Tuesday, February 19, 2008

First Chemo round

Today was Bonnie's first Chemo round. They got there at 11 and started the medication. When they put the needle in to the port she said that it hurt. Our best guess is that it is due to the area around the port still being bruised. She had one bag of anti-nausea medication(palonosetron), then 2 different bags of Chemo solution (Leucovorin Calcium & oxaliplatin) that was pumping in through the IV. They also sent her home with a pump that will dispense the 5FU(Fluorouracil) over the next 48 hours. She carries it around in a small bag with a belt (like a fanny pack).(I know, we wish the red blanket were Aggie Navy Blue)

I got there around 12:45 and she was about half way through the treatment. I came with lunch and mom and dad were hungry by the time I got there. We were able to chat for a while, and I got to check out the facility. It was pretty nice, everything was very new. The Huntsman Cancer Center on the new Intermountain Medical Center campus is one year old. The other buildings on the campus including the hospital are 2 months old.

About 2:15 the doctor came over and spoke with us. We were able to ask all the questions that had been written down, and several more I came up with on the spot. He said that he believes she is only a stage 3 not stage 4 like the surgeon thought. (we thought the books about cancer backed up his belief)(he is going to check into why the surgeon thought it was stage 4). He also told us that it is possibly hereditary and wants Bonnie to get genetic testing done to find out if it is or not. The doctor wants her to go to a radiologist to discuss if she should get radiation treatment as well.

He said that even though she does not have any markers (measurable tests) for cancer like blood levels or etc, they will always check for that because if the cancer starts up somewhere else, it could trigger a measurable marker to show. He thought that she should not get any mouth sores from her treatments (we'll see, I guess). He thought her most bothersome affects would be sensitivity to cold and tingling fingers/toes. They would probably have to discontinue one of the drugs that causes the tingling after about 8 treatments so that it does not have life long affects.

The tumor board has not discussed her case yet. So he hopes to do that in 2 weeks when they meet again. I am not sure what that will actually tell us. He will also work up the percentages of recurrence that he did for himself but not for us when we met the first time. He gave us a form to get a 6 month handicapped placard for easier access for Bonnie.

Tonight Bonnie has had a headache like a migraine (which she used to get) and was nauseous, she took some Tylenol and some anti-nausea medication. She also was tired starting at 7 tonight, probably from having a long day. See new pictures below also.

(added to by Kevin)

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Bonnie,

You go girl!!!

Reed Merkley

Chris said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Kim Madsen said...

I'm sorry that the Emla cream didn't help numb the area more...I think next time it will. That first time they access the port, and so soon after surgery, is always a problem. Take is easy these next few days.

Hugs!

Kim

Celeste Johnson said...

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family! Thanks for the updates, it is good to know what is going on.

The Kemp Family

Chris said...

I, too wish the blanket was Aggie Blue. Thanks for the updates. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

-The Lucherinis

Anonymous said...

Bonnie,
Just checking up on how your 1st chemo day went. Thanks for the post. Hang in there you can do it!
We can even say we got our visiting teaching done before the 15th this month you are doing great. I was happy to see you were able to make it to sacrament mtg last week. I think about you every day. I hope and pray today is a good one for you.
Love, Cindy Averett