Baa Baa Black Sheep...7 Bags Full

This is how Woody's IV pole looked around 3:30pm today. The one with the bright orange label is the first chemo that he received. The first chemo took about an hour, then at 5:15pm he got the second chemo...that took 30 min. Woody asked me to remind all of you that these chemos are not being directed at his melanoma...they are being given to him to destroy his immune system. So far he has tolerated them...but he had decided to sit up for a while just prior to me leaving. He said that he could see how one at least felt like they could be nauseated...he "said" that he wasn't, but that he wasn't feeling exactly "right," either. At one point not long into the first chemo I thought that his face seemed red and he mentioned a little later that his face felt hot. He also said that he felt what the nurse told him that he might...pressure in his sinus cavities...he said that he had a slight headache. He ate a very light supper...and he has several things stashed away in a drawer in case he needs something to eat while the hospital kitchen is closed. So I guess we can say that he has gotten through the chemo for Day -5.

He will get both chemos again tomorrow and then after that just one for the next three days.

For the nurses and others who are interested...The chemos that he is getting are: Cytoxan and Fludarabine. The Cytoxan is really hard on the bladder...so...he has been getting extra hydration along with the chemo and just prior to getting the first dose he was given Lasix...he is spending a lot of time running to the bathroom...and...his nurses are to see that he goes every two hours all through the night! So not going to be the most restful night for him.

He was also given Mesna, a "rescue" drug that works to protect the bladder from baldder irritation which is a side effect of cytoxan.

His afternoon chemo nurse decided that he needed to see the pain management team...but she didn't realize how much pain he was having till it was too late to get them to come see him today...so they will be dropping in to see him on Monday.

I'm trying to remember if I told you all that Woody wanted me to tell in this blog...if not I'll add it on tomorrow. He has been thinking up the blog titles and telling me things that he wants me to mention in the blog.