at 4:00pm on Tuesday, so the goal is to always keep the bag changes as close to that 12hour mark as possible. In the afternoons when they change the bag, they also have to give him a 15minute infused bag of Zofran for nausea. Usually they would hang that, then wait until it's empty before they would hang the chemo. Derek told the nurses that it was fine to hang them both at the same time since Mike has a double lumen PICC line. Those 15 minutes would always turn into 30 by the time the next chemo was hung, so this has really helped to save time.

Saved time= Saturday discharge instead of Sunday = Less Grumpy Mike Horton = Happy Robin.

By Thursday morning, the bags were behind schedule a little bit, being changed at 5am, but they have been able to save time, and we are moving back towards that 4:00 time frame. I think today's bag will be done around 4:10. This is still looking good, and we are so pleased about that.

Derek has also went above and beyond by talking to Mike about some of the side effects he's having and coming up with solutions for those problems. (The Cytoxan that Mike gets after the mixed Chemo bag, on the last day causes bladder irritation and could potentially be pretty harmful.)  He has came in and talked to us about his game plan, and then always says, "I just wanted to run it by you before I talk to the doctor, so I know we are good to go when he gives the green light." It means a lot to us that he is looking out for his patients so well.

Wednesday was a long day for Mike. He was a little (lot) irritable and grumpy. I can't blame him. He doesn't want to be here. His friends are out planting and he's stuck in the hospital. It sucks. I get it. I hate feeling like there is nothing I can do though. Thrusday night a couple of his friends came to visit and that was great. It's always nice to have the distraction and nice conversation even for just a little bit.

Other than being incredibly bored, everything has been going great though. His labs have been good. Even Derek is impressed that his counts have never hit 0. We just have to get through today and tomorrow and he can rest up at home.

Sunday is the benefit in Seneca and I have been shocked by the number of donations they have received. I loved growing up there, and I still think of it as Home. The kids and I will be up there for some of it, but Mike will probably stay home to rest. We are so appreciative for all of the things that people have done for us. Small towns really are the heartbeat of America. I'm so glad we are raising our kids to know this kind of community love and pride!

XOXO

Robin