Chemo Round 3A: First ever INPATIENT chemo

Needless to say, the unknown is scarier than the known. I think I put that in an earlier blog, but it holds true for inpatient chemo. Wil and I had never been admitted to the oncology floor, after surgery we were on the women's surgical floor. Thank goodness, being a nurse at that hospital before, gives you some connections. I had general nursing orientation with Kristen Foley over 5 years ago. She went to nursing school with one of my best friends, Heather Smith. Kristen reached out to me after I posted that we were going to try desensitizing at the hospital. She told me that we would have great nurses watching over us and she would stop by and check in when she came in that night. I LOVE reading her blog, she is so crafty:  http://thedoublelifehousewife.wordpress.com/?blogsub=confirming#subscribe-blog

 

 

Holly, my ICU trainer and sister-in-law, stopped by Sunday night to give us a poster that she made us. It has the song lyrics from "Strong Enough" which has stuck with Wil and I during this journey. It came to the hospital room with us and was right by my bed. 

 

 

I reused some Scripture quotes that our friend, Julie Gupton, made for us when we went in for surgery. Of course, she printed them out on teal paper, just perfect! They were so inspiring and uplifting the first time around, I wanted to stick them back up!

 



 The oncology floor is on located on the 9th floor of Forsyth Medical Center, the pent house! We had a GREAT view and a large room, which was really nice. I loved being able to open the blinds and see all the trees.

 

My mommy was able to come up to spend the day with us and take care of the dogs while we slept at the hospital. She brought a gift from her really good friend, Dana. Dana is very crafty and made me an amazing TEAL quilt!

 

Needless to say, it was put to good use!

 

 

 

 

 Me and mom!

 

Wil's work station during the infusion

All of the pumps and equipment

 

 

I got all of my usual IV pre-medications that I get in outpatient chemo. Then they ran in the first chemo, Taxol, the one that I did NOT have a reaction to before. Then my WONDERFUL nurse, Tonya, started my "brown bag special." That is the Carbo which I had the allergic reaction to. It hangs in a brown bag to protect it from sunlight. I get 650 mg (I think) of Carbo over 12 bags. The first bag started out with only 0.015 mg of Carbo. Each bag increased in dosage and ran in over 15-20 minutes. So by the 12th bag, it had the majority of the drug and infused over 3 hours. 

 

One of my GYN cancer support girls, Kim, came by to see me. I met her a year and a half ago when she was first diagnosed. We have formed such a special bond and I love her dearly. She even brought me a little gift, sticky notes! These come in handy since my chemo brain is so scattered!

Wil is actually rubbing my mom's neck, hence his face  :)

 

Then laughing about it too

Me and my wonderful husband during my infusions! He had to sleep in that super uncomfortable recliner next to my bed. So needless to say, not much sleep for either of us but we can always catch up at home!



 

The infusions went great, no problems occurred at all! They kept me overnight just to monitor me and plus I didn't get all unhooked until around 8:30 pm. Makes for a long day since we got there at 7:30 am. They kept my port accessed just in case I needed any medications overnight. We were able to get up, and walk around the unit and move around more easily. We had so many people that came by to check in on us. Wil's parents, my mom, former ICU co-workers Jennifer and Glenda, and countless calls and text messages! We appreciate all the support and help. We are safe and sound at home now and planning on both going back to work tomorrow. 

Here is right before we were discharged. We will be back to 9th oncology in 4 weeks to do this all again! Only 3 more inpatient rounds to go!