Well, I’m sitting here in the chemo room. This time they put me in a private room so my parents could come back with me. Let me rewind the morning,We left Arkadelphia at 5:45…yes, you read that right. It was that early. I had a MUGA scan scheduled for 7:00. They don’t know that mama don’t do early. So, they started my IV. Took out some blood b/c they had to make it radioactive (sweet!) so they could put it back in and run the scan. A MUGA scan, scans really your heart and how it pumps through your body. So, while they had the IV going, they went ahead and pulled my blood for my lab. Every time I come, I will have blood pulled so they can check my counts and make sure I am ok to take the chemo.

So I went out and waited for the blood they drew to get ready and they called me back. Now, I should add in here that I have sorry or should I saw lousy veins. It took us a little while to find a vein in my hand that we could actually use and then I had to use my right hand to help squeeze my left hand to get the vein to pop up. So, that process pretty much helped me decide to go ahead and get a port put in. Man, this IV thing stinks!

So, I went back and they put the radioactive blood back in me (if you are wondering why it had to be like that, it’s because the scanning machine had to be able to read my blood and just like the contrast dye for the CT scan, this is what helped the machine recognize and measure the activity). Then, I had to lay down on a 4×8 (it may not have been that small, but it wasn’t wide like even a standard chair width.) and a halo type machine that turned over my heart was set to take pictures. They did put three patches on me like they do for an EKG that works with the machine. So, for about 10 minutes, or a little more, I had to lie really still so the scan could do its thing. It wasn’t bad and the 2×4 wasn’t uncomfortable except there was nothing supporting my arms and the dead weight of my elbows made my fingers tingle and go to sleep. But it wasn’t too long and about the time that it was getting super uncomfortable, they turned the machine off and sat me up. They handed me my souvenirs, 2 vials of blood to bring up for lab, and I was finished down there.
Again, Becky was here and a total God send in this process. She was able to get us up to the third floor where I will get chemo and since she knows all these nurses, they were super sweet to me. Now, on a little “only in Arkansas moment”…on our journey from the first to the third floor, the elevator stopped on the second floor and we picked up a passenger. He barely got on the elevator when he pulled put his pocket knife and switched on the fan. Now I’m not sure if he is just a frequent elevator rider in this three floor building or if that is actually his job, but is that really the tool he is supposed to use to fix it? Whatever.

So, we got to the suite where we go to get chemo and they took me back for my vitals. It is good for them to get these every time so they can give me the right dosages. The lady brought us (me, mom, dad, and Becky) over to the chemo therapy side. The room I will normally be in is a large room with chairs lining the walls. They are a lot like the chairs that are in hospital rooms for a person spending the night in your room to be able to lay back and sleep in. So, not fluffy lazy boy, but not a straight back chair either. They are pretty comfortable. This time, since it is my first chemo session, they gave us a private room so they could talk to us about all the side affects of the treatments and all that the process will involve. It was great. My nurse was so fun. She kept calling me “pooh”, I wonder if that is in reference to all the “poo” side effects she had just told me about…I just thought about that. That was funny and she called me “key” once and something else funny. She was great. I really like the way they do things there. The nurses really are a team. If my box was beeping, meaning that one fluid bag was empty, whoever was available to come, came. Not being territorial, but doing what was most timely for the patient. I’m sure next time will be even better once I’m out with everyone else, but it was good to be in the back and keep down the anxiety.
I am receiving 4 chemo medications. And between putting in each one, they run a saline flush, so lots of liquids and it’s funny, you have to take your IV pole with you to go to the bathroom. And, it is heavy on one side so you know since I am super clumsy, I have to be super careful. I wanted to laugh out loud today when one of the male nurses asked if I was out for a field trip…oooops he caught me!
Once the fluids started, everything else was pretty uneventful. Dad went out and tried to get my phone fixed, its dropping calls, so, if you call and I “don’t answer”, don’t be offended. Text messages are better right now. I will hopefully get a new phone in the mail next week. I started typing on this blog, mom read several magazines and told me all kids of stories. I think she caught me up on everything.
Yesterday a very special church to my family gave me a PRAYER QUILT. This is one of the ministries of their church, but they make quilts and then tie knots in it for the quilting part. Every knot represents a prayer that has been said for you. It is an amazing gift and an overwhelming visual of how amazing prayer warriors are. The pastor and his wife are the only people at that church who know me, but yet all these people are praying for me. They even put a personalized label on the back that numbers the quilt and tells more about their ministry. It was an amazing gift and I took it with me today. I used it at first to keep me warm and I will carry it every time, but I used it more to help prop up my hand. The IV really hurt and having to work through that process, solidified my decision to go ahead with getting a port. So, I have an appointment set up on Monday afternoon at 2 to get my port put in. My dad mention that maybe Navy Seals could guard it and all I heard was Hot Navy boys would be there!!!!!
They started the drip process around 9:30 and we were out of there by 1:40. Today turned out to be a beautiful day and I was so grateful. I really felt great and still do. We left there and went to Old Navy to get a couple tank tops and v-necks so I could have them to wear next times once I have the port so I don’t feel so invaded, not that it bothers me, but doctors and nurses will have to stick their hands down your shirt to get the port going…so, it will be summer, it gave me a reason to “have to” buy a couple new shirts and hopefully it will make everyone feel a little more comfortable. . I’m sure that just opened the door for a future post! Dr. Kluck really did think that was a good use of an excuse to buy new clothes.
We did some other things in LR, stopped in Benton for gas station treat…hey, they told me to keep eating! Made a pit stop at Wal-Mart in Arkadelphia…I mean really can we go a day without a visit. I have made one every day this week. And, now we are back at the house in pj’s resting. Well, they are and I’m talking to you. It was a good day, way better than anything I imagined. You know, I had this big fear that I would walk into that room today and see all these people who are at different stages in the chemo process and just get depressed, but you know I saw people who were taking naps, wearing cute hats and scarves, reading books, giving nurses hard times, sitting watching movies, having smiles on their faces and I thought, you know what I may not be atypical. If all these people can sit here and do this and have a good time, then it is going to be great. I know that starting next time, I will be on the same schedule with so many people and it will be fun to make new friends. I will try not to be like that annoying lady you sit next to on the airplane who just wants to talk…but no promises. Maybe we will be holding court and laughing before you know it.

So, day one has happened. For now, I wait to see what tomorrow brings. Hopefully, no nausea, but I have the meds if it comes. My friend Lisa Berry, my Arkadelphia mom, gave me a tile today to put in my office that says “One day at a time”. That truly is our new motto! And, Monday I have a shot at 9 to bring up my white blood counts and then go get my port put in. Next week will no doubt be eventful.